The Footsteps of my Father

The Footsteps of my Father

Chapter Nine

-Lions and Legends-

Seven Privet Drive was a bustle of activity on Friday morning, due to the fact that Sindaria had overslept and was now rushing to get ready to go to the zoo, and Maria and Terrance had been bouncing off the walls all morning.

"Come on! Here, here!" her mother cried as she handed Maria and Terrance their lunches and herded them out the door. Her mother walked them to the twins' preschool, since it was very nearby.

Sindaria, with a piece of toast in her mouth, quickly pulled on her Mary Janes and, grabbing her bag, flew out the door after her father, jumping into the car.

* * *

After a quick goodbye at school, Sindaria rushed over to where the bus was waiting to take the students to the London Zoo.

"Ari!" she heard a familiar voice cry.

Sindaria smiled as she recognized the voice, looking over to see Valerie running over to her. "Hi!" Sindaria said happily.

Mabel and Carrie, who had been running after Valerie, grinned when they saw Sindaria. "Hi, Ari!" Mabel said.

"You ready for the zoo?" Carrie asked excitedly as they climbed aboard the bus and found seats in the middle. Ari sat down next to Valerie and Mabel and Carrie sat across the aisle.

"I can't wait!" Sindaria said, grinning. "I love animals, so this is going to be a brilliant opportunity."

"I heard you moved up to the eighth grade; is that true?" Mabel asked.

Sindaria nodded. "I did."

"Blimey! You must be really smart!" Valerie said, her eyes wide.

Sindaria shrugged. "I suppose."

"Well, I think that's brilliant. Good for you, Ari," Carrie said, smiling.

"Thanks!" Sindaria said, returning the smile.

During the ride to the zoo, Sindaria was filled in on all the gossip about Lewisham Secondary School. A few kids had thought that Sindaria had been expelled, but those were just rumors. For the most part, the ride was uneventful, but Sindaria was grateful to have her friends talking excitedly about who was going out with who, which students pulled some pranks, and other things like that.

While Valerie, Mabel, and Carrie were talking about a new boy that had just entered Secondary School, Sindaria turned her attention to the passing scenery. Well, I suppose this will be quite an interesting trip. Dominic said that I should try to speak with the animals, and so I shall. I wonder if I will be able to? Hm . . . well, either way, this weekend I'm going to see Gabriel and Sarah, and hopefully they'll be able to explain what exactly is going on. I know I'm a witch, but how much power do I actually possess?

About a half an hour later, the bus pulled into Camden Lock, right at the edge of the Thames. There, a boat was awaiting their arrival. It took them across the Thames, past Little Venice, and up to a large dock in front of the main entrance of the London Zoo.

As they departed the boat, they gathered in a large group, waiting for their chaperone, who was none other than Professor Xavier, Sindaria's old math professor.

Sindaria looked back at the Thames and smiled. The boat ride had been interesting, for she had never been on a boat before. While nervous, Valerie, Mabel, and Carrie were there to reassure her that it was perfectly safe. Looking back at the main entrance of the zoo, she could feel her excitement rising inside. She couldn't wait to see the animals!

"Listen up, everyone!" Sindaria turned her attention to where Professor Xavier was standing in front of their group. He beckoned them closer. Sindaria pulled her scarf tight, rubbing her gloved hands. While it wasn't too chilly, there was a slight bite in the wind. "Okay, now what we're going to do is visit as many of the different Houses as we can, but unfortunately, we cannot see the Birds of Prey Show, for they normally do it outside, and it is too cold." Several of the students groaned at this. "But -" Professor Xavier said, holding up his hands, "there are plenty of things to see, so you won't be disappointed. Follow me." He turned and the students began filing after him, walking up towards the main entrance.

Towering stone pillars framed the large arched entrance way and Sindaria looked up at them in wonder as they passed through, heading over to where Professor Xavier would show their tickets.

"I can't wait to see the lions!" Carrie exclaimed, grinning. The entire group of students was chattering excitedly, and Sindaria knew that she was going to have a brilliant time.

"I know! I heard there are penguins, too!" Mabel said.

"Alright, everyone! First stop, the Reptile House," Professor Xavier called.

