Hermione goggled at me as I vanished the keyboard.
"How on Earth did you do that?"
"Hmm? The banishment spell? It's really simple, you just-"
"NO!!" she screamed.
"What then?"
"How did you use that electric keyboard?"
"Hmm?"
"How did you use the keyboard? Hogwarts' powerful magical field blocks all electricity."
"Oh, that. I had to find a way to bypass the magical torrent of certain freeflowing energies, and then manipulate those certain forces in order to create my own unidirectonal current of magical energy, thereby creating a certain io-magnetic flux of sorts, that blocks out any sort of free energy such as those from a freefloating or partially formed enchantment, charm, or transmogrification."
Hermione nodded.
"Oh. I wonder why I never thought of that!"
"I worked it out back home... I mean... Back... In America, because it helps to have a Gameboy in your History of magic classes. Our teacher was dead on his feet, and twice as boring. He reminds me of Professor Binns here."
I looked around, and saw that the only person at the table's face besides me and 'Mione that was not confused was Missy. She hit me.
"Ouch, what was that for?"
"Nobody else knows what you just said."
I looked around, then recollected myself.
"Okay, all I had to do was grab some spare energy from all the magic floating around, and then place a shield charm over your object, and augment-"
"DAMIEN!"
I blanched. She only used my full name when she was angry.
"Umm, what's the word? Help me, Hermione! Umm... Come on, oh, yeah. Strengthen it with the spare energy. It reflects- no, bounces all the magic off, and creates a field of perfectly normal... space."
"OOHHH!" the whole table said at once.
"Also, you could, more difficult though it may be, feed the magical power of a charm in the positive side, into a certain electronic item, and then, it would push the electricity out, and it would run on charms."
Everyone understood this one a bit better. I sighed in relief. Suddenly, I remembered a certain sporting event that usually happened on Saturdays.
"Umm... Guys... Quidditch."
Everyone jumped. Harry picked up his last pieces of toast, and ran out the door. Fred and George hugged Missy and vamoosed. I jumped up and ran. I wanted to see how good these guys were. I screeched to a halt right at the end of the table.
"Hey, Ron, come on!"
"Okay..."
He got up and ran to join me. Missy sipped the rest of her pumpkin juice and finished off her toast while we patiently waited for her.
"Hurry up, girl!"
She looked at me confused. Then, realization dawned on her face.
"OOHHH! You want me to come with you!"
"Well duh!"
"Okay!"
She bid a polite goodbye to Hermione and Ginny, who were talking rapidly about nothing. Hmm. I ran past the rest of the table with the other two and I noticed Neville reading a letter that made him smile. A brown owl was standing next to him.
"That looks like Hermes!" Ron said.
"I don't think so. Probably his grandmother's owl."
I thought his grandmother was mean. At least, that's what I thought. Hmm. I pushed it out of my mind and we ran out of the Great hall. All of a sudden, a blur of light whizzed past, and I heard a mumbling. I remembered what I had done the night before.
"ACCIO PEEVES!"
The blur of light zoomed towards me, and I caught it.
"All righty, guys, look what I have here!"
Peeves was completely crimson, and was very dizzy from the way he kept moving. I smiled at Missy. Ron smiled.
"This is what happens when Poltergeists cross me."
"Yeah, I remember. Ron, did you know that in America the ghosts have a warning posted all over not to cross him?"
"No... I'm not surprised, though. It seemed like he had experience."
"Well, I do. And thank you for noticing." I was still a little bit nervous about our discussion last night. I think he was too.
"Okay, now, I want everyone to see him. Help me. I'm gonna do an enormously slow banishment spell. Missy, concentrate."
She started rubbing her temples. I pointed my wand at Peeves, and said a banishing spell. He floated into the Great Hall, and we all heard Filch cracking up. Everyone gasped and started a loud, raucous laughter that echoed. Ron, Missy and I ran to the Quidditch field. When we got there, Harry and Fred and George were all blushing and walking slowly towards us.
"What's wrong??" I asked.
"It's the first week, and ole Woody is holding Quidditch tryouts. So, no practice." Fred quipped, blushing.
"And, today is our Hogsmeade day." George added.
"Good. I want to talk with Dra. I haven't had time to for a while!" Missy said, surprising everyone.
We all went back to the common room to get ready. Missy finished early and ran. She was probably running to get Draco. I slipped on a pair of dark green silk slacks as I heard Ron yell loudly.
"SOMEONE!"
I ran.
"What is it?"
"I found this," he said, brandishing a small feather, "In 'Fuzzbutts' Web. And, a note that's a reply from Mom that I sent with Pig."
"Uh-Oh."
That, 'Maybe a bird, but not a fly' comment was coming back to bite me in the rear. All of a sudden, we were interrupted by a loud crack noise. A small egg fell out of the web, and smacked on the ground. It burst open, and a weird creature crawled out. A small owl about the size of a tennis ball flew out from the webs, and nipped the baby creature affectionately. Fuzzbutt crawled out, and came over and squeezed Pigwidgeon with 2 arms in a hug. It came over and did the same thing to the the baby. It started cradling it. Ron gasped. Hermione and Ginny walked up, looking flushed, and they started at the sight of the creature.
