My Eternal Curse

My Eternal Curse

By Mara456

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Running in Circles

Tom and Ix Chel both awoke with an uncomfortable start, hearing the sounds of a struggle and a stifled cry, while Ginny remained dead to the world. Their guests were rolling around on the floor in their nightclothes, having a good old-fashioned fight. From the looks of it, Neville wasn't even defending himself, and Annika was winning. As Tom sat up, Neville escaped Annika's grasp, ran into the bathroom and locked the door. The Gryffindor girl beat her fists against the door, demanding that he come out and face her.

"It looks like Annika's back to normal," Tom commented aloud, using Ginny's voice.

"Shouldn't we do something?" Ix Chel asked him.

"Ginny would, if she were awake!" he silently shouted, trying to get his princess's attention. Ginny's consciousness stirred for a second, then nothing. Trying to wake her he pinched their arm really hard.

"...but Hogwarts is pra... defenseless..." she mentally muttered still asleep.

"Ginny, wake up!" Tom urged.

"...Killing Dumbledore...suicide..." Ginny continued mumbling in her sleep.

Tom mentally groaned.

"It looks like we're on our own, Ix," surmised Tom. "Now, how would my little princess prefer I handle this one?"

"...But I didn't even know I was doing it!" Neville yelled from the bathroom. "I'm sorry, Annika, please forgive me!"

"Forgive you?" Annika shrieked at the door. "Forgive you for turning me into a vegetable?"

"At least you became a happy vegetable, which was better than the way you were," Neville tried to reason with her. "You were scared! I didn't know I could just tell you to feel better and it would work. Come on, you can't keep this up forever. I'm hungry, and what about Ginny?"

As if in response there was a knock at the door, startling the Gryffindors. With a wave of a hand Tom opened it, letting in house-elves carrying breakfast. They placed their trays on the coffee table and left.

"Now that you've discovered your angry place, perhaps its time to give poor Neville a break, and go seek out your hungry place instead," Tom suggested aloud in a mildly mocking tone. "Unless, you would rather continue, in which case, if you actually succeed in breaking down the bathroom door and pummeling my friend senseless for trying to help you yesterday, I'll be happy to take pictures of the assault. I'm sure my brother would love to take you back after seeing that!"

Realizing how bad this must look Annika promptly stopped her self-righteous blustering. The Gryffindor stuttered an apology, utterly shamefaced, as she took her tray over to her cot. As he got up to coax the other Gryffindor out of the bathroom, Tom muttered to himself that mornings should be outlawed. Neville only agreed to come out when Tom offered to use Arithmancy to put a repellent field on him so Annika couldn't attack him again. Finally, Neville took a seat on the sofa and ate in silence. After making sure things would keep for a while, he decided to let his guard down and eat. He knew that Ginny hated it when she missed breakfast, but as far as he was concerned, that was the price she paid for staying up most of the night, plus making him deal with her high-strung friends first thing in the morning. Ginny woke up still feeling tired, as Tom finished eating.

"You know, you could have woke up for breakfast," Ginny thought, glancing at their roommates, who were sitting in their separate corners. "What's going on here, Tom?"

"No, I couldn't," Tom crossly complained. "Ask Ix Chel."

She listened to Ix Chel's description of their morning, knowing that she needed to smooth things over between them before it got any worse. Annika wasn't making a good first impression, but Ginny's gut instincts told her that the Gryffindor wasn't as bad as she seemed. Ginny just knew that this was not going to be their day.

*~*~*

Alicia sat at her desk in her third year Gryffindor/Hufflepuff Arithmancy class, giving each student's homework a cursory glance. As she worked she thought about the upcoming dissertation, keeping an ear open in case anyone needed her. Convincing Zachary had been a snap, compared to getting Lydia to go along with this. Zachary agreed when she promised to record the whole dissertation in her Pensieve and explain it to him in English. While that was a challenge, Sinistra's idea of compensation only started with observing the dissertation. Still, it could have been worse-

She straightened up as she read Rebecca Morden's homework, completely caught off guard by a sudden turnabout in the girl's understanding. Either she was cheating or it was a miracle. How in Merlin could Miss Morden go from failing one day, to ahead of her classmates the next? She knew one thing: this type of conceptual leap was impossible without assistance. Alicia stood, still holding the girl's work, and quietly approached Miss Morden. Her interest was piqued further when she saw the magical equations the girl was factoring out. This certainly wasn't something you could just copy out of some textbook. Seeing the two pieces of parchment together, Alicia perceived a unique style starting to form, one with great potential. What was going on here? There was no way you could fake progress like this, no way.

"Miss Morden," said Alicia, catching the young Gryffindor's attention.

"Yes, Professor?" Miss Morden replied.

"I was just reviewing your homework and I couldn't help but notice how it's changed. Tell me, have you been receiving any tutoring lately?" Alicia questioned.

"Well, Ginny helped me with my homework last night," Miss Morden admitted.

"Did she, really? What precisely did Miss Weasley do?" Alicia probed, her curiosity rising.

"I told her what I was having trouble with, and she took me through the whole thing, step by step," Miss Morden explained. "It was great! Ginny really knows what she's doing."

"Are you planning to continue working with her?" she inquired.

"I guess so," Miss Morden answered with a shrug.

"Thank you for clearing that up for me," Alicia said. "Five points to Gryffindor for your remarkable progress. Continue with your work, Miss Morden."

"Yes, ma'am," the young Gryffindor replied, returning her attention to the assignment.

Alicia sat at her desk again, deciding to take apart Miss Morden's homework, piece by piece. It might also be wise to get a second opinion from Lydia during lunch. Miss Weasley had shifted the girl's innate understanding of the way things work and she was determined to find out how.

*~*~*

In History of Magic class his princess and Ix Chel took a seat by the window, as the last few Slytherin and Hufflepuff stragglers wandered in. Ginny and Tom settled down for a nice, mind-numbing nap along with the others, suspecting that this would probably be the only piece of normality remaining to them for the rest of the school year. Hearing their thoughts, Ix Chel frowned. Knowing how Ix felt, Tom remembered the last conversation with their familiar over the supposed purpose of a class the students habitually slept through. It was fruitless, but it was also a required course, so there was nothing they could do, but live with it.

"I hate this poor excuse for a history session," Ix Chel hissed under her breath.

"There's nothing we can do about it, so just sit back and listen to the nice ghost's voice, Ix," Tom replied aloud, using Ginny voice. "I guarantee that in no time you'll be catching up on some quality rest."

At his words they heard a few stifled titters, noticing the Hufflepuff Kathryn as well as Alexis' amusement. The ghost waited until everyone was present, then began.

"Today we will be covering the mysterious origins of magic, and how the wizarding world came about," Professor Binns started in his usual droning monotone.

Both Tom and Ginny suppressed a groan. That nonsense was the last thing they needed to hear.

"I think I liked it better when we were in the Goblin wars," Ginny thought.

"Just ignore him and defocus for awhile," Tom recommended. "Trust me, you won't be missing anything."

"I'll try," thought Ginny, mentally sighing.

"Before our time, the Muggles, as we have come to call them, lived in fear of things they couldn't possibly understand, while all manner of magical flora and fauna ran unchecked," Binns lectured. "One day, some people discovered that they held a power similar to the strangeness surrounding them, which became known throughout the world as magic. In time, these individuals learned to cultivate those talents to better their lives, and traveled throughout the land spreading their Light, thus forming the very beginnings of Wizarding society. But, superstitious muggles feared and hated these now transformed counterparts. So the wizards decided that it was best to remain out of harm's way through evasion and confounding, a philosophy still practiced today, using modern techniques. And, for a time, the wizarding world lived in harmony, learning the fine art of regulating harmful magics whenever the need arouse, or anytime their peaceful seclusion was threatened. But, some wizards were not satisfied with this state of things. These unscrupulous wizards sought power, at any cost, thus cultivating their magic for Dark, and corruptive purposes."

Glancing at the room, Tom noticed several of the semi-conscious Slytherins sneer and that Kathryn's cough sounded suspiciously like a snort. He chuckled, their reactions reminding him that anyone who honestly believed such nonsense, wasn't worth listening to. Ginny gave up trying to defocus, resigned to hear every last monotonous word. No matter what she did, the Professor's words cut through her brain like a knife. Strange images, which could only be from Ix Chel's remembered lives played through her head, contradicting the deceased teacher.

"But, these wizards couldn't alone break the Light's hold on the world, so they spread their terrible message, forming a new faction in our society," Binns plodded on. "Although the Dark Arts were new, their practitioners were formidable, forcing the Light to come up with new and greater ways to defend themselves. Meanwhile-"

Hesitantly, Ginny raised her hand, bringing the teacher's lecture to an uneasy halt.

"I have a question, Professor," Ginny stated.

"Yes, Miss... Weasley," Professor Binns acknowledged, surprised.

"What are you doing?" Tom asked.

Standing, she mentally replied. "Asking a harmless question."

