A/N : Ah well . I've decided to take the plunge . Record broken!

A/N 2: Sudden Romances are often improbable , without some major build up. That's why many DM/Hr stories irk me a lot . Truly good stories are able to build the relationship up in a plausible way . I really hope that I don't screw up the relationship aspect of my own story personally . Note: Spoilers Then again , my pairing here , is strictly Platonic

A/N 3 : I had to edit the previous chapter to fix certain minor plot holes.

Chapter 9 : The First Butterfly

That very night , Harry initially struggled to sleep well . The sense of trepidation took a life of it's own in his dreams , like some invisible monster , or some grip reaper hanging over him ready to bring it's scythe down . On the surface , his dreams appeared totally normal . He was dreaming of a week end amongst his friends , of companionship with Hermione within the library , of playing chess with Ron after dusk . He dreamt that he was at a ball , dancing with some unknown , shadowy person . And it was that ball that gave him the greatest sense of dreaded anticipation . Almost as if what would happen in that ball could be crucial to the course of his entire life .

Then , the sense of trepidation was replaced with tangible causes of fear , as the dream took a darker turn . Professor Moody loomed over Harry , those maniac blue eyes seemingly laughing at him . Then suddenly , he was gone , replaced by a faired haired man . On his arms was a tatoo of the Dark Mark – the same mark he saw at the World Cup. He was on a broom stick , fighting a Dragon , dancing around it , looking for some opening . He had to get something that the Dragon was protecting . The scene suddenly shifted , and he was now underwater , swimming towards something , grim determination in his mind . There was someone precious to him in there , that he had to rescue .He froze as he approached over a crest in the sea , down below in some underwater village . But before he could see who it was , the scene changed .

He was through a maze . He had touched a silver gleaming cup . There was a jerk in his naval . There was a grave yard . There was a desperate battle for survival against some pale , serpentine man . Chaos reigned around him , besieging the bastion of resolution . In the back ground , he heard voices , a male voice asking a question . And the reply was given . It suddenly chilled him , as he realized what that question was , and what the answer was .

Just right then , two lights , one from his adversary's wand , and the other his own colided , producing the most hauntingly beautiful golden motes . Golden motes that sang the Phoenix call , glowing brighter and brighter until it embraced the entire scene . When it finally faded , the scene had totally changed . He was lying down , in a well appointed room as lush silver moonlight trickled through the nearby window . Over him was a crimson haired young woman with the most heartbreaking emerald eyes sang a sibilant lullaby to him A song , a hymn of comfort , of safety , of belonging . There was no other equivalent to it , save the song of the phoenix . It was so … gentle .. so peaceful . It was like looking into the mirror of Eresid once more he realized . And with a start , he saw for the first time that the women hovering over him had his eyes . Or more accurately , he had her eyes .But he had no time to comprehend the impossibility of it . So compelling , so magnificent , so comforting and exalting was the never heard before melody that it fortified his soul , and reinvigorated his trouble heart .

He dream that he closed his eyes , truly falling into slumber with that most loving song embracing his soul . He slid into new dreams , dreams that were truly his own .

When he awoke into the exquisite light of pre-dawn, he had no memory of what he had first dream that night , just a vague , niggling presence that soon was buried back into his sub-conscious .

Several minutes later , several levels below him in the Gryffindor tower , another girl awoke with a pleased look to her face . She had given hints embedded so deep that no legilimancer of this time could retrieve it . Hints so deep it that the boy himself did not know that it was there . An unknown Known , to put it crudely. An unknown known , for the boy would not be sufficiently receptive to much of what he was given last night . In any case , there was still a small probability that what she transmitted last night would not come to pass.

She spat out a mixture of water and toothpaste foam from her mouth . One of the advantages of an A.I cloud was the ability to do many things in one go , to listen while pondering , to speak to many at once . And that was just the tip of the ice burg of what many minds under the command of a single soul could do , she admitted , as she began dressing . Till she left her time-line , she had never been able to conceive how the souls of this time and before could function without a single AI or even an enhanced mind . Now of course , so long intervening and facilitating time-lines , she could understand somewhat .