"What is it?" Ginny asked.
"It looks like the spider and the owl had a... baby..." Hermione finished.
It certainly had. It had feathers all over, and it was about the size of a baseball. It had about 4 eyes, and A beak. It had 4 wings, and 4 large talons. Ron and I exchanged glances. It made a cute chirrup noise, like a bird, and then, it flapped a few wings. It hovered a little bit, but then, it passed out from exhaustion. This was definitely something to talk to Missy about. Silk dripped out of its beak like drool.
"Ron... What are you gonna name it?"
"Me???" he asked, in deep surprise. "It's not mine. Let Missy name him!"
"Okay."
We finally made it to Hogsmeade. Missy briefly ran to me and asked me to meet her in the Three Broomsticks.
"Sure, I guess. Want me to bring the gang?"
"Yeah. We need to get them to at least get along, you know."
"Yeah, I know."
So, I dragged everyone into the building. Missy waved me over with one hand hidden from Draco. I pulled Harry, Ron, and Hermione over and sat them down. Harry sputtered and complained loudly. Ron gave scowling looks at Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. Hermione hmmphed. They, however, did sit down. Missy and I were gonna have to force a conversation between them. All this squabbling was ridiculous.
"So, what's up with you all?" Missy asked, fake pleasantness dripping from every single note in her voice.
"Well, Ron's owl and your spider had a bit of an accident." I said, trying to strike up a conversation.
"Oh Lord! Fuzzbutt didn't..."
"Nope."
"Then what did he do?"
"Now, there's a baby... er... Spowl."
"A... Spowl?"
"Spowl. Part-Spider, Part-Owl."
"Hmm. Well, Ron, do you want him?" She seemed extremely nonplussed about the whole thing. I had a feeling that Fuzzbutt got around.
"NO!"
"Well, I don't exactly want him!" Missy said. She looked at me, and lightly nodded her head in Draco's direction.
I picked up on this.
"Do you have an owl, Draco?"
"Yes." He said, smugly. "His name is... Erm..."
"Isn't it Tweety?" Vincent added helpfully.
Greg, Draco, Missy and I all hit him.
"OUCH!"
Ron, Harry, and Hermione burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Draco snarled, leaning over the table. His face was right across from Harry's.
Ron could barely stop laughing to tell him.
"I mean, come on... hahah, Big, bad Draco Malfoy, hahaha, with an owl, Hahaha, named, hahaha, Tweety!" And he burst into laughter again.
"Shut up, you limey bold faced excuse for a pure blood prat! Your mother looks like she swallowed a bog old tub of Skele-Gro!"
Missy looked shocked. I was, too. It's not like Ron didn't deserve it, but... I had never heard Draco come so close to cussing before. He was obviously holding back because we were here. Harry snarled as he leaned across the table, face right in front of Draco's.
"Excuse me? What did you say about him?"
Draco reiterated his last phrase, only adding a few... flavorful adjectives. This was not how I wanted the conversation to go. Harry snarled something nasty in return. Everytime any one of them said something, their faces went closer and closer together. I started when I heard his voice. I had never heard him so close to cussing, either. Not hard, though. I had only known him for about a week. Then, Draco uttered something about Harry's mother. Harry's eyes widened, and he retorted in the same fashion. Draco viciously spat a string of insults out. They both started to argue at the same time. Meanwhiles, Ron, Hermione, Greg, and Vincent all were staring at the battle of words. Everyone in the tavern was staring now. Madam Rosmerta's cup of Meade was overflowing. Their noses were touching now. I was fixing to pull out my wand and stop them, when they were interrupted by a loud clunk from Missy. We all stared over at her. Her eyes were glowing funny, and she was staring into space. Her cup of Butterbeer fell over, slowly spilling.
"Hate is powerful.
Hate
Starts to create
A bond
Deeper than a pond.
Love is powerful.
Love
Comes from above.
It comes from below.
Sometimes figured out fast, Sometimes slow.
Powerful bonds,
Broken by none.
Except the victims,
On their own whims.
Master your feelings,
Then comes the dealings.
Love or hate?
Hate or love?
Which is which?
Can you switch?
That's for you,
To,
Decide.
Don't let your feelings slide."
She chanted it all, then, her head slipped and smashed against the table. She slipped out of her seat. Everyone was shocked silent. It was eerily silent. I thought she was playing Finally, I took the reins.
"She's just messing around. Come on, Missy. While a very good poem, that was in no way a real prediction."
Normally, by now she would have been giggling. I was beginning to get worried. I crouched underneath the table, and looked at her. Blood was seeping out of a wound on her head. She smashed it open.
"I NEED HELP!!!"
I pulled her out and had Ron, Draco, Harry and I carry her to the bar.
"Rosmerta!" I snapped.
"Yes?"
"Ice. Now. Vincent, Greg, go get someone from school. Now. Ron, go with them, please. Harry, Draco, I need your help. We need to get something to stop the wounds."
