I had just popped into the library that morning for a little research on elementary magic and its relation to wand cores, when I spotted Lilith walking beside Dumbledore across the courtyard. Their figures, joined at the arm as they disappeared and reappeared behind each passing stone column.

It was odd to see Lilith in the sun, but what was more amusing were the muggle sunglasses she was wearing to protect her eyes. They were impossibly dark. I wondered how ever she might see through them. Her robes were dark green and black pinstripe with bright red buttons that caught the afternoon light like orbs of fire.

Clutching a small collection of books to my chest I checked that no one was watching and began to follow the pair. They were obviously heading to his office to discuss some matter or other, although the way Lilith was beaming, it seemed as though this was a meeting of two old friends.

I was nearing them now and paused behind a column, catching my breath and plotting how I might hear their conversation. I looked at the stone floor in front of me, a pair of scruffy black school shoes stepped into the view. I looked up to be greeted with a shock of red hear and lopsided grin.

"Ron. What is it?"

"Well- uh, I saw you sculking around the corridor- you know? tryna be stealthy and all that? So, I followed you"

"You. Followed me. Following her." I mused.

"Her?" Ron grunted.

I smiled and raised my palms. "Listen Ron, the situation is rather a complicated one-"

"Yeah!" A playfully shout sounded from behind me, "so why don't you piss of Weasley" Lilith widened her eyes and beamed hysterically.

Ron stepped back and raised his want. Lilith let out a low laugh. "What are you going to do with that?"

"Mr Weasley, there is no reason to arm yourself." Came a chuckle from Dumbledore who was only seconds behind the tricky witch.

"But sir! She's a Death Eater!" Ron remained in his sloppy attach position.

"Listen Ron, I am sure Lavender is looking for you, why don't you-"

"Lavender? What's she got to do-"

Lilith transfigured the book Ron was carrying into a paper bag full to the brim with cauldron cakes with a nonchalant flick of her wand. He looked down at the bag in his arms, then back up at Lilith who smirked at him over her glasses, bearing her slightly oversized canines.

I started to giggle and Dumbledore smiled knowingly.

"Not that I wasn't enjoying our conversation but I have some important matters to attend to with Miss Granger."

"Me?" I spoke, unsure.

Ron had put down his wand and had already eaten three entire cauldron cakes.

"Yes miss. I want to speak with you" Lilith whispered and took hold of my hand. Her fingers were ice cold and I shivered. We began to walk off when she threw her head back and shouted, hand extended by her lips "Tap the bag with your wand four times and it'll fill again!"

"Thanks!" Ron shouted back, spittle muffling his words. I noticed Dumbledore shaking his head and extending his hand, waiting for Ron to hand him a cake.

I looked up at Lilith as we walked. She wasn't fussed by the students who parted like the Red Sea in her wake. Her glasses were oval shaped and just covered her eyes. Her skin was covered comically in sun cream. She was smiling.

As usual, I think. And smile too wondering whether she knew that she needed to rub the SPF into her skin rather than dab it on with tentative fingers. "That was a lie wasn't it?"

"Now Hermione, why would I lie about something so trivial"

"Mmmm, let me think- because mischief is your middle name"

Lilith stopped walking and turned to me. she held my jaw as though examining my face. I tried not to smile but I couldn't.

"My middle name is Johanna" she whispered and hollowed out her cheekbones in a pout. Then, she took my arm and we continued to walk. "So, you're wondering why I am here? It's because Dumbledore has asked me for your astrological forecast." She bowed, "I have to map and interpret not only your natal chart but your solar return for the next ten years, your cartography chart and progressed chart."

Uuuhhhhg. I hate divination

"Now, now little witch. There's no need to dismiss an entire subject matter because Trelawney is incapable of teaching. Astrology and astronomy have only been studied separately for the last two hundred or so years. They used to be inseparable, studied in parallel, in harmony."

"Just because something is older, it doesn't mean it is better."

"Oh yes, I quite agree, I much prefer new candies. Bella and I used to eat exclusively sugar quills in the fifth year."

"Why is everything about sweeties with you? It's becoming quite infuriating"

Lilith quirked her eyebrow. "sweeties" she repeated, mocking my accent. "You're so cute"

I hated how sexy I found Lilith's voice, there was a slight American nuance but I couldn't pinpoint where she was from exactly.

"Have you read my chart then?" I diverted the subject.

"I haven't mapped it yet. But you appear to be a key component in the end of the war for some reason."

The end of the war?

"When is the final battle?"

"You know I can't tell that detail to just anyone."

"Okay." There was a pause. "I am a Virgo, aren't I?"

"Woah." Lilith looked at me as though I had just cast an unforgivable. "It is so much more than your sun sign. It is a tool that has been used for thousands of years to draw both muggles and magic folk alike toward their better selves."

Lilith levitated two paving stones in a matter of seconds and motioned her hand for me to sit. I did so, intrigued by her words. "Muggles have a better understanding of this magic that most everyone in the wizarding world."

"You can't be serious."

"Deadly." Lilith spoke. "And, lucky you, both Dumbledore and the Minister for magic have requested us to have several sessions together in which I will perform psychic readings, teach you occlumency and legilimency, and of course, we will interpret your charts together."

"Alright- may I ask, why you?"

"They really haven't written very much about me, have they?" Lilith seemed to speak to herself.

"Witches never get as much credit as Wizards. I could only find the odd article, oh, and all your academic papers"

You've been researching me little witch?

I nodded, feeling heat rising in my cheeks.

"Mmmm" Lilith hummed thoughtfully. "They chose me because they know what I am capable of. Now, where would you like us to conduct our lessons?"

"Does it need to be private?"

"Yes- at the request of Dumbledore. We will be uncovering some sensitive information… And, Dumbledore knows about us as well"

"Us? You mean when I accidently saw you naked?"

Lilith nodded, maintaining eye contact.

"I didn't appreciate you penetrating my mind like that, but I can't say that I-"

Wait. Where am I going with this?

"yes?" Lilith smiled.

"Well, no harm done."

That's a very cryptic way of saying that you enjoyed yourself.

I could do without the constant fear that you'll pop into my thoughts.

"Oh, come on Hermione." Lilith jerked her head so that her glasses slipped down her slender nose "I am always on your mind."

I grinned uncontrollably, for I knew. She was absolutely right.