SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND:

"Talking"

Inner Thoughts

'Quotes from a Memory'

Every line break changes character's point view & narration

3 LoVeRsOfLiFe 3


Those eyes.

I knew it was impossible to have walked around the school for six years, and never come across them before, but how could I have not realized it before?

'You mean you didn't know?' I can't believe what an idiot I was. 'I thought you'd catch on,' she was mocking me.

'Gryffindor?' she had given me so many hints. 'I'm kind of hiding out up here…'

'But the gossip mill is starting to get out of hand. You know, about the new girl?'

'I thought you'd catch on, catch on, catch on…' I felt my teeth grinding together. That muggle bitch was playing with me.

I sat there, fists clenched, jaw set, and seething in silent anger as I watched her scan the Hall with her vivid eyes. She'd pause every few moments to stare at individual people that possibly caught her interest, but the glance only lasted a few short seconds before she continued her assessment of every student's reaction. That is until her eyes caught mine and held for much longer ticks in time, and there was a glimmer of emotion within her eyes that gave my anger pause. The look on her face gave me a familiar chill, as if it echoed another look I've seen on someone else. It caught me so off-guard that any ounce of loathing I had for her dispersed for the time being as I contemplated that look, but as if realizing what I was doing she swiftly moved her gaze to the left of me and she visibly froze.

It was only due to my close position towards the center front of where she stood that I even noticed the slight widening of her eyes, and her eyes seemed to shimmer from my perspective, but I could be mistaking it for the glare of the light in my vision. I also took a secretive note of the slight tensing of her right arm as the hand discretely squeezed onto the Headmaster's. He craftily glanced towards the person she was indicating to and he squeezed her hand back in acknowledgment. That shook her out of her inner musings it appeared as she slowly dragged her eyes away from the person of interest reluctantly.

Glancing to my left I had forgotten that Blaise was seated directly to my left, and to my surprise he seemed to be staring back at her much the same way she had him; a look of recognition that dawned upon both their faces when they made eye contact, but Blaise's brow had creased in confusion and he blinked at her bewildered. This exchange perplexed me as I stared at him. He felt my stare and snapped his eyes onto me.

"What's with the look?" he sounded shocked.

"Did you know her from before?" there was an edge to my words that I couldn't understand where it was coming from. He seemed startled.

"No, I don't have the slightest clue. I am not one of the few who interacts with muggles."

"Then what was that staring contest you shared a moment ago?" I frowned.

"You sound jealous." He smirked.

"Answer the question." I hissed quietly.

His brow furrowed. "I have never seen her before in my life." He paused to stare back at her. "But I got a strange feeling within me when her eyes stared back at me…it felt like a needle prick to the heart." He explained distractedly.

At that point I decided to not ask again about his sudden strange epiphany and listen to what Miss Daniels had to say, now that her eyes stopped roaming and everyone started to quiet down, a few small conversations here and there.

There's that smile again…

"Good evening everyone," her sweet voice rang like bells through the silent Hall, "as the Headmaster has introduced, my name is Karessa Daniels, and as you have been informed; although I have magic within my ancestors' blood I myself have not inherited their gift of the enchanted delights such as the rest of you, therefore making me a muggle." The 1st years from each table started whispering, but were quickly silenced when she spoke again. "It is because of my blood standing that I wish to learn more about the Wizarding world, and hopefully gain more knowledge than my own with all of your help, and I'm sure you all would have much to teach me."

"Oh yeah, I could teach her a few new things." Nott whispered suggestively, a smirk plastered on his face as his eyes roved over Daniels's form up front. The surrounding Slytherin males snickered and sent Karessa lecherous glances before McGonagall's glare shut them up.

Karessa took in stride and continued to smile. "Also seeing as I can't exactly graduate from a school I have no former experienced classes in, I will be – as the Headmaster stated earlier – more of a background student to the minimal classes that would allow me to be active within the course. In other words, any class that does not require for me to possess a wand I may be in, but in the case of some I will also be assisting the teachers in their lesson every few days or so till the end of the year."

"Why would you bother? It's not like you know anything of this world to be of use to you." A 5th year Hufflepuff spoke out.

