Andromeda

I slept until six fifteen the next morning. Alex and Missy probably would sleep for another five hours. They had always needed more sleeping time. They lie on their stomachs with their wings draped over the edges of their queen-sized beds. Mr. Dumbledore went out of his way for comfort. Now that I wasn't so tired I looked around our little establishment. The beds were canopied with a thick blue material, it reminded me of a princess bed minus the pink and the lace. The carpet was a thick blue and looked soft, I bent down and touched it to confirm.

I walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom and noticed there was no light switch. I couldn't pee in the dark. I saw some floating candles near the mirror and touched them and they instantly came to life. Much better. I went.

I walked back into the bedroom and grabbed my mask. I put it on and checked myself once in the mirror. My hair was still good for another day and my eye makeup, surprisingly stayed on through the night. I would touch it up and get rid of the crease build up, if my bag was here. I walked into the sitting area and saw three bags; I took mine and retouched my makeup.

My stomach gave a really loud grumble and I moaned in pain. I needed food...now! I walked out of the bedroom and found some paper, ink, and a feather. A quill? I didn't know they used quills. I jotted down a quick note to Mono and X just in case they woke up before I came back, which would take a miracle. After the ink drippings and smears dried I set the note down on top of the couch cushion.

I double checked my mask, no need to check weapons seeing how they never left me, and headed towards the portrait door. I stood there wondering if I should push it, ask it to move, or say the password.

"Ziz," I said it but nothing happened. "Open please," I tried, but that too did nothing. I was left with my only option. I placed a hand on the back of the painting and pushed expecting nothing to happen, but it opened. I walked out and it closed. Godric Gryffindor just stared at me and I smiled shyly.

I turned towards the staircase we came up yesterday afternoon and descended down them until I reached the second floor. No one was awake yet and I thanked that. I looked around until I came to the picture of a bowl of fruit. I tickled the banana, apple, orange, grapes, and peach before I remembered that it was the pear I was supposed to tickle. Well, that and I ran out of fruit. A handle appeared and I pulled revealing a small passageway. Too small, in fact, my wings were never going to get through there. To my luck a small creature with huge pointed ears and large round eyes came to me. I remember Strat calling them house elves; he said they loved to serve.

"Can Dobby be helping you, Miss?" the house elf asked.

"Is this the kitchen?"

"It is, Miss."

"May I have something to eat then?" I asked trying to speak above my grumbling stomach. At my question many trays appeared full of food being offered to me by other house elves. I stared at it all wondering where I should start. "Wow," I said.

"Take as much as you need, Miss."

"I have friends in my room who are going to be hungry too. I think I will need to take two trips."

"Oh no, Miss," Dobby said shaking his head so the ears flapped against it. "Miss does not need to come back. We will help Miss carry. We will help Miss."

"Alright," I said "Can you make it so the food will stay warm? My friends probably won't wake for a while."

"Of course Miss," Dobby said. He turned around and started ordering the other house elves around. They did what he asked. In the preparation to escort the food to our place I noticed that Dobby was the only one wearing clothes, albeit they clashed, but clothes none the less. The others wore a sack. I would question them later because it seemed like I couldn't get food off my mind for more that three seconds.

"Dobby will transfer the food to your place, Miss. Where is Miss staying?"

"Gryffindor tower, behind the biggest picture of Godric Gryffindor," I said.

"It will be there when Miss gets there," Dobby said.

"Thank you Dobby, thank you all."

They seemed enlightened at my thanks and they all took a gracious bow. I didn't know what to do so I nodded then closed the door. The handled disappeared when I let go of it. I made my way to the staircase and found no stairs. I looked from side to side confused. This was the place where I came from, right? As if on cue a staircase moved before me. I laid a hand on the railing and walked up, making sure my footing was good just incase it moved while I was on; I didn't want to twist an ankle or anything. The way back was going to be long so I decided to shorten it by flying weaving in and out of the moving stairs. I reached the top in a fraction of the time it would have taken me to walk.

"Ziz," I said the portrait and it opened up saying, "You're getting the hang of this." I dismissed him and came into the sitting room smelling all the food. Trays were littered around the room. I took one off the couch and laid stomach down on the floor, propped up by my elbows. I extended my wings and laid them on the carpet so my back wouldn't have to take their full weight.

I lifted the lid on the tray and dug into the good food. My stomach shut up once I stuffed my mouth with anything and everything. After the second tray my elbows started to get sore. I got up satisfied, but not full and checked the time. It was 7:00 and I brushed the crumbs off me trying to look presentable, rechecked the mask, and went out.

I exited the room and a few children looked surprised. They saw my wings and started a heated whisper. Let them talk. I leaned against the portrait frame and waited for Harry Potter and his friends. My left hand rest on the sheath of my sword on my hip and my right rested on my thigh near the one of the one-handed sword. I always feel better when I have a weapon in hand, but just touching them was okay. After the fifth child backed away from me staring at my swords I crossed my arms instead and touched the knives under my black shirt in their wrist sheaths. Yep, I'm loaded.

Laugher brought my attention to where all the kids had been coming form and I saw Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley come around the corner leaning on each other. They became quiet when they saw me. When they came close the girl spoke up.

"Where are X and Monochrome?" she asked. She did learn names fast.

"They are still sleeping."

"Still?" Ron asked.

"Yes," I said. "And they'll probably be sleeping for another five hours or so."

They looked at each other surprised. Well...the two boys did, Hermione just nodded her head.

"Lead the way and just ignore me," I said.

They turned to the staircase and went all the way to the bottom. I stayed a few steps back and had fun scaring the younger children. They opened the doors to the mess hall and went to one of the four rows of tables. I found a nice corner with lots of shadows and leaned against the wall left hand on the sheath and right on the handle. No one could see me so might as well be prepared. Throughout the course of a couple of minutes the room became full of children wearing robes of black and a trim of either red, green, yellow, or blue. The reds sat at one of the rows, greens a different one, and the same went for the yellows and blues.

Most of the students were gabbing away completely unaware of my presence, but for the ones that saw me by the portrait they kept glancing back at my corner. A few pointed and whispered something to a friend and a chain reaction started. Soon everyone was whispering.

