The girls improved Eris' mood tremendously, and she left the Common Room with Marion once curfew approached. She had almost forgotten about Hajoon until Marion brought him up, commenting how much she missed seeing his tall, lean figure and hoped to see him while they were in Hufflepuff territory. Eris' face immediately paled, and she had to come up with an excuse quickly.

"Ah. I forgot, I have, a thing."

Marion turned to look at Eris. "What are you on about?"

"Uhm, our, uh, prefect asked… Asked me to patrol the halls tonight. Because… He broke… Both legs."

"You are the worst liar on the face of the earth. What's wrong?"

Eris sighed, her head hanging low. "I have to stay out of the dorms after curfew."

Marion raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you break the rules?"

"I… Have a date."

Marion almost fell over and gripped Eris for support. "WITH WHO?!"

Eris placed a finger over her mouth, begging the other to be quieter. Marion leaned to Eris. "Don't tell me Hajoon."

"N-No actually…"

"Remus?"

"NO!" Eris caught herself and then sighed. She wished it were Remus more than anything, alas fate had other plans. And they didn't involve a candlelit dinner by the lake. "L… Luca O'Brien."

Marion burst into laughter. "Did he finally ask you out?"

"Finally?"

"Yeah, he's always overprotective of you, hangs around with you, gives you that look… Everyone thinks you're an unofficial couple."

"We're just going to… Talk. Nothing weird alright?" Eris inched away from her, getting ready to make a run for it before the patrol started, but Marion grabbed her by the arm and brought her back to her. She took out her lip balm and slathered Eris' lips.

"That boy looks like a good kisser so pucker up and stick out whatever you've got of that small chest of yours."

Eris gasped. "My chest is not flat!"

"Whatever you say, iron board." Marion laughed. "Now go get him tiger, I'll cover for you."

Marion pushed her ahead and left the other way. "They're at least the size of oranges," Eris grumbled to herself.

The lights in the hallway suddenly dimmed, signaling the start of curfew. Eris had to be quick on her feet to get to the Forbidden Forest without being spotted. She took out her wand from her back pocket and cast the same invisibility charm over her as Hajoon did when they were in the closet, and began her walk to the exit.

Hogwarts at night was just as creepy as Eris recalled from the night she spent at the hospital after her accident. It seemed colder, darker, and every noise no matter how small made her heart shoot up her throat.

It was only when she had arrived at the door leading to the courtyard did she realize how stupid her decision was. She had no idea what Hajoon was planning to tell her, or what he was planning on doing with her. But she was certain it wouldn't involve her lip balm.

She still wanted answers though. There were too many unexplained coincidences that involved him, situations where he was always conveniently there. The train, the potion's class, the Quidditch tryouts… And recently the Death Eaters. Was he following her, or was she becoming paranoid?

The invisibility charm had worn off and without realizing it she had left the school grounds and was walking down the hill towards the Forest. She was greeted by a cold autumnal breeze with the full moon illuminating her surroundings. She saw in the distance smoke coming from Hagrid's hut and a faint light flickering from the windows. She prayed he wasn't patrolling the premises, as she knew she was in for big trouble if she and Hajoon were discovered.

Eris' heart was pounding in her ears as she approached the edge of the forest. Hajoon was nowhere in sight, and she was starting to think it was a set up. If a Death Eater were to jump out and kill her at that moment, she swore to haunt Hajoon's ass until the end of time.

The sound of a branch snapping made Eris leap in the air and take out her wand. Hajoon emerged with his hands in the air, a small smile on his lips. "Should've known you'd never come unprepared," he said.

Eris sheepishly put her wand away. "The Forest isn't exactly picnic worthy," she muttered. He tilted his head as a sign to follow him, and Eris fell into step with him. She had never been inside the forest before, and she was sure she'd never willingly enter it again. She could barely see in front of her because of the trees, and there were sounds coming from different directions that she hoped were just her imagination.

Hajoon caught Eris the second her foot collided with a fallen tree trunk. He quickly jumped over it, then helped her over as well.

"Almost there," he said, not letting go of her hand as they continued to walk.