"You said before that people who were born and raised as muggles, discovered that they had magic similar to the very things muggles feared most, and then went on to cultivate it," Ginny continued aloud. "Wouldn't it then stand to reason, that they would hate and fear their talents, considering them a curse? And, if they were a curse, wouldn't they just come to hate themselves, perceiving themselves, along with anyone else like them, to be nothing more than freaks, instead of the picture of eager explorers you've painted?"

Tom noticed that a portion of their classmates were coming out of their stupor.

"I covered that earlier, Miss Weasley, now please return to your seat," Professor Binns responded, avoiding the question.

"Alright. What about the golden age you described and how it was broken?" Ginny stubbornly persisted. "You said that wizards learned the art of evasion and lived happily for a little while, but some people couldn't leave it at that, so they tried to overthrow the order of that time. Why? If everything was so perfect, why would they feel the need to do that?"

"The answer to that is simple, because they were evil," Binns spelled out, as if speaking to a small child. "Now, return to your place and we will continue."

"Return to being a mindless obedient servant, you mean," Melinda thought, enjoying Ginny's challenge of the Professor's rhetoric.

"Another thing that doesn't make sense is why these first wizards didn't develop strong defensive magics to deal with both muggle and magical threats," Ginny went on. "Wouldn't they need to do that initially, in order to protect themselves?"

"For your impertinence I am taking ten points off Gryffindor," Binns pronounced. "Now sit down, Miss Weasley, or I'll make it fifty."

Several Slytherins chuckled, waking the rest of the sleeping students while the Hufflepuffs looked scandalized.

"Not up on the current events, is he?" Tom said.

"But I'm not even in Gryffindor anymore," Ginny grumbled aloud.

"Coming into my class wearing funny robes won't fool me, my dear," Binns reproved. "Now I am taking fifty points off for your behavior, and another ten points off for your inappropriate attire."

"Inappropriate attire?" Tom repeated aloud, disbelieving. "This is my uniform!"

The Slytherins broke down into fits of laughter, while the majority of the Hufflepuffs gasped in horror.

"She has a point, Professor," Kathryn spoke up. "We couldn't have just sprung up out of the ground fully-formed, it doesn't work that way. You still haven't explained how the so-called 'ignorant' muggles could have made such huge conceptual leaps as the ones you're describing."

"Yeah, if the Dark was so much younger than the Light, why didn't the Light just do away with them in the first place?" added a Slytherin girl.

"And, what about Merlin?" Melinda pressed. "If wizards are so great now, then why can't we figure out his leftover tomes?"

Tom made his princess take a seat, as Kathryn and the Slytherins continued bombarding the Professor with questions the ghost couldn't answer.

"Silence, all of you!" Binns shouted, startling everyone. Tom was certain that this was first time anyone had seen him do that. "I will not allow my class to be used as a vehicle for dangerous propaganda. Now, Miss Weasley, if I hear one more disruptive word out of you, you will be receiving two weeks of detention and I will have you barred from my class! Is that clear, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny nodded. They both silently fumed over the Professor's overreaction. While points being taken away from Gryffindor were a humorous error, detention was anything but amusing. Ginny couldn't believe the way Binns was acting. Being giving detention for speaking up? What kind of answer is that? The outdated prat deserves whatever he gets! At their thoughts the tomes in the bookshelves lining the room trembled, causing several to fall to the floor with a series of small thuds.

"Miss Weasley, what did I tell you about disrupting my class?" Binns accused, pointing a finger at one of the fallen tomes.

"But I didn't-" Ginny tried to protest.

"You will be serving detention for the next two weeks," Binns cut her off. "Now get out!"

A tome resting on his desk fell to the floor.

"Leave now, or it will be three weeks," the Professor threatened.

Mentally cursing, Ginny picked up their things, and placed Ix Chel on her shoulders, then stormed out of the room.

"And don't come back," Binns added as she left.

She slammed the door behind them, balling her hands into fists as she walked. Through their advanced senses, he watched as Ginny's anger caused every one of the senile Professor's precious history books to come crashing down, causing an uproar. Turning his attention back to his enraged princess, he watched as she aimlessly stalked through the corridors.

"I can't believe him," Ginny muttered under her breath. "Two weeks of detention, two weeks just for asking him 'why'. He has some nerve!"

"Yeah, send some of his prize books flying, and he gets into a snit," Tom quipped. "I thought you wanted a class where everything was normal. I hate to break it to you, but sleeping through Binns' pathetic lectures is, by definition, considered normal."

"I was wrong," Ginny thought. "Normal is overrated."

"Hearing you think that makes the two weeks of detention awaiting us almost worth it," he rejoined.

"Tom..." Ginny thought, her tone warning him that he was getting on her last nerve.

"Do you have any idea how much havoc you caused when we left?" pressed Tom.

"He deserved it," insisted Ginny.

"I can't argue with you there," he agreed. "So what do we do now?"

"I don't know and, right now, I don't care," she thought as they reached the bottom of a staircase.

Tom sensed a familiar presence and looked up, making Ginny stop. Floating high above them, Peeves was holding a large cauldron filled with something. They knew there was no way they would be able to duck whatever the poltergeist was carrying. Tom also noticed that Melinda was watching them from a charmed hiding place in the shadows.

"We have an audience," Tom swiftly cautioned.

"And a Dark one at that," Ginny thought, realizing who was there.

"Oh, look, the little Gryffindor outcast, and she's all by her lonesome," Peeves taunted. "How perfect!"

The poltergeist cackled evilly, as he turned the cauldron upside-down, attempting to drop molasses onto them. Thinking fast, Ginny transfigured the sticky liquid falling towards her, coating them in a harmless shower of pretty silver and green glitter instead. In shock Peeves dropped the large cauldron. Before it could harm them Tom transfigured it into air molecules.

"Good catch, Tom," Ginny mentally complimented. "You know what, I think I'm going to enjoy this little masquerade."

"That's impossible!" Peeves shouted, enraged that she wasn't as defenseless as he thought.

"So is my whole life, but you don't see me behaving like a two year old," Ginny countered, angrily.

"I swear, everyone's vocabulary has become rather limited since this mess began," Tom added aloud.

"Everywhere I go, my every move is somehow 'impossible, amazing, unbelievable'," Ginny continued, her voice rising. "I'm sick of it! If you've got a problem with me, come down here and face me, instead of skulking up there like a coward!"

"Nobody calls me a coward and gets away with it!" Peeves proclaimed. "I don't care how long it takes, you'll pay for that comment, and so will the little sycophants you call friends!"

Peeves started to leave.

"Not so fast," Ginny ordered, holding up her right hand and slowly closing it, as they concentrated on confining the vaporous matter that made up the poltergeist. Peeves came to an abrupt halt.

"What are you doing?" Peeves demanded, struggling uselessly against their power. "Release me at once!"

"No, I'm not finished with you yet," Ginny coldly snarled, holding out their left hand. She worked on compacting the ectoplasm, thus shrinking the vengeful spirit, while Tom drew him towards them. By the time they were done, a very solid Peeves sat quaking in fear, in the palm of her hand. Ix Chel hissed threateningly, adding an eloquent touch to their Dark portrayal.

"Please, don't hurt me!" Peeves begged in a funny, high-pitched voice that matched his size. "I'll do anything you say, anything at all, just... put me back to the way I was!"

His princess couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous sight, while he gave her amusement a touch of genuine menace, perfecting their portrayal.

"That is exactly what you are going to do," Tom declared aloud. "Or, I promise you, this will only be the beginning of the nightmare."

"You've already reduced me," Peeves squeaked, regaining some of his spine. "You can't threaten to kill me - I'm already dead. How do I know this isn't the limit of your powers?"

"Let's see..." Ginny said, considering. She found doing this distasteful, but Peeves wasn't making it any easier and, if she showed any signs weakness now, this would degenerate into a disaster. She carefully applied pressure to the poltergeist's arm with the tips of her fingers, listening to his pitiful pleas for mercy. After a moment, Ginny let go.

"Does that sufficiently answer your question, or shall I continue?" Ginny asked.

Peeves frantically agreed, nursing his pain-ridden arm.

"Here are the terms of your... probation," Ginny directed. "You will leave my friends, the Seers, and my family alone, with the exception of Ron. You can continue on in your little antics, just leave them and me out of it. Because of this arrangement, Ron and his lackeys aren't just my enemies, but yours too, and you're going to treat them that way."

"I know you track the pulse of the school," Tom went on aloud. "That you hear all kinds of things... I want you to keep an ear open and keep me up to date on the more dangerous whispers you encounter on the grapevine."

"Lastly, you will treat me with respect at all times, and you will not reveal this deal to anyone, in any way," Ginny picked up.

"If you fail in any one of my directives, trust me, I will find out, and we will just have to continue this little conversation," Tom concluded aloud. "Now, do we have a deal?"

"Yes, I swear I'll follow your orders to the letter," Peeves promised. "Now release me!"