The Headmaster Dumbledore stood up from his seat at the high table on the other side of the room. The room became silent at once and I wondered if they were taught to do that. I heard one person at the blue table, because it was the closest to me, say, "A morning announcement? That's rare."

"Students of Hogwarts," he addressed, "I have news on some visitors that will be staying for an unspecified amount of time. They are just observers, but are armed." Some whispers broke out, but he silenced them by raising his hand. "They carry weapons for protection and it is best that you do not sneak up on them, they are very well trained, but cannot prevent instinct." He paused for effect then raised a hand in my direction. "Please step out, Shade."

People swiveled around on their bench to squint into the shadows. I took my hand off the handle and stepped out. Some gasped, some stood to get a better look, some stared at my swords, and some started to whisper and point again, but all looked shocked at my wings. Only Harry and his friends did not crane their necks to look; they only glanced at me and went back to eating.

Dumbledore spoke again making the kids jump and me to look up. "The other two will arrive later and I expect you to treat them with respect. They are guests here at Hogwarts and I will not tolerate any nonsense...nor will they." He sat down and I saw Harry, Ron, Hermione stand up with a couple others. I went to the door and left ignoring the hundreds of eyes drilling into my back and my wings. A second later they came out along with a few more trying to get their eyeful.

"Well that went better than expected," Hermione said to me.

"It looked really ominous when you stepped out of the shadows," Ron said. "I think some of the brave Gryffindors wet their pants."

I smiled. "Tell me about this Gryffindor house stuff," I said.

Hermione explained it as we made our way further down in the castle. The air became cold and the ceiling became lower. Alecto was going to refuse to come down here. We had a crowd behind us and I ignored them, instead listening to the four founders by Hermione. She offered a book for me to read called Hogwarts: A History and I graciously accepted the offer. Once we were done with the day she would go and fetch it from her dorm.

We entered a room with rows of cauldrons and I went and stood in the back among the shadows. Students of red and green filled the room and settled down talking quietly amongst themselves. A few chanced a glance back, but adverted their gaze when I saw them looking. A slamming of a door brought me to hold my sword and bring a wing around in a half shield. A man with billowing black robes strode in and the class became silent. This I knew was a taught silence unlike Dumbledore had administered.

He walked up to his desk and turned around sharply. Alex would have liked his theatrics. "We are going to finish your potion you started last week. If you have made it correctly it will be a blue color. Find your vials and begin," he said waving his wand at the board where instructions appeared. The students got out of their seats to get their vials as the teacher sat behind his desk.

I folded my wing back and let go of my sword and watched the students. Hermione's vial was a blue while Harry's and Ron's were more of a blue-violet. A few others had blue-violets while others had a greenish blue. One other had a perfect blue and it was a blonde haired boy sitting in the front row. According to Hermione, the green he was wearing revealed that he was a Slytherin. A brown mousy haired boy had the only pink bottle in the class. Hermione was working with him in between instructions.

I felt of eyes upon me, but found none of the students looking at me. I don't think they dared take their concentration away from their task. I looked at the teacher, but saw his gaze go back to his desk, where he was writing something with one of those quills. Give me a ballpoint pen any day.

The Professor got up from his chair and started to walk around the room critiquing everyone's work. He was at Harry's and was about to say something when someone screamed, "Heads up!" Everyone dropped what they were doing to duck and cover.

I was confused as to what they were doing, but I quickly found out what was going on when a loud explosion rattled the room. I dropped to one knee and hid behind a wing as liquid splattered everywhere. I felt liquid splash against my wing in a wave of heat.

The next thing I knew, there were muffled screams of pain and one sharp voice of a pissed off teacher.

"Mister Longbottom! You've just successfully managed to spray everyone with a very harmful acid! Detention tonight!"

I stood up and looked at the pink liquid covering the walls and burning into the students. I glanced at my wing. Nothing was happening, except for the concoction making its way off the feathers to form a puddle on the floor.

"Everyone is to go the Hospital Wing immediately! Leave your stuff!" the Potions teacher barked.

Everyone scurried out of the room slightly smoking and nursing where the acid was eating at him or her. Mr. Longbottom was the worst of all having got the full blast. Hermione and Harry were directing him out of the classroom paying no attention to their own sizzling skin. I exited before the Professor and followed the group up a flight of stairs and into a very white room full of beds.

"What happened?" asked a lady coming over to the group.

"Mr. Klutz, over there managed to douse us with acid," said the blonde haired boy in the green robes.

"It was an accident, Malfoy," Harry said.

"Like his existence," the boy sneered.

The lady dismissed their little fight and went behind a door. She came back with two bottles and some cotton balls.

"The ones who are the most extreme come up here first," she spoke above the bickering boys.

Hermione and Harry moved the mousy-haired boy to the front of the line.

"I think Longbottom should be last," Malfoy said. "After all he is the one who did this to us."

"Shove it, Malfoy," Harry hissed.

"Knock it off you two and bring him here," the lady said. Hermione and Harry moved forward, but the blonde stuck out his leg and tripped Hermione. All three of them fell and Longbottom gave out a terrible cry. Harry was back up on his feet and wand pointed before the blonde knew what happened.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy...detention tonight," hissed the Professor from behind me. I didn't even know he was there and it gave me a start. I turned around, but he didn't look at me. His eyes were narrowed at the two boys. Harry put his wand back and everyone quietly got in a line behind Longbottom.

Hermione was the second person to get treated and afterwards she came over to me.

"Didn't you get hit?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, showing her my wing.

"It doesn't burn?"

"Nope, but I need to wash it off."

"Come with me," she said. She led me into a bathroom and told me to hold my wing over the tub. I did what I was told to do and she produced a stream of water from her wand. I had seen Strat do that one time, but it still amazed me. After she was done we walked back into the room.

"Ms. Granger, Shade, would you mind helping me?"

"Not at all Madame Pomfrey," Hermione said.

We picked up a cotton ball and applied the medicine that was in the bottle on to them and dabbed it onto the acid burns. The hole was quickly mended and new skin was left. The Slytherins all went to either Madame Pomfrey or me. Hermione just rolled her eyes at them.