Sindaria followed the mass of students towards the large, greenhouse-like building off to the right. Looking around, she saw that there were many people at the zoo, some in large masses, others with families, or just a few together. As they walked through the glass doors, she was hit with a sudden blast of warmth.

"Hot, isn't it?" Valerie said, tugging off her scarf and gloves, putting them into her coat pocket. The rest of the students were quick to do the same.

"Okay, now since this isn't a very large building, we can split off into groups. Make sure there are at least five people to a group and in an hour meet back here at this very same spot. Understood?" Professor Xavier smiled as the students nodded in agreement.

Two boys, Nathan and Brandon, joined Valerie, Mabel, Carrie, and Sindaria and they began walking around, looking at the glass tanks in wonder. Sindaria walked over to one tank, looking at the large python lying lazily on a log. A heat lamp shone from the top of the tank, and the snake looked very content. She glanced at the plaque next to the cage which read : Amethystine Python, native to Australia, bred in captivity.

Brandon rapped the glass. "Aw, bloody hell, it doesn't even move. What kind of display is that?" he said, rolling his eyes. He walked over to where Nathan, Mabel, and Valerie were looking at a tank full of green snakes.

"What is that?" Carrie asked, looking at the python. "It's so huge!"

Sindaria nodded. "They usually run pretty large. I read about them in this book. It said that they can grow up to twenty-eight feet!"

Carrie's eyes widened. "Blimey! That's huge!"

"Tell me about it!"

Carrie stepped over to another tank and Sindaria smiled at the snake, gazing at its beautiful markings consisting of red and black blotches, the amethyst-like skin glittering in the light. "You're a really beautiful snake," she murmured. "First one I've ever seen, though."

"Thanksss."

Sindaria leapt back, her eyes wide, looking around for the source of the voice. "What the -"

"I am here, before your eyesss," the voice said, with a slight hiss in its voice.

Sindaria stared down at the snake, which had lifted its head to look at her. "Y-you're speaking to me - but - how is that possible? How can I understand you?" she asked. I don't believe this! I can talk to a snake? I know Dominic said that I probably have a gift with animals, but snakes?

"Yesss. You are a Parssselmouth."

"A what?"

"You can ssspeak to sssnakesss."

"I figured that much, but I'm a Parselmouth?"

"Yesss, and you can ssspeak Parssseltounge, sssnake-language."

"Bloody hell," Sindaria murmured, her eyes still as wide as saucers. "I knew I had a gift with animals, but . . . so right now, I'm speaking in Parseltounge?"

"Yesss."

"First time for everything, I suppose. But, how can I be speaking a different language without knowing I can?"

"Do not asssk me. I do not know. I just underssstand what you are sssaying."

Sindaria nodded. "Right."

"You are in ssschool?"

Sindaria nodded, still not quite believing she was having a conversation with a python. "I go to Lewisham High School. I'm here on a field trip."

"Yesss, I see your other companionsss with you."

Sindaria glanced over at where her friends were still looking around at the other tanks, and then looked back at the python. "I still can't believe this."

"Believe it. I sssenssse sssomething about you."

Sindaria raised her eyebrows. "You do?"

"Yesss, sssomething unusssual, a rare gift. You have a gift with animalsss, yet sssomething elsse. There is a cloud of darknessss around you."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

But the snake didn't have a chance to answer for Sindaria's friends decided to walk over at that moment. Sindaria looked at them. "Have you been in this same spot the entire time?" Nathan asked.

Sindaria shrugged. "It's a beautiful snake, I was just admiring it."

Nathan raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything. "Well, come on. There's more to see!" Valerie said, grabbing Sindaria's hand and dragging her away from the snake. Sindaria glanced back and smiled. The python nodded and Sindaria quickly followed Valerie around the rest of the Reptile House. Though she didn't have a chance to test out her new-found ability, she did enjoy looking at all the different sorts of reptiles, such as the iguanas and lizards.

