Authors note: I have dispensed with trying to recreate Hagrid's accent. You'll just have to imagine.
October brought cooler mornings and glorious sunrises. The first rays of light touched the upper spires of Hogwarts castle with gold. El Dorado would have paled in comparison. Throughout the valley, humans and animals alike were awakening. Hagrid was one of the humans beginning the day rather early. That was not unusual, as he tended to the many animals that resided on the grounds of Hogwarts. Morning, according to Hagrid, was a fine time to be among the creatures.
There were few, though, that welcomed the new day as victoriously as the finely feathered golden eagle he saw, while on his way to the Owlery, circling around the castle spires. Stopping to admire the eagle for a few minutes, he idly wondered what she was doing here. He had never seen one before in this area, though they were in a book that Professor Dumbledore had given him. It soared around and around the Astronomy Tower, down the parapets, up the courtyard, down to the Quidditch pitch and back up to the towers. Graceful and beautiful, it danced on the wind and air currents that mere humans could never hope to ride.
He was surprised to find that he was not the only one who had thought to visit the owls early that morning. Angela Mason was there, talking to a beautiful barn owl named Flibitigibit. "Well hello, Angela."
Angela turned and smiled. "Hello, Hagrid." She patted the owl once more, carried her to the open courtyard, and released her with a missive tied to her leg. "
Letters home?"
"Yes."
"Did you see that large lady eagle flying over the castle?" Hagrid's voice was tinged in affection. It was a known fact that Hagrid had a fondness for beasts of all descriptions, though the more terrifying the better.
"Eagle?" She looked up at him questioningly. "No, I didn't. What did she look like?"
Hagrid cocked his head, "Well, she was all golden and red, ruddy long wings, and was circling the towers as if she were protecting a nest." He seemed to wonder at his own words. "Now that I think of it, I'm not sure what she was doing here. I don't know as anyone would use an eagle as a messenger."
Angela laughed. "No, I don't know either." She looked up in the sky for a sight of the bird. "I bet she was something to see."
"That she was."
Siren had hardly looked up from the text that she was studying since she had sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Other students had come, eaten, and left, without talking to her, but still she sat and read. Most of the time, the lack of recognition from the other students did not bother her, but recently, she had found herself watching the other girls and wondering if she would ever again want to join in such a group. She also wondered if they would ever let her join them.
Unfortunately for Siren, today was shaping up to be one of the days that she found herself questioning her exile.
Siren closed her eyes and listened to the girls leave the table talking about their Charms work. It wasn't until she opened her eyes again that she realized she didn't know what book she had been reading. Bracing her elbows on the edge of the table, she reached up and slowly started working her fingers through her braids, trying to ease the tension she already felt.
"If you don't quit playing with those, they're all going to come out." A half-smile formed itself on Siren's mouth before she could stop it. Raising her head, she saw her cousin standing over her.
Angela's smile grew a little larger when she saw Siren's attempt at sociability. "May I?" Angela pointed down to the empty bench.
Nodding, Siren closed the book in front of her and pushed it aside. Idly, she poked her forgotten plate of fruit with her fork.
"I got a letter from Mum and Dad last night. I tried to find you, but you hadn't returned yet." There was an odd catch in her voice. Siren sighed as she looked at Angela. Despite her smile, worry lines were becoming apparent. Before she quite knew what she was doing, Siren reached over and hugged Angela.
"I've missed you, Siri." Slowly she released Angela and smiled at her. It was just a tad more than a half-smile, but more of one than she had been able to produce since her family had been killed. Angela was just pulling out the letters from her parents when a low, silky voice came from above them.
"As touching as this is, too much more feminine slobbering will make one of you late for Potions." Both girls looked up at Snape. Angela's face was touched with barely controlled animosity. For some reason, his rudeness amused Siren. She choked back a laugh and shook her head at the Potions Master. Snape peered down at her for a moment. Siren wondered if he would snap at them again, but he merely turned back down the tables and strode away, his black robes fluttering behind him. Still slightly amused by him, Siren glanced once more at Angela, who was staring at her rather peculiarly.
"Unfortunately, he's right about us being late. I've got Arithmancy in a few minutes." Siren nodded her head, and began to gather her books, amusement still coloring her mind. Long days were not unusual for her here, but today was going to be especially long. But, having something to look forward to would make it worthwhile. She wondered if Angela had thought she had forgotten.
"Remember, as you attempt the exercise, that successful multi- transfigurations must take into consideration the original state of the object. Failure to do so can result in fracturing the original object beyond repair." Professor McGonagall stared at her seventh years over her spectacles. "Each of you will now perform a five step transfiguration on the two objects before you." The students in this class should, she thought, be able to perform the transfiguration that was required, but what their animate and inanimate objects would become should be interesting.
In short order, the classroom was filled with all manner of objects: boulders, toads, and hairbrushes, even a pig. Most of the students seemed to enjoy this sort of exercise.
"I did not think, Mr. Fields, that a model train was supposed to croak.
"The mass shift was very well done, Ms. Casey.