After the last person was done I went to throw my cotton ball away when I saw the Professor sitting on an empty bed. His body was stiff and smoke was rising from him. I got a new cotton ball with more medicine and walked up to him.

"Take your shirt off," I said.

"It's fine," he said.

"If you don't get treatment the acid could do some permanent damage."

"How do you know?" He was getting smart with me. I had the urge to give him one sharp jab on his wound, but I restrained myself.

"That's what every other acid does, doesn't it?" I said. "Take off your shirt."

The teacher slowly and gingerly unbuttoned his buttons and pushed the cloth off his shoulders. The charred acid holes stood out against the white of his skin. When I placed the cotton swab on his chest he flinched, but I continued to work. The acid had gotten all over his chest and abs. There were one or two spots on his face.

As I applied the medicine to his face I said, "You're lucky you didn't get hit in the eyes."

He responded with a noncommittal noise.

I straightened up and threw the cotton ball away. "All done." His skin was back to it's white self. I turned on my heel and walked out of the hospital and found Hermione, Harry, and Ron waiting outside for me. We went to the next class after grabbing their stuff from the Potions room.

***

I completely spaced while an elderly woman with gray hair in a tight bun taught transfiguration. The kids repeating the same mistakes got boring after a while. Only Hermione was completely successful in transforming the porcupine into a pincushion. I needed a nap and in the dark corner I stood in gave me a twenty-minute nod off. After they were given their homework they went to lunch.

I sat at the high table with the teachers in one of "our" kind of chairs, but the legs weren't as tall as the one in Dumbledore's office so my feathers at the bottom bended underneath my chair. The grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup was good--naturally. You can't go wrong with that combination. Throughout lunch I felt the potions teacher glance at me a couple of times, but I ignored it. I was too busy watching Harry. When it was time to leave all the kids got up and left except Harry and his friends. I allowed myself to be helped up by Albus Dumbledore and headed to the three.

They had the rest of the day off because they didn't show me the castle yesterday and Dumbledore was kind enough to excuse them another day. I was shown everything there was to see and told everything I needed to know. The three told me about Voldemort, the Chamber of Secrets, everything. They told me about the teachers and I learned that the potions teacher was Professor Snape.

"What kind of weapons do you have?" Ron asked once we were outside the castle. I leaned up against the cement stair leading to the door.

"On me?"

"You have more?" Harry asked.

I nodded. "Many," I said.

"Alright then," Ron said. "What kind of weapons do you have on you?"

I stood up from leaning and drew my katana, my two one-handed swords, my two knives from my wrist sheaths, my six throwing knives, and my four daggers and laid them out on the grass. All three looked on impressed.

"Can we pick them up," Ron asked reaching down for a one-handed sword.

"Be my guest," I said.

Hermione picked up my katana and commented on it, but I didn't here her because I was to busy supervising the mock sword fight between Harry and Ron with my one-handed swords. They were just clinking the swords above their heads saying "Take this" and "Take that" while shuffling their feet. Hermione handed me my sword back when the castle door opened.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," a familiar voice called from the steps. They froze, swords locked above their heads. "What are you doing?" the voice snarled.

I stepped around the stairs saying, "It's okay. They're with me."

Snape looked at the sword I had in my hand...the two the boys had...the weapons on the grass near by then back at me. His black eyes met with my silver ones and we had a bit of a stand off. I looked away and spoke first.

"I was just putting them away," I said and emphasized this by putting my katana back in its hip scabbard. I motioned the two boys over and they handed me my swords hilt first under the critical eye of their teacher. I swung the blades around and in one motioned had them in their covers on the sides of my thighs. I learned the theatrics from Alex.

"Very well," Professor Snape sniffed. He walked down the remaining steps and locked eyes with mine, but only for a second as he continued toward the green houses.

I bent down and put all the knives back into their rightful place and looked to see an astonished trio.

"What?" I asked.

"That was perhaps the first time Snape has not taken points off of us," Hermione said.

"He does that a lot, does he?"

"Psh," Harry said. "A lot is an understatement. He usually just looks at us and takes points away."

Hermione looked at her watch. "It's later than I thought, guys. Dinner is in ten."

We walked inside and we headed up to Gryffindor tower so Hermione could get me the book and a couple extras and so we could fetch X and Mono. They were ready in five minutes and we all walked down to the dining hall. I told Alex and Missy where to sit because I was going for a fly. My wings were itching all day to stretch. I told them I would be back after dinner to escort Harry to detention and told Alex about the low ceilings. Missy was going to stay with Alex and read the book Hermione let me borrow. I waved them off at the entrance and walked out of the castle.

The sun was setting creating a beautiful red sky. The air was getting cooler and I spread my wings out and took off. I circled the castle a couple of times and noted some landmarks. I landed on the highest tower and watched the sun set.

Stratman had said that Hogwarts felt like a home to him and I could understand where he was coming from. Already, on my fist day, I felt...secure. Maybe it was the friendly environment or the fact that no one died today. Either one was a fine answer for me.

I sighed and welcomed the night breeze. Once it was time for me to go I jumped off the tower and glided to the ground.

I walked into the castle just as X, Mono, and Harry walked out of the Great Hall. We exchanged and I walked Harry to the dungeons. I asked Harry about a giant field I saw when I was flying and he lit up like a Christmas tree. He told me about a sport played on brooms called Quidditch. He barely got through naming the different types of people when we reached our destination. He promised he'd tell me later and walked in solemnly. I followed and positioned myself in the same corner. Professor Snape was not here yet, but the Slytherin was.

"Potter," he hissed.

"Malfoy," Harry spat.

He glanced at the corner I was hiding in. "Got yourself a new body guard, do you? Is the Boy Who Lived afraid?"

Harry ignored him. "Where are Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy? You must be so lonely with out your muscle to stand behind."

"I stand behind no one, Potter. You best remember that."

"Enough," came Professor Snape's voice from the doorway.

They ceased. He strode into the room and handed them each a rag. Longbottom was already there and was working on cleaning the floor. Harry and Malfoy took the rag and dished out their wands to hand to the Professor. They must have been in many other detentions to know exactly what came next.