Ginny felt that he was being sincere. She blew on the poltergeist as she relinquished control, causing him to revert back to normal in a matter of seconds. Peeves fled from her like his afterlife depended upon it. In all her years at Hogwarts, she'd never seen a spirit move quite like that.

"We're alone now, Melinda," Ginny called. "You can come out of the shadows."

Appearing beside her, Melinda asked. "Were you aware of me the whole time?"

"Not at first," Ginny admitted. "You hide very well."

"And you have quite a flair for the dramatic," Melinda said. "You've made quite an impression today. The others won't forget your performance with Binns any time soon, and neither will I."

"Shouldn't you still be in class?" Ginny inquired.

"After you knocked over the Professor's tomes, I slipped away," Melinda replied.

"Walk with me to the library?" Ginny requested, taking out her wand. "But first..."

Tom explained what they were doing, while Ginny cast the Arithmancy privacy spell they had come up with yesterday. Green light covered them for a second, signaling that it was safe to talk. When they returned their gaze to Melinda, they saw that the Slytherin was truly impressed.

"This is a completely custom spell, and a very advanced one at that," Melinda observed. "How long did it take you to factor out?"

"Just a minute or two," Ginny replied. They headed towards the library at a languished pace. "About the Chimaera incident, I wasn't trying to avoid your question that day by using a Merlin quote. When I said it I didn't even know it was one. I told you that because it's true. Would you like me to attempt to explain it, or would you prefer to think I am keeping secrets?"

"Alright then, how are listening and hearing different from one another?" Melinda reiterated.

"Hearing is the easy part," Ginny tried to explain. "Through the language of magic, you can open doors of perception that you probably wouldn't be able to begin to fathom, until you're on the path of learning without restrictions. Anyone with ears, metaphorically speaking, can reach that point."

"The real trick, is listening," Tom said aloud. "Our world appears to be filled with so much apparently useless drivel, that ignoring it becomes second nature to us. So, when the time comes to bridge listening and hearing together, we can't pick out that one perfect melody from the over-powering din, because we never stopped and listened long enough to learn when to pay attention."

"Does that make any sense to you?" Ginny concluded.

"You're talking about a hidden power of receptivity," Melinda intuitively discerned. "The truth is always there, but only for those who can recognize it when it slaps them in the face, right?"

"Yes," Ginny said, barely holding back her excitement that they were starting to get their point across to someone.

"But what does that have to do with the Wizard Killer?" Melinda asked again, missing the point.

"When we were observing the anomalous one, I was paying attention to far more than just his fearsome appearance," Tom elaborated aloud. "I was reading his body language and his intent."

"So, rather than just accepting the obvious, you went looking beyond the surface to discover its true motive?" Melinda inferred.

"Exactly," Ginny said, allowing her approval to show through. "Understanding and persuasion can go a long way."

"So can wit and guile," Melinda counterposed.

"Some might say that the distinction is only a matter of perspective," Tom granted aloud.

"The Sorting Hat must be faulty to have sorted you incorrectly twice," Melinda supposed.

"The first time could have gone either way," confided Ginny. "In the end, Gryffindor turned out to be a mistake, I know that now... However, the second Sorting is correct. I am Gray, it's as simple as that."

"I guess we were fortunate that you were there to stop that little disaster in Creatures class," caustically commented Melinda.

"More than you know..." Ginny whispered under her breath, in a tone that told Melinda that she was completely justified. Melinda halted, peering at her quizzically. Ginny stopped as well, turning to match her gaze.

"As much as I enjoy the classic staring contest, I'd like an answer before the end of class," Melinda insisted.

"That day, Loren's parents were watching us from the edge of the Forbidden Forest," Ginny informed her. "If anyone had fired on their cub, even if it seemed like self-defense at the time..."

She let her words trail off, knowing that the Slytherin didn't need much imagination to fill in the blanks. Tom watched Melinda's calm, collected mask waver and knew that his princess had gotten her point across perfectly.

"I see," Melinda intoned. "Did you know that when you ran into the monster's path?"

"No, I didn't pick up on them right away," Tom elaborated aloud. "We have nothing to fear from Loren anymore, at least those who attended the class that day don't. When each student petted the young anomalous one, he identified us as friends."

"He won't hurt us and he'll even come to our aid if he finds us in trouble," Ginny added reassuringly.

"You are truly dangerous, Virginia Weasley," the Slytherin remarked smoothly.

"I think I'll take that as a compliment," Ginny said.

"As it was meant to be taken," Melinda confirmed.

"Would you like to join me for lunch today in my chamber, just the three of us?" Ginny offered.

"I would be honored," Melinda accepted graciously.

Tom made his princess smile, at last feeling like he was in his element. Something about returning to the game felt like home.

*~*~*

While instructing her Gryffindor - Slytherin sixth years on turning pillar candles into bowls of water, Minerva walked around the class studying the students as she went. The Slytherins listened closer than usual, as though gleaning hidden meaning from her words. Her gaze slowly swept over the Gryffindors, trying to gauge how her children were coping. Most of them were adequately attentive, unwilling to show her any sign of weakness. Mr. Weasley, on the other hand, seemed terribly bored, as if he was listening to the same speech for the thousandth time. Now that she thought about it, he's been like that for some time. Minerva continued to observe him, surprised she hadn't noticed that before. When she looked into the boy's eyes, an unnerving feeling crept into the back of her mind. Something was familiar about those unnaturally bottomless depths, but it remained beyond her grasp. Minerva mentally shook herself. She was letting the stresses of the week get to her. Yes, that is all it is, her imagination. Minerva stopped in front of Mr. Longbottom, resolved to put this flight of fancy out of her mind.

"Mr. Longbottom, please demonstrate the spell 'aqua scaphium' for the class," Minerva directed.

"Aqua scaphium!" Mr. Longbottom enunciated.

In his nervousness the boy had forgotten to use his wand, but impossibly, yet perfectly transfigured the candle into a bowl filled with water. Mr. Longbottom and Miss Knight smiled. Gasps of awe and disbelief swept throughout the classroom, quickly followed by whispers. She couldn't believe her eyes. To her knowledge the only person capable of such magic was Virginia. But those gifts were incredibly advanced, and when it came to transfiguration Mr. Longbottom was not particularly talented... until now. She had to know how he did it, and, more importantly, where he had learned it. She silenced the class with a stern look before speaking.

"How did you do that?" Minerva asked.

"I understood it," Neville exclaimed in wonder, staring at the bowl as if it knew something that he didn't. "She told me if I listened, and if I observed closely enough, I would know. It's all the same!"

"What's all the same?" Mr. Potter asked.

"Matter, energy, all of it ... you know, stuff," Mr. Longbottom tried to explain.

"Who told you this?" Minerva inquired, already suspecting the answer.

"Ginny did, when she helped me with my homework last night," Mr. Longbottom replied.

"Oh, now I get it!" Miss Granger interjected excitedly. "That's how you can use transfiguration without your wand, you are the amplifier! Once you know the rules, it simply becomes a matter of maintaining proper focus and energy modulation!"

Not comprehending what they were talking about, Minerva said. "I see." She wanted to understand but she couldn't let them continue with this line of thought just now. "I may need a word with each of you later, but for now, back to the lesson."

Minerva continued on with the lesson, resolving to discuss with Severus the implications of this growing abnormality, or whatever it was, at the first opportunity.

*~*~*

Watching the Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor discuss something with one of her housemates Melinda prepared to leave. She wondered if the teacher's offer to assist the Slytherins, without selling us out to Dumbledore, was truly genuine. Draco seemed to think so when he told everyone yesterday, and that was no small endorsement. They needed any ally they could find amongst the staff, but still, she wasn't so sure he could be counted on the way Vector and Sinistra already were. The only way to test the validity of his offer will be to bring one our lesser problems to his attention, and see if he goes running to the wrong person at the first sign of trouble. Undoubtedly the elder Slytherins have some plan in the works. She knew they would call upon her, if they needed her. She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed down into the Dungeons for her lunch with Ginny Weasley. Arriving in front of Ginny's door, Melinda knocked. Professor Snape's apprentice opened the door, her familiar encircling her left arm.

"Hello, Ginny," Melinda said, the witch's necklace catching her eye. It looked familiar... She quickly buried the idea, filing it in the back of her mind for later examination.

"Hi, Melinda," Ginny welcomed, letting her in. "I have an idea. Why don't we go up to the kitchens instead for lunch?"

Melinda noticed that the unusual witch still had silver and green glitter peppering her hair from this morning. She saw Ginny check her reflection in the full-length mirror, straighten her robes and hide the necklace beneath them.

"That sounds good," she agreed.

They left the room, shutting the door behind them. Heading out of the Dungeons together, Ginny led them to a painting of a bowl of fruit on the second floor, which Melinda had never noticed before, and tickled the pear. The painting swung open, revealing the kitchens behind it.

"You've never been here before?" Ginny inquired.

"No, I was never interested in looking for it," Melinda replied. "How did you find it?"