Daniels didn't seem to be offended. "True, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of other affairs that go on around me. Plus, if there's anything that I learn from this experience, there is the possibility that I could pass on knowledge to one of you that didn't know." There was a loud scoff of disgust from the Slytherin table.

Turning my head towards the sound adjacent to me I saw Pansy with her nose scrunched in disgust. "You've got to be daft to think anyone would come to you for help." He eyes narrowed as she levelled a glare towards Daniels, scrutinizing her as she did. "What makes you think any of us would need you, after all we've been here much longer than you; many of us being bred with the ways of magic. You can't expect to teach anyone besides the 1st – 3rd years probably about something you yourself have not discovered." She ended smugly, and got a cheer or two from her fellow Slytherin, while the other houses sat holding their breaths expectantly, looking intently at Daniels to see how she'd react.

She simply held that smile as she gave direct eye contact to Pansy, and held her stance proudly. "You are absolutely right about that." Everyone's jaw dropped at the statement and Pansy's smile disappeared.

"I- I am?"

"Of course you are." She said. "But there are some things, even in the magical world, that not all wizards and witches are aware of. In fact I find it quite amusing how it is that there are some magic anomalies within the muggle world that have been discovered by muggles, and no one from this world has noticed before. Or the fact that, ironically, there is still apparent fiction to some creatures talked about in a world built by the impossible; at least to any muggle." She switched her gaze to glance around the room again. "Any muggle-born student here should very well agree that before they discovered their own magical abilities they were thought to be regular muggles like I am; that everything known to this world was just a distant fantasy talked about in children stories and fairytale dreams, you never would have thought them real." There were a lot of quiet mumbles of agreement and laughter around the room. "So yes, there may be quite a few things I don't know, but think of the discoveries I have made through life that I am certain no one here knows about unless they have experienced it."

People started talking again and suddenly there was a resounding applause all around the room, which surprisingly included some naïve 1st years from the Slytherin table…We'll have to fix that later.

Pansy frowned and silently huffed as she turned away to glare at two 1st year girls clapping excitedly, and staring admiringly up at Daniels, though they stopped when they noticed Pansy's harsh stare. I smirked to myself. This girl could give the Gryffindors a run for their money in the courage department, not to mention the galls she had to do that all with a winning smile on her face. With the near vengeful look on Pansy's face, Miss Daniels better watch her back.

"Furthermore, I would like to introduce a few extracurricular activities into the school, under Dumbledore's permission of course." She blessed that smile onto the headmaster and his eyes twinkled in admiration as he nodded his approval. She faced the student body again as her smile widened. "I've been informed of most of the school's teachings, and I must say, though your classes are well thought out I am concerned about some of the more practical things that are not being learnt by all students."

"And what would that be?" Leave it to know-it-all Granger being excited to learn something that the school has not already been teaching.

"Yes please enlighten us." Pansy sneered, still not looking towards the front of the room.

"Self-defense and basic survival of course." Daniels stated simply. I think that had dumbfounded most of the students.

"You must be joking." Said a 5th year Hufflepuff.

"We already have a class that teaches us defence, Defence Against the Dark Arts." Said Millicent snidely, "And what would we need basic survival skills for when we have our wands? In case you forgot, in this world we survive with the use of magic. You have heard of that haven't you?" Millicent snickered alongside Pansy and Daphne.

They quickly stopped in surprise when Daniels laughed as well, a warm sound that stirred my blood, but only caused the three girls to sneer at her. "Of course what I meant was without the use of your wands, which also means without the use of magic period."

"You must be mad?" that surprisingly came from Astoria, who usually keeps her opinions to herself or her sister, Daphne.

"No, I'm very sane." Blaise and I snorted, but covered it to sound like a choking sound before anyone noticed. Pansy glared, Daniels smiled in our direction. "Think about it honestly, despite whatever prejudices you may have against me for being a muggle, it has come to my obvious attention that without your wands and magic…you all find yourselves defenceless to an opponent. You all find it your only option is to either give up or run." More mumbles of agreement. She made a good point that even I failed to see begrudgingly.