As the day flew on, Sindaria was not alone long enough to try to attempt to talk to the animals. However, later in the day, they visited the Lion House, and while the other students were scattered around, looking at the lions, lionesses, and cubs in awe, Sindaria stepped closer to the iron bars that separated the large habitat from where the students stood. Other people were milling around, looking at the animals, but Sindaria hardly paid attention.

Instead, she looked at the closest lion and took a deep breath. I wonder how I'm supposed to do this. Should I just try to talk to it? "Hello," she said tentatively.

To her surprise, the lion shook its beautiful mane and looked at her. If the lion could have smiled, Sindaria swore he would have. "Hello," he said, his voice as strong and powerful as he looked.

"I - I've never done this before," she said softly, hoping that the other students wouldn't overhear her talking to a lion. They would think she was crazy for sure. Glancing around, making sure no one was in the near vicinity, she looked at the lion. "You're very beautiful. Is that your family?" she asked, pointing to a lioness with several cubs.

"Yes, they are mine." As the lion stepped towards her, she took a small step back, instinctive fear leaping into her chest. "Do not be afraid. I will not hurt you." I'm talking to a lion! Sindaria thought and smiled. She stepped carefully up to the bars, where the lion now stood. Looking around again, she slowly put her hand a few inches past the bars, stroking the lion's soft mane.

"This is brilliant!" Sindaria commented, smiling. "I can't believe that I'm actually touching a lion."

"You have a gift; do not be afraid to use it," the lion said.

"I won't. This is something too brilliant to pass up!"

"ARI!" a voice screeched and Sindaria's hand flew back. "WHAT are you DOING?!" Sindaria looked to see Valerie staring at her wildly. At the high-pitched screech, everyone was now looking at Sindaria.

"I - I -" Sindaria stammered. "I was petting the lion," she said lamely.

"What's going on here?" Professor Xavier asked, pushing his way through the crowd of people. He stopped, looking at Sindaria and then at the lion that stood right behind the bars.

"Sir, Ari was petting the lion!" Valerie said, her eyes wide.

Professor Xavier looked at Sindaria sharply. "You were what?"

"I - I was petting it, sir," Sindaria said. She groaned inwardly. I sound completely insane and stupid! But I can't very well tell them that I can speak to animals!

"There are bars there for a reason, Ari," Professor Xavier said sternly. "Lions are very dangerous. You do NOT try to pet a lion."

"Yes, sir," Sindaria said, bowing her head.

"You'll stay with me from now on," Professor Xavier said, and Sindaria nodded, following him though the rest of that house and back outside.

The rest of the day, they visited the Penguin Pool, the Gorilla House, the Snowdon Aviary and the Sobell Pavilion for Monkeys and Apes. Though Sindaria enjoyed seeing all the various animals, she really wished that Valerie hadn't seen her petting the lion, for she didn't have another chance to test out her ability.

* * *

Though the students had watched her warily for the first few hours after the lion incident, they still spoke to her and she managed to have a good time at the zoo.

As her father was driving her home, he asked about her day and she proceeded to tell him about all the amazing sights she had seen and all the different Houses. Of course, she didn't mention that she had spoken to a snake and petted a lion. She knew her father loved her, but if he didn't think she was crazy before, he would have if she had told him that.

That night, she received a letter from Gabriel and Sarah, telling her that they would pick her up in the morning so that she could visit them.

The next morning, Sindaria waited anxiously for the Conners to arrive. "When do you think you'll be back?" her mother asked as Sindaria stood in the parlor, looking out the window.

Letting go of the curtain, Sindaria looked at her mother, who was standing by the base of the stairs. "I'm just staying for the afternoon and then they'll bring me home after dinner."

Her mother nodded. "Alright. You have fun, okay?" she said, smiling.

Sindaria nodded, grinning. "You bet." At the sound of a 'honk' outside, Sindaria cried, "They're here!"

After a hug from her mother, Sindaria ran outside, clutching the books that she had borrowed. A sleek black car sat in the driveway and Gabriel stepped out, smiling as Sindaria rushed towards him. She hugged him. "Hi, there," he said, laughing.

"Hi, again," Sindaria said, grinning.

"Ready to go?" Gabriel asked.

Sindaria nodded vigorously. "You bet."

"Good," Gabriel said, smiling. He motioned to the back door and Sindaria climbed into the car.