" Pack " . She lightly commanded , tapping her wand on her bag . Crude little things , those sticks , but they were sufficient Focuses and amplifiers , she reflected . Of course , she could do this wandlessly , she reflected , as a horde of books and quills poured into the bottomless bag , but that would blow her cover

At least she had a chance to modify that wand to an even higher quality . Not as good as a Focus Orb of course , or Probabilitizer , but still … it was a much better improvement from that pathetically measly little unicorn haired wand the original owner wielded , she reflected as her personality A.I's began engaging in conversations with the rest of her waking "friends ". Some of them could eventually be true friends , but none of them were even potential nodes , fortunately.

She had been in Hogwarts in two other time-lines , but her first morning in this time-line Hogwart's was proceeding on better than the other two sojourns . Granted , she was sent to a time where there was an immediate crisis though . That made all the difference .

The Mundane , in small doses was a commodity that she appreciated given it's scarcity .

What he saw at Breakfast was a bit of a shock . His mouth simply gaped wide open when he approached the Gryffindor table . Ron's own surprise however , was channeled into the form of the sarcasm he majored in .

" Wow , Hermione . I knew that you were a book worm and a know it all – but reading at the breakfast Hermione ? That's a first . " Ron laughed as he and Harry sat down in front of Hermione at the table .

Harry sighed , waiting for the squabble to start . Such comments , in his experience were preludes for massive arguments between the duo .

Hermione simply nodded in acknowledgment , her head sunk down even deeper onto the book . Apparently , she was so focused on the book that she failed to comprehend Ron's words at all . He wondered what exactly got her hooked on her book . She was even eating without looking up from the book at all .

Ron stared , eyes wide , then simply shrugged. " Mental . " He commented , resignation obvious in his voice .

" What are you reading , Hermione ? " Harry cautiously asked .

" It's a book on Occulmancy . Personally , I find that subject rather intriguing . Shame that the only place where books can be found on that here is in restricted section within the library. " The words poured out of her mouth , stumbling over one another . All the while , her face was still stuck down onto the book .

Harry quickly looked up and down the table . There , sitting with another group of second year girls was the time-traveler . He quickly shot a dirty look at Romilda . She simply subtly shrugged once more , all the while still talking and laughing with her friends . His eyes immediately fled back to his food . He did not need anymore reminders that she could multi-task so naturally and effortlessly .

I didn't charm it , Harry , if that's what you mean . Her voice tartly rang out within his head .

But you sent it . Harry responded while chewing on scrambled egges .

I didn't send to you , because you wouldn't take the initiative to read it . She responded .

Harry struggled to keep his face from flushing from embarrassment , as true as he knew the statement to be .

You can , and must learn that Harry , sooner rather than later . Remember what's at stake here .

That was most certainly a bad time to remind him , he sourly thought to himself .

I could un-ruin your mood rather quickly , if you like . She brightly offered .

He pictured himself throwing his hands up in exasperated surrender , as he agressively attacked the bacon with a knife and fork .

The arrival of the course schedules quickly took his mind off pursuing such thoughts further . The upside was that it made Hermione realized there and then who was in front of her . She blushed furiously in mortification consequently.

" Charms , Herbelogy and transfiguration . " It was the last subject on her time-table that amused her the most . She could barely suppress a maniacal grin across her face. Someone was going to suffer the humiliation of a life time she gleefully thought .

On a less exuberant note , it was quite reassuring to see the schedule . It suggested that her job would be far , far easier . She pushed her plate away , having wiped in clean while thinking the last thought , cleared the last half drunk glass of milk .

" Let's go then . " She brightly remarked to her companions , and stood up , leading the way to the Charms classroom . Another round of small talk followed . It amazed her , till now how small adolescents of her age were able to talk , even now . Yet another advantage of . Without her Personality , she might have just screamed at some of the most unendurable and meaningless chatter around her that any sentient species could ever utter .

Then again , She lightly reflected as she walked into the Charms classroom , all of us are often no better when we are these young .

She sat down , among her regular coterie of friends . And even those who were mere acquaintances , and even some of the Ravenclaws in class chatted even more eagerly , staring at her in admiration as she walked in . Thankfully , she knew that it was almost certainly going to be a one day event . Rumors traveled fast in Hogwarts , but humans were liable to forget extraordinary or so called achievements just as fast as the rumors that gave rise to it . Especially one of such an insignificantly small magnitude.