"I'm giving you all the option to continue fighting even though your opponent may see you without a wand, to be no longer a threat to them. Imagine how surprised they'd be if you could win a fight without the use of your wands? To look down at your foes, as if they would you, defeated when they thought it would be you in their place." I had to admit, she even caught my interest with the way she was selling this new class, and she'd probably do wonders in big business. Discreetly looking around she had everyone's attention, even Pansy's, though she tried to do so inconspicuously. "I am merely selling myself as a fighter, because I know if my life depended on it, I wouldn't back down until I physically was unable to." Or until she was dead. Is what I'm sure she meant by that statement, but the faraway look in her eyes tells me there is a lot more truth to that than what she was giving away. As if realizing that she snapped out of her daze.

"Also I am well aware that magic can be traced by others, so in this case if ever needed, it would be realistic for safety reason to use as little magic as possible, like if you were going on vacation and you didn't want to be followed by nosey people who may snoop into your personal life. Of course in this case there would be more uses of muggle traditions." I saw Millicent readying to say something, but Daniels must have caught that too, and spoke before she could. "Now I'm not say you have to learn these things, it's just something for you all to keep in mind, and just to remind you," she looked directly at the Slytherin table. "None of you have to take the class, it is only a suggestion, and if anyone is interested they should contact me tomorrow at breakfast before classes begin."

I sat straighter when her star-like eyes connected to mine, but then she moved them to Blaise's. "I look forward to getting to know many of you." And with that there was applause from the students, as I contemplated that look.

As the noise level decreased Dumbledore stepped forward and closer to her to speak once again. "Thank you for that introduction, my dear, you save this poor old fools windpipes from speaking longer and loudly while trying to contain order within this school." Everyone laughed as he smiled fondly down at her. He directed his attention to McGonagall and gestured towards her. "And now for the final sorting of the night before we feast, then we shall retire to our beds."

McGonagall stepped towards the stool up front with the Sorting hat in hand. Dumbledore took Karessa's hand once again and helped her like a gentleman to sit on the chair as the old bat raised the hat to sit atop her head. Everyone waited with baited breath to hear what the hat would decide. I had figured before due to that Gryffindor pin she wore in her hair that she was a Gryffindor, and I still thought she would be, if her introduction was anything to go by. Hell, she seemed to even have the witty brains of a Ravenclaw, so everyone was anxious to see where she'd be placed.

The hat spoke then, and everyone held their breath. "Oh my, this is quite unusual indeed." It sounded amused, as well as perplexed. "What a mind this one has, creative skills and wise beyond your years, oh, muggle or not you have brilliant potential." Ravenclaw. Looking across the Hall the Ravenclaw table were sharing their approvals with one another.

"I also see bravery," he continued, "yes, a level headed thinker yet still thinks with the heart. Willing to quickly sacrifice your safety before others…. A true lion's heart you have there." The Gryffindor table were nearly jumping out of their seats at the prospect of having her as excited whispers occurred.

But the hat continued once again. "Kindness and loyalty; a dominant trait you have there, my dear. Just and unbiased in all decisions….yes, you are very fair in judgement." The characteristics of a Hufflepuff – minus the idiocy seeing as she'd make a good Ravenclaw, I thought, or the uncontrollable urge to eat all in sight, if that body was any indication – good graces she's about ready to be welcomed with open arms.

Yet the blasted waste of headwear still went on. "But your dreams and goals….how your ambition intrigues me. Quite the clever girl you are; cunning and resourceful…and what social standing you have; but we'll keep that a secret for now, won't we." Merlin's bloody balls…those are Slytherin qualities. Who the bloody hell is this girl?

"So many stunning qualities, so much potential, in one great mind…you will be a tough decision in placing…much like another I couldn't decide the best place to put him…and even now I'm not sure I made the right decision. Oh you will be a challenge indeed…perhaps it would be best to have you in a much more…familiar group of surrounding peers." He cleared his scratchy voice. "In that case, it better be…"

Everyone held their breath as a whole and awaited the answer.