"Hello, Ari," Sarah said warmly.

"Hi," Sindaria said, smiling.

"How have you been?"

"Brilliant!"

"That is good. Ready for a fun day?"

"Definitely!" Sindaria said, grinning.

"Well, Ari, what we were talking about as we drove to pick you up was that we have a few extra brooms that Dominic uses for Quidditch practice and since there are a few kids nearby that have not reached the age to go to Hogwarts yet, we thought that you would like to fly a little," Gabriel said, glancing into the rearview mirror.

"Really?" Sindaria said, her eyes wide.

"Of course," Sarah said.

"Wicked!"

"We though that you would like that," Sarah said, smiling.

"Like it? I love it!"

"Brilliant," Gabriel said.

The car stopped and Sindaria looked around at the old abandoned train station that they were now sitting at. We couldn't have been driving that long. "Where are we?" Sindaria asked, peering out the window.

"You'll see," Gabriel said with a smile.

And, much to Sindaria's shock and astonishment, Gabriel proceeded to drive the car towards a large brick wall. Sindaria shut her eyes, waiting for an impact, but it never came. When she opened her eyes, she looked outside in shock. They were now driving up a curving driveway that led up to the familiar manor.

"H - what just happened?" Sindaria asked, her eyes wide.

"We drove through the barrier," Sarah explained. "This manor, as Gabriel must have told you, is unplottable to all Muggles, non-magic folk, and therefore we have a special barrier that enables us to come from the Muggle world into the wizarding world. There is a similar barrier at King's Cross Station, where you will pass through to get to the Hogwarts Express."

"Okay," Sindaria said, still amazed at the entire experience.

Arriving in front of the manor, they stepped out and walked into the familiar entrance way. Sindaria beamed. It's wonderful to be back, she thought. "Oh, Gabriel," she said and Gabriel turned to her. "Here are your books I borrowed." She handed the books that she had been carrying to Gabriel.

"Thank you, Ari," he said, smiling, taking them. "Since we have a few hours until Malcolm, Graham, Natalie, Liriel, and Alex come, why don't we go to the library and you can pick out any books that you would like to take back."

"That would be brilliant," Sindaria said, grinning.

"Very well," Gabriel said, smiling. She followed him to the library and there he left her to look around.

Okay, Dominic said I should find that book called Legendary Wizards and show it to Gabriel and Sarah. I suppose I'll find that one first and then read over some of these other books. It would be good to know some spells before I actually arrive at Hogwarts, since I am Muggle-born and I want to try to fit in as much as I can.

After a half an hour of searching, Sindaria finally found the book that Dominic had said she should find. Setting it on the table, she began looking over the titles of the other books, selecting ones of interest.

Sitting in a comfortable chair, she drew herself into the books and read them, cover to cover, memorizing the content.

There, Gabriel found her an hour later. "I see you have been reading quite a bit," Gabriel said with a laugh, looking at the tall tower of books that sat on the floor by Sindaria.

"Oh," she said, smiling, looking at the books, "I suppose I have."

"Find anything of interest?"

"Oh yes," she said, nodding vigorously. "There was something I was going to ask you, though."

"Yes?"

"Well, you know that I can speak to animals, right?"

Gabriel nodded. "Dominic mentioned that you can speak to birds. You can speak to other animals as well?"

"Yes," Sindaria said, nodding. "And Dominic said that I should read about Merlin and that you would know what he was talking about."

Gabriel nodded. "I do. Let me see," he said, picking up the Legendary Wizards book and rifling through the pages. He stopped and pointed. "Here."

He handed the book to Sindaria and she began reading aloud. " 'The wizard Merlin was known as one of the greatest wizards of his time. Among his unusual talents, one of the most unique traits about him was that he was a Natural Animagus. While Animagi usually go through extensive training to accomplish this difficult transformation, Merlin was able to do it without any training at all. It was a spontaneous occurrence and the animal that he became was a falcon. He was also able to accomplish the most complex spells without the use of a wand and, in fact, during his later years, he was rarely seen with a wand. One of his unique characteristics was his ability to converse with animals, especially the magical creatures. He was able to calm the wildest of creatures and could even sleep in a den of lions as a brother. He had a deep understanding of magical creatures and animals alike.' That's just like me," Sindaria said, looking up at Gabriel.