But it wasn't almost there, and Eris' feet began to hurt. Just as she was about to complain to him, she could see the moon's rays again. He led her out of the forest and she saw the Great Lake in front of her, small waves moving in sync with the breeze. They were on the other side of it, and she could see Hagrid's hut in the distance.

"Alright, we're here," she said. "Now will you tell me why you wanted to see me outside of school?"

Hajoon's face was paler than usual, and he wouldn't look at her. Instead, his gaze was fixated on the night sky.

"In a few seconds, you'll see two shooting stars."

Eris frowned, but immediately looked up at the sky. The sky was covered in a sea of stars, and she couldn't believe it when his prediction came true as two stars streaked across the sky. She looked back at Hajoon with her mouth agape.

"What's this about? I thought you were going to give me answers." She took her wand out and pointed it at Hajoon. "You lured me here to finish the job, didn't you? Oh my god I was right all along."

Hajoon looked defeated. "Not at all. I'm trying to prove to you something."

"What a lousy way to say you're a Death Eater," she snapped.

Hajoon regarded her gravely, "A Death Eater? What are you on about?"

"I thought it was weird but it all makes sense," she started. "How could you have possibly known to hide the day they invaded the school? And me practicing at the lake? You've been following me, haven't you? Keeping an eye out for your next target. It was all planned, wasn't it? Well you know what? You won't get me!"

Eris was about to yell out a spell when he said, "I'm a clairvoyant."

The spell fizzled. Eris stared back at him with widened eyes, her hand lowering to her sides. "A what? A clairvoyant?"

He nodded. "Someone who can see the future."

Eris tilted her head to the side. "Don't you mean a Seer?"

"Seers proclaim prophecies," he said. "Their abilities are passed down from generation to generation. Clairvoyants are cursed."

Eris' legs gave out. It was plausible. It certainly explained how he knew the Death Eaters were there, and how he warned her about tryouts.

"Is that… Is that how you knew I was at the staircase?" she asked, and he nodded.

"My powers are heightened by touch," he said and looked down at his hands. "When we were hiding in the closet, I saw scenes unfold in front of me. I wasn't sure if I'd make it in time, but I did."

Hajoon walked over to Eris and sat down next to her. She was staring blankly ahead of her, trying to wrap her head around it all.

"So, you're not a Death Eater?" she asked.

Hajoon let out a small chuckle and rolled up his sleeves, showing her the inside of his forearms. "No snake tattoo."

"It could be concealed," she said. She grabbed one arm and violently rubbed his skin, hoping there was some kind of makeup on it. Then she realized how stupid she must've looked, as it could've been hidden by a spell.

"Finite," she whispered. A red light hovered over his arms, but then dissipated. There was nothing.

Eris wasn't sure if she should believe him, but his alibi matched the events perfectly. "If it's any consolation," he started, "I hate snakes."

She raised an eyebrow at him, a little offended by that remark. "Why couldn't you just tell me this tomorrow morning in the Great Hall?"

Hajoon's face turned somber. "The walls have ears," he said. "It's the reason why I transferred from Durmstrang."

"So the Forbidden Forest seemed like the ideal place to tell me your no doubt greatest secret. Great thinking. A+ on that." Eris got up, and Hajoon followed.

"I led you here to prove to you instances in case you didn't believe me. Like the stars. But you really can't trust the school anymore, not with what happened."

He winced a little, his palm pressing to his forehead. It was the same face Eris had seem him make a few times before, including his attack back at the Hospital the other day. He suddenly looked over to the lake, and pointed to the water with his finger.

"The squid," he said.

Eris followed his gaze, and after a long silence, something moved over the surface of the water. Her breath fell short as parts of tentacles moved slightly above water, a dark shadow moving at the surface.

"Lucky guess," Eris said.

Hajoon laughed. "I wish it was," he said a little sadly.

"Wait, if you're a clairvoyant can't you see who let the Death Eaters in?"

Hajoon shook his head. "I can't see the past. Only what's ahead. Dumbledore asked me the same thing, thinking I knew what had happened. I only saw-"

A wolf cry pierced the night. Eris whipped around, her eyes widening more and more. She grabbed Hajoon by the arm, her entire body trembling. "Did- Did you hear that?"