"After I got Ix Chel Professor McGonagall gave me permission to come here, in case I didn't want to bring my familiar to the Great Hall," Ginny answered as they entered. The house-elves led them to a table towards the back and eagerly served them a small feast.

"I have to warn you, I don't focus very well while I'm eating, so I won't be able to talk to you until afterwards," Ginny informed her.

"I don't mind," Melinda replied. While her potential ally ate, she put up silencing wards, and then began her own meal. As she enjoyed her lunch, she watched the house-elves work, allowing herself to muse about trivial things. Normally, she would consider more pertinent matters, but that was a luxury she couldn't afford in front of a Seer, especially one so unpredictable. She waited to speak until the odd witch had finished her meal.

"So, how has your reintegration into school life been progressing?" Melinda casually asked.

"It's been hard, but I think you've already gathered that from my little tirade with Peeves," Ginny replied. "At this rate, the only normal class I'll end up going to is Care of Magical Creatures."

"Really, why?" Melinda asked, interested.

"Since the magical storm, I haven't been the same," Ginny confessed. "I'm sure by now everyone's noticed. My powers, my innate understanding of things, everything has been altered. I will need a lot of remedial training before returning to normal classes, that is, if I can return."

"It sounds complicated," Melinda said, sympathetically.

"It is," Ginny said. For a second, it seemed as if the strange witch were looking through her. "I see you've extended the olive branch to Mark... and he's accepted it."

"You know about Mark's true nature?" Melinda asked, surprised.

Taking a sip from a glass of water, Ginny nodded.

"How long?" she asked.

"Since my change," answered Ginny. "When I found out, I could tell he didn't have a guide. I also knew what it was doing to him. I'm glad that you've found each other. I think if anyone can give him what he needs, you can."

Looking into Ginny's eyes, something told her that the outcast wasn't just referring to The Dark Arts.

"Just as you have found a guide in my Head of House," Melinda probed.

"Isn't that the function of a master?" Ginny returned, looking past her.

"Some masters are different than others," Melinda pointed out.

"True, but so are some companions," Ginny rejoined. "I can't give him what he needs, but you can. I'll be happy to help whenever you need me to."

"Why would you do that?" Melinda questioned.

"Because he's my friend," Ginny held. "He deserves better than longing for something that can't be. I should give you fair warning though. If you hurt him, I will know, and I will make you pay for it."

"What are friends for?" remarked Melinda, nodding her head in agreement.

"We'll see," Ginny whispered.

As she and Ginny continued with their dance of words, she was surprised by the other witch's mix of Gryffindor directness and Slytherin subtlety. It wasn't everyday you encountered a person willing or even able to play with such a combination. After she left Snape's apprentice, Melinda thought about what had transpired during their lunch. Even with a Slytherin potential, there was no way Ginny had learned to be so subtle on her own. Teaching someone to overcome their Gryffindor upbringing would be quite a task. By comparison, assisting Mark would be easy.

She recalled her glimpse of Ginny's necklace. Melinda was certain that she had read about it before, but not in any book the school's limited library had to offer. She must have come across it while looking through her clan's ancient secrets when her parents thought that she was sleeping. Then it came to her; it was the fabled Necklace of Tutela! Hmm, so the legends are true.

Suddenly, the incident a month ago at Hogsmeade made sense. Ginny must've been wearing the artifact. Melinda knew that her information on the subject was vastly inadequate. If Ginny really was The Guardian, then this was too big to keep to herself. She would have to go home as soon as classes were concluded and seek her parents' guidance. They wouldn't be happy that she had been sneaking into the vaults before she was old enough again, but they would be interested in what she had discovered. Maybe they wouldn't punish her? Yeah, right. She would need all of her cunning to get out of this one.

*~*~*

When Severus entered the Great Hall, he noticed that Zachary and Remus were sitting together talking, and that Dumbledore and Minerva had not yet arrived. He took a seat between Remus and the Headmaster's empty chair.

"Have you seen the house point count for Gryffindor?" Remus asked him, indicating the current tally.

Severus looked, seeing that since breakfast Gryffindor had lost nearly a hundred points.

"Well, this time it wasn't me," Severus declaimed, answering their unspoken question. "I didn't take any more points from them than usual."

"Then who did it?" Zachary wondered.

"Apparently, it was Professor Binns," Minerva supplied, coming up from behind them. Turning he saw how flustered and worried she was. "But right now, we have a more serious problem on our hands. Virginia is missing! I've already tried her chamber and the library. I don't know where she could have gone."

Ignoring his colleague's irritating desire to panic Severus closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Instantly, he knew that she was safe, enjoying a pleasant lunch somewhere inside the castle. He delved further, getting a flash of who she was with and where.

Opening his eyes, Severus assured them. "There is nothing to worry about. Virginia is in the kitchens having lunch with one of my Slytherins. Minerva, if I remember correctly, you gave her permission to dine there yourself."

"But allowing her to go any place unescorted is perilous," Minerva protested.

"I have to agree," Zachary said. "Wandering around on her own is simply too dangerous. I'm going down there to have a talk with her..."

Zachary stood ready to rush off.

"I'll go with you," Minerva declared.

"Wait, both of you," ordered Severus. "If you two go down there, behaving as if the sky is falling merely because the girl wanted a little breathing room, your panic is going to back her into a corner and we don't want that."

"What then, should we do?" Zachary pressed.

"Perhaps, it would be better if I had a word with her," Remus offered. "Miss Weasley might be more receptive to a reasonable approach."

"Agreed, but let's hold off for now," Severus cautioned. "She isn't in any danger, and some time outside of her cage may do her good. Circumstance has taken away nearly every freedom she once possessed. The worst thing we can do is remind her of that."

"Very well," Minerva acceded. The two Professors sat down.

Returning to the previous conversation, Zachary speculated. "No matter how badly she disrupted History of Magic, I doubt Miss Weasley's actions merited such an extreme punishment. Minerva, why did Binns overreact the way he did?"

*~*~*

By the lake, Dennis Creevy sat on a large boulder, his knees drawn up to his chest, crying. As far as he was concerned, life couldn't get much worse. In a matter of hours, maybe not even that long, he was going to be disowned by his brother and there was no way to stop it. Becoming a wizard had been one of the best things that had ever happened to him. It made him special, maybe too special. He would gladly give it all up just to have his brother back, to have it all back to the way it was. Part of him hoped that Colin would understand, but after seeing the way his big brother had behaved in the Great Hall yesterday, he knew that it wasn't going to happen.

"Dennis, are you okay?" a female voice asked him.

He looked up. Parvati was watching him, her face filled with concern, wearing a Prefect badge and Ravenclaw robes...? Then, he remembered that Parvati had a twin sister in Ravenclaw. "You're Parvati's sister, right?" he asked in return.

"Yeah, my name is Padma," she answered. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"I'm as 'alright' as any Gryffindor with The Sight could be," he croaked, thoroughly miserable. "Montgomery 'discovered me' when I ran into him on my way to lunch. Later I have to report to his office so he can add Divination to my schedule. My brother's going to go insane when he finds out."

"Believe it or not, I do know how you feel," Padma sympathized. "My sister disowned me when I refused to reject my house and join her in Ronald Weasley's mad crusade. Of course, my sister also tried to ambush Ron's little sister, so... perhaps your brother will realize that not all Seers are bad."

"Yeah, he'll come to his senses, just in time to watch me die," Dennis lamented, sighing. "I'm sorry, you didn't do this, it's just..."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Padma offered.

"Sure, why not? What have I got to lose?" Dennis accepted.

*~*~*

Watching Melinda leave the kitchens, Ginny was still irritated that her master felt the need to spy on them. It wasn't like they were doing anything, yet he insisted on knowing what she was up to. She completed their connection through the Gray, determined to inform him of his mistake.

"A Mountain Troll's footsteps are more subtle than yours," Ginny reprimanded.

Through her master's eyes, they could see the Divination teacher react to her statement.

"I wasn't trying to disturb you, Virginia," Severus replied aloud, making sure he felt her irritation as if it were his own. "But it was better than the alternative. McGonagall, since it was your brilliant idea that I check up on her, and we've now caught her attention, is there anything you wish to tell her?"

Professor Lupin sighed as he rested his elbows on the table, placing his hand on his forehead, his eyes concealed.

"Severus, the next time you're concerned about my safety, please don't try so hard," Ginny urged him. "It felt like you were hammering on the inside of my brain."

"Miss Weasley can hear us?" Professor McGonagall asked, surprised.

"I can now, Professor," Ginny replied.

Severus repeated her words for them.

"We were just concerned for your safety," Professor McGonagall told her. "It's dangerous for you to go off on your own, especially without-"

"Virginia, Professor Lupin will escort you back to your room or wherever you wish to go," Severus said, cutting off the other teacher. "Please, remain where you are until he arrives."

She sighed.