" I heard she rescued a fourth year caught in one of the trip steps . " She read from the lips of a Ravenclaw two tables away . " It was a really intelligent move , casting a hover charm on that boy . " She immediately turned her attention back to unpacking her bag .

" Is it true , Romilda ? That you rescued a fourth year who fell over a staircase with a hovercharm last night ? " One of her voice recognition system identified it as one Eliza Riverdale . A rather silly gossip , based on the original Romilda's memories . It complemented that equally petty brained girl rather well . She didn't even bother to register her personality response to that most inane of questions. At least the Calvary was arriving in just 83 seconds precisely .

And right on time , the small diminutive part goblin , master duelist and charms specialist , Professor Fillus Flitwick strolled into the classroom on his stubby short legs . He mounted a small hill of books specially placed there to compensate for his... lack of physical stature . The time-traveler personally knew that those books were never replaced . Indeed , those books were nothing more than spare blank hard covered paper note books . Professor Flitwick was always a prodigious intellect who was extremely pleasurable to deal with and discuss with . Unlike many she could name . If Professor Flitwick just knew what she knew , well there was no need to get into that . It was just amusing picturing his reaction .

Professor Flitwick began to speak . Immediately , one of her began transcribing his words and comparing it with the on-mind archives , and possibly saving it . She split her core mind attention . On one hand , one part was handling her financial affairs and making certain necessary preparations outside Hogwarts, reviewing information from the dedicated to some of her affairs . It was going on well . Her orders for material for some of her projects were right on schedule .The other half decided to send several of the Avatar to surreptitiously observe how Harry was fairing , as her other quarries . Immediately , her soul was perceiving multiple events e at once . The difference with that , and merely being able to focus on one thing at a time , was akin to the difference between sight and blindness. It was an exquisite , and literal exaltation, even to one who had been very accustomed to this .

Hmmm .. That was interesting but not unanticipated. The transcripts revealed that her antics last night was already producing a different out come . Apparently , word of her antics the previous night had even reached Flitwick. While he disapproved of the use of magic within the corridors , all the same , he congratulated her for a most brilliant use of a Hovering charm , right at the very beginning of the lesson , to the envious , admiring glances from everyone in the class. Which bring her to the present .

" Now , can anyone tell me how to perform the Reparo charm ? " That was the easiest means of entropy reversion . Of course , the intention behind a Reparo was insufficient to reverse entropy above a certain level, or complexity.

Her highly attuned clairvoyant senses detected that this was a major juncture . Should she stay down , or should she stand up ? She already decided . Besides , it would be fun to light a fire under Hermione Granger .

Her hands shot up .

" Yes , Ms Vane ? " Flitwick squeaked .

" The Reparo charm , literally meaning repair , renew , or refresh in English is a charm intended to restore objects to it's original state . Simply put , repair it . To use the charm , tap the object . It might also be helpful to have a mental picture of the object as it was before it was broken , or more precisely changed . It is related to the muggle concept of Entropy , but , that's another matter altogether . " After taking care to enunciate every single word , She sat down .

There was pure silence in the class . Everyone appeared like they had been body binded by that . She knew that some , in incomprehension , some in awe , and some were impressed at the clarity of her expression. It was as expected . Also expected was Flitwick's delighted squeal at that . " Excellent . Take fifteen points for Gryffindor for this concise explanation of the Reparo Charm . "

She modestly nodded . " Thank you , Professor . " Immediately , she subtly muted some of the more rabidly envious Ravenclaws jealousy, into regarding her as a potential study partner . Romilda preferred to avoid such complications . One of her friend whispered into her ear . " That was cool , Ro !" Her personality responded with a smile . " Thanks . " Ah well , politeness cost nothing anyway . Soon , there was a wave of polite applause in the class rooms , as her class mates recovered their wits .