Looking around my peers, it seems even now when I've finally arrived for everyone to deduce whether some of their gossip was true, that I'm still a popular subject to talk about even with my presence in the large dining hall. I never expected this school to be so grand, but then Grandfather Dumble is the headmaster, so I shouldn't have expected any less; he's always seemed so amazing to me, even when I was a child, and when he'd often visit the family with my great aunt.

How I miss those days…

There was so much love then, but now –

I shook myself from those dark thoughts. I shouldn't think so negatively; they thrive on my despair, I can't give in to the blackness of my heart, no matter how torn. Coming here is a way to give me a chance, where no one knows who I am, they can't judge me in any way than what they see before them, and I've been given a safe haven to start anew without always looking over my shoulder. But no matter what, I can never forget my place in this world.

'Remember with the blood in your veins, anywhere you go, responsibility will always be your burden.' That's what he'd told me. 'There's no escaping it even in death.'

It's felt so long ago that he'd said those words to me, but they will never be forgotten, not by me. This rule haunts my every thought; not being able to do anything without thinking about how it will affect others first. Always making decisions.

But never forget family is your top priority…I finished my thoughts. I stroked the pendant through the thin layers of my shirt. That is the one thing I'll never let slip past my conscience, even if it meant my safety over another's. Family is everything, and should be respected above all else. But even I can't help but give in to the despair that grips my heart so fiercely at times.

How it aches for my kin…

Looking around to my fellow class and housemates once again, I picked out a few individuals through the large throng of curious stares, connecting eyes with a few. Many turned away in either embarrassment or spite when my eyes fell on them, but there were about three or four who held my gaze for longer than a second, two even shocked me with a bit of friendliness as well as eye contact before returning to their conversations with their friends. A girl with bleach-blonde hair and a dazed look in her eyes, she gave me a shy wave, and a black-haired boy with circular glasses gave me a curt nod. They both had smiled at me, so in kind I smiled back from my temporary seat next to Grandfather Dumble. For tonight I would dine at the teacher's table up front on the high stand where I could gaze at all four tables easily. The boy had pretty green eyes that I could see rather clearly even with our distance, and he gave me this look; as if he could empathise with me about my current status of being 'the talk of the town', so to speak, and I appreciated the subtle gesture of support since I was a stranger in as many of the sense of the word. I held his eyes and mouthed a discreet thank you, and he smiled brightly in return, and mouthed back you're welcome. He turned back to his friends at his table and continued his conversation with them, but ever so often glanced back at me though I turned away. I am most definitely making him a close friend, as well as that star-gazed blonde from the blue table.

"I see you've noticed one of my most favoured student." I turned my head to the left and noticed Albus smiling in the direction of the green-eyed boy, his lovely blue eyes twinkling with that grandfather pride that he always had. Although in most cases that twinkle meant mischief afoot...or the find of a generous portion of sweets in front of him, but all the same, Grandfather Dumble has always been this way for as long as I can remember; a young boy with the body and the mind of an old man. What he wouldn't give to be so again.

I laughed lightly and picked up my goblet of pumpkin juice. "Is that then? That young boy you always used to tell adventurous stories about when you'd come for a visit?" I looked back at the boy in question, contemplating him as I took a hesitant sip of my drink. It was quite good.

Albus laughed. "Yes that would him. He did always seem like the perfect person to talk about when you'd inquire about anything new happening in the magical world."

"Oh, you sweet-toothed liar!" I giggled, and tapped his hand lightly that lay on the table by his cutlery. "You know as well as I, that you would probably talk about that boy acing a midterm exam, or grooming his new broom just because you like him so much." I smirked. He smiled slyly at me as his eyes slanted to look into mine.

There was that twinkle again..."Well now, that would make a good debate for other times...we must remember to test that out another time, after all this old man's mind isn't as good as it used to be." I laughed along with him that time, but muffled it behind my napkin as we both shared a glance, then simultaneously turned our gaze back onto our subject of conversation.

He must have felt our stare for he turned towards us, effectively cutting off his own sentence, and darted his eyes between the two of us. Both Albus and I raised our hands to give a slight wave to him, and there was a dust of rose to his cheeks as he gave a shy wave back to us then turned back around when a boy with red hair tried to gain his attention.

