You are my blood

You are my kin

And yet no memory binds us

The teachers were uncharacteristically excited about the new student, but then, there was little to gossip about that was positive during those times. Despite her odd and unreliable set of talents, Flitwick had even started a betting pool as to who would win in a duel, Sheran or Harry Potter. It was precisely that which the teachers were discussing over breakfast one day, the ceiling in the great hall giving off a brillig atmosphere.

Snape slicked back his hair, regarding the tiny charm's professor. "Contain your enthusiasm, please."

McGonagall swirled a finger around the rim of her glass, ignoring her pumpkin juice. "We don't even know who she is, and her previous teaching has been so erratic. I think it would be unfair to match her against Potter – perhaps Luna would be better.

Filch tsked. "Potter, sneaky Potter. Always sneaking around the grounds at night."

"It might be beneficial for Potter to lose at something." Snape refilled his cup and downed the contents in one fluid gesture. "That might teach him a needed lesson about pride."

"He he has a good heart!" McGonagall insisted.

"And the favored to win, seven to one." Flitwick commented, compiling his notes on the theoretical match.

"He enjoys breaking rules." Snape dismissed the sentiment. "Although this new girl too, seems to think that the normal standards are beneath her."

Filch dug messily into a piece of chicken. "And I'll get to the bottom of her story, mark my words."

Dumbledore's voice sounded throughout the school. "Attention. All teachers report to my office immediately."

Snape left the table without another word.

McGonagall followed along with the other teachers, twisting a napkin in her hands, "I wonder what the emergency can be?"

Dumbledore steeped his fingers and leaned back in his chair. "You remember last year, when Hogwarts ended up with two contestants for the triwizard duel?"

"Yes. Has this something to do with Harry?" Ms. McGonagall questioned, nervously protective of the young boy.

"Not really. Somehow Durmstrang procured a sort of goblet of fire, and now Bueaxbottoms is hosting the rematch, starting in three weeks. It seems they wish to make it an annual event."

The table erupted with shouts.

"They can't"

"How?"

"What about Quidditch?"

"Quiet, please. The quidditch will go on as scheduled. Apparently, they have lowered the age limit from seventeen to fifteen. We are allowed to send fifteen students, one of which will be chosen, and if he cannot compete a second person will be chosen. The duel has been scheduled so as not to interfere with quidditch, so that all the students may have fun this year."

"This is nuts." The doctor shook her head. "What on earth is going on here? There is only one Goblet of Fire, they could not make another."

"Well, allegedly someone did make another goblet of fire. Now we have some planning to do."

"Morning, Sheran".

"Good morning, Draco".

"You can come sit down at our table for breakfast if you would like. You don't have to eat with the teachers, you know."

"Well, I suppose" she headed over, "but I do not wish to commit myself to Slytherin house, I do not know where I will be."

Draco, in a rare moment of chivalry, pulled out a chair for Sheranaqua. "Hey, even if you end up in Gryffindor, you're still all right."

Sheranaqua sat down at the table and talked to the other four students there. After a few minutes, the kids became restless.

"The teachers are late." Draco glanced around the room. "I'm starved."

Sheranaqua noted the half eaten food on the teachers table with some curiosity. "I think they were here and left," she pointed it out.

"I think you're right." Draco bit his lip, "But I'm famished."

Sherenaqua sat back. "You have house elves here, right?"

"Of course." Draco assured.

"I am told they send up the food."

"But no one knows how."

"That is a dilemna." She thought about it, "maybe I can go to the kitchens and see what can be done." She stood up. "I'll be back." She left before Draco could insist that he come with her, or disuade her from the idea.

The kitchens were not as hard to find as she expected, and the house elves were very accomodating.

"So sorrry miz. We'll send up food right away!"

Sheranaqua thanked the little house elf, trying hard not to exclaim in surprise and delight. She had never seen a house elf up close before, they were very interesting!

On her way back, she ducked into an empty classroom and locked and warded the door.

"Caloon Meassi". Her golden frame screen appeared. "Realdo dojeba naganosi, kelove gesan. Tovoko nakille". The screen shifted to Dumbledore's office, real time. The teachers were conversing anxiously.

"So how are we going to get Harry out of there without alienating the Dursleys forever? We can't just go in there and grab him." Pomfrey turned to Dumbledore.

"Have we considered leaving him there as an option?"

"Snape!"

"I was merely making the recommendation."

"How very logical of you." McGonagall clucked, shoving past him towards Dumbledore. "The important question is, how do we get past the Dursleys?"

"Threaten Dudley". Snape suggested.

Pomfrey was shocked. "What do you think we are, bullies?"

"When necessary".

Sheranaqua spoke to the screen. "Jelakano, parasi. Harry Potter. Ligtonos Ireo". The screen changed to find Harry Potter. It was blank for a few seconds as it searched. It stopped in Harry's room, where he was feeding Hedwig.

"Don't worry girl. We'll get out. There's no way I am going to a muggle private school for misfits. If only they would let me out!"

Green eyes peeking out under a shock of messy black hair met her as he looked up wistfully into the air. It was the first time seeing her half-brother in anything more than a photo. She resisted the urge to race through subspace and mount a rescue herself.

"Hey, shut up up there!" Someone shouted from outside his door, "unless you want me to tape your mouth shut! OR give you something to really cry about!"

Sheranaqua watched her brother mope around the room for a few minutes. Whatever was happening, it was not good. She moved back to the teachers, watching them formulate their plans. They seemed to have something in mind, but Snape was looking about the air above him suspiciously. Dumbledore, as well, was starting to get on edge. Could it be they sensed her spying?

She hoped they had it well in hand, and turned off the mageo. With luck, she could get back to breakfast before anyone stopped to think that she was taking longer than necessary.

Harry found himself bundled up in Hagrid's coat, his things carted off by various teachers. If a parcel of teachers showing up at the door hadn't convinced his guardians to let him go, Snape's threat to turn Dudley into a toothpick certainly had. Indeed, the rescue had been surprisingly uneventful. Flitwick had even had time to make small talk, asking him how much he was prepared for dueling season this year and all.

"Ok, I guess..."

"Excellent, excellent!" Flitwick grinned disconcertingly as he locked arms with Harry to apparate to the designated coordinates. "I'm looking forward to it!"