Her Core Mind spent the rest of the lesson amusing her self by poking holes at the inadequately puny understanding of these people about Magic . Then came the practical aspect of the lesson . They had to restore a broken plate into it's original state . She decided to look around , picked the smartest Ravenclaw and subtly influenced him to fix the plate three minutes into the task. Ten Seconds later , she followed suit . Satisfied that no one would see her , she pictured the plate as a coherent whole , and willed it to be so , pushing out a small trail of her magic into the target. No incantation , no wand work . Just pure will . All this happened in less than a second , and right before her was a flawless plate . She put up her hand . Too bad Ravenclaw had another ten points for getting it first , but it was necessary not to appear as a know it all . Plus , she had plans for that person . He was one of those potential nodes that made Hogwarts a rich gold mine worth of nodes , and a fairly influential one at that .

" Perfect ! Everyone – look – Romilda has gotten it too ! " Flitwick exclaimed . Simultaneously , Romilda searched for someone who was receptive to help . Her teaching skills needed to be taken on for a warm up . She subtly made several sub conscious queries around the room . Nearest to those who would welcome help was Thelma Holmes , a fellow Gryffindor . A chess lover , according to the records , and a casual acquaintance of the original Romilda..

She slid up to Thelma , who , without success was tapping again and again , murmuring Reparo frantically .

" Hey Thelma ? Say Reparo , think Repair , and picture undoing a chess move while you are tapping the plate . " She politely suggested .

Thelma looked up in surprise , shrugged then nodded . Why not ? The alternative was dong the same thing again and again without success . She pictured undoing a move that led to her check mate in her very last game , imagine that that there was the words , repair written over it , almost like someone writing on a magical photo . Then she murmured one more time : Reparo . The shards began moving , sliding towards one another . Thelma gasped in surprise at the feat occuring before her eyes . And that was her fatal mistake . The act of doing so made her lose focus . The movement of the shards suddenly stopped . Her shoulders slumped .

" Go on , Thelma . Focus a little while longer and you can do it . " Romilda gave her a thumbs up , and wandlessly cast a confidence charm on her . Fueled by Dopamine , and a sudden surge of confidence , the second reparo produced swirls of magical energy only Romilda could see . These beautiful cyan swirls knotted the shards together , forming a spooky spectral image of the original plate . Then , with a sudden flash , the shards merged with one another. Atoms began re bonding with one another , forming a seamless solid . Entropy reversed around them , as the original breakage of the plate was undone , an all encompassing glow of an indescribable hue surrounding the plate . Then , it was over . In the place of shards was a seamless plate of gleaming white porcelain .

Thelma blinked in astonishment , as it was all over . Romilda encouragingly tapped Thelma on the shoulder , grinned widely at her , and whispered : " See Thelma ? It isn't that hard isn't it ? " She gave an encouraging squeeze on her shoulder .

What happened next proved that the butterfly effect was well and kicking . Some of her closer " friends " , so to speak began signaling their willingness to accept her tutelage . Apparently , Romilda's attempts to aid Thelma changed the perception of those around them , being more positive and receptive to any theoretical offer of her assistant . Why not oblige? There was always a unique thrill in instigating the spark of realization amongst others .The other bonus was that it threw the sole potential node within the class an interesting challenge . She had no intentions of directly and blatantly revealing the truth to him yet . Let him enjoy his child hood a little longer , she reasoned . Unfortunately , poor Mr Potter has no choice in that aspect , unlike many of the other nodes present in Hogwarts . That being said , she could subtly influence them without being as direct as Mr Potter , or with some others already caught in his Periphas .

Herbelogy was with the Slytherins , with all that usual what passed for melodrama among adolescence tension . Her Core Mind simply plotted various course of actions for the various Targeted Potential Nodes within Hogwarts during the lesson , leaving the lesson itself to her other . Frankly speaking , their concept of Herbelogy lacked even a precise and accurate understanding of genetics – plus , machines within a century or so usually made what they learned unnecessary and obsolete . Now , if they were covering breeding this year... she might have deign to devote some of her Core-mind to the lesson at hand .

Then came Transfiguration . She was positively savoring this with anticipation , and a certain mischievous glee . If she could hold of McGonagall for a little while …. inwardly , she gave a most wicked grin . Who said that those in her job could not indulge in some fun while working?

