Harry Potter, the order of the Phoenix, and the DarkChilde

Author's note: Yes it has been a long long time since I published anything on this story as I've been focused on other works and choose to defer any additional content as I was spread too thin as it were. Not from any lack of interest but from the desire to finish other stories (plus Girls Night Out II and Star Wars kind of shoved their way onto the queue, not that I minded). While not done with other works, it is now time to resume. For this story I've slightly played with when classes take place, i.e. what day, as Illyana did show up on Wednesday and the story she finds herself in has already had two school days pass. This means that I will likely end up making some 'mistakes' on timing as this story progresses. I will likely have the class schedule be "forced" to go back to the book's original structure the following week. Oh, and a minor swiping from the comic Girl Genus as to a certain character (if you have not read the online comic Girl Genius you really need to).

This chapter is dedicated to Sawmill chick, Manglor Dejavan and SuzyQ100 as they kindly posted reviews (Author's love reviews, after all… it's not like we're getting paid so feedback provides so much motivation). If you like a story folks then, as always, please comment. Such actions on your part may then cause the creation of more content.

Part 2a: Discussions and whispers

Breakfast ended at the usual time, with some students and faculty leaving early, most leaving on time, and a few lingering. The ew girl Illyana left early with her dragon flying about her, whereas Harry, Ron, and Hermione actually left a bit later then was their usual want. Which meant they were just in time to hear part of a tense conversation between Professor Umbridge, who was already Harry's least liked Professor having taken that prize from Professor Snipe by well over a mile, and Professor Dumbledore as they conversed outside the Hall.

Professor Umbridge was apparently in the middle of complaining to Professor Dumbledore. "… Rasputin? You brought a Rasputin here Dumbledore?!"

Dumbledore replied with a slight correction. "No Delores, a Rasputin came here. I have always found that the particulars are important."

Professor Umbridge was most exasperated in her tone and hand gestures. "And the Ministry agreed to this?"

Dumbledore was calm and polite in his reply. "Dolores, being Headmaster does mean that I am the Headmaster. Student admissions fall under Headmaster administrative prerogatives for special cases and I exercised my prerogatives. The Ministry currently has no say in this matter."

"But a Rasputin?!"

A statement from Dumbledore that was perhaps a tad sarcastic even though his tone was pleasant. "I'm sure you will receive some measure of guidance from the Ministry before the end of the day Delores."

Delores apparently took offense at the familiar use of her first name. "It is Professor Umbridge, not Delores. I have not been a student for quite some time, and I have risen far in the Ministry."

A statement that did prompt Dumbledore to point out. "Then I believe the proper form of address would be Headmaster would it not?"

"That is correct… Headmaster." Was her grudging reply. "I'm sure many in the Ministry will find the coincidence of her arrival most interesting."

"Coincidence in what regards?" Mildly inquired Dumbledore.

A frown and a look of exasperation from Umbridge. "As to what happened in the Forbidden Forrest last night."

"You believe a student is involved with smugglers?" Inquired Dumbledore with some small astonishment.

A bigger frown from Umbridge. "Of course not, don't be absurd."

Now a frown from Dumbledore. "Do you then mean to say the Ministry is not being truthful in the matters that occurred last night?"

Umbridge opened her mouth, but made no reply as she realized just what she had implied. An open mouth that luckily attacked no flies as she franticly sought to come up with an answer.

The three students hurried on before they caught the attention of either of the two. As they turned a corner they spied Draco Malfoy outside, he was releasing an owl that was clutching an envelope.

"Tattling to Daddy." Commented Ron with a bit of a sneer in his tone as they hurried on.

"Or Mommy." Added Hermione.

"So what is she?" Asked Harry. "Some kind of spy? And if so for who?"

Hermione had a frown as she thought. "Spy… Like James Bond."

"Who's James Bond?" Inquired Ron, demonstrating yet again how socially separate the muggle and magical communities were.

"He's a secret agent for her Majesties government." Answered Harry.

"Well he can't be a good one if everybody knows his name." Was Ron's somewhat smug conclusion.