"Indeed," Gabriel said, nodding. "You have a rare gift with animals."

"Does that include snakes?"

Gabriel seemed taken back by this question, but he quickly recovered. "Well . . . no. The ability to speak with snakes is a very different and extremely rare gift."

Sindaria's eyebrows raised. "Really? Well, now, that's quite odd."

"What do you mean?"

"I - I can speak to snakes," she managed, unsure as to how Gabriel was going to react, even if he was a wizard.

At this comment, however, his eyes widened tremendously and he even took a step back. What'd I say? Is it really that rare? "You can . . . speak to snakes?" Gabriel asked, swallowing.

Sindaria nodded. "Yes. What's wrong with it?"

"Oh - 0h, nothing," Gabriel stammered, the first time she had ever seen him flustered. "It is just a rare talent. Not many witches or wizards can speak Parseltounge."

"There's something bad about it, isn't there?" Sindaria said, sensing his fear.

"Well, I . . ."

"Just tell me, Gabriel."

He sighed, taking a deep breath. "The ability to speak Parseltounge is the mark of a Dark witch or wizard." Sindaria's eyes widened and he held up his hand. "That does not necessarily mean that every Parselmouth was dark, but all the recorded Parselmouths were. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was a Parselmouth."

"Oh, my God," Sindaria said in shock. "Am I a Dark witch?"

"No, no, of course not!" Gabriel said hurriedly. "You have a gift with animals; this could just be an extended part of that gift."

"But you said it was a different ability."

"Well, yes, but perhaps you are just extremely talented. Now, has anything else odd happened?" he asked, desperate to switch off the subject of Parselmouths.

"Well, I have a thing with fire. You know that I was played with that fire in our living room back in New York City, but recently, at school, there was a fire and I - I, well, I don't know how exactly to explain it, but it was as if I stopped the fire, preventing it from spreading." Gabriel nodded, motioning for her to continue. "Then, and this is the strangest part, I wished that I could have prevented the fire from ever happening, and the next thing I knew, I was back in History class; the very same one I had had earlier that morning. So, somehow, I managed to go back through time to prevent the fire."

Gabriel didn't say anything for awhile and then he took a deep breath. "Ari, you are what we call an Earth Natural. You have the ability to converse with animals and you have control over all the elements on Earth, which will explain why you have that ability with fire. As an Earth Natural, you can also make plants grow, cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, change any element into another, and can control the tides."

"Bloody hell," Sindaria whispered.

"What the most astonishing part of this, however," Gabriel continued, "is that you may be a Swerker."

"A what?"

"Every so often, a Natural can also be a Trynd, Rafyk, Psycan, or a Swerker. All Naturals are Trynds, meaning that they can perform magic without a wand. Merlin himself was a Trynd and an Earth Natural. Rafyks and Psycans are rare; they usually only appear every three thousand years. There has not been a Swerker on Earth since Hogwarts was built: Rowena Ravenclaw was a Swerker."

"And what can Swerkers do?"

"As a Swerker, you have the ability to do magic just by thought and you can travel through time."

"Oh, my Lord, I - I can't believe it," Sindaria muttered, looking at the carpeted floor. She looked back up at Gabriel. "So that explains why I managed to go back in time to prevent that fire."

Gabriel nodded. "Yes."

"And why I can speak to animals."

"Yes."

"But it doesn't explain why I'm a Parselmouth."

Gabriel winced and Sindaria wished she hadn't brought that subject up again. "I would advise you not to be saying anything about your ability to speak with snakes. Many look upon that trait as a sign of the Dark Arts, and while I know you are not even remotely affiliated with the Dark Arts, other witches and wizards that do not know you as I do, would think otherwise."

"Okay," Sindaria said, nodding.

"Harry Potter has the ability to speak Parseltounge, and he is a very good wizard; however, he was not born with this ability; he only received it when You-Know-Who tried to kill him."

