A/N: yay im back! i had a lovely 2 weeks off :D im afraid i had a few problems writting this chapter and i would say it needs a lot of improvement but as its more of a filler chapter im not stressing to much over it.

any hows plz enjoy and as always review!


Tess was still at Hogwarts as December started, Hagrid had returned barely 3 days ago, battered and bruised. She had expected with his arrival to be sent back to Grimmauld place, but Hagrid had asked her to stay on till the end of term explaining he really wanted to recover before he started lessons again. Hagrid was one of the strongest people she knew and Tess had a feeling something other than a few bruises was making him step back from his teaching duties, but Tess happily excepted.

She was enjoying teaching, and spending time with Harry plus the extra money would be great with Christmas only 3 weeks away, for the past 14 years she had only had to buy a present for Remus (along with some special owl treats for Matilda) this year her gift list had multiplied 10 fold, and she knew her Gringotts account was going to take a bashing!

Tess had barely heard from Sirius or Remus in the last few weeks. The owl "inspection" seemed to have extended to the Professors own owls. Four days after Sirius had appeared in her fireplace Matilda had come tumbling into the great hall at full speed crashing into Tess's head knocking her flat on her back, off her chair

"what the hell? you getting senile already?" she asked the bloody owl, shaking her head as she picked herself off the floor. McGongall had rushed over to check she was unharmed, Tess waved her off looking for her little tawny owl who had skidded right past her in to the back wall of the great hall. Tess eyes widen in horror as she looked at her beloved pet, her feathers were matted in blood. Tess moved like lightening towards her picking her up gently, cursing under her breath that one scrap of evidence that Umbridge was behind this and that damn witch would never see the light of day again.

"It's ok, sweetie you'll be fine" she cooed softly, Matilda eyes were shut tight her chest heaving. Tess checked her wings and body for wounds but failed to find anything that would explain the blood "what's wrong with you sweetheart" she muttered panic setting in.

Tess pulled her close for warmth hoping she wouldn't go into shock, Speeding out of the great hall everyone's eyes on her. she bolted up the stairs towards her office she slammed the door behind her setting herself down into the suede chair in front of the distinguished fireplace. She pulled her wand out of her robes and started cleaning Matilda up removing the blood and rearranging her ruffled feathers. Her breathing had calmed when Tess finally noticed the letter gripped between her talons, she eased it out, still holding her close Tess open the letter.

Tess

Matilda still doing her usual job then? Finding me in the middle of nowhere when your secretly worried but don't want to say anything? I've never heard of an owl being so attuned to its owner. I also heard she attacked snuffles, again! Sometimes I really do love Matilda. I have never meet an animal that prefers me over other humans. Wish I could tell you what's going on but as I've been informed Hogwarts post isn't to be trusted anymore I'll explain all when I see you next

Miss you too

Moony

She smiled into the note it had been months since she had heard off him, she had been so worried when no one had heard from him or Tonks over the past few weeks. She peered down at Matilda, how did this little owl always know what was going on in her head, she stroked her beak affectionately.

If only I knew what was wrong with you

Matilda's eyes shot open and pecked the finger that had just been stroking her beak breaking the skin causing it to bleed. Tess gave a small scream in pain while the owl jumped up, shuffled her feathers, and flew out of the nearest window. Tess stared into the empty space where Matilda had just been

What the hell!

"Seriously" she shouted running towards the window "you get covered in your attacker's blood and you trick me to clean you up!" Tess screamed out the window after her "stupid owl, nothing wrong with her, scared me half to death" she muttered as she turned away from the window back towards the chair, as she sat Tess smiled.

She always was a strong owl.


Three days, three more days and Tess will be back at Grimmauld place. Tess sighed, she wasn't sure she wanted to go back, sure she wanted to see Sirius and Remus, but they still had a feeling Tess was being targeted by Deatheaters after they destroyed the cottage back in august. she really didn't want to be trapped in that house all the time "cleaning" up until march, when she would have to travel to Ireland. she wanted the freedom the used to have, flying away too far off places doing freelance work, seeing the world, she may not have done that In a few years but she always had the choice, now she was properly going to be locked in that house for over 3 months for her "protection". If she ever found out who blew up her home it sure wouldn't be her that needed protection.

Tess was walking quickly from the castle past the huge doors down the muddy path leading to the forest, she had been "summoned" during dinner by one of the schools owls (Matilda was still avoiding her after her little stunt) for a confrontation in the forest. She hadn't a clue what about or with who, but had left quickly all the same after receiving the request.

She had made her way deep into the forest, vaulting over several fallen trees, some of which Tess thought look as if it had been pulled out of the ground completely and tossed aside, but that wasn't possible. She had jogged a good distance in to the forest heading for the clearing she had been instructed towards. The clearing itself was not huge barely the size of a her own office, rocks had been moved to the edge with brambles sneaking over the invisible borders, the trees had grown in such an unnatural way that when you looked up you saw nothing but stars… it was beautiful. What surprized Tess the most where the 2 creatures awaiting her at the opposite side of the clearing.

"Bane?!" Tess spoke in awe. Bane hated Humans and he detested Tess, whatever was happening must be bad if he was willing to speak to her.