Draco rushed over, and Harry snatched some of his own robes and tried to rip them off.
"Here, let me help."
He reached for his wand and performed a severing charm. It ripped off immediately, and they both grabbed it and put it on her forehead. Rosmerta finally had the ice.
"Thank you. Now, does anyone have tape?"
Hermione rushed up. She gave me a thing of tape.
"I keep a roll in handy."
I wrapped the tape around the piece of robes and around her head. I placed the ice over the wound.
"That's all we can do. At least until Vincent and Greg get back."
We were all grim and silent. Then, we saw Madame Pomfrey run up with Dumbledore in tow. She was pale. Ron and Draco's gang were behind them. They looked worried. Dumbledore looked at me gravely.
"Damien. We need to talk. Harry, Draco, and the rest of you. You will return to your common rooms in a matter of an hour. I would like to question you after I'm through with him. Go and finish up your shopping quickly."
And, without another word, he swept noiselessly out the door of the tavern. I followed silently. When we reached a large stone gargoyle, he said something that sounded like M&M's. It sprang to life and jumped out of the way, but not before bowing. He went into his office, and I followed. I noticed a very large, sick looking bird on a stoop. I cringed. I hate it when animals got sick. And, Dumbledore hadn't even done anything about it. My opinion of him had dropped greatly in the last few minutes.
"Aren't you going to do anything about that bird? Like a healing spell, or anything? He looks real bad." I let all my anger seep into my voice. Dumbledore noticed.
"Fawkes will be okay. But, we are not here to discuss my bird, Damien. Since I have not had the- erm, pleasure of having you two for the past 4 years, I need to get to know you better. As well as Missy."
"Are you mad at me?" I said, anger definitely clear.
"Certainly not."
"Then don't call me 'Damien.' That's Missy's angry name for me. Call me Damy."
"Alright. First off, I need to know something. Was it you who did that to Peeves?"
"Yes. He deserved it. He-" Dumbledore cut me off.
"I don't need to know. I just want to know how you know those advanced spells."
"AP classes. Also known as Honor Classes."
"I see. He did, indeed deserve it. He's been around since I was in school, and that, was a long time ago." He said, winking. My mood lightened a bit. "What other 'abilities' do you posess?"
"Well, I can talk to animals."
"You mean, Snakes?"
"Absolutely not. I said animals, and I meant it. Snakes are one of the worst animals to talk to. All they do is sneak, connive, and be fickle. They're really not conversationalists after all."
"And, how do you suppose you've come by that ability?"
"It's really hard to pinpoint, but, I believe my mother's mother was sired by a demon. He was nice, though. He came to my birthday party last year. He brought me my own baby Cerberus!"
"That would explain the temper, then. And, what happened to the dog?"
"He was a miniature pinscher Cerberus. He's only about 3 feet tall. He's still in America, guarding my house. Mom and Dad had to put up so many anti-flame charms it's not even funny..."
"Would you be willing to demonstrate those powers of yours, Damy?"
"Sure."
"Fawkes is looking a bit under the weather. He hasn't burst into flame in a while, and-"
"What do you mean? You want me to make that poor bird burst into flame? No way!"
"He's a phoenix."
"Oh." I could feel a blush coming to my face.
I walked over to the bird and he looked at me very sicklike.
"Alright, you. You are not looking good at all. Dumbledore here says you need to burst into flame. Please, for me, probably the only human that you can understand. Please?"
Fawkes just looked at me. Dumbledore frowned at me.
"Erm, was I supposed to be able to understand that?"
"Yes. I had a teacher help me develop it last year so everyone can understand what I'm saying. Makes things simpler."
I still had the feeling he thought I was lying. I had to do something drastic. I bent down and whispered into his ear. He straightened up immediately, and looked at Dumbledore. I mimed to Dumbledore to rub his stomach and look at the bird. He did. Fawkes looked back at me, and then did a gulp.
"Fine, fine. I'm just lazy, is all. Don't worry about me. Hold on a minute, okay? It takes a little bit. Just... don't do anything drastic, please."
Fawkes looked like he was going to burst. He held his breath, and I stepped back. He kept holding it, until he turned blue. Then, I felt heat rushing from him. He burst into flame, and a little chick stepped out from the ashes.
"Thanks! I feel a lot better!" He squeaked.
I went and sat back down. Dumbledore looked at me amazed.
"What did you say?"
"I just told him that we were in the mood for some fried Phoenix, and that if he didn't burst into flame, we'd make him. On a stove." I said, smiling.
"Very good. Now, is there anything else about you I should know?"
"Not really, except that the hair is real, my great grandfather the demon is the father of Tom Riddle's mother, and that... Never mind."
"Are you sure??"
"Positive. We are not going to talk about it."
"If you don't want to, we don't have to. But, the hair is real?"
"Yup. Side effect of being a spawn of evil!" I said, winking. He chuckled.
"Now, can we talk about Missy?"
"Sure. Like?"
"She seems a bit strange. What can you tell me about her?"
"Her family descends from Selkies. I'