"He's a fictional character Ron, he's not real." Corrected Hermione. "He's in films and books."

"What… you mean like Trelawney Thorep, Spark of the Realm?" Asked Ron. Trelawney Thorep being a fictional secret agent in magical versions of what muggles would call graphic novels. Ron was quite a fan and had the complete set at home.

"Yes Ron, just like Trelawney." Answered Hermione with a slight roll of her eyes that she hid from Ron. Hermione did not approve of such reading material when there were so many great books on magical history to read.

Harry resumed the original topic of conversation, partially to change the subject as Hermione's opinion of graphic novels and comic books was well known, partially to rescue Ron, and to get off the topic of Trelawney Thorep as Harry was also a fan of the stories despite Hermione's distain for comic books. "So if she is a secret agent then… who's she working for?"

"The Death Eaters?" Suggested Ron. "Maybe they want to keep an eye on Slytherin."

"Drama." Stated Hermione with a frown and a slight shake of her head.

Which caused looks of confusion from the two boys before Harry was the first to get what Hermione meant. "Yeah… spies are supposed to be… secret."

"Oh… I get it." Added Ron. "Yeah, rather… blatant that." That being how this Rasputin girl had been introduced to Hogwarts.

"And a Rasputin." Added Hermione. "That is going to cause a sensation. And the declaration that she's a mudblood as well."

Rasputin had once been a very elite name in the Russian magical community. Now it was more like being Germen with the surname name Hitler. Grigori Rasputin had not endeared himself and his name, and extended family line, had been extinguished for what he had done.

"Makes a kind of sense." Commented Harry. "I mean… that's likely why one of her parents got overlooked when they… um…"

"Killed everybody." Finished Hermione. Yes the end of Grigori Rasputin, and his followers, had been particularly bloody. "Must have been a distant relation."

"Or… deliberately concealed." Added Ron. A statement that secretly pleased Hermione as it indicated that Ron was thinking. "But… when was the last time Slytherin got somebody assigned who wasn't full blood or half blood?"

Both boys looked at Hermione as she was the smart one. After some contemplation she answered. "Ummm… I don't know. Never? I don't think… the hat ever puts somebody who has two muggle parents in Slytherin."

"No… lot's of bigotry from many Slytherin's about that. If they get caught that is." Commented Ron, meaning many students who subscribed to such thoughts did not voice them if a staff member was around. But adults? Well, their experience over the summer in the House of Black showed just how bigoted and hateful some people were. Which meant that it would make no sense that she would reveal such information, unless… she really was not from the wizarding community. Then again… that might be the plan.

So… maybe the Death Eaters ,maybe not. Okay, but who else then?" Concluded Ron.

"Ministry of Magic?" Suggested Hermione.

Nods from all three at that idea. But still… the whole inadvertent mudblood declaration she'd made. That… was a real tell about something. And likely many in Slytherin were not going to let her forget it, regardless of the Rasputin name.

Harry hesitantly added. "Dumbledore?" A suggestion that brought frowns from the other two. It kind of made sense but… kind of did not as well.

"Some other… group?" Suggested Hermione. Which of course raised the concept of just what that other group might that be.

"Maybe… whatever was… is in the Forbidden Forest?" Suggested Ron with a gulp. "Assuming it was not just the Ministry and Death Eaters fighting."

Nods from the other two as they reflected upon what the Quibbler had declared, Demons Invade. And what would demons know about local social mores?

Hermione suddenly declared. "Why does she have an American ascent? She's supposed to be Russian."

"Hiding." Declared Ron. "What better place then the States? Lots of odd people there as my Dad always says."

"Africa, South America, Greenland, South Pacific, Mongolia…" Pointed out Harry. "There are lots of more remote places."

Hermione agreed with Ron. "Yes, but… America is probably the best place to hide when you don't want to stand out. It's very large and diverse."

And that was that as they reached their first class of the day. The History of Magic. And as they entered the classroom they spied her, the Rasputin girl, sitting in the front row.

Part 2b: Class 1, History of Magic

She was sitting in the center of the first row, with no other students in the first row. And she had acquired a satchel bag somewhere between breakfast and this class. The class text book was open before her and she was scanning it. Her dragon was there as well, curled up and asleep on a chair next to her.