" Our primary focus this year will be on Animate to In animate transfiguration . Simply speaking , this form of transfiguration turns an animate object , such as an animal , into an inanimate object . " Professor McGonagall begun .

Romilda personally wondered what would happen if these people realized what they were truly doing . The truth was that the principal of the Conservation of Mass and Energy was well and truly alive when it came to non-conjuration transfiguration . If only these people knew of Quantum theory and Schrodinger Cat . Once you realize what was really going on at the sub-atomic level in transfiguration , It was actually very difficult not to end up with an imperfectly done transfiguration , unless you somehow lost focus and aborted the second half of the transfiguration . A cat being turned into a football underwent several changes . First , you had to turn all molecules into pure rubber , or at least a vast majority of them . Then the atoms had to be arranged into a hollow sphere – simply picturing it was sufficient . The only way you end up with a furry football was if you believe that an improperly done transfiguration would end up so- this was the trap that most students of this time fell into . They accidentally transfigured the whole cat into fur and reshaped it into a ball .

Of course , if you chose to transfigure the cat into a ball shape without changing its' molecules , you would produce something even more grotesque – a football with blood on the very surface , perhaps , a bone lattice , and a protein compound filling the body of the football . The reason why people were taught to change an animated object with a rhyming inanimate object was because it somehow , subconsciously made them believe it was easier , and hence enhanced their "belief " that they would be successful .

As her listened to the Professor explaining how to convert a kitten into mittens , Romilda reflected that Professor Mc Gonagall definitely knew that it was pure nonsense that rhyming objects were easier to transfigure into one another . All transfiguration of an object to another of equal mass required the same degree of power , and magical Dexterity . After all , kitten rhymed with mittens in English , but sounded utterly different from one another in , let's say , Japanese . Starting by transfiguring two rhyming objects was nothing more than a confidence trick . Of course , the only reason why this trick was used was because no one at this time had any idea just how easily malleable confidence was by other means . The Cheering charm was too crude to instigate a boost in confidence .

She absently converted one of her kittens straight into a pair of perfect , purple dyed mittens , after jabbing her wand at it several times without meaning to change it for appearance sake . That kind of control was useful to get her used to her soul core and learn how to control her magical dexterity in this body. The truth was , she cheated . One advantage of having bonded was the ability to focus on multiple things at once . It too a bare minimum of her potential cognitive abilities to convert the proteins , calcium , and sugars that made up the kitten into fibers , and far less to change the molecular structure of the uppermost layers of the fibers to reflect only purple light . If she really wanted to , using this method , she could create a mitten that would only reflect ultra-violet light – or indeed , any light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum . There was another way of course – simply picture the kitten becoming a pair of purple mittens . You do not need to know the molecular structure , or what caused color. This , however , was a more inefficient way, plus , it required a lot of Soul Core willpower and magical strength . You were basically actually performing a huge range of virtual transfigurations before your efforts underwent Quantum Collapse and colace into a single result . That result lacked precision . She could do it just as well as the first method though , if not for the fact that she disapproved of the method for its inefficiency .

" Excellent work , Ms Vane – 10 points to Gryffindor . And you also performed a color changing spell successfully – another 5 points to Gryffindor . " Mcgonagall beamed at her . Romilda curiously tunneled her way through McGonagal's rather thin occlumancy shields, before withdrawing . It was clear that McGonagall was hoping that she had another Ms Hermione Granger among her cubs .

She threw down the gauntlet to the Slytherin potential node in the class room . Would he take the bait , she wondered? The average predictions of her were 25.2% on the first attempt . Nope – no luck . He looked a little mad though that someone beat him to the punch , and went one up too, though .

The rest of the lesson blazed past . During which , she set one of her to work on an action plan to contact some of the potential nodes she had observed , while she further amused herself by giving hints and teaching some of her fellows on how to transfigure .Once or twice though , the time-traveler had to cheat by casting Confidence charms on the especially stubborn .

Then came the end of the lesson . She quickly checked up on her magical Avatar – everyone was in the right position . Perfect . She decided to proceed with her plan .

" Professor McGonagall ? " She asked in a respectful tone .

" Yes , Ms vane ? " The teacher pushed her glasses back up .