"It's probably a dog," he said, but his voice wasn't so sure.

"That was a wolf. I know one when I hear it," she said. She gripped Hajoon tighter, her heart about to leap out of her chest. She was absolutely terrified of wolves since she was little, as her father accidentally traumatized her with folktales of wolves. She was well informed on the subject as to know what to do with an encounter. Her parents always laughed at her though, since there hadn't been wolves in the English wilderness since the 17th century.

The hair on Eris' nape stood, and there was movement within the forest. A snarl sounded, then the sound of paws hitting the ground violently traveled towards them. Another howl, then barks echoed.

A creature ran out from the forest a hundred meters away from Hajoon and Eris. It was walking on all fours, it's dark figure hunched. The animal sniffed it's surroundings, then snapped it's neck towards the two. It's eyes glowed a yellow-ish green under the full moon and narrowed at them.

Eris knew she had to stand tall and back away slowly, but she threw all of that knowledge out the window as she was about to make a break for it. However, the markings on the creature's face were so familiar it paralyzed her on the spot.

The animal suddenly stood on it's hind legs, and Eris knew it wasn't a wolf, nor a dog. It was something made of nightmares and a curse.

A werewolf.

The thing bared it's teeth at them, snarling and growling. Eris stumbled backwards, thinking it wasn't the hospital she was going to end up in this time.

"RUN!"

Hajoon grabbed Eris by the arm and sprinted away from the werewolf and into the forest. The creature howled to the moon before running after them, it's body hitting the trees mindlessly.

The only thing that crossed Eris' mind was that she had to do everything to survive. She took her wand out and cast whatever non-flammable spells she knew, and she came to a terrible realization that there weren't many she could think of. Hajoon cast a spell that made tree branches snap off and cover their path, but the werewolf was nimble on it's feet and evaded them easily, though it did slow it down. Eris was screaming for help, knowing full well she and Hajoon were going to die. She just wished she could've seen her parents one last time.

From the corner of Eris' eye she saw black figures running alongside them a few feet away. She turned her head to look at it when her foot caught something and she somersaulted forward. Hajoon was too far away from her to make it in time to help her, and he screamed out for her to use a spell.

She reached for her wand but it wasn't in her pocket anymore. The werewolf jumped toward her and she shielded her face with her arms. But the impact never came.

There was barking and a long whine. Eris opened her eyes and her breath fell short as she saw a large black dog blocking the werewolf's path and a deer standing in front of her. The dog was barking madly at the werewolf, and the latter kept eyeing Eris, trying to charge at her but the dog would push it back. The deer turned around, it's dark brown eyes staring at Eris. It nodded repeatedly, then stomped it's front legs.

Eris knew what that meant, and she scrambled to her feet. Hajoon appeared and grabbed her by the arm, and ran as fast as he could, practically dragging the girl. Eris glanced back at the animals and caught them running the other direction, and she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Hajoon lost his footing and dragged Eris down with him as he tumbled a few feet. They were thrown out of the forest with grunts and screams, taking a moment to come back to their senses.

"Are you alright?" Hajoon asked. Eris ran her hands over her body, but there were only a few scratches and bruises. She nodded and got up, helping him as well.

"You kids got a lotta explainin' to do."

Eris almost let out a scream as a shadow loomed over them. Hagrid was holding a lantern that faintly illuminated him, and Eris was not surprised at her luck anymore.

"Hagrid, Sir, there's a werewolf in there. Someone has to do something! We could've been killed!"

Hagrid tensed up. "You shouldn' have been in there in the first place, and after curfew no less. I'm bringin' you two back to the school and you will be dealt with in the mornin'."

"But- A werewolf-!"

"Back to school with you lot!" Hagrid growled.

Eris didn't have the strength to protest, but she shot Hajoon a murderous look. Ever since he had appeared her luck was down in the dumps, and her entire academic career was suffering.

The two silently followed the game keeper back to the school. They were subjected to a long lecture over how the Forest is off limits for a reason, and that they shouldn't have been playing around so carelessly what with everything going on. Eris and Hajoon listened with their heads hanging low, weary and aching from their ordeal.

Hagrid opened the door to the school, but as Eris was about to follow him inside she bumped into him.