"Yes, master," agreed Ginny. Closing her end of the link, she saw to it that their master couldn't do more than simply sense her presence. With all of her might she wished that this bloody day would just hurry up and end. That might have worked if she was all-powerful. But since she certainly wasn't, nothing happened. On impulse, Tom took out his mother's locket and opened it, gazing at his mum's beautiful image, still poised to conceal it at a moment's notice.

"You miss her a lot, don't you?" Ginny silently asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Tom moaned in a rare mournful tone.

"It is when you share the same body," Ginny reminded him. "I wish I had known her."

"So do I," Ix Chel agreed. "She must have been a formidable witch to have born you."

"When are you going to ask the locket about your family's past?" Ginny pressed, breaking the moment.

Tom returned the locket to its hiding place in her robes.

"When I'm in the mood for another disappointment," Tom retorted. "What difference would knowing make anyway? Even if I have living blood relatives, it's not like we can just appear on their doorstep. We can't even tell master Snape the truth, so how do you propose we explain our little 'situation' to a bunch of strangers? Who knows? Maybe we'll ask the bloody thing and it'll tell me that Dumbledore is my grandfather! Then we can go and tell him all about us. Yes, that sounds like fun! I'm sure my new relatives won't lock us up at first opportunity once we've explained it to them. I held out false hope once, Ginny, I refuse to make the same mistake twice. Let's face it, even if we learn the truth there's nothing we can do about it."

"If we discover your clan's fate- when we discover your clan's fate, we'll come up with a way to make it work," Ginny thought, correcting herself. "And, if they're gone then the burden of upholding your true family name lays in our hands, and we'll reclaim it together."

"Forever the optimist," Tom commented.

"One of us has to be," Ginny thought.

"Miss Weasley?" Professor Lupin asked, catching their attention the first time around.

"Hello, Professor," Ginny said, as Ix Chel returned to her arm.

"Would you like me to escort you to the library, or perhaps, for a walk?" suggested Professor Lupin.

"Do you mind just taking me to my room? I don't think I have the energy for much else," Ginny requested. She pulled out her wand and began casting the Arithmancy privacy spell. She noticed that Professor Lupin watched the whole process with interest. Ginny felt a little more comfortable once bright green light briefly covered them, signaling that it was safe to talk.

For a second Remus and Miss Weasley were covered in green light, in theory, indicating that the spell was active. He had heard Zach's description of it, but the ease with which she applied it still surprised him. It was hard to believe that not too long ago, she had been struggling with the subject.

"On second thought, maybe the walk would do us some good," Miss Weasley considered, suddenly changing her mind. "Do you mind?"

"No, not at all," he agreed.

They left the kitchens in silence. Heading for the entrance hall, Remus noticed that the corridors were still empty. Miss Weasley halted just outside the entrance, awestruck by the normal scenery. He waited, giving her all the time she needed to enjoy the view. After staring for a few minutes, she spoke.

"Sorry," the young witch apologized.

"That's quite alright, Miss Weasley," Remus replied. They set off together, going in no particular direction. Observing her closely, he could sense her tension. It didn't take much to tell him that she was coming apart at the seams. He suspected that both she and her familiar sorely needed some real breathing room. Come to think of it, so did Severus. An idea popped into his mind. They all needed some time away from responsibility, away from Hogwarts altogether. It would certainly relieve tensions for them, but Severus would never go for it... unless he could convince Zach to help him. Her familiar hissed, bringing him back to the present.

"Ix Chel asks if you've chosen to accept Elric's proposal," Miss Weasley translated.

"Well, after giving it a lot of thought I've decided to make the attempt," Remus replied. "As long as I can take the proper precautions, it shouldn't be too risky, but..."

"But?" she encouraged.

"But what if I take sanctuary in the forest and then find that there is nothing to discover?" he confided. "What if I'm condemned to spend the rest of my days battling my werewolf nature?" Abruptly he shook his head. "You have enough problems of your own. I didn't suggest coming out here so you could hear mine."

"It's alright, Professor, I don't mind," Miss Weasley tried to assure him. "Don't take this the wrong way, but it's kind of reassuring hearing that I'm not the only one with issues. It's like I'm not alone. And while there are times I feel like getting a couch, the occasions I can actually help someone makes utilizing the effort to hear as well as listen worth it."

"Why would you need another couch?" Remus asked, perplexed.

"Never mind, it's a muggle reference," she answered, with a frustrated shake of her head. "The point is that helping others, helps us."

"Us?" he asked.

"Me and Ix Chel," Miss Weasley clarified. "Ever since we bonded, we're more like parts of the same equation, than separate individuals."

"Oh," Remus intoned, trying to understand the dual nature she described.

She smiled and went on.

"As I understand it, it's in human nature to fight what we don't understand, like when transition comes to sweep us away. Sometimes, the only way we can evolve is to willingly cast off from riskless shores, and trust that we'll come out of the experience wiser and stronger. The full moon is going to happen on Sunday, whether or not you accept Elric's offer. Think of this as your chance to discover your true nature and so make peace with yourself. Other than your pain, what do you really have left to lose?" Miss Weasley succinctly advised.

He saw innate truth in her words, and realized she was right. He didn't have a great deal to lose by doing this, only himself. Remus gazed at her, wondering how a fifteen-year-old girl got to be so wise. Miss Weasley shrugged.

"We all have our moments," she stated.

"I know you've been under a lot of stress lately, and I just want you to keep in mind that my door is always open to you," he offered. "If there are any complaints or worries you want to air, you can tell me."

Remus waited for a response, but could tell that none was forthcoming.

"If something is wrong, we won't know unless you tell us," he added.

"You wouldn't understand," the young witch asserted.

"Try me," he challenged.

After a brief pause Miss Weasley began, "Okay, umm... Ever since I recovered from my magical fever people have been acting like I can't take care of myself. I know that Parvati and Lavender are still a danger but, even Hermione, who's under armed guard, has more freedom than I do. I haven't even been outside since... Creatures class on Monday. And now, Professor McGonagall wants to know what I'm up to every second of every day. I feel- I feel like a prisoner!"

"You are no one's prisoner, Miss Weasley," Remus answered. "I am sure I speak for the other Professors when I say that we never intended to make you feel that way. The precautions we have implemented have been for your own safety, as well as any student foolish enough to oppose you-"

"You think I'm dangerous?" Miss Weasley charged.

"Yes, you can be dangerous when you wish," he affirmed. "But that doesn't mean you have to be. I think our real concern is in what might happen if you lose control again. Unfortunately, until we can be sure that won't happen, we-"

"How can I lose control if I don't have anything to do?" she cut in. "Everyone wants me to just sit around, contemplating the tapestries, and not be a bother." She groaned in disgust. "I am tired of being seen as a 'special case'. Merlin, it makes me wonder if they see me as some sort of monster."

"They don't see you as a monster," he objected.

"Fine, what do they see me as then?" Miss Weasley asked, curtly.

"If either of us is the monster, I am," Remus replied.

"Nonsense, you are one of the gentlest people I've ever known," she disagreed. "Who cares if you're half-human? Does it really matter what others think of you? No, not with things you can't change."

"Then why do you care what others think of you?" he asked.

"Because what they're seeing is true!" Miss Weasley yelled. "Everything I do gives away just how inhuman I've become." The young witch wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered. "Hell, I can't even tell when something's weird anymore."

"Well, as far as Professor Flitwick is concerned, you're an advanced human and, at this point, I would have to agree with him," he quickly related.

"Advanced?" she repeated. "Yeah, advanced for the Dark, advanced for the Light, and even advanced for the bloody Gray. Now I know why Merlin left."

"It has been what... two, maybe three weeks since you were attacked? There has barely been time for your body to mend, much less your spirit. Give it time; give yourself time. Reserve judgement on your shift until you better understand what it is, until we do." Remus counseled.

"Time is one thing we don't have, me least of all," Miss Weasley insisted.

"Damn it, I never should have let Severus throw her back into school life so soon," he thought. "Now, matters are worse."

"See, that's one of my problems, I just heard you!" she cried. "No matter how many nifty blocking spells I know, I can't block it all out. I hear everything. Every stray thought, the trees, the sky, the boulders, the animals in the forest, and I know that nothing will ever change that fact! You have no idea how much energy it takes just to not listen. Take people for example... What they say is totally different from what they think, and that's different again from what they believe about themselves. Now that's three different things I hear, when it's all supposed to be the same thing! Half the time, I don't even know which I should listen to. And, of course, every time somebody sees me pick up on something, it's 'ah', like they're trying to decide if I'm brilliant or just plain crazy, because even in the wizarding world, hearing voices is not a good sign. Well then, what do you do when all you can hear are voices?"

"But that's referring to voices that aren't really there, not enhanced perception of the real world," Remus argued. "To my knowledge, Severus hears something similar, and you're both obviously still quite sane."