" I actually have some questions , Professor McGonagall . Are you free right now ? " Romilda already knew the answer to that .

" This is my last lesson for the day . I suppose I could spend some time entertaining your queries , Ms Vane . " McGonagall kept a poker face within , and primly responded. Inside though , Romilda could clearly sense her emotional state . If there was one thing that Minerva McGonagall thrived on , it was when her pupils asked her intelligent and fascinating questions . That , in part was a major source of Hermione's rapport with her head of house . Thankfully , Romilda had five years to subtly influence McGonagall , so as to slowly produce a paradigm shift in the way the Wizarding world thought of transfiguration and matter. This was probably going to be the first salvo in her campaign to slowly influence the study of magics along scientific lines . But , she had to proceed slowly , of course .

" Professor , why is it that our first transfiguration usually focus on changing one object into another related object that rhymes or shares certain similar sounds ? "

" Because objects that rhyme with one another are easier for new learners to transfigure . " It was a standard answer of course , and good enough for many . Of course, it was a tragedy that such an answer was good enough for many – such attitudes were detrimental to the progress of magic., and made Romilda's job that much harder.

" I don't understand professor . " Romilda confessed . " A kitten and a mitten may rhyme in English , but they most definitely don't rhyme , in let's say , Romanian . Things do not simply add up . "

McGonagall gave a rare smile to her . " I suppose you have a theory of your own then ? "

She pretended to consider the question for a few seconds . " Yes . " She confidently replied . " Perhaps its a way of encouraging students , by making them think that its easier to transfigure objects that rhyme with one another . So , I suppose , its' just a teaching trick ? "

McGonagall nodded . " That is precisely the right answer . There is no reason why its' more difficult for a kitten to be turned to let's say , a blanket , compared to turning one to a mitten . There's even a term for this trick – it's called the Placebo effect. "

Romilda pretended to frown . " I have a squib uncle actually . " Technically true . " And he works as a physist – or is it physicist ? " She pretended to frown in confusion . " Physicist ." McGonagall corrected. " He once made a claim that , short of conjuration , when you are transfiguring one object from another , the end product cannot have more … mass , I think , than the original . Is it really true ? Or is it just another Muggle Superstition ?" She asked , perfectly taking on the role of an ignorant Muggle born .

" Actually , the Muggles are more intelligent than you give them credit for Romilda . " The professor frowned " You see - " Just then , one of Romilda's avatars came back with an alert . The event she was waiting for was about to start Immediately , the Core-mind splitted her attention between McGonagall and the comedy that was about to begin . "

"You know your mother, Malfoy?" said Harry - both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron's robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy -"

"that expression she's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

" - there is a reason why we start of with transfiguring larger objects into smaller objects . A kitten , for example , is heavier than a mitten . Beetles for example , are heavier than a single button . "

Talk about double standards , she wrly thought as she anticipated what was to come next.

Malfoy's pale face went slightly pink.

"Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter."

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then," said Harry, turning away.

BANG!

Several people screamed - Harry felt something white-hot graze the side of his face - he plunged his hand into his robes for his wand, but before he'd even touched it, he heard a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance hall.

Payback's a demanding creditor , Draco . Romilda smugly grinned internally,

" You see , if you recalled from the beginning of your first-year , transfiguration takes some magical power to transform one thing to another . If the resulting object actually has less mass than the original , you are actually vanishing some of that mass . "

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"

Harry spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing.

Everyone in the room broke out laughing at that. Romilda dearly wished that she could too , but for obvious reasons , that was out of the question.

There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry — at least, his normal eye was looking at Harry; the other one was pointing into the back of his head.

" If the resulting object has more mass , then you are actually performing some conjuration . "

"Did he get you?" Moody growled. His voice was low and gravelly.

No," said Harry, "missed."

"LEAVE IT!" Moody shouted.

"Leave - what?" Harry said, bewildered.

Romilda internally did the mental equivalent to a face palm . She had a long way to go with this one, she sighed.

" Now , you would not learn exactly why now , but vanishing is less magically exhausting than conjuration , though both still require a great deal of focus ."

"Not you - him!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed that Moody's rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head.

Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons.