"You will be cleaning those cauldrons," he said pointing. "Get to work."

He turned around to my corner and asked, "Can I see you outside?"

I stepped out of the darkness and left the room followed by the Professor who closed the door, not before I saw Harry give me a wink. He shut the door and I looked up into his eyes. I'd say he was as tall as or shorter than Alex. Their hair was the same length and they stood the same way, demanding nothing but business and respect.

He cleared his throat and held out a hand. "I am Severus Snape."

"And I am Shade," I said placing my hand in his and giving him a firm squeeze while we shook hands. I noticed that his hands were slightly damp, probably from being nervous.

"That can't be your real name, is it?" he asked still holding my hand.

"No, it is not my given name, but while I am here at Hogwarts I shall go by Shade."

He let go of my hand and shifted his weight from one foot to another. He cleared his throat again, a sure sign of nervousness. "Thanks for helping me with the acid," he said.

"You're welcome."

"Are you Ocypete or Celaeno?" he asked looking at my black wings.

"Ocypete."

"Then why the black color?"

I moved my left wing and he followed it down. "It is not all black."

"Yes, I know, but why do you even have the color black? Was one of your parents Celaeno?"

"You are asking very personal questions, Mr. Snape," I said.

He looked at me and seemed embarrassed. "I didn't mean it to..."

He started to squirm and for some odd reason I found pleasure in that. I wanted to see if I could make him blush, but amusement in other's embarrassment is rude. And I try not to be rude if I can help it.

"I understand," I interrupted him. "But, no. My mother and father were both light creatures. The black is just an accident..." I was going to finish like I was, but stopped myself. I didn't want him to ask more personal questions, not yet. "But, Monochrome's father was a Celaeno."

He looked up feigning interest. I took the hint. "But you don't want to hear about that, do you?" I asked looking to the side giving him my profile. While he tried to convince me that he was interested I decided to be blunt. "Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

He closed his mouth and his eyes became hard. He no longer was the babbling man, but the hard ass Professor I saw earlier. "I wanted to tell you that you should not let any of the students handle or play with your knives," he said stepping closer and looking at my sword. "The Headmaster has graciously let you come here baring weapons and it would be respectful if you did not let the students slice themselves up." He was very close and I could feel his breath on my face.

"Very well," I said taking a step back.

He sniffed and turned back to the door and went inside. I followed and closed the door lightly. Harry was looking at me when Snape's anger lashed out on him.

"Get to work, Potter!" And Harry did.

I went back to my corner, but instead of standing I sat down at a desk. I brought my wings around and rested them on the desks connecting to the one I was sitting at. Professor Snape went to his desk and brought out rolls of parchment and stated to grade them. I either watched the boys clean or stared at the ceiling. Twice I felt Snape look at me, but I would not give him a glance and that seemed to make him madder.

After half an hour the three boys were done and each had their wands back. I escorted Harry and felt Snape looking at me. Let him look. Once we were out of Slytherin territory Harry broke into Quidditch talk. I listened very closely wanting to take my mind off of the conversation I just had. We talked all the way up to the tower and he told me that there was to be a Quidditch match in two weeks, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. I said I wanted to go and hoped that he won.

I entered our place and went right to bed, but I took off all my weapons and clothes and slipped into my fish pajamas. I told Missy and Alex that it was their turn tomorrow and told them to be outside at 7:00. Sleep didn't come as quickly as I had hoped giving my brain to think about what I could have and should have said to the Professor. Once my thoughts turned to cutting off his head I smiled and went to sleep.

***

Two weeks had passed and Missy, Alex, and I were on a routine schedule escorting Harry. We even got into a habit of one of us going with Hermione when the boys had Divination and she had Arithmancy. I told Missy that I didn't like Professor Snape and she agreed to take Harry to Potions even if it was on one of my days. Missy also took Divination because she was the smallest one and could actually fit up the trap door. Missy says it is hot and stuffy up there, but a hoot nonetheless. Ron and Harry are destined to die every other minute according to the inner eye of their teacher.

The Quidditch match was today and I couldn't wait. Harry let me watch one of their practices and I liked the game instantly. I even got to race the team, my wings to their brooms. Over long distances I lost miserably, but over short distances I either won or tied. Their brooms are pretty fast.

So today all three of us were getting ready to fly over to watch the game. We went through the checklist of masks, costumes, weapons, hair, eyes, and names before we exited the portrait. Harry was already at the stadium so we wasted no time going down the stairs. We jumped off the railing and wove in and out of the stairs to the bottom. Some of the students on their way down cheered us on. We've become a hit the past couple of weeks.

We landed to open the castle doors, but took off again assuming the triangle formation to the Pitch. We landed on the Gryffindor side stands and sat on the fence so our wings could hang off the side. The teams came out and circled and cheers erupted everywhere. A chant of Go, Go Gryffindor began and I joined in. The whistle blew and the game began.

Blurs of red and green zoomed in and out, weaving each other. It still amazed me how they go so fast and don't crash. Gryffindor scored and the cheers erupt, but quickly become boos and hiss as Slytherin scored.

According to Harry, he was a Seeker. I saw him up in the sky doing exactly like he was supposed to: looking for the Snitch. He never stayed in one place and I noticed that Malfoy was trailing pretty close to him, watching him. Ron said Malfoy was a cheater and always stayed close to the other team's Seeker; just in case the other Seeker saw it, he wasn't too far away for a broom race. It didn't sound like cheating to me, only a very useful tactic.

The game continued with Gryffindor in the lead until the Snitch was sighted. I held my breath as Harry dove for the Snitch and chased after it an inch or to ahead of Malfoy. They went down almost to the ground then shot up to the sky higher than the rest of the team. I momentarily lost them in the sun but when they moved I saw them and gasped. In a blink of an eye Harry grabbed the Snitch and slowed down, but Malfoy did not and crashed into Harry toppling them both off their brooms and sending them towards the ground.

The crowd gasped.

"I've got Harry!" my brother yelled before taking off of the fence. I quickly followed heading for Malfoy. We flew off the fence in such a rush that our slipstream knocked some of the students down.