"Sane, hmm... I probably shouldn't be saying this, but do you want to know what's really bugging me? Master Snape," the young witch blurted out. "Don't get me wrong, he's been wonderful. But he says he that I should tell him what's wrong, that he wants to know, but something keeps scaring him off, and I don't understand what. I know it's not my magic that's bothering him. It's something else, something... personal. I don't know, maybe it's because he knows I was almost sorted into Slytherin, but ended up in Gryffindor because I was too afraid to stand out. Besides anytime we get close to resolving anything, we get interrupted. We couldn't even finish our potions class because Professor McGonagall needed him. I bet master Snape would see my complaints as... 'little more than Gryffindor whining!'"

He couldn't help but laugh as she ended her statement with a passable imitation of Severus.

"Thanks to you, he's become much more understanding of such things," Remus pointed out.

Swiftly redirecting their line of discussion, she continued. "For that matter, our class was interrupted. Was there anything you wanted to tell me?"

"Actually, yes, there is something... I feel you deserve to know the results of my basic assessment," he answered. "I found your solutions to be very creative and, at times, even a bit... unsettling. Your form and technique were beautiful, but you are dangerously over-powered. You will definitely require remedial training to gain control of it. The good news is that you're more than capable of defending yourself. Another thing you should know is at what level you were tested. Only the first two trials were at the fifth year level. When I saw how you annihilated them, I decided to test you on the seventh year level, and above."

"So, I'm as capable of defending myself as any fully-trained witch?" she asked.

"No, you are far more that. I know for a fact that a group of Aurors would find it difficult to challenge you, and individually it would be no contest," Remus attested.

"But if I can defend myself, why do I need constant guarding?" Miss Weasley asked, missing the point.

"Anyone that would wish you harm is less likely to act if you are escorted," Remus explained. "Think of your guards as witnesses. As long as they are around-"

"It won't be my word against theirs," she finished for him. "That makes sense. After all, that's precisely how Parvati and Lavender managed to ambush me in the first place."

The young witch paused, as if carefully crafting her next words.

"Speaking of Aurors, my father paid Gryffindor Tower a visit last night," Miss Weasley uncomfortably disclosed. "It showed him what happened the night I was attacked. I-I don't know how I'm gonna face him. I never wanted him to see that, especially not through my eyes. It's my fault. I should have confided in him sooner."

"None of this is your fault, Miss Weasley," Remus disagreed, both surprised and mortified by the news. "Your reluctance is perfectly understandable, and I know Arthur would never blame you. It was his choice to investigate further. Maybe, now that he knows, your father can help you put these demons to rest."

"Put them to rest," she softly echoed. "Maybe his intent would be right for this after all."

"You're not considering..." he started.

"That's precisely what I am thinking," Miss Weasley confirmed. "I'm two wizards short. Who better than my dad and Hermione to complete the set."

"What makes you think he won't inform Severus once you tell him your plan to restore the tower?" Remus asked.

"Because my father knows that if Gryffindor Tower could act through another, then it won't let a minor Light containment ward stop it," Ginny explained, while her eyes briefly lost focus. "He knows it is only a matter of time before it begins claiming additional territory."

Knowing exactly what she meant, Remus nodded his head in agreement. No matter how much Severus wanted to bury that place, and the event with it, the members of the Gestalt knew that Miss Weasley's plan was the only route left to them of stopping it.

"I want to thank you... for listening to me, even if I am whining," Miss Weasley apologized.

"Airing valid complaints isn't whining, nor is expressing your frustrations," Remus assured her. "And you're welcome." He noticed that they had wandered to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Suddenly coming to a halt, she called out. "Loren? Is that you?"

A Chimera ran straight towards them. Recognizing it from yesterday's incident with Harry, he kept his wand holstered. Miss Weasley dropped the privacy ward and ran over to greet the monster. Coming to a stop, the child Wizard Killer let out an enthusiastic growl. Showing no fear, she knelt before the creature, wrapping her arms around its neck in a gentle greeting. Something about the display looked perfectly natural to him, like the two were more alike than most people would be comfortable with, but being part-creature, Remus himself would disagree. She looked more comfortable, even safer with the monster, than with the wizards and witches around them. Watching the exchange, he saw an unexpected tenderness that she and the forest seemed to share. There had to be more to these magical creatures than just animal instinct. As Miss Weasley and the creature conversed, he at last understood the true meaning of her advice. What he was sharing himself with was far more than an unstoppable killing machine. What he was sharing himself with could be someone worth embracing.

*~*~*

Later, in the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom, Remus watched his sixth year Gryffindor - Slytherin students take their seats, while he contemplated the leap of faith he had chosen to undertake. Now that he was fully committing himself to this unique path, Remus felt as though a burden that had weighed heavily on his soul had been lifted. A startling sense of anticipation over his upcoming transformation had begun to overshadow the sense of self-loathing and fear he always experienced at this point in the lunar cycle. Remus wished he could tell Sirius of his plans, but some primal part of him insisted that this was one journey that could only be made alone. Looking further inward, he understood that a great deal of what he was feeling was coming from Moony. Curious, it felt like his werewolf half had been waiting its whole life for Remus to relinquish himself to Moony, for the chance to take on another, yet entirely different, role from the one they knew. Somehow, that concept didn't frighten the human part of him in the slightest.

Turning his attention back to the present, he noticed that everyone had arrived. Harry had become more distant since yesterday's disaster with Sirius, confirming his fear that he was back to square one with the young Gryffindor. He could feel the pall Ronald's group had cast over the majority of the Gryffindors. Mr. Malfoy along with a portion of his housemates were more open to him, indicating that he was making progress. Miss Granger and her guard were nowhere to be seen because of the Arithmancy dissertation that was taking place today. Continuing his observations, Miss Knight behaved unusually confident, considering that this was her least favorite subject, and Mr. Longbottom continuously gaped at his surroundings, as if inspired, even enraptured. He got the feeling that this was going be a very atypical class.

"Good afternoon, class. I hope you have all studied up for today's practical exam," Remus began the class. "Hand in your homework, then you'll be paired off for the duration."

He waited patiently as his students handed in their assignments, before continuing. Hoping to keep the combinations from becoming too explosive, he chose to hand pick the pairs, rather than allowing them to draw the battle lines for themselves. He started by pitting Harry against Mr. Finnigan so the true Gryffindor could get some payback, Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Malfoy against each other, Miss Knight versus Mr. Thomas, Mr. Weasley against Miss Parkinson, and so forth, until everyone had a dueling partner. The first thing he tested them for was their understanding of Light protection wards. The only results that surprised him were Miss Knight's and Mr. Longbottom's. It was as if Miss Knight's focusing problems had resolved themselves overnight, and Mr. Longbottom used the spell like he had been doing it his whole life.

"Good work, class." approved Remus, writing down their scores. "Just as most unfriendly spells can be blocked, they can also be redirected, either simply away from you or back toward your opponent. Now, who can tell me what occasionally occurs when your opponent redirects that already redirected spell?"

Mr. Malfoy and Harry were the first to raise their hands.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" he called.

"On occasion, when the wizards are evenly matched, the two dueling continue to bounce the spell back and forth between them, adding power to it until there is a decisive victor," Draco answered.

"Excellent. Two points to Slytherin," Remus evaluated. "And who can tell me what that effect is called?"

Once again, the first hands in the air were Mr. Malfoy's and Harry's.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" he directed.

"It's known as the Ping-Pong effect," Harry answered. "Named by Victor Marlin, who was the first to win such a duel against a Dark wizard, and survive."

"Good answer. Two points to Gryffindor," Remus replied. "Can anyone tell me why his survival after the duel is so important?"

This time, many students raised their hands, including Neville Longbottom.

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?" he selected.

"Because constantly redirecting a spell is both physically and magically draining and whoever recovers first usually wins," Neville answered.

"Exactly. Two points to Gryffindor," Remus approved. "Now, why do you suppose that is? Yes, Miss Parkinson?"

"Because it takes more energy to win such a battle than it does to lose. Which is why it is advisable to avoid the Ping-Pong effect if you can, or, when you can't avoid it, make certain to take your opponent out with it," Pansy answered.

"Perfect answer. Two points to Slytherin," Remus complimented.

He continued to ask questions until everyone had had a chance to answer. Then he had them attempt to deal with the Ping-Pong effect for themselves. For many of the students the direct contest of both power and will was over fairly quickly. In a matter of seconds Harry knocked Mr. Finnigan off his feet and, surprisingly enough, Miss Knight achieved similar results with Mr. Thomas. Crabbe and Goyle, who were evenly matched, turned out to be one of the last pairs to have a decisive victor. To everyone's surprise the last two pairs still going at it were Mr. Malfoy against Mr. Longbottom on one side of the classroom, and Ronald versus Miss Parkinson on the other. Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom were paying little attention to their surroundings, focusing their energies on keeping the spell between them. Meanwhile, Miss Parkinson and Ronald fought with everything they had, each determined to stop the other. The rest of his students kept their distance as they watched the possibly explosive displays.

"Give it up while you're ahead, girl," Ronald hissed, strain edging his voice as he sent the spell back to the Slytherin.