"Harry Potter." I said to myself. "I think we would make very friends of each other." I felt Grandfather Dumble's hand clasp my own and squeeze gently.

"I certainly hope so, my dear." I looked at the man that meant so much to me, like family he is, and his warm smile. I smiled back. Where would I be without him? Probably frightened out of my wits like the rest of my family running out there, I thought sadly.

Suddenly my smile dropped, and I felt my eyes slipping onto the green table, but more specifically the dark-skinned boy sitting quietly staring back at me while his peer chatted around him. He straightened more as his eyes levelled with mine.

There it was again! That feeling tugging at my heart, the warm sensation travelling down my spine... His eyes widened unnoticed by all but me, and we both raised a hand to our faces, as if mirroring one another. I could feel the warm sensation behind my retinas, and I knew he could see my irises spinning; the stars dancing, in greeting of a fellow member as they beckoned his to follow along. He stroked his fingers close to the socket of one of his eyes in discomfort, and then lifted his other hand to knead at the base of his neck towards his spine.

He felt the burning too. He's responded to the Call...Is it possible to get my hopes up like this? Does that mean..."I've found them" It was more a question than a statement as my heart rate excelled, and Dumble noticed as he discreetly squeezed my hand again. I inclined my head to the boy I hadn't broken eye contact. "Who is that?" I breathed.

Albus leaned closer to me as he inspected the boy of interest. "That would be one Blaise Zabini." he contemplated my expression, his next words seemed worrisome. "Are you certain, Ressa?"

I paused a moment before breaking eye contact. I looked at Albus sadly.

I shook my head hesitantly. "...No - but there's something in him, I...I can feel it. He's also the only person I've come across who has reacted to the Call. What does that tell me?" I said quietly, desperation in my eyes.

He squeezed my hand a final time. "It means don't give up hope. The Lost will be found." Then he let my hand go on the table, and picked up a sweet.

I turned my attention back to the green table when I felt a different pair of eyes on my being. It was that pale blonde boy I met earlier that day. He was looking between myself and Blaise, so he'd probably witnessed our odd exchange, and hopefully he was the only one. Blaise seemed determined not to look back at me or answer to his blonde companion as he probed him for information on what he apparently saw. When I caught his curious gaze with mine I could see the confusion shinning in them, and irritation as I kept my expression with a practiced blank look to it so as not to give myself away. I couldn't be sure what it was he saw, but I figured he'd say something to me later since he wasn't getting any answers from Blaise.

I also saw that colder look in the depths of his light gray eyes. I'm sure that if it were another time and place they would shine a pale blue, perhaps a warmed silver back when he was a child, for it was obvious to my eyes that any happiness that came to his life was minimal to none throughout his childhood. Judging by our encounter earlier I had no doubts that his true smile had been beaten out of him at a young age; he seemed even startled that he could laugh in such a free manner with me, and that's how I recognized that look in his eyes.

There was no mistaking it. The sadness and constant rage swimming in the depths of those metal pools mirrored that of my own whenever I stared back at myself in every reflection I'd cast. It only hurts more to see another, to know that someone else shares the same frost to their heart as I do, even by other means.

I smiled softly at him and he winched slightly. My smile widened, and he looked away from me as he seemed determined to glare a hole through his plate.

Draco Malfoy...I contemplated him for a while before down-casting my eyes to my barely touched food. That's what Professor Minerva told me when she retrieved me for my introduction tonight.

I felt his stare again but didn't return it this time. I smiled determinedly into my new cup of pumpkin juice, the first pushed away from me, still close to the top.

I promise to help you smile again...my dragon...You'll fly yet again before I take my leave. I stroked my pendant beneath my shirt.

...I'll give you your fire back.


I'm interested to see what ppl think about my girl, also about what her relations are to Blaise. *Raises eyebrows deviously*

I'm hungry for REVIEWS! TELL ME WHAT HOUSE YOU THINK KARESSA SHOULD BE IN, and you'll find out in the next chapter!

;D - LoVeRsOfLiFe