Considering this was only a short distance we arrived at the two boys within a second. When they passed us, heading for the ground, we tucked our wings in and let gravity do it's work. Harry and Malfoy saw us coming and reached a hand out. I grabbed Malfoy's hand and flared out my wings to slow us down. Alex did the same thing to Harry. I grabbed his other hand and tried to fly up successfully slowing us down to touch down lightly.

I let go of him, but had to grab him again when he threatened to fall over. His face was a little pale and I asked if he was okay as Alex landed with Harry. Malfoy was okay, just a little shaken up. His platinum blonde hair was all over the place and I smoothed it back for him as he held onto my elbows, trying not to fall over. He gave me a breathless, "Thanks," just as he was turned around. Snape had a hold of him and from the back I saw Malfoy's appearance go from shaken up to his usual strong, smirking self.

Professor Snape looked up at me, but I quickly turned to Harry. He, too, was fine and gave the Snitch to Alex. Missy came down a second later caring their brooms. They each took their own with a small thanks and that's when my ears decided to work.

People were cheering and I felt a couple of slaps on my back and wings. The Headmaster Dumbledore came over and grinned shaking all three of our hands. He leaned in and whispered, "I think this deserves a raise, hmm?" He winked at us and led us out of the crowd. I felt a tug on my wing and looked to see Malfoy crooking his finger at me.

I followed him until we were alone and waited for him to speak.

"I, uh, wanted to say thanks again for saving my life and all." He swallowed. "I know you could have went for Potter instead of me, but you didn't and I am grateful for that."

I didn't want to tell him that Harry had been already called for leaving me with him so I said the only thing I could think of. "You're welcome, Mr. Malfoy."

"Draco, call me Draco," he said extending his hand.

I took it and said, "Okay Draco. Call me Shade."

"That's not your real name, is it?"

I let go of his hand with a sense of déjà vu. "No, it is not my given name, but as along as I stay here at Hogwarts I shall go by Shade."

"That sounds familiar," came a voice behind me.

Speak of the devil.I didn't turn around; I just stared into Draco's gray eyes so much like my natural ones and let the frustration show in my fake silver eyes.

"Leave us, Draco, I wish to talk to...Shade, alone," Professor Snape said.

Draco nodded and threw his broom over his shoulder and made his towards the castle. I watched him go then reluctantly turned around to face Professor Snape. I stared up at him and crossed my arms, waiting.

He cleared his throat and said, "I wanted to thank you for saving one of my house members."

I looked at him and when he wasn't going to say anything else I uncrossed my arms and said, "You're welcome," then left. I went about five feet before I was stopped by him grabbing my wrist. I turned around showing my annoyance. "What?"

His long fingers encircled my wrist. I looked down at his hand and he quickly let go. "I also wanted to apologize for what happened two weeks ago."

"Why should you? You were only doing your job: thinking in the best interest of the students. And by that I mean yelling at the person who was supervising the students 'slicing themselves up'," I said bending my fingers in the air for quotations. I rolled my eyes in sarcasm and turned around to head to the castle. I got about half a foot away when my wrist was taken up once more. I turned around truly showing my annoyance and yanked my wrist away. "What?"

"God woman, would you let me finish?"

"Woman?" I asked testing to see if I heard wrong. His stuttering told me that I heard correctly because he started to explain he didn't mean to say woman. Once again I was tempted to find amusement in his embarrassment, but I turned and took off not by foot, but wings. I left him there looking shocked. Good for me.

The nerve of him. Granted I am a woman, but the way he said it sounded like an insult or a proclamation of a lower status. He already pretty much told me I wasn't welcomed two weeks ago so sort of insulting me was the icing on the cake, so to speak.

I got to the castle and walked in ignoring the cheers and faking a smile. I walked all the way up the stairs, my wings dragging behind me.

"Shade?" an unsure voice called out to my left.

I looked and saw Draco leaning against Godric Gryffindor's portrait. "Yeah, Draco?" I asked not trying to hide my tiredness.

"I was going to invite you to a Slytherin party down in the dungeons, but you look like hell."

"Thanks Draco," I said sarcastically. "What's the party for? No offense, but you didn't win."

"It's a party for me, actually...a 'Glad you're alive' party."

"Ah, Draco, I'm so tired," I said.

"I see that. Maybe next time?"

"Definitely next time," I said.

"Getting that tired of the Gryffindorks, are you?"

I smiled at him and he smirked back. He walked past me down the stairs and said, "Thanks again," over his shoulder.

"Welcome," I said and yawned. Physically I was not tired, I could probably go for a couple laps around the school, but I needed to rest my brain. I went into the room and found a note saying that X and Mono are at the Gryffindor Party and that I should come. I ignored the invitation and went to my bed, leaving all my weapons on, not caring how the hilt of my sword was digging into my soft flesh. I fell to sleep thinking of nothing and dreaming of nothing.

I woke up with the sun setting and figured that dinner was going to start soon. The noise of the portrait swinging open made me check my mask. Still on.

"Shade?" Missy called.

"Yeah, I'm here," I said rolling out of bed.

"Dinner is going to start," she said opening the bedroom door.

"I'm coming."

"Andy, what's wrong?" Alex asked from the sitting room. I walked to him linking arms with Missy.

"Nothing."

"Is it that Snape guy I saw you with today?"

"Partly," I said.

"Do you want us to beat him up," Alecto asked.

"Would you?" I asked sarcastically.

"You know we would, Andy," Missy said leaning her head on my shoulder.

"I know, but that's only part of the reason," I said.

"What's the other part," Alex asked.

"I don't know," I said.

My brother looked at me and I almost cracked under his glare, but Missy changed the subject.

"Strat wrote to us and said he'd come for a visit soon."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah, but he's not sure when. He says he misses you the most, Andy," Alex said.

"What?" I asked.

"To quote his words, 'I miss all of you, but especially you, Andromeda Rose. It's boring here with out you,' " Alex said in a wistful voice, while batting his eyes. "Isn't that romantic, Andy? He loves you."