BEGIN INTERLUDE

A few words on the History of Magic class.

History of Magic is a class on magical history and a core subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is one of the few subjects where the actual practice of magic is not necessary. The course is taught from the first year to the fifth, and is completed with an O.W.L. exam consisting of only a written section. The course is taught by Professor Cuthbert Binns, who instructed for many years as Hogwarts before his death and he has continued to teach as a ghost. According to Hogwarts folklore, Professor Binns has failed to notice his moment of death, he simply got up from his chair in the staff-room one morning and left his body behind.

As Professor Binn's was very old at the time of his death, he was very set in his ways and students find him difficult to relate to. Binn's lessons consisted of him reciting (or droning, as many would put it) his lectures. He did not seem to mind (or notice) that the class rarely pays attention or would even slept, with the exception of Hermione Granger, who alone seemed able to resist the soporific power of Binn's voice. Ron Weasley and Harry Potter both found History of Magic terribly boring, and only managed to pass the class by borrowing Hermione's notes.

Harry had once commented. "History of Magic by common consent the most boring subject ever devised by Wizard-kind. Professor Binns, their ghost teacher, had a wheezy, droning voice that was almost guaranteed to cause severe drowsiness within ten minutes, five in warm weather."

The lesson plan usually consists of lectures on the History of Wizards and the Magical World (in which goblin rebellions appear most memorably). This class is similar to the study of History in the Muggle World, as particular emphasis is placed upon remembering dates, names and events. Whenever Hermione ventured a question, Professor Binn's did not even remember her name, consistently calling her Miss Grant, even though she was the only person in his class that actually paid attention. They attended the class once a week, which was a double class for them in that it was first period and the first half of second period.

Year 5 topics were:

Medieval Assembly of European Wizards

Giant wars

Goblin Rebellion of 1612 (so many Goblin Rebellions)

International Statute of Secrecy

Witch Hunts of 14th century

Werewolf Code of Conduct

International Warlock Convention of 1289

END INTERLUDE

Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their usual seats as a few remaining students trickled in. With that class commenced in that the droning began as the ghost of Binns manifested, the topic of the day being Giant wars. And with the droning, and the fullness from breakfast, the students began to fade into sweet slumber and the realm of Morpheus. All but Granger who, as always, was studiously taking notes.

So… sleepy… So droning, apart from occasional questions from Hermione.

Then a voice rang out, extra noticeable with the slight Russian touch to the America accent. Rang out with a question. "Why?"

A pause from Professor Binns as most of the class roused themselves, roused with some surprise that somebody other then Hermione was awake. Then…

"Why what Miss… Grant?" Sudden hesitation in his voice. "You are not Miss Grant. What is your name child?"

"Rasputin Professor, Illyana Rasputin." Was her answer.

"Rasputin?" Was his questioning tone. "That is not a common name in use. In fact…" A firming of his voice. "Nobody uses that surname. It is considered cursed."

A reply from her. "I do. It is my family name."

"Family…? You mean to say that you are of the line Rasputin?"

"Yes, he was my Grandfather."

The ghost just looked at her for a long moment, then frowned. "Really, how… unfortunate."

"Unfortunate Professor?"

"Yes… most unfortunate, for you Miss Rasputin. And likely for others based upon your family's nefarious historics. You are aware of the infamy of your family name?"

A tone of dry dismissal from her. "Yes, the topic has been mentioned to me from time to time. As well as the question about how far the apple may have landed from the tree."

"Has it?" Asked Professor Binns with a tone that indicated that he was of the opinion that the apple had not ventured very far.

"That remains to be seen." Was her dismissal of an answer. "But we diverge from the topic at hand. The question of why."

None of the students had ever seen the ghost so… focused. "Why what Miss Rasputin?"

"Why did the two tribes of giants got to war? You stated that the arranged marriage between the two tribes did not suffice to bring peace, but why did it not?"

"Why as to why the nuptials did not suffice?"

"Yes."

"Well… The giantess Split Tooth did not find her paramour sufficiently… Giant."