"H-Headmaster Dumbledore," Hagrid breathed out. "What a pleasure to see you, Sir."

Eris' eyes widened, thinking she had hit rock bottom and that her day couldn't get any worse. She peaked out around Hagrid, seeing that Dumbledore was standing in front of him.

"Hagrid," Dumbledore said. "What brings your here at this hour?"

Hagrid reached behind him and pushed both Eris and Hajoon forward. "These kids were in the Forest, Sir. I came to escort them back and was plannin' on punishin' them accordingly in the mornin'."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "And what business could you possibly have in the Forest at this hour?"

"It was my fault," Hajoon said. "I had to-"

"There's a werewolf in the Forest, Sir," Eris cut him off. "We were almost killed."

"I'm sure it wasn't," Dumbledore said.

"We both saw it with our own eyes!" Eris cried out. "Something has to be done, what if it had gotten us?"

Dumbledore's gaze shifted momentarily to Hagrid, then back to Eris.

"The Forest plays many tricks on those who walk through it," he said calmly. "But for your transgressions you will follow me to my office right away." He turned to Hagrid. "Thank you for your hard work," he said. "You may go now, have a good night's sleep."

Hagrid laughed and gave a small bow, leaving while closing the door behind him.

Dumbledore began to walk without a word, and the two students followed. The Forest couldn't have made an illusion that she and Hajoon saw, could it? It sounded and looked so real. The deer thumping it's hooves on the ground in front of her made the ground shake a little, the smell of animals was clearly in the air.

Dumbledore was lying.

Dumbledore sat down at his desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"You were supposed to come see me once you were better," he said softly. Eris had completely forgot about that as she was dealing with her own issues.

"I'm sorry Sir," she whispered.

"You're here now, let's put the Forest matter aside for the time being," he said. "There is another matter to discuss tonight."

Eris frowned. She was sure that her goose was cooked, and she wondered what could've been more important than addressing her late night escapades in the Forest.

"Sir, there was a werewolf in the Forest. I'm sure of it. I can swear on Cosmo's life."

Dumbledore held out his hand. "Eris, the incident at the staircase needs to be addressed."

Her face paled. She had completely forgotten about it for a moment, and the guilt and anguish washed over her like a tidal wave. She felt her chest tighten, and she couldn't look him in the eye.

"Tell me," Dumbledore continued. "Was there anyone else there that saw your face?"

"Hajoon," her voice was nothing but a whisper. "And-" Her eyes widened, her words stuck in her throat. "There was another."

Dumbledore's eye twitched. "Another? Apart from the one you killed?"

She flinched at his last word and nodded. "Yes. A man named Kariv if I'm not mistaken."

Dumbledore stared blankly at her. "I was afraid of that," he murmured.

"Sir, I think it would be best to just tell her," Hajoon said.

Eris turned around to look at him. "What do you mean?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Eris, with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named on the rise, there was something that had to be done. I have gathered a number of talented wizards and witches in order to fight him, to protect people against Death Eaters. I have created something called The Order of the Phoenix."

Eris looked to Hajoon. "You knew about this?"

He nodded. "I found out the day of the attack because-"

"I asked him to keep an eye on you," Dumbledore said.

"You were spying on me?" she stared at the boy indignantly.

"Do not bear any resentment against Mr. Kim, Eris. It was on my account entirely. I wanted to make sure they weren't trying to-"

"To recruit me?" Eris asked, and Dumbledore looked at her in surprise. "I can assure you Sir I would never have anything to do with Death Eaters. Ever." Her voice was firm, almost disgusted that he would ever assume that. Her, a muggle-born, affiliated with Death Eaters.

"We are merely taking all the investigative steps to find out what really happened on that day," Dumbledore said.

Eris put a hand over her face. The situation was frustrating to say the least, and she couldn't believe she was being suspected for the infiltration. Or suspected in general.

"Sir, with all due respect-"

"Let me finish," Dumbledore said. "After your ordeal at the staircase, the Order members and I have come to a decision, and we would like you to be a part of our cause."

Eris stared back at him with her mouth agape. "A member of your order?" she asked, and he nodded. "No, thank you."