"Two things are wrong with your words. One, Strat never calls me Andromeda Rose. He knows better. And two, he does not love me," I said.

Alex tilted his head acting like he was looking over the top of a pair of glasses. He looked deep into my eyes. I stared back. He looked away first and shrugged. "You're right about one thing, Andy," he said. I expected him to continue, but he didn't.

"You're full of shit," I said, laughing. It didn't help that it sounded like I was trying to convince myself than Alex.

There was no way Strat could like me after our incident 10 years ago. Right? I looked at Missy, but she wouldn't meet my eye.

"Look guys, could we go now? I'm starving," I said breaking the silence.

"Sure," Missy said leading me to the portrait. Alex followed.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were waiting outside our door and with a stern nod from Alex the trio led the way. We talked amongst our kin and separated when we reached the Great Hall. We went to our spot at the end of the high table and took our normal seats with me on the end, the farthest away from Snape as I could get. A card sat upon my empty plate it read:

Shade,

Let me apologize correctly to you after dinner.

My room.

~S.S.

I put the card into my pocket and started to pile my plate high. I watched Harry Potter, but nothing, as usual, was happening. I looked around the room and met Draco's eye. We gave each other a nod of acknowledgement and returned to our plates. I felt eyes upon me and knew they were Professor Snape, but I didn't want to look, didn't want the dinner to end, and didn't want to talk to him, but eventually all was going to happen. Maybe I could just not go and say I didn't notice the card and accidentally ate it. Who was I kidding? Maybe I could bring Missy, but that would be kind of rude and I try not to be rude if I can help it.

Snape stood up and walked down my way, the long way down from high table. His hand brushed up against my wing and I tried not to shiver. I looked down at my plate examining the green beans avoiding his gaze. A few of the students were rising and leaving. I leaned over to Alex and whispered, "You guys take Harry to the room. I'm going to hang back a bit." Alex nodded and arose when Harry and friends did. Missy looked at me questioningly and I shook my head. I'd tell her later. Dumbledore stood up and I knew the dinner was over; no delaying now.

I stood up and composed myself. If I was going to face this man then I better be prepared for it. I walk out of the mess hall head held high and headed for the dungeons. Before I could think of anything I should do or say I was standing in front of Snape's room. I couldn't do this; he probably just got me down here to tell me what a wuss I was. I turned and stopped as the door opened. I turned around slowly and saw him standing in the doorway looking expectant. He stood aside and my feet walked past him while my mind screamed at me to get out. Getting made fun of was never fun. Go, Andy, run! He shut the door seeming to know what I was thinking and stepped in front of it. Why was I so scared?

He walked up behind me and I turned slowly, not meeting his eyes.

"I want to apologize," he said, his voice carrying in the room, making me jump. I clenched and unclenched my jaw, doing something, anything from pissing my pants. I was scared because I thought the big bad wizard was going to bite even though I had enough weapons to cut him into pieces and serve him shish kebab style to the whole school.

"Please forgive the way I acted two weeks ago. I did not mean to scare you off."

I found my voice. Even though I might be a chicken, nobody, but nobody calls me one to my face. "You didn't scare me off," I said pissed. Yes be pissed, be anything, but scared.

"You've been avoiding me, have you not?" he asked.

"No...well, yes, but I was not scared off. You made it quite clear I wasn't welcomed."

"I never said that," he said taking a step forward and I took a step back.

"You never had to," I said staring at his chest, still not meeting his eyes.

A silence fell between us and I wondered what was going on in that little head of his. I studied his robes of all black and watched him breath. He took in a big breath and I knew he was going to talk.

"You are not, not welcomed," he said taking a step forward. I took a step back and he sighed. "What can I do to show you that I am sorry for the way I behaved?"

I looked into his eyes and saw emotions I didn't want to see. I liked the hard ass Professor better because I knew how to deal with him: avoid him. But the kinder Professor was new and I didn't know what to do. So I told him what he could do to show he was sorry.

"Tell me what you had really wanted to speak with me about that day."

Snape looked like he swallowed a frog and actually croaked when he spoke. "Excuse me?"

I sighed. "If that is to damn hard for you to say then I'm leaving," I said and I pushed past him heading for the door.

"Wait," he said, reaching for me. I pulled out of his reach, which put my back to the door.

He took a step forward and I went to take a step back, but couldn't. I trapped myself. Good one Andy. He reached and I pressed myself to the door. He took my left hand held it before him like he was going to kiss the knuckles, but he didn't, he stroked them with his other hand. I was too dumbfounded to pull away.

"I was going to ask if you would have dinner with me."

Sensory overload. I was expecting anything than this, maybe a compliment. Compliments I can handle, but a request to accompany a man to dinner is not uncharted territory, but rusty, very rusty. I swallowed and blinked and swallowed and blinked and swallowed...and blinked. It seemed like those were the only things I could do. I felt him tense and he released my hand. I cradled it to my chest.

"Excuse me?" Hey! What do you know? I can talk.

He stepped away and looked at his shoes. "Do not make me repeat it," he said lifting his eyes to meet mine. I could tell he was summoning all of his courage. I just stared too shocked to do anything. My talking earlier must have been just short of a miracle. He looked to the side and waited then walked away. "Forget I said anything," he called over his shoulder and went behind the second door, closed it, and locked it.

I just stood there mouth open, eyes wide, hand cradled to chest, and confused, so very, very confused. I turned and left the room making my way to my room. I ran into no one, probably because it was so late.

What just happened? My mind was too numb to answer. The only thing my brain wanted to do was forget, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. Just go to bed and sleep on it.

I was about to tell my portrait the password when I heard the Gryffindor portrait open then close from around the corner. I slid into the shadows thanking my all black attire. I heard a cloth being rubbed against other cloth, footsteps, and whispers. I positioned whatever it was with the sound it was making and pounced.

I ran from my shadows and captures whatever it was by encircling it with my wings. A few muffled screams and some movement later three heads appeared. Hermione, Harry and Ron looked guiltier than O.J.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked taking back my wings.

"We were going to the...uh kitchens," Ron stammered.

"Liars."

"We were going to prank Malfoy."

"Draco?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah, him."