"Ms. Phania, you must concentrate harder. This type of transfiguration..." She peered down at the brown haired Hufflepuff girl that was having difficulties.
"I know Professor."
Minerva McGonagall raised her eyes to watch Siren Mason transfigure her spider. As she had told Dumbledore, the young woman knew her transfiguration theory. She was producing all manner of items. The spider had become a beetle, a quill, and a small monkey (much to the delight of another girl near her). Siren paused for a moment as she held the monkey.
McGonagall certainly was not expecting the young woman to throw the monkey into the air. Gasping from shock, Professor McGonagall raised her wand and watched, as the monkey became a small, brown bat. Activity stopped as everyone watched Siren's bat fly around the classroom. Several of the boys were softly hooting, while most of the girls were making mews of disgust or fear.
"I think that is enough, Miss Mason."
Without looking at her Professor, Siren quickly transfigured the small bat into a baseball and summoned it to rest on the workbench. Professor McGonagall wondered again as she watched Siren perform the transfiguration and Accio, that Siren's magic seemed to cooperate with her self-inflicted muteness. She did mouth the words it was just that no sound was produced.
"That will be all, class. Remember your essays on splinching are due Monday."
The class filed out, happy to get out of the day's last class. There was the usual grumbling about a long essay that most of them had yet to start as well as talk about the transfigurations they had done that day. McGonagall swept her gaze over the room as the last students were filing out and noticed that Siren was still sitting at her workbench. The bat was back, hanging from her finger, and she was petting its belly fur.
In that moment, McGonagall thought Siren Mason looked almost at ease with herself. Maybe I should let her be. Siren looked almost entranced by the little animal she had created, as though it was an old friend.
The reverie of both student and teacher was broken, however, when the door was opened rather forcefully. The man who entered was wearing all black and his robes swished along behind him as he strode into the room. McGonagall saw his eyes sweep the workbenches and corners for lingering students and pause briefly over Siren and her small bat. His features hardened slightly; Sirens softened into a small smile as she looked at him, her finger still petting the bat.
"Professor Dumbledore wishes a word with you before dinner, Professor."
McGonagall nodded her head. "Of course, Severus." Still watching her young colleague, she began to gather up some essays for grading. Having delivered his message, he turned to leave. She did notice, however, that his eyes strayed to the young woman also cleaning up her belongings. Later, as she thought about that look, she was convinced that it was only because she was watching him so carefully that she noticed the quick frown he threw at Miss Mason before he swooped out of he room.
Curious.
While the rest of her house was at dinner, Siren was busy in the Ravenclaw common room. She had received more than a letter from her Uncle and Aunt. Siren had a lot to arrange before dinner was over, and she did not plan to miss anything.
The house-elves had arranged the food, she was providing the decorations, and there were presents from Angela's parents, Siren, and her dorm mates. More Swinging Streamers over there, a Banishing Bullhorn in that corner. The decorations were going well - she was trying to remember what her dorm mates had concocted for her sixteenth birthday party. Ah, right on time! As she turned around, she saw one of the house-elves quietly place a beautiful, three tiered birthday cake on the table. The small elf turned away before Siren could smile at her, but Siren could not really expect it to accept her gratitude. Everything was ready. Everyone knew to play their part. Siren cast the final linked Incendio spell, and, by concentrating on her cloak, faded herself into nothingness.
"I know it's still early, but I want to get that essay started. You know what he can be like!" Angela stood up and started to leave the table. The other four girls near her sighed and grumbled that they might as well get started, too. After all, it was a Snape essay.
As they were all getting up from the table, the four girls shared a small smile before they hurried after their friend.
Despite the cavalier attitude she had put on in the Great Hall, Angela was not really in the mood for her dinner. She had really wanted to see Siren, but her cousin had disappeared again. Today was supposed to be about family, after all. She forced a smile as her friends ran up behind her. They were debating the wiles of a fifth year Huffelpuff and a seventh year Ravenclaw. Joining in the discussion in favor of the Ravenclaw, as much out of house loyalty as anything else, she climbed the final staircase leading to their portal.
"Falcon's wing."
As the five girls entered the portal, the first thing that any of them noticed was that the fire had been put out. Angela frowned and pulled out her wand. Before she could get Lumos out, however, something at the far end of the common room lit up.
Behind her, she heard "Happy Birthday!" from four happy voices. As if that phrase was a cue, the whole room lit up. Laughter bubbled inside Angela and burst out as her horde of friends descended on her with hugs. They ruffed her hair, gently slapped her arm, and generally teased her for thinking they did not know.
As they moved away, she felt another hand curve over her shoulder. Turning to look, she saw Siren standing there with laughter in her eyes. "Thanks, Siri!"
It was not long before the whole of Ravenclaw returned from dinner. Siren, when she had written Angela's dorm mates about the surprise, had asked them to spread the word not to be late. As all the other Ravenclaws started enjoying the party, Siren pointed to the small pile of presents near the back wall.
