Disclaimer: I own no one but Phoenix and her grandfather.

Chapter 9 As Phoenix sat waiting for the twins to come down, she began worrying. What if her new look brought her some unwanted attention. She knew that she was feared when she was a freak, but what about now? She had a pretty face now. Concerned, Phoenix fixed her hair to cover her face the way she used did when she had the scars. She heard them come down the stairs, laughing as always. They spotted her and instantly began their badgering about her always hiding. "Phoenix," Fred began, slowly. "We told you that you shouldn't hide your face." She felt him trying to lift her chin, just like George had done the day before. She jerked away, not wanting the touch, and not wanting to show her face. Her hair fell away from one side. she looked up with that eye, at the shocked faces of her friends. "Nix..." George said slowly. "What happened?" He asked. He pushed her hair out of her face the rest of the way. George was shocked, really shocked. This girl that he had known, with so many scars that he looked like a cheese grater had been taken to her face. She really was as beautiful as he had thought. Her face was like porcelain, pale and beautifully sculpted. Her dark hair made her face almost seem to shine. He tore his eyes from the girl for a split second to see his brother's shocked expression. He looked back at her. "Snape." she said quietly, looking away. "He gave me a cream." She put her hands on her face. "He's my new favorite teacher." Fred said, flat out, sitting on the edge of Phoenix's chair. "Who would have thought that such a greasy... Snape, could do something so good." Phoenix stood to leave. "Fred." George snapped. He knew that he was making Phoenix feel bad about her new look. "Nix." He called t her. "Fred didn't mean what he said." "I'm just going to go eat. Class starts soon." She said as she left. George's stomach sunk. He had thought that maybe her new face would help her spread her wings. He and Fred followed. Phoenix walked with her chin to her chest all day. She didn't want to be stared at more than she already was. She wasn't ready to have people know about her knew face, though when she was in the bathroom alone she did stare at it. Running her fingers along the smooth skin. Her legs were still practically the same as they had been before, as were her arm and stomach and back. They would take longer to heal than the others. After classes she hurried to the common room and put her hair up, for the first time in ten years. Professor McGonagall had said that they would be like family, maybe she should learn to trust them. She saw that she was getting strange looks, looks like they were wondering how she changed. But the boys were looking at her like she was some prize to be won. She went about her homework as if nothing were different, and no one bothered to come near her, still afraid of what she would do. Just before Phoenix left for holiday she got a very familiar owl. It was her grandfather's hawk owl. She was at breakfast, having a fairly good time talking to Professor McGonagall. Everyone noticed the regal bird, and commented on it. Her fingers trembled and her palms sweat as she opened the letter. My little bird. I know that you think you have left me. But you will never be able to get away from me. I will always be able to find you, no matter where you hide. I have people everywhere, you know that. And when I get you back, I will make sure that you never leave me again. See you soon. Your loving grandfather. Phoenix gasped and read it again and again. She couldn't believe it. But she knew, she always knew. He would come for her. And she wouldn't be able to hide. "Come on, Phoenix." McGonagall called, grabbing both of their bags. "Let's get you home." Phoenix stood and folded the letter, ready to face what was to come at The House of Black.