"Why? He's a nice boy."

All three jaws dropped. Hermione reached over and put her hand to my cheek. "She's not feverish," she said.

"Of course not," I said.

"Then what's your problem?" Ron asked. "You just said Malfoy was a nice boy."

"He is."

"You're just saying that because you're not a Gryffindor so naturally he tries to suck you in to the bad side," Harry said.

"Well...he did invite me to a Slytherin party."

"See?" Ron said

"What were you planning on doing?"

"Stink bombs in his closet so all his clothes will smell like dung tomorrow," Harry said.

"Why don't you do the Great Hall?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"Set timers on your stink bombs, via magic, and place them in the Great Hall so every one will smell. Locate them under the Slytherin table though. And tomorrow don't go to the Hall for breakfast go to the kitchens."

"Brilliant," Ron said. "Hermione can you do the spell?"

"Can you?" Harry asked Hermione with a look of great mischief in his eyes.

She nodded wickedly and said some incantation with a difficult hand move. "They're set for 7:20," she said.

"Great," I said. "Now you get back under the material and I'll follow. Can't let you do this alone."

"What if someone sees you?" Hermione asked.

"I won't get into trouble so hush up and get under. You guys make a lot of noise."

"Ron!" Hermione and Harry said at the same time.

After they were covered in the material that they called an invisibility cloak we silently and slowly made our way down to the Great Hall. Hermione silenced the hinges and I opened it. We placed the stink bombs under the Slytherin benches so no one would see them and crept back out. I just shut the door when Harry broke the silence.

"Uh, guys?"

"Hush Harry," Hermione whispered.

"Voldemort's here."

"What?" I asked.

"He's getting closer," Harry said.

I didn't doubt the kid. After all those stories he has told me and after all that he has been through, I would believe him in a hot second.

"Quick," I said, "go into the dungeons. And keep covered."

I heard them shuffle away and I saw the Hogwarts castle doors swing wide, but no sound came. I slowly backed myself towards the dungeon. Five hooded figures walked the threshold and I began to back up more quickly. One on the end saw me and pointed with his wand and said, "Look."

I turned and ran and heard them coming. Hermione, Ron, and Harry revealed themselves and ran in front of me. I ran with my wings extended to the walls to protect the kids. We got to Professor Snape's room and I shoved them inside grateful he hadn't locked it yet. I drew my sword and turned toward the coming men. This was going to be interesting.

Some red light came at me and hit my raised wing and did nothing. A neon green light whooshed over my head and I raised my sword for an attack. The sword slipped out of my strong grip and went to the leader, Voldemort. He wore a black hooded cloak and look anything, but human. Was he a snake? I would settle for just calling him an it...or thing. His red eyes with pupils like a cat squinted as he smiled maliciously. I smiled back. If he wanted my knives, I had plenty to throw. I quickly got one out and chucked it at him, but I missed and it went into the face of one of the other men. He screamed a scream I knew so well. The scream I had heard earlier this year. I had hit one of his eyes. Voldemort hissed something and all my knives went to him. My wrist knives ripped my shirt, but I had plenty of the black cotton ones. It is the vest you got to be careful about.

One of the followers came at me throwing spells at me, which just absorbed into my wings. When he was close enough I pounced. Shoved my knuckles into his throat and kick him in the face, unconscious. The other follower dropped his wand and came at me fists raised. I gladly met him half way and ducked under his fists and used his momentum to throw him over me. A knife was thrown and stabbed me in the right shoulder. I quickly took it out and stabbed the man down at my feet.

I faced Voldemort, him and a couple of my throwing knives. One stuck into my thigh and two went into my stomach. I had been too slow with my wings. I concentrated on my internal magic and called up the energy I had left into shocking this guy. I let it pour out of me heading straight for Voldemort when his green spell ricocheted off my energy going into the ceiling, but sending half my power back at me. I was knocked off my feet and skidded to a halt in front of a pair of shoes before I blacked out.

***

I was curled up on my side in a small bed and both my wings fell over one side exposing my back. I blinked one eye open and saw a lot of white. At first I thought I was back home in Missy's room, but memories of Voldemort came pouring into my mind and I sat up. I ignored the killer pains in my stomach and reached for my face to make sure my mask was on. It was and my hair was still silver. I couldn't tell if my eyes were silver so I put on some more personal glamour, just to make sure. I looked around and realize I was in the hospital wing, but I couldn't place where my costume was. I was wearing a hospital gown with the open back for my wings, weaponless. Where are my knives? Oh! The pains of withdraw.

A woman walked up to me and said she was the school healer, Madame Pomfrey.

"I need to check the wounds, Ms. Shade. If you could pull the gown up I'll begin."

I pushed the covers down and shifted so a wing was on either side of the bed. I pushed the gown up so she could examine my thigh. There was no trace of a puncture wound and the only reason I knew I didn't dream it was because it was tender. I lifted the gown to show her my flat stomach baring my black panties, but I didn't mind. We were both women. She poked my stomach and I groaned in pain. She probably knew, like I did, that stomach wounds were a bitch so why did she have to poke? She said it was fine, but it didn't feel like it. I needed to take it easy for the next couple of days. When she poked my shoulder it barely hurt, but when I moved it my muscles spasmed.

I had just put the gown back over my body when the hospital door opened revealing Dumbledore and my two friends. They came to my bed smiling.

"Wow Shade," Missy said. "A new injury recovery record. You only slept for eight hours."

"Really?" I asked surprised. They nodded and I smiled. "How's Harry and them and where's Voldemort?"

Dumbledore grinned widely at my concern. "Harry," he said, "is fine. Not a scratch to talk about, but Voldemort got away."

I had relaxed at the safety of Harry, but tensed back up with the word of Voldemort. "What do you mean? My power must have hit him."

"It did, my dear child, but he vanished before he had the chance to hit the floor."

"Vanished?"

"He probably had a portkey," Dumbledore said followed by an explanation of what a portkey was.

"Damn," I muttered.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, and Mr. Weasley told me how you protected them and confessed to why they were in that part of the school that late at night, this morning. I dare say we will have to eat lunch outside today."