Angela's face lit up like a small girls. She loved presents! Almost running over to the pile, she nearly knocked over two first years. There were several there, and she looked at all the tags. Then she saw one, wrapped in a shimmering blue fabric, whose tag made her hands stop and a gasp come from her throat. "Aunt Candy."
There were tears in her eyes when she looked up at Siren, whose eyes were dripping, also. Slowly, Angela removed the ribbons and wrapping. The box had a nice heft to it, but was not very big. Her hands began to tremble, and she realized that she had forgotten to breathe. Taking a few deep breaths, she pulled the top off the white box. Inside lay a mass of deep, midnight fabric.
Her world seemed to twist. Of it's own volition, her hand lightly skimmed the material before lifting it out of the box. It was a long, hooded cloak with bronze buttons. Something in the fabric seemed warm as she held it in her arms, as if it recognized her.
She looked back up at her cousin and saw the very sad smile on her face. Siren's mother had been a weaver. Her mother had made the cloak that Siren always wore. It was a very difficult and time-consuming project because the cloaks were magical, enchanted to become whatever garment the wearer needed. They were also only meant for one person. Angela had fallen in love with her Aunt Candy's and then with Siren's when she had been given it at her sixteenth birthday. She had not thought to get her own, especially after Aunt Candy had been killed.
Here it was, though, beautiful and blue. Within the tiny world that encompassed her cloak, she saw a pair of hands try to remove it from her. Squeaking with indignation, she looked up with a hint of malice in her eyes. Siren paused and looked back at her. Angela quieted down. Siren smiled finally, her eyes still wet, and shook out the cloak. She looked at it for a second and then swung it around her cousin's shoulders. Siren watched as the cloak molded itself to Angela's shoulders.
"That's beautiful, Angela!" Andi walked over to the pair to admire the beautiful cloak her dorm mate was wearing. Her blonde roommate pulled Angela in for a small hug. "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks, Andi." Angela looked over Andi's shoulder and saw her cousin head towards the portal. Watching her intently, she could see the small sobs that had not quite escaped.3
Snape was deeply entrenched in a complicated potion when a soft rustling just caught the edges of his awareness. He looked up harshly, determined to banish the cause of his distraction. Her eyes were half lidded and rimmed in red. The redness and dark smudges under her eyes, the pallor of her skin that told him she had spent to many hours in her studio and not enough in the sun were deeply enhanced by the knighted colors she wore. He swept his eyes over her. He had thought so before then, but he noticed that she seemed to slowly be fading away. "I have no time for chit-chat Miss Mason."
She cringed a little, and sighed. He turned back to his potion, berating himself softly. His gift for the sarcastic had a way of making even the most innocuous comments seem cruel. His surprise at her reactions to him not withstanding, he could not imagine why she kept coming down to his dungeon.
Damn her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her move from the doorway. She padded over to the bookshelves; moving silently in the boots she seemed to favor. Severus' breath caught in his throat and he just barely stopped himself from swearing at her aloud when he saw her caress the spines of his beloved potions texts.
She must have heard him, though. Her hand paused over the spine of Potions for the Un-whole and quickly she glanced over her shoulder with something akin to fear in her eyes.
She knows she is intruding, he thought. But she still came. He knew that to many, the dungeons were the most feared place at the school - some would say even more so than the Forbidden Forest. This slip of a girl, though, came seeking something she was afraid of losing.
Severus deliberately turned his head back to the bubbling, blue liquid in his cauldron, determined to ignore her. In short order, he was caught up once again in the changes his potion underwent as it brewed and he added ingredients.
It was several hours later when he again became aware of some outside disturbance. When he searched for the cause this time, he saw Minerva McGonagall standing in the doorway of his classroom; her hand paused in the act of knocking on the door. "What?" He did not bother to hide his irritation at her interruption.
"I was looking for Miss Mason." He saw her pursing her lips, as if she was trying to swallow an unpleasant potion.
"What does that have to do with me?" The blue bubbles in his cauldron turned red as he carefully added blood scarabs.
"When I find her asleep in your classroom, it has everything to do with you."
There had been very few times when Severus had heard McGonagall sound as censorious as she did at that moment. His eyes narrowed and his mouth hardened. In a silky, low, and dangerous voice he said, "Since she is asleep, you have no reason to be concerned." His hand pushed back a lock of hair that fell into his eyes; his black eyes flicked over to Siren, laying with her head in an old Potions text, her braids falling around her like tongues of fire before returning to his cauldron. "If you are so troubled, Professor, wake her and send her about your way. But realize, Minerva, that she is sleeping."
McGonagall was still peering at him with obvious disapproval in her face, but her voice was notably hushed. "What is she doing here, Severus?"
Stirring his potion, he did not look up. "I have no idea, Minerva. She has not seen fit to tell me."
He fully expected McGonagall to lecture him on propriety. He was therefore surprised when she muttered something under her breath and walked to the worktable where Siren was resting. She softly moved a few braids behind Siren's ear, looked down at her, and walked out of the dungeon. Snape shook his head and looked from the door to where Siren lay.
Her eyes were open.
"It would not do any good to order you to get out, would it?"
"No."