Sindaria nodded. "Right." Sindaria thought back to Dominic's letter. "Dominic mentioned that I could be an Animagus. Do you think that's possible?"

Gabriel looked thoughtful and didn't speak for a few minutes. Finally, he said, "It is a very far-fetched thought, but with your ability with animals, you could possibly be an Animagus."

"How do I know for sure?"

Gabriel shrugged. "I am sorry that I cannot answer that question," he said helplessly. "I wish that I could. Once you go to Hogwarts, however, you can speak with the Transfiguration professor, Professor McGonagall, who is an Animagus herself, and she may be able to help you in that department."

Sindaria nodded. "Okay, thank you."

* * *

After lunch, Gabriel took her outside onto the pitch and showed her the basics of broom-flying: how to rise, fall, steer, and just stay on the broom. Needless to say, Sindaria fell many times, but she finally got the hang of it and was flying pretty easily, if she ignored the nervousness in her stomach.

Gabriel informed her that she'd do fine and since she had read Quidditch Throughout the Ages she'd be able to play Quidditch well enough to keep up with the other kids.

* * *

Later that day, Sindaria stood out on the field, a Firebolt clutched in her grasp. She looked around at Malcolm, Graham, Natalie, Liriel, and Alex, who were chatting amongst themselves. All these kids knew was that she was visiting the Conners and assumed she was a cousin or something. She wasn't going to mention that she was actually a Muggle-born, for Gabriel and Sarah had both advised against it, saying that it would create trouble, especially since most Muggle-borns were looked down upon by the wizarding community.

She took a deep breath. Come on, Ari, you can do this. Don't be nervous. Walking over to the group, she said, "Hi, my name is Ari."

The group of kids looked at her. The tallest girl smiled. "Hi, my name is Liriel Vantura; I'll be going to Hogwarts in two years."

"So will I!" Sindaria exclaimed, her nervousness ebbing.

"Brilliant! Then we'll already know each other!" Liriel said warmly.

"That's always good."

"My name is Natalie McDonald," the shorter, dark-haired girl said, smiling.

"Hello."

"I'm Malcolm Maddock," the tall boy with jet-black hair introduced and then pointed to the other two boys. "This is Graham Pritchard and Alex Nott."

"Hello," Sindaria said, looking at the boys. They smiled back and Sindaria's assurance came back to her.

"Graham, Natalie, and I are going to Hogwarts this fall," Malcolm said and Sindaria nodded. "Alex will be going next year along with you and Liriel."

"Well, that's good that I know a few people before I start. That'll certainly help," Sindaria said.

"Just as long as you aren't in Gryffindor," Malcolm said with a slight sneer.

"What do you mean?" Sindaria asked, confused.

"Oh, Malcolm and Graham's families have all been in Slytherin so that's the house that they probably will be Sorted into," Natalie said, rolling her eyes. "Don't mind them."

"What's so bad about Gryffindor?"

"Slytherin and Gryffindor have always been rivals," Liriel explained.

Sindaria nodded. "Okay."

"These three aren't that bad, though," Natalie said, "once you get to know them. Just because they might be in that house, doesn't really mean a thing."

"That's a relief."

"Well, shall we begin playing?" Malcolm asked, looking at the girls. "Or are we going to stand around all day admiring the weather?"

"We weren't admiring the weather, Malcolm," Natalie said, rolling her eyes. "We were just discussing how we were going to flatten you in Quidditch."

"Oh, really?" Malcolm said, raising an eyebrow. "Is that so? We'll see about that."

"Okay, so this is what we do," Graham said. "Two of us can be Chasers, one of the Chasers can also play Keeper, and then we'll each have a Seeker."

Sindaria sorted through her memory, recalling all the things that she had learned about Quidditch. I should be fine. I suppose we'll just have to see. Thank God I read that book, or I'd really be at a loss and I'd never fit in. These five seem like they've been playing Quidditch all of their life. "Girls against guys?" Sindaria asked.

"Of course," Natalie said. She turned to Liriel and Sindaria. "Okay, so this is what we do. Ari, you're pretty tall, but slender, so I think you'll make a good Seeker. Liriel and I will be Chasers. You know what to do, right?" Natalie asked, looking at Sindaria, who nodded.