"Evening Tess, I hope we have not taken you from more pressing matters" said the second centaur. Bane huffed n such a way that he couldn't possibly believe a human could have anything pressing

"nothing to worry about Firenze" she stated calmly looking only at the lighter centaur choosing to ignore Banes indignation towards her "what is it you need from me ?" she tried to make it sound has diplomatic as possible , but Bane took a step forward and snorted

"we don't need anything from you!"

Firenze placed his hand upon Bane's shoulder pulling him gently back away from Tess, even though there was a good 10 foot between them Bane still made the hair on the back of Tess's neck stand on end. Firenze let go of his companion giving Tess a reassuring smile before commencing

"Bane be calm, Tess will do her best to help us", Bane turned his face away from her but remained silent "there is something in the forest that does not belong here" Firenze stated calmly

"We want it gone it is a monster and you shouldn't have placed it" Bane spat hissed her, taking Tess my surprize

"I haven't placed anything here!" she retorted taking her own step forward "I'm not the groundskeeper speak with Hagrid he knows everything living in this forest" waving Bane off

"We have tried but he seems to be ignoring us" replied a tired sounding Firenze, Tess took a breath she didn't need to fall out with Firenze over this

"Well do you know what this creature is? Maybe I can get rid of it for you"

"If it was that simple human we would not need your help" said Bane

"It's a giant…" Firenze breathed out.

"What?!" Her eyes widening in shock she wasn't expecting that.

Bane took one more step towards her pointing violently towards Tess "Do not raise your voice at us!"

"You can't be serious?" she ignored him,

"It arrived the same time Hagrid came back"

"Of course it did" she muttered under her breath "I'll go and speak with Hagrid intimately and have him speak with you, I'll be leaving in a few days so I'm afraid I won't be much help after this"

"Thank the stars!" bane said with a sigh of relief.

"Of course Tess and thank you for your assistance"

"She hasn't done anything" Bane appalled at Firenze obvious ease with Tess

"Always a pleasure Bane" turning away from them giving him a small wave in mock friendship "goodbye Firenze I'll make sure Hagrid understands the problem" he gave the smallest bow turning with Bane and they both galloped out of the clearing.

Tess walked from the clearing wrapping her cloak tighter around herself she really should have flown here the temperature had dropped a good few degrees already making her hands and feet numb. Tess was tamping how could he be so irresponsible? A giant! She knew about fluffy she heard about Norbert but a giant! she stormed though the little garden in front of his cabin a small flicker of light showing though the window showing he was home. Tess hammered her fist against the wooden door. she was greeted by the great booming barks of fang but no one opened the door, she hammered her fist against the door again, still no answer Tess folding her arms leaning back on her left foot and shouted "Hagrid! Open up! Hagrid I know you're in there!"

"I nwo't feelin' to good come back later" she heard him bellow

"Open up Hagrid I know" there was silence except for fangs consist barking "I know what's in the forest!"

The door swag open " don' yer go yellin' bout it" he ushered her in to the small cabin taking a seat beside the window Tess watched him silently as he pottered about making tea,"Well?"

"It's complicated"

"Complicated? I'll tell you what's complicated I just had to have a conversation with Bane about…" she lowered the voice "a giant in the damn forest!"

"Bane? But he hates yer!"

"I know! Jesus Hagrid a giant? I understand fluffy I understand Norbert dragons are cute as infants, I understand a lot of the crazy things you've ended up having but a giant? There unpredictable and violent they can't be keeps as pets hag-

"he's me brother !" he exploded finally slamming the kettle on to the counter Fang scurrying off under a table that was far too small for him to fit under. Tess actually stopped breathing she looked at him for what felt like hours then slowly leaned forward in the chair her elbows on her knees looking over at him.

"shit" she whispered slowly "that is complicated"

"Yeah"

"What are you gonna do? The centaurs aren't happy Hagrid if you don't do something soon they could contact the ministry"

"I can't take him back they were picking on him bulling him 'cause of his height you see he was miserable" handing her a large bowl full of tea that she cradled in her arms taking a sip extra sugar just the way she liked it.

"His height he's a giant!" .She stared into warm milky brown substance he still knew how to make her tea from when she was a student at Hogwarts,

" he's a bit on the runty side fer a giant, on'y sixteen feet"

Tess looked at him in disbelief "You'll have to have a parley with the centaurs or something then… I've told them I'll speak with you maybe you could arrange guidelines for him staying in the forest Firenze will properly support you-"

"And bane will properly try and kill 'im"

"The centaurs will honour a truce once it's made you just need to … actually …make one" she said awkwardly it would be harder done than said.

"Maybe yer right"

"Of course I'm right I'm always right" smiling at him "speak with Firenze see if you can't find some sort of honour bound agreement the centaurs have to protect family or something I'm sure they must have something like that" she reasoned

"I s'pose, I'll speak with Firenze before morning try and sort something out"

"Good, it's getting late I'll see you at breakfast let me know if you need anything"

"Thanks Tess"

"Hey don't thank me I came here shouting at you" she finished her bowl moving towards the door " everything will be ok I'm sure of it" giving him a reassuring smile. Tess left the cabin making her way back though the grounds into the castle when she reached the second stair case McGonagall came rushing down the corridor towards Tess he usual tight bun had been worked loose wearing a dressing gown,

"Tess there you are the headmaster needs you in his office at once"

"Professor what's wrong?"

"It's Potter something happened-" before she even took a breath Tess was already bolting up the next flight of stairs towards Dumbledore's office ….