Harry Potter and the Earth's Child

Chapter 8

Hermione

Ayla awoke in the infirmary feeling miserable. Light streamed into the window onto the ceiling and she flinched. She grimaced and tried to hide from the bright light. Pomfrey noticed the odd behavior and brought over a tray.

"Morning? Head sore." she asked, looking for confirmation.

"Yes, good morning Ayla. I am glad you could join us. You slept straight through yesterday and it's trials. Are you feeling well? It seems that you wore yourself out on your trip. I have something for the pain if you would like. I told Albus to take it easy with you. Of course, he doesn't like to listen to me. You could have done even more damage to yourself on that shopping trip." Pomfrey trailed off.

Ayla pushed herself up in bed and accepted the tray. It had the usual potion to help her heal and an extra one for her pain, a cup of herbal tea, this time with peppermint and ginseng with a touch of honey, a small plate of jerky, and a few pieces of fruit. She took the potions and grimaced, then took a sip of tea and began peeling a banana. The light still hurt but the pain was receding rapidly. She figured it had to be some sort of strong concoction to act so fast, and wondered if it was dangerous.

"At least your nutritional needs are better met, though I would like to see you increase your grain intake. I still do not know how you were managing on the diet before you arrived."

Ayla finished the banana. "Grain intake?"

Pomfrey nodded. "More rice and oats, perhaps some bread or millet? There are plenty of options, I'm sure you will find one that you enjoy."

"I try. Dumbledore visit today?"

"I have been informed that the professor has other things to attend to today in light of recent events, but to let you know that your tutor will arrive shortly after you finish your meal. She has a class that ends soon, and then she will make her way here."

Ayla nodded and picked up a piece of jerky.

"Before that, one last test. I fear your core may not be fully healed after the trip you took here. The shopping trip should have been postponed. I need to be assured you will not injure yourself during your lessons. I would hate to clear you to your own quarters only to have you return later the same day." Pomfrey pulled her wand and waited for permission.

Ayla frowned. "Feel good. No injure."

"It is only a precaution, it will not hurt."

Ayla nodded with a little trepidation. "You test."

Pomfrey waved the wand around and watched as the tip of her wand changed from a white light to a dark red color. She studied it for a few moments longer to see if it would continue through the spectrum, but held firm. She nodded.

"You will be fine for an afternoon of lessons. I will talk to Dumbledore about finding you your own room soon. No need to clutter the infirmary with people that are not sick." She walked away, glad to know her patient was better.

Ayla finished eating as she waited. It was quiet and reminded her of her secret cave overlooking the Clan's primary cave. She shivered with the thought of being alone.

The large double doors opened and a girl, who couldn't be any older than she was, entered and walked over to Pomfrey's personal cave. She knocked and spoke a few words, then nodded.

Ayla watched as she walked over. She wore the same sort of robes as Dumbledore had purchased her the day before, but the girl's had trim in a vibrant red color where hers were plain black.

"I was told I should help tutor you in your lessons. My name is Hermione, what are you currently studying?" She held out her hand and waited.

Ayla looked at the outstretched hand for a moment, then held out her own in the same manner. The girl shook it up and down briefly then let go. "I no study."

The girl looked back at her with the same odd expression she had just given. "You aren't studying anything? Hmm." She frowned. "You don't seem to be a student here, and I am not sure where you're from based on your accent. Wait here, I'll go ask Madam Pomfrey, she should know."

Ayla watched as the girl walked quickly back to the opening and spoke within. She found the actions of this girl odd, but not threatening. A few gestures and some talk later, they both exited the small cave and came to her.

"Ayla, Hermione is going to help you learn. Hopefully you can get a better grasp on the language and learn more items, and more talk should help you learn the way the language works."

Hermione seemed distracted but remembered where she was a moment later. "Is Ayla able to go to the library? I just had an interesting thought of something I've seen there. It should help teach her the language."

Pomfrey thought a moment. "A trip within the castle walls should be safe enough. Keep an eye out, though."

"I will. If we run into trouble, I'll find the nearest professor and ask for help." Hermione turned to Ayla. "Come, we should get to the library."

Ayla nodded and stood. She lifted the robe over her head and felt the softness wrap around her as it dropped into place.

Hermione led her through the corridors of the massive, straight-walled, cave until they came to another large room. Instead of sleeping areas, this one was lined with huge wooden shelves. She led in and signaled to be quiet. Ayla nodded. It was nice to see some of the people of this land capable of making signs, even if they were rudimentary. Their body language gave away some meaning when they spoke, which was a great help as she was still learning their spoken language.

They walked between two shelves and turned, then continued past more rows before entering another corridor. Hermione drew an object down and handed it to Ayla, followed by a few more.

"These should help until I get a better understanding of what you need to learn." Hermione whispered. She hefted a few books into her own hands and moved towards a small cave with a wooden door. "This room will allow us to talk normally while we are in the library."

Ayla followed inside and noticed a 'table' with a few 'chairs' sitting beside it. They seemed to have cushions set on them.

Hermione set her books down on the table and then went over to close the door softly. "Much better. Ayla, please set your books on the table. Madam Pince will allow you to check out a few of these, but you need to figure out which ones before you leave."

Ayla nodded. "I no read."

"You said that back in the infirmary. I chose books that would help you with that. You understand how written lines can mean things?" Hermione asked with a hopeful look.

Ayla frowned as she thought, then remembered vague recollections of an old man showing her markings on animal skins. "Yes, understand."

Hermione let out a soft exhalation. "Good. These books are meant for the younger children. They are filled with pictures and descriptions of each item. Adults have similar books but without the pictures. They are called 'dictionaries', and they will help you learn words and meanings in the written and spoken English language." Hermione hesitated. "We are speaking English right now."

Ayla opened a book nervously. It had a picture of an aurochs, though it seemed a little malformed. She looked back up to the other girl for help.

"Touch the picture and it will speak. I guess the magical world thought that it meant it was supposed to dictate to you, but… It's a good method, actually."

Ayla touched the picture and a soft feminine voice spoke from somewhere just in front of the picture. Ayla nearly dropped the book, but then calmed.

"Cow. The mature female of a bovine animal."

"Bo-vine?"

Hermione nodded. "A cow is what is used to make the jerky that was on your plate."

Ayla smiled. "Jerky good."

"I bet, but I prefer it as a snack over a breakfast choice." She closed the book on common animals and showed Ayla another on magical creatures, and then another.

Ayla was mesmerized. "Book herbs?" she asked finally.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, this one will teach you plants and herbs, at least the more common ones." She shifted the stack over and picked up a book with a green leather binding.

Ayla accepted it and looked inside. She could recognize some of the plants, and others seemed familiar. She placed it on the larger stack she had made. "I check out this?"

Hermione hesitated. "Madam Pince may allow you that many, since most of the students would check out different versions. We can ask."

Ayla picked up the pile as Hermione returned the others to the shelf, then they walked to the front of the library.

Madam Pince smiled at Hermione, looked at the stack and whispered. "Friend of yours, I see."

Hermione gave her the necessary information and took half of the stack. "Back to the infirmary to read, I suppose." She sighed wistfully at the room full of books, saddened that she had not had more time to look for her own books. She made herself a promise she would return before the week was out, even if the first Quidditch match of the season was later in the week.