Harry parted with the girls when they reached Professor McGonagall's class, 'Transfiguration', and said their good-byes, hoping to see each other again at the Quidditch Match tomorrow. Elora waved delicately, her brow raised as she watched Lizzie and Victoria smiling with light pink tinges in their cheeks, waving furiously to Harry.
"I don't mean to be stupid or anything, but really, tell me why Harry is so popular?" Elora said in normal tone, not actually CARING, but in wonder.
Victoria turned to Elora; "There's a lot he's famous for Elora. Do you know He-Who-Must-Not-Been-Named?"
Elora shook her head, not really knowing who He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is... then thought, "Oh! You mean VOLDEMORT?"
Lizzie gasped lightly, "Don't - "
Elora shot a quick sneer at Lizzie, then smiled warmly. "I know. Don't say his name. I thought that was over with. Humph... he's just like every other person."
"Yeah, but - " Lizzie started, but soon she was interrupted by Professor McGonagall who was clearing her throat.
"You three can finish your little conversation later," Professor McGonagall said while closing the door and pushing the girls into the room. "Now take your seats, we're gonna learn how to turn a toothpick into a needle."
Elora, Lizzie, and Victoria took their seats together at a table near the middle of the room. Professor McGonagall handed out a toothpick to each student, and gave them instructions on how to turn it into a needle, explaining how a few years ago a girl named Hermione Granger in her first year easily turned it into a needle in perfection.
Holding the toothpick between her forefinger and thumb tightly, Elora looked at it, and instead of turning it into a needle, the toothpick lit on fire.
Professor McGonagall rushed over to douse the flaming toothpick with water but the flame didn't disappear. Elora smiled and snickered lightly as the flame grew; she found it quite humorous to see McGonagall fiddle with a little fire. Professor McGonagall kept trying to put it out. Just then, Professor McGonagall looked at Elora, "Put the flame out, Miss Danen."
Elora looked at Professor McGonagall, her smile vanished and she said "And you think I can, How?"
"You made it, you can control it... so demand that it stop!" Professor McGonagall barked.
Elora sighed and looked at the flame, "Fine." Wrapping her free hand around the flaming toothpick.
"I didn't mean," Professor McGonagall started, but as Elora opened her hand the flame disappeared, no burn marks on Elora's palm.
"You told me to put it out!" Elora shouted, "It wouldn't listen to me, so I had to use force."
A short smirk came to Elora's face, looking at Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall took the toothpick from Elora, not a burn mark on it. Practically perfect, as perfect as a toothpick can get. She placed it on the table and returned to the front of the class.
"Tomorrow we will continue with the lesson. For homework I want you to practice turning your toothpicks into needle. Everyone may leave." The class gathered their books and headed out the door. "Miss Danen. Come here please." Professor McGonagall said as she sat in her chair.
Elora looked at Victoria and Lizzie then at Professor McGonagall. She shrugged lightly. She didn't have any more classes. Elora walked cautiously over to Professor McGonagall and took a seat. Professor McGonagall opened a binder, and wrote a few things down. "Elora Danen." she said lightly, "That's a very interesting name."
Elora nodded, "It is. I was named after my Grandmother. Professor McGonagall... what did you want to - "
"Elora." Professor McGonagall interrupted, "Will you open your right hand for me? On the table please."
Elora blinked in wonder then did as she was told. Placing her right hand palm up lying on Professor McGonagall's desk. "And?" she asked.
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Say this word for me, 'Luminous'".
Elora nodded and shouted, "Luminous!" Nothing happened, but then a silent crackling sound could be heard and a brilliant flash filled Professor McGonagall room. When the flash disappeared, in Elora's hand, a giant blue-white flame flickered violently.
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Elora. You have a very special gift. Usually students in your year need to use their wand with the 'Luminous' incantation to create a flame, but you don't need one. And I'm suspecting you didn't even need to say 'Luminous'" Professor McGonagall sat back on her chair and smiled at Elora, "That's why the toothpick caught on fire."
Elora closed her hand and opened it again; the flame disappeared without a trace. "Should I use it to my advantage Professor McGonagall?"
Professor McGonagall shook her head, "Elora. Even though you have this gift, I wouldn't solicit it too much. Learn how to control it, and then we'll see what you can do."
Elora raised from her chair, "Well, thanks Professor McGonagall. This was very educating. I should return to my common room now."
Professor McGonagall opened a drawer from her desk, "Elora. One moment please." she said, pulling a black rimmed, red covered book from the drawer. "I want you to read this. It'll help with your 'gift'." She smiled.
Elora took the book from Professor McGonagall, reading the label 'Fire Spirits', and placed it with the others she held. "Um... thank you, Professor McGonagall." And with that, she exited the class.
Just as Elora left, Professor Dumbledore entered the class. Professor McGonagall looked at him, and in a soft tone said, "We should watch that one."
Professor Dumbledore nodded adding, "You're right to give her that book. She's a strong one, she'll be fine."
Professor McGonagall nodded, "I hope so."
Continued: Chapter 3 - Fiery Disappearence