" What you are actually doing , is vanishing part of the kitten's mass when you are turning it into a mitten . For this reason , and other reasons too , human transfiguration is more difficult . Turning a human into a Dragon , or into a ferret is quite a feat considering the differences in size and complexity. "

"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again - it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.

Oh , Mc Gonagall . If only you knew , girl . If only you knew .Irony was probably the best taste of all.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain.

" Wait a moment " Romilda asked . " Does that mean that making an object simpler is also a form of vanishing , of a sort ? " At the same time , she was laughing manically within . Her plan had worked of perfectly . Something for the archives for the crew back home to have a good laugh over , she mused.

Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do…"

The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. "Never - do - that - again -" said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.

" Why , yes . That's a very astute observation , Romilda . " McGonagall congratulated .
Well , that was more helpful for the Professor's high blood pressure , then the alternative . Plus , she got to see the Ferret humiliated in comprehensive detail . Draco Malfoy was a most annoying obstacle in one of her previous missions , so she had a sort of perverse pleasure in allowing his torture to be prolonged.

The poor Dragon Ferret Hybrid bounced higher and higher and higher , each time failing even more helplessly and contorting into more absurd angles . It was quivering with the utmost fear , as the peak of its' bounce gradually neared the roof . And there was McGonagall to save him . Honestly , it would be a poetic justice of sorts if Draco ended up in the same Cationic state as the poor Longbottoms . Considering how many times the arrogant idiot had mocked Neville over that , he probably deserved it . Especially considering the real identity of Alastor Moody.

" So , we are assuming that vanishing something into nothing is actually reducing an object to its' simplest state – nothing . " Romilda offered. Inwardly , she could barely control her laughter . The longer she kept McGonagal pinned , the longer that poor albino ferret would suffer the ultimate humiliation . Right now , the poor Ferret was bouncing up and down from roof to roof , squealing again and again . Moody was now walking off to his office , bouncing Draco Malfoy like some basketball .

" You are actually correct . If you are interested in finding out more about the relationship between conjuration and vanishing , there are quite a lot of books in the library . Some are in restricted section , but I could sign a note for you allowing you assess to some titles , if you wish . " Now that was a good sign and quite a good start . Romilda knew right now , that if she kept this up , she would be able to exert influence on Minerva Mcgonagall in the longer run . The other side of her tightened her Occlumantic barriers frantically , so as to stop her from falling to the floor , laughing . Poor Draco was now forming his name , one letter per bounce . His body was curved into a big D , two pairs of legs folded into a curved D as he bounced up .

" Well , I'll be heading to my office now ," McGonagall commented . " You are welcome to follow me back , if you have more questions . "

The Ferret's head and upper body collided with the ceiling with a terrifiyng force .

" Thank you professor . " Romilda scooped up her bag to follow . In the mean time , Mad Eye had gotten up to C .

Her conversation with the professor now reached a point where she was asking where did all the extra mass went to during transfiguration . She was also engaged with a polite debate with McGonagall over whether it was easier to transfigure two objects made out of the same material . Romilda was trying to implant the idea that the best place to start in transfiguration was transfiguring one object into another , both made out of the same material . And later , making the same object change the material it was made up off without changing its' shape.

All the while , Draco was getting tortured in all sorts of creative ways . He was bounced as a tight ball , as a complicated knot , getting spin into the air , bouncing up the steps . Ah well . That guy would probably never know that one of the very worst days of his life was about to become even worse , curtesy of one Time-traveler masquerading as Romilda Vane . She did not even try to control the joyous skip in her steps as she conversed with McGonagall on the way to her nearby office . She even managed to stretch the conversation all the way down to the Great Hall , right pass the spot where Draco's torment had begun .

Minerva McGonagall would not hear of what happened until the very next morning .

Romilda winked at Harry as she passed by the place Harry was seating , just as she was leaving Professor McConagall . The only downside though , was that Hermione looked at her with great displeasure and an accusatory stare . The girl was fast , Romilda gave her that .

Inside , Romilda rolled her eyes . What a killjoy.

A/N 4 : This and the next chapter was again meant to be one chapter . But , I've decided to split it into two .

A/N 5 : Do you agree with Hermione ?