"Oh, go take a nap, you idiotic little prat!" snarled Pansy, her voice equally strained. For no apparent reason, Ronald collapsed in a heap just as the spell headed back towards him, missing him by mere inches. Everyone, except Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Malfoy, ducked as the spell went wild, ricocheting off the walls at high speed. Remus drew his wand. Mr. Malfoy just as ducked he called for the dueling boys to take cover. Mr. Longbottom deflected the second spell back to where Mr. Malfoy had been standing, taking out part of the wall with it. As the rogue spell headed toward Mr. Longbottom the Gryffindor quickly turned and held up his hand. The spell dissipated suddenly before it could reach the boy. His face filled with concern Mr. Longbottom turned to his opponent.

"Are you alright, Malfoy?" Neville asked apolitically, kneeling in front of the Slytherin to inspect the ugly gash on the boy's forehead.

"I'm fine," Draco snarled, pulling away.

"Wait, let me fix that for you," Neville offered, placing his right hand just above the wound. Dark green energy left the Gryffindor's hand, enveloping the gash. Remus and most of his students got back to their feet still watching the final pair. When Mr. Longbottom took his hand away, the other boy's injury had vanished. Mr. Malfoy touched the now unmarred skin on his forehead and stared at Mr. Longbottom, apparently more shocked by the Gryffindor's desire to help him, than by the impossible act itself. Meanwhile, each reacting to the near disaster, Gryffindors and Slytherins alike looked on in dumbstruck silence. Mr. Longbottom stood and offered his hand to help Mr. Malfoy back to his feet. As the Gryffindor - Slytherin class awaited Mr. Malfoy's response Remus quickly became aware of a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Something told him that there was a greater significance to the gesture than he readily understood. Mr. Malfoy finally shook off his hesitation and took Mr. Longbottom's hand, allowing the other boy to assist him.

"Thanks," Draco muttered. As if on cue whispers flooded the classroom. Remus snapped out of it, realizing that he needed to regain control of his class. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Finnigan went to aid Ronald.

"I don't believe this," Seamus said. "He's asleep!"

Mr. Thomas shook Ronald trying to get a response, but all he got was snoring.

"Funny, I didn't know Weasley was narcoleptic," Pansy coldly laughed. Most of the Slytherins laughed as well, taking enjoyment out of the Gryffindor ringleader's misfortune. Mr. Longbottom, Miss Knight, and Harry also shared a short-lived chuckle. That bothered him. He knew these kids and, under other circumstances their reactions would have been exactly opposite. Remus ignored the Slytherin's remark and moved to awaken the boy, but his attempt was just as ineffective as the children's had been.

"Wow, you really put him out, Pansy," exclaimed another Slytherin girl. "What did you do?"

"I told him to take a nap," Miss Parkinson said slowly. Realizing something, the girl cursed under her breath.

"You suggested it to him?" Harry asked Pansy with surprise in his voice.

Coming to a decision, Miss Parkinson glanced at The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Montgomery 'discovered' me last night, during detention," Pansy revealed, smirking as she crossed her arms. "He said 'I had a limited gift for suggestion'. I guess this was it."

"Miss Parkinson, since you were the one to make the suggestion..." Remus started.

"Do I have to, Professor?" Pansy protested. "He's so much less irritating like this. Besides, with a puppeteering charm here or there, nobody will notice the difference."

A few students snickered.

"I would rather you did, besides, I suspect you're the only who can," Remus said reasonably.

"Very well, Professor," Pansy acceded. "Move aside."

Remus and the Gryffindors did as she asked.

"Naptime's over, Weasel!" Pansy spat, nudging the Gryffindor with her foot. Ronald instantly awoke and sat up.

"Did I win?" Ronald asked, disorientated.

"Only in your dreams, Weasley," Pansy sniped.

"Thank you, Miss Parkinson," Remus continued. "Five points to Slytherin for your assistance, as well as for your excellent dueling skills. As for you two-" He hurriedly said, turning to Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Malfoy. "-I'm also awarding five points to each of you for your draw. Class dismissed. Miss Knight, Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Malfoy, please remain. I need a word with each of you."

With the exception of the people he had asked to stay, his sixth years left amidst excited whispers. Remus watched Harry leave, hoping that he would able to mend things in time. He remembered Miss Weasley's insistence that they were running out of time, he hoped that it had only been her fear talking.

"Longbottom, I never knew you had it in you, holding your own against me the way you did," Draco complimented as soon as their housemates were out of earshot. "How did you pull off that stunt with the rogue spell?"

Remus decided to let them talk for a while, to see how things evolve.

"I understood that it was only energy," Neville explained, for once forgetting to be apprehensive. "After that, it was easy to pull it apart. Your dueling was bloody brilliant! I bet you've been doing it your whole life. Until today, I didn't know I could even keep up with something like that."

"As Ginny's so fond of saying, things change," Draco drawled, seemingly rethinking his opinion of the Gryffindor.

"So do people," Neville agreed, also beginning to look at the Slytherin in a new light. "My dad had a saying, 'you don't really know someone until you duel with them.' I think now, I know what he meant by that."

"Quite Gryffindor, but true nevertheless," Draco appraised. "There may just be hope for you yet, Longbottom."

"I'd prefer it if you use my first name," Neville boldly stated.

"Fine, just so long as you start using mine," Draco agreed.

"Equals?" Neville proposed, offering his hand.

Mr. Malfoy shook his head in bemusement.

"My father would have a coronary if he knew I even considered such a thing, but on the other hand Ginny ..." Draco trailed. "Why not? Equals."

Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom shook on it. Watching them, Remus knew that the younger Malfoy wasn't merely a replica his father. Miss Knight clapped, reminding the two boys that they weren't alone. Mr. Malfoy glared at the female Gryffindor, abruptly shifting back to his usual cold demeanor.

"Don't you dare go spreading rumors about this, Annika-" Draco warned.

"No one's going to hear about this from me," Annika swore. "You know I'm telling you the truth."

"I will trust you on this, for now," Draco conceded, undoubtedly reading her.

"Miss Knight, Mr. Longbottom." Remus started, addressing the Gryffindors. "I've observed a marked improvement in your work-" Mr. Malfoy snorted. "-since yesterday. Now, have either of you started working with a tutor?"

"No, Ginny just helped us with our homework last night," Neville replied.

"What exactly did she teach you?" Remus inquired.

"We explained what problems we were having, and she showed us where we were mistaken," Annika explained. "It was like... a revelation! Ginny just took any issue we brought to her attention and explained it from the ground up."

"And that accounts for both of your shifts?" Remus asked.

"Yes and no," Annika hedged. "You better tell him, Neville."

"Earlier in the week, Professor Montgomery discovered I had a special talent to disrupt objects, but that isn't the only thing I can do," Neville revealed. "I can also manipulate anything I understand, and this morning I began to see it!"

"And Miss Weasley helped you reach this realization?" he asked.

"Yeah, Professor Montgomery gave me a book on magical physics to study, but I didn't get why, until I showed it to Ginny," Neville elaborated. "She spent half the night teaching me just how interconnected the world really is."

"So, when you healed the cut on Mr. Malfoy's head, you were using your talent in The Sight?" Remus queried.

Mr. Longbottom nodded. Remus thanked the Gryffindors for their time, and then dismissed them. He had a word with Mr. Malfoy, before sending the Slytherin on his way. The scope of what Mr. Longbottom had been talking about was dizzying, to say the least. Miss Weasley's new perspective isn't just influencing the teachers she shares it with, Remus realized, but the students as well. It's as though the way the young woman sees the world is infectious. An infection far more virulent for the children, it seemed, than for the teachers who've already made up their minds on what they think reality should be. But, it's more than just Virginia Weasley doing this, much more... Montgomery was unlocking hidden gifts all over the place, paranormal activity was on the rise, and so were xenophobic reactions. If his speculations were correct, then, even if Virginia Weasley is the catalyst, she isn't the source of the wave sweeping through Hogwarts. Something else is going on here, something big. He definitely needed to check into this and find out for himself what was really happening.

*~*~*

Severus sat at his desk in the Potions classroom, watching his Slytherin - Gryffindor sixth years take their seats. Peering at their passing thoughts, made him wonder what 'fireworks' Remus had to contend with last period. Entering the classroom last, Mr. Malfoy quickly took his place. Judging from the decidedly abnormal atmosphere, he couldn't afford to let his guard down, for even an instant. Severus stood, and started silently stalking to the head of the classroom.

Deciding that if he was going to be blown up, he might as well have some fun with them first, Professor Snape began. "Good afternoon, class. Today your brewing skills will be challenged by one of the most delicate, complex potions you will learn this year. For those of you who can tell the difference between silver weed and nightshade, while remaining absolutely focused, you may actually survive this class in one piece. For those of you who can't..." he chuckled ominously. "Madam Pomfrey is prepared to take on casualties."

