― CHAPTER NINE ―

Jaquenetta did not see Hermione, Ron or Harry that weekend. After spotting the trio carrying large packages up to the Owlery she was certain that a very large black dog must be getting the best feed he's had in some time. That Saturday night Jaquenetta found herself once again in the Headmaster's Office. Since beginning her studies at Hogwarts Jaquenetta and Professor Dumbledore would have fortnightly lessons in his office. Sometimes it would be to appraise how Jaquenetta's learning is going and other times it would be to simply talk and discuss and hypothesise about Jaquenetta's world.

On this occasion Jaquenetta was being given an exam on Muggle Studies. Professor Burbage's tutoring in the subject was more of a two-way learning experience than teacher/student and this was only the second time that Jaquenetta was asked to submit to any form of testing for Muggle Studies. The previous test was during her first lesson with the Professor, who was interested to know how much Jaquenetta Siroun knew. Unbeknown to Jaquenetta at the time, the exam that Professor Burbage had asked her to complete was last year's O.W.L exam, and it is still unknown who was more shocked at the perfect 'Outstanding' score she received – Jaquenetta or Professor Siroun. The exam that Jaquenetta was now completing under the Headmaster's watchful eye was this year's N.E.W.T. exam. After completing the written component Jaquenetta began the practical, which involved correctly identifying Muggle artefacts, reciting some Shakespeare, identifying famous Muggles and so forth.

After completing the exam, once Jaquenetta was seated in front of the Headmaster's desk Dumbledore began to speak.

'Miss Siroun I think Professor Burbage and I can be safe in saying, as Muggles may, the cats in the bag. I have every confidence in you receiving an Outstanding.'

'Thankyou Professor, though I was wondering if I could ask a favour.'

Jaquenetta had felt that she had an unfair advantage taking Muggle Studies and had hoped to render some gratitude towards Professor Burbage. Dumbledore waited patiently for her to continue.

'I was wondering, If when my results are back and I have passed if I could, instead of taking further lessons with Professor Burbage, offer my assistance to her by tutoring students in her class who are sitting their O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's?'

Albus Dumbledore did not need to think about his answer for the young Witch. He has seen her magical education progress at an accelerated rate in just these past two months. Also he thought that there was perhaps another motive behind this, for he knew she was hesitant to spend any of the small bursaries he had provided her with that morning on her first trip to Diagon Alley.

'Miss Siroun, I do think – and I can say this with the utmost confidence that Professor Burbage would agree with me – that having you provide tutorage to her students would greatly improve their academic learning. In fact I think there is an opportunity here to help you also feel more comfortable in your new home. For in exchange of your tutoring this year Hogwarts will, in turn, provide you with a small income for your time.'

Jaquenetta was unsure what to say, gratitude flooded through her and she struggled to stumble out a few words.

'Th-thank you Headmaster that is really very kind of you.'

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and smiled, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles, enjoying the energy and light that was now radiating from the young Witch before him.

Something had been weighing on Jaquenetta's mind since her first night talking with the Headmaster. She was unsure if it would be wise to bring her thoughts up now but realised that if she didn't she may end up on the wrong side of the Headmaster.

'Professor Dumbledore, I was wondering if we could talk about something that has been weighing on my mind since I first arrived here. Something I'm sure will weigh on my mind for the next 3 years even.'

Jaquenetta had stopped for a brief moment to catch her breath due to the speed at which she got that out at, and to also see if it was ok for her to continue. Jaquenetta was about to continue when Dumbledore spoke.

'Miss Siroun, I was wondering when we would be having this conversation. Being a person who values knowledge greatly I have been finding it hard to not broach this subject with you myself. I must say that we can discuss the internal duel you are having with yourself over events that will come to pass but I must remind you to please not give me any specifics.'

'I understand Professor. I have been thinking, especially since the second Task, about how my being here may impact on the chain of events that take place. I have always believed that events happen for a reason and to disrupt those events, to alter them, could have disastrous consequences. I have no qualms with keeping information to myself. But there is a part of me that fears it may be too much for me. That I may slip up and mention something too soon.'

Jaquenetta had been thinking about the third task all day. Coming up to the second task she had been excited, but of course no one was hurt. But the third task... She knew that what happens must happen but would Dumbledore blame her for the life that will be taken?

Jaquenetta had gone silent; her eyes betrayed the calm exterior she was trying to project. Professor Dumbledore had begun to wonder if it would be too much for the young girl. He had originally thought of sending her to Beauxbatons, but for all irrational purposes the Headmaster felt as if Jaquenetta Siroun needed to be at Hogwarts.

'Miss Siroun, without giving too much away are you able to tell me what has you so distraught.'

Jaquenetta looked at the Headmaster, wiping the tears she did not recall shedding from her eyes. She took a breath and began to speak, looking into her hands for she could not bring herself to look into the eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

'Professor, what would you do if there was a chain of events that had to happen to be able to rid the world of something so foul and horrible? But in this chain of events, something happened to someone. Well actually to more than one, but at the beginning of the chain it is just one. What would you do? Because even though that particular event may not be a contributing factor it takes places when so many other things are happening that you cannot be sure this one little thing, if you stopped it, would not unravel the whole chain causing so much more suffering than you could bare.'

'Miss Siroun I must admit that I am aware of forces that get stronger and while I am sure of what may take place soon I do not know of how or where or when. It is in times like these when I urge you to remember that you are not alone. While I cannot offer you the support to speak before any events I am definitely here once they have occurred. But please know that I, nor anyone, will ever hold you accountable for not stopping or altering any event that comes to pass, that needs to come to pass.'

It was then that Jaquenetta Siroun decided, while looking into the kind and understanding eyes of Professor Dumbledore, that in order to accept what is to happen that she would do what she can in the aftermath.

'Professor, I understand the challenges that will face me over the next three years and I know that there are events that will come to pass that will pain me so. I think that the only way I will feel any atonement is if I arm myself with skills to help in the aftermath. So I was wondering if you could give me information on becoming a Healer.'

After thanking the Headmaster repeatedly when he said he would speak to Professors Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick and Moody about her desire to become a healer, Jaquenetta made it back to her room, feeling satisfied and somewhat lighter of burden that she will be doing all that she can to counter the evil that was about to consume the next three years of the Wizarding World.