"Catch the Snitch before the other Seeker."

"Exactly," Natalie said. She turned to the boys. "Let's go."

They mounted their brooms and Natalie released the Quaffle and the Snitch. The Snitch passed briefly in front of Sindaria and Alex and the flitted out of sight. They rose into the air and Sindaria held on for dear life. Oh my God, I'm flying. She could feel her insides rolling with nervousness and she prayed that she wouldn't fall off. She watched, gripping the broom in an iron-grip, as the other kids sped around the pitch, passing the Quaffle between them. How do they do that so easily? I suppose that they probably have been playing all of their lives, but still . . . I feel like a complete idiot out here.

Alex pulled up next to her. "You look nervous," he said. He smiled. "Don't worry, you'll be fine."

"Thanks. I - I've never flown before."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Really? Blimey, I thought all witches and wizards learned to fly early on."

Sindaria shrugged, as well as she could and still hold onto her broom. "I never had a chance to."

Alex nodded. "Well, that's alright. You know all about Quidditch, though?"

Sindaria nodded. "Oh yes, everything. Are you going to the World Cup this summer?"

Alex nodded vigorously. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"It's going to be brilliant!"

"More than that," Alex said, grinning. "With Bulgaria and Ireland? It's going to be wicked! I can't wait to see Viktor Krum pull the Wronski Feint out on the pitch!"

Sindaria nodded. "Krum is Bulgaria's Seeker, right?"

Alex nodded. "Right."

Suddenly a gold flash caught her eye and, after praying to whatever diety was watching over her to protect her, she sped after the Snitch, Alex hot on her trail.

As she grew closer to the flitting golden ball, she realized an awful thought. I have to take one of my hands off the broom! Please protect me! She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and reopened them, slowly taking a hand off of the Firebolt. Suddenly the Snitch flew right before her face and she swept her hand down, feeling the cool metal in her closed fist. Oh my God, I just caught the Snitch!

"I caught it!" she yelled and the other kids stopped, looking at her.

"Congratulations!" Natalie cried. "Take that!" she said, looking at Malcolm, who just rolled his eyes.

"Best out of three, McDonald!" Malcolm yelled and the game presumed, Sindaria releasing the Snitch.

As the hours flew by, Sindaria became more assured of herself and found that she loved flying. It made her feel free and unobstructed. Every single match that they played, she managed to catch the Snitch, and was quite proud of herself. They all congratulated her and even Malcolm admitted that he was impressed.

* * *

After a nice dinner with Gabriel and Sarah, they took her home, another pile of books in her arms. With a promise to write, Sindaria said goodbye to the Conners and entered her home. Immediately, she was barraged by Maria and Terrance, demanding that she tell them how her day was. Her parents stood off to one side, watching the display with smiles on their faces.

"I had a brilliant time," Sindaria said. "I found some more books and I have a new story I can tell you."

"Yea!" Maria cried.

"When?" Terrance asked.

"If you go up to bed like you're supposed to, I'll tell it to you tonight."

"Okay!" they cried and ran up the stairs.

"Welcome back, Ari," her mother said warmly, enveloping her in a hug.

"Did you have fun?" her father asked, smiling.

"Oh, yes," Sindaria said, grinning. "Brilliant. One of the best days ever."

"That's wonderful," her mother said.

"We played this game and I did really well, but I'm quite sore, so I think I'm going to head up and take a warm bath," Sindaria said.

"Oh, of course," her mother said, nodding.

"The Conners are wonderful people," her father said. "I'm glad that you were given a chance to stay with them today."

Sindaria nodded. "Thanks for letting me."

"It wasn't a problem," her father said, smiling.

Sindaria nodded and made her way upstairs, her muscles groaning in protest. She dumped her books on her bed and entered the bathroom.

After a long soak in the hot water, she felt immensely better and for Maria and Terrance's story that night, she told them about Merlin, obviously not mentioning the fact that he had truly existed. Even she was still amazed, after all she had found out about the wizarding world. She had read about Merlin in King Arthur books, but she had never realized that he might have actually existed. She learned new things every day.