A statement that elicited a few laughs from the class. Laughs that prompted Professor Binns to add. "Culturally children, not… physical attributes. Kindly keep your minds out of the gutter."

"In what way?" Was her second of many questions as the class diverged from the normal slumberic event.

Which resulted an interesting class for once, which was significantly commented upon as the students filed out upon the end of lecture as they hurried off to their next class. But, homework was of course assigned.

"Two scrolls worth about the Giant Wars." Stated Binns as he gave them their writing assignments, and then added. "And one on the history of the House of Rasputin. I am sure you will find a wealth of detail in the library as to the history and deeds of that house."

With that it was off to the next class. A class that likewise Ron, Harry, and Hermione all attended. There was much less conversation this time, other then some looks, as the group of students hurried as the Rasputin girl was walking with the crowd, with a very attentive dragon looking about on her shoulder.

They were early for class, always a good thing as some instructors were displeased by late arrivals and the Professor of Potions was most definitely one of those instructors. So as they milled about, and it was rather plain to see that everybody was keeping their distance from the Rasputin girl, even the Slytherins who had broken into several small groups and were whispering, one of those groups being led by Draco. As they waited Ron offered Harry a chocolate frog.

BEGIN INTERLUDE

What is a chocolate frog you ask? If so then the author will state again that you really do need to read the books but here is a summation.

Chocolate frogs are a very popular wizarding sweet made from chocolate in the form of a frog. They come with a collectible card of a famous witch or wizard in each pack. The frogs were made of seventy percent croakoa, presumably, this substance is what allows them to magically act like an actual frog. Chocolate Frogs also come in a white chocolate variety. There is a popular game for Hogwarts students were a bunch of Chocolate Frogs hop around with the goal to grab the normal ones while avoiding the white ones.

Ron has over five hundred unique cards as he is quite the collector, he trades away most of the duplicates cards he gets so one can infer that he has eaten many a frog.

END INTERLUDE

"Thanks Ron." States Harry has he took the packet that the chocolate frog is contained in.

Ron opens his and snatches the frog before it can jump away and pops it in his mouth where it wiggles as he chews, one leg is protruding from his mouth and flops about giving him chocolate smears on his lips as it starts of melt. Hermione kind of rolls her eyes a bit as Ron tended to be quite barbaric in how he consumes his frogs. To be honest most students tended to engage in similar behaviors when dealing with the tasty treats.

That's when all three noticed the Rasputin girl looking at them, and her dragon as well. More specifically she was looking at Ron with a look of shocked horror at his consumption of a brown wiggling frog, the dragon just looked interested at the discovery of a new treat.

"What's with her?" Mumbled Ron as he chewed.

"Maybe… they don't have chocolate frogs from wherever she's from?" Deduced Hermione with a whisper.

"That's daft. Everybody has chocolate frogs." Whispered back Ron at the thought of the possibility of being denied access to his favorite treat. Why, that would be barbaric.

Hermione being quite knowledgeable, and a bit of a know it all, countered. "Only in the U.K. and Europe I think."

Harry added. "Which means… she must be from overseas."

With that the classroom door opened and the students began to file in. For some unknown reason Harry offered his chocolate frog box to her as she passed by.

"Um… do you want one?" Was his hesitant offer as he clearly remembered his first encounter with the confection. "Their just chocolate frogs."

No need for words, her look of revulsion was a clear indication of no, hell no, and not if my life depended on it am I eating a twitching vertebrate. The dragon on the other hand eagerly snatched the box from Harry's hand and dropped it into her satchel.

Before then entering the classroom Harry whispered a quick question to Hermione as to the details on the House of Rasputin, he had after all be raised in the Muggle world and history was not one of his favorite topics due to Professor Binns. "Reminded me again as to what made the Rasputins so bad?"

A whisper back from Hermione. "They supposedly helped cause the Crimean War, the war between Japan and Russia, and world war one."

"Why? And um… Didn't Russia lose all of those?"

"Demonology and Necromancy." Whispered Ron.

Meaning… there was a need for blood and death. Something wars are so very good at.