I smiled as he looked at me over his half-moon spectacles. I had the decency to blush.

"The one you managed not to kill is in Azkaban prison. His trial will be shortly."

"I killed the one with the knife to the eye?" I asked.

"It went past his eye and into his brain, Shade," Alex said.

"Oops." That one word seemed to release some of the tension.

Dumbledore chuckled and said, "Get dressed my child and have the day off. X and Monochrome will take care of everything today."

I nodded and he left leaving the three Quintesceases to talk. I sighed and pushed myself off the tiny bed. Missy came to me with my costume bundled up under one arm and my weapons in the other. Alex turned and I let Missy help me into my costume. When it came to my shirt Missy looked puzzled. "How do you get your tee and vest on and off with your wing out?"

Alex turned around and I knew I was caught. "I don't have my wings out when I change into my clothing," I said grabbing the shirt and waiting for Alex's screams to come. I got no yells, but questions instead.

"You can do that without depleting your energy?" my brother asked amazed.

"Yeah, I can. I guess it has something to do with being around all this magic. Watch."

I called my wings back in...slowly and sighed relief. No matter how strong you are you always get tired from carrying the extra wing weight on your back. I moved my shoulders around and stretched the skin and muscles in between my shoulder blades. I put the black tee on and vest, with a little help from both. After I was completely dressed down to my shoes and my weapons were back in their rightful places I called my wings back out. They came through the slots in the back of my shirt and vest and after they were done I smirked at by friends.

"Kinda cool, huh?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows.

"You don't feel at least a little bit tired?" Alex asked.

"Not one bit."

"Wow," was all Missy could say. She shook her head, clearing it. "Class is going to start soon and we still have to pick up the trio from the Gryffindor common room."

"I'll walk you to the stairs then I'm going to go for a fly," I said.

"Alright," Alex said waving Madame Pomfrey over. "Is she able to leave?" he asked when she came nearer.

"Yes, she is," she said to him. She turned to me and said, "Take it easy for the next couple of days and if you feel the need for some pain killers just drop by."

"I will and thank you."

She nodded then walked over to her potions she was messing with. We walked out and Alex stooped out. His wings were too tall to walk normally through the doorway like Missy and I. When we reached the stairs and went our separate ways. I thought about last night.

The Death Eater's spells were absorbed into my wings and I didn't understand. Whenever Strat did magic on my wings--any kind of magic--it had an effect on me. The right or intended effect I might add. I knew they meant to hurt me, but nothing happened. Even more strange was Voldemort. He could have done so much more damage than he did, but he didn't. Lately it seemed that I didn't understand any males, except for Alex. He was my brother and it was evident he was worried about me. I couldn't read Snape, Strat was another issue, and Voldemort was just being his strange self...it...thing. Man was he ugly.

I went over the possibilities and opportunities I had last night during the fight. I kept seeing wide-open windows everywhere for me to attack Voldemort, but I had dismissed them. Why? Was I saving him for last? Was I under a spell? Whatever reason I swore I would not let it happen again. At least I damaged him with half of my energy last night. I have never had my attack come back at me before and I must say I was glad it wasn't full force. It hurt.

The last thing I remembered was a pair of shoes. They probably belonged to Dumbledore. I could just see it now: him carrying me to the hospital wing draped over his shoulder. I imagined him with a mouth full of feathers and laughed. How absurd.

I made my way out doors and took off, but doubled over in pain and fell twenty feet to the ground. The landing hurt, but my stomach ached. We didn't need to use our abdominal muscles for flying, but to fly correctly we had to keep a straight body. My stomach muscles didn't want to cooperate. I picked myself up and a dagger that had fallen out on impact and brushed both of us free of grass. I replaced it and walked to the lake. I saw a person standing on the shore tossing rocks into the blue water. The platinum blonde hair told me it was Draco Malfoy.

"Hey Draco," I said. He turned around, wand pointed at me faster than I could blink. Once he recognized me he lowered it and placed it back in his robes.

"What are you doing here Shade?" he asked turning back to the lake.

"I could ask you the same thing."

He sighed. "I came for solitude."

I took a step closer and smelt why he wanted solitude. He had been a victim of the stink bombs.

"I smell like shit," he said.

"Got hit by the stink bombs, did you?"

"Yes," he said chucking a rock so it skipped across the water. "You don't have to come closer if you don't want. I'll understand."

"No worries." I walked up next to him and he side glanced at me.

He shrugged. "It's your nose. So, how are you?"

"Better."

"I heard many rumors as to why you were in the hospital."

"What did they say?" I asked curious as to how the school "heard" how I got hurt.

"One girl said you crashed into a moving staircase. I think her exact words were, 'She shows off flying down to the ground level all the time so it was going to happen sooner or later.'"

I chuckled and tossed in a rock watching the calm water break.

"I over heard a first year swear he saw you try and commit suicide. That was really funny because when asked how you tried to kill yourself his story changed a couple of times."

"Interesting. What do you think happened?"

"I think," Draco began, "that the Dark Lord came last night and you fought him."

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Because after the stink bomb incident I went into the dungeons to retrieve Professor Snape on McGonagall's orders and I heard him talking to himself. It seemed you went--what were his words? --"gallivanting with dark wizards." I overheard a few more words before he started to repeat himself."

"Draco Malfoy eavesdropping?"

"A required Slytherin tactic if you want to survive," he said.

"Hm. You said 'retrieve.' Did the Professor go somewhere?"

"He was at breakfast this morning for about two seconds before he left to sulk in his room. He had just missed the stink bombs and McGonagall asked me to get the Professor for clean up."

"Ah. So how are you going to pay back the Gryffindors for the stink bombs?"

"Gryffindors did this?! How do you know?"

I looked at the scenery around my trying not to meet his eyes. I had said too much so why not finish it. "Well...I kind of...helped."

"What?!"

"That is why I got to fight Voldemort last night. I kind of was in the neighborhood."

"Oh," Draco said and he fell silent. We threw in a couple more rocks and watched the ripples disappear. "You know, Shade, it is only fair that you help the Slytherins get back at them."

I smiled and asked, "What did you have in mind?"