The beginning of the session went along smoothly enough, but he knew that it wouldn't last. Miss Granger and her guard were off at Virginia's Arithmancy dissertation, which he was sure his apprentice would pass with flying colors. He observed that the Slytherins were holding it together with varying degrees of success, other than the two near misses by Mr. Malfoy's incompetent lackeys. In contrast, on the Gryffindor side, Finnigan, Thomas, and, to his minor amusement, Weasley were failing miserably and, if he didn't keep a close eye on them, explosively. But, Mr. Potter was doing fairly well. Miss Knight was enjoying herself far too much for his comfort, but the quality of her work was exceeding all his expectations, reminding him of the dramatic improvement in Miss Morden's work his apprentice had inspired. Finally, Mr. Longbottom was tackling the challenging draught far better than he would have believed possible.

As double-potions dragged on, Severus began staring at Mr. Longbottom as if he had never seen him before. Off in his own little world, the simplest ingredient captivated the Gryffindor as he wordlessly marveled at every step. The boy had fallen into a comfortable cadence, dictated solely by his potion's development. Silently counting down the minutes till this school week was officially over, Severus continued his cautious observations.

Towards the end of class, he began to believe that it might be safe to breathe again. That turned out to be the worst mistake he could have made. Severus was standing at the head of the classroom, ready to inspect the children's progress one final time before their potions were ready, when he sensed a rapidly growing imbalance near the back on the Gryffindor side. At the exact same time both he and Mr. Longbottom turned towards the source of problem, Weasley's potion, and knew that it was a time bomb waiting to go off. Realizing that there was no way he was going to reach it in time, he ordered the students to take cover. The majority obeyed but, to his utter astonishment, Mr. Longbottom remained standing, gazing at the now over-bubbling solution as if he could see into it. Before Severus could react, the volatile potion exploded. Reflexively started to shield his eyes, but just as the green and purple blast destroyed the table, it stopped... as if contained by an unseen force. Mr. Longbottom gazed knowingly at the raging forces trapped within the invisible field, and then the boy raised his arms, guiding the suspended energy high above their heads. With a clap of his hands, it dispersed in a harmless shower of beautiful multi-colored sparks.

"I don't just blow things up or fix them..." the sole standing Gryffindor whispered, awed by his own achievement. "I was able to control it!"

The boy looked like he had more to say but jumped as if an alarm had gone off.

"My potion!" Mr. Longbottom cried, returning to his cauldron just in time to salvage his work. While the other students came out of hiding Severus continued staring at Mr. Longbottom. His expression hardened into a venomous glare when he returned his gaze to the insufferable thorns in his side, the Dark Lord and his pathetic sycophants. He watched as the possessed Weasley boy ignored him, gazing instead at Mr. Longbottom with a hungry expression. He always dreaded beholding that look; it told him that the innocent Gryffindor had just unwittingly placed himself on Voldemort's Christmas list. He suppressed a shudder, and pushed the ugly possibilities aside. He determined to put on a show they wouldn't forget any time soon.

He approached them with a smooth and calculated stride, towering over the offending teens. Severus intoned in a low, solicitous tone. "I could have sworn that we just played out this scene Monday, when I told you three that I will not tolerate rampant stupidity in my class." The Slytherins saw him go quiet and stayed well out of his way, not daring to draw attention to themselves. The smarter Gryffindors tried to mirror the Slytherins' behavior, while the stupider ones watched him and their condemned brethren. Most of them were afraid of what he would do to House Gryffindor because of their housemates. "Perhaps, Minerva has been too easy on the three of you. It must be time to hand you over to someone more... creative. Sadly, just now I can't take time out of my busy schedule to answer your pitiful cries for help, but I promise you, next week I'll make some time to torture you myself! Since there is obviously nothing left for you to attend to-" Pointing at the empty area where the table and their school things used to be, his voice rising. "-I recommend you leave my Dungeons this instant, before I have you expelled!"

The three Gryffindors left in an uncomfortable hurry, scurrying towards the exit. Severus next turned his penetrating gaze on those Gryffindors idiotic enough to just stand there gaping, like a gaggle of particularly slow-witted Hufflepuffs, noticing that they hadn't even bothered trying to save their assignments.

"Now, the last time I checked, your potions were right in front of you, at least they were potions, when they were still viable!" Severus snarled. "I'm taking ten points off Gryffindor for each of you gawking simpletons, and you will be receiving detention tonight!" He allowed his demeanor to soften as his gaze swept over those students that had gone back to their work, instead of adding to that blasted show of ineptitude. "However, for those of you who, through no fault of your own, couldn't manage to salvage your work, I will not take away points. Also, I will be grading today's performance based on my last observations, as opposed to your final product. You are free to clean out your cauldrons and leave."

Scrambling to escape his clutches, the Gryffindors who had neglected their potions fled first. Meanwhile the more intelligent students, who simply failed because they had been interrupted at precisely the wrong time, had enough spine to act like dignified, civilized beings. After quietly taking care of their work areas, they left as well. Still working on the Slytherin side, only seven of his children remained, including unsurprisingly Mr. Malfoy, although his Keepers were nowhere in sight. Looking at the Gryffindor side, he saw that only four students had stayed. He was surprised that Miss Davis, Mr. Potter, Miss Knight, and Mr. Longbottom had managed to salvage their work. Severus remained wary of another disaster until the last potion had been completed. He inspected each student's work, gave out ten points apiece for finishing the assignment in spite of their classmates, then had them bottle their completed potions, and allowed them to leave. He inspected Miss Knight and Mr. Longbottom's work last, determined to have a word with each of them.

"I'm surprised that you came even close to completing the assignment, much less with outside interference," he evaluated. "Tell me, Miss Knight, how did you achieve this feat?"

"Ginny helped me with my potions technique last night," Miss Knight explained, happily. "She was wonderful! She showed me how fighting with the amalgamating ingredients isn't the answer, that giving into my natural instincts, and allowing them guide me is."

"And, I take it, last night my apprentice worked with Miss Morden and Mr. Longbottom as well?" Severus asked.

"Yes, Professor," Miss Knight replied.

"Ten points to Gryffindor, bottle your potion, then you're dismissed," he said.

He moved on to Mr. Longbottom, going out of his way to find even the smallest error, but the boy's potion was perfect.

"I'm awarding thirty points to Gryffindor for your unprecedented display of skill, as well as your timely save," Severus complimented. "Bottle your potion, then stay. I need a word with you in private."

"Okay, Professor," Mr. Longbottom answered, already moving to follow his orders.

He sat at the edge of his desk, patiently watching Mr. Longbottom bottle his work, clean up after himself, then place the freshly bottled potion with the others. Without saying a word, Severus got up and strode into his office. Silently wondering what all this was about, Mr. Longbottom followed, but stopped when he crossed over the threshold. Severus turned to see what the problem was, instantly recognized the boy's expression. It was only a shadow of the reaction his apprentice or Zachary had, whenever they entered a shielded area, but he knew that look.

Not wanting to further burden the poor boy's overtaxed senses, Severus softly asked. "Is there a problem?"

"Was this room always this quiet?" Mr. Longbottom wondered, too preoccupied to stutter.

"No. Close the door and take a seat," he gently directed, sitting at his desk.

Mr. Longbottom obeyed.

"Tell me in your own words, Mr. Longbottom, what you believe is happening to you," Severus requested.

"All my life, I've been weaker than my peers," Mr. Longbottom admitted. "The only ones who really believed in me were my friends, and maybe Professor Lupin. I've always thought that there was something wrong with me. But today it hit me - everything's the same all over. It's all matter and energy - it's all flexible and connected and beautiful! To know anything all I need to do is touch it with my gift. Like with my potion, after I got the instructions, all I had to do was listen to the song I was already hearing to understand just what it needed."

"And this is what Miss Weasley taught you?" Severus guessed.

Mr. Longbottom nodded.

"She showed me how the magical physics book Professor Montgomery gave me relates to my gift," Mr. Longbottom explained. "It was like... she opened my eyes to a world I didn't even know existed!"

"Has Professor Montgomery seen any of this new understanding in action?" Severus inquired.

"No, I didn't begin seeing until Transfig," Mr. Longbottom stated, looking away.

Severus, understanding all too well, thought to himself. "Poor Longbottom, today just may end up being the best, and the worst day of your life,"

"Why would I think of this as the worst day of my life, Professor?" Mr. Longbottom asked, returning his wandering gaze to him. The boy tried to learn more from his passing thoughts, but Severus heightened his mental defenses. A flicker of surprise touched his features as he rose to his feet.

"You don't even know you're doing it, do you?" Severus queried, scrutinizing the young wizard.

"Doing what?" Mr. Longbottom asked, utterly clueless.

"Professor Montgomery will explain it to you," Severus said with a sigh, heading to the door and opening it. "He needs to be kept up to date on your progress. I'll escort you there."

Sensing his shifting mood, the boy didn't argue, quickly picking up his things on the way out.

This day just keeps getting better and better, Severus thought ruefully, as he attempted to reach Zachary through their connection.

_________

TBC

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