Hajoon looked at her with his eyes widened, and Dumbledore also stared back in surprise.

"I don't want to be part of anything," she said. "I want a normal life. I want to graduate from this forsaken school with all of my limbs intact and without having another werewolf encounter. I want to graduate with astounding grades and get a job in the Herbology department at the Ministry. I will have no part in something that will cost me my life, so I bid you goodnight, Headmaster."

She turned on her heels and headed for the door. Hajoon caught her arm and she jerked it away. "Don't you dare touch me."

"Eris, please consider-"

"No!" she shouted. Dumbledore got up from his chair, eyeing the pair. "I'm sick and tired of getting into things that go beyond my imagination. I want to die of old age, not in some war. I value my life, you hear me?"

"What about the others?"

Eris and Hajoon turned to Dumbledore who had walked around his desk and was standing closer to them. "You don't think the Order members also value their lives?"

Eris stood quietly.

"The Order members wish to make the world a better place, to rid it of Death Eaters and those who prey on innocent people because of their bloodline. Don't you share the same thoughts?"

Eris' chest tightened. Death Eaters were targeting her people. People like the ones she grew up with. Like her neighbors. Like her parents.

Tears prickled her eyes at the thought of them. "I can't fight," she said. "I just can't."

"Your skills are nothing to take lightly, Eris. With the proper training and guidance, you can be a very powerful witch."

"But I don't want to," she said. "I can't hurt anyone-"

But she could. She did it to Moro. She made an entire staircase collapse around him that killed him. She was capable of terrible things that kept her awake at night.

"You can do so much good, Eris. With your skills, you can save thousands of lives. Your bravery saved an entire school, why should it end there? You can save your people, Eris."

Eris' chin quivered slightly. "Will you give me time to think about it?"

Dumbledore nodded, and without another word Eris stormed out of the office. Hajoon was about to follow her when Dumbledore spoke up, "You'll have to protect her for the time being."

"Sir?"

"The Death Eaters may return with a clear target in mind. And if you wouldn't mind trying to persuade her to join the Order, it would be beneficial to her, and of service to me."

Hajoon lingered for a moment before he left through the door. With a swing of his hand, Dumbledore closed the door as he was heading back to his chair. He slumped down in it, rubbing at his temples.

"Minerva, prowling doesn't suit you."

A tabby cat appeared near a pile of books, it's glowing green eyes staring at Dumbledore. McGonagall shifted back to her human form with a scowl on her face, walking around the headmaster's desk to face him. "You know what my stance is on recruiting children to your Order, Albus, yet you still go on ahead with it?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "It's a form of protection for her."

"What protection could she possibly have now that she will be at the front line of the war? A war she or any other student should not be taking part in at this age!"

"Another Death Eater has seen her face, Minerva. It won't be long before they realize who killed one of their own."

"They would never suspect a child to have bested him," she hissed. "You are using excuses for a cause you cannot take into your own hands alone."

"And if they do find out? What happens then? Will you be the one to write to her parents that their child was murdered?"

McGonagall's mouth clamped shut. She took in a few deep breaths before continuing. "You need to stop looking at people as assets, Albus. They are children for crying out loud!"

"With immense power that must be controlled," he said calmly. "If they fall into the hands of Death Eaters, it could be disastrous for everyone."

"You are only considering what they would do if they joined them. I don't think they would take a second to even ask what they're capable of if they find out what the girl is."

"Precisely why she should be in our midst, Minerva." Dumbledore gave her a small smile. "I don't intend on making her fight in the war, I just want to make sure she doesn't change sides."

"You're keeping her in check? She isn't a dog!"

"You're being overly-emotional, Minerva. Don't over analyze this situation. The clairvoyant and the girl will be protected under the Order, and we will also benefit from their abilities to some extent. Nothing more."

McGonagall shook her head at him. Dumbledore got up, and the lights dimmed. "Goodnight, Minerva."

The Headmaster left and McGonagall was alone with her thoughts. She glanced at the Sorting Hat, her lips curling inward.

"If you had sorted her properly maybe we wouldn't have been in this mess," she hissed. The Sorting Hat moved to look at her, a bump that would've been his brow moving upward. She gave it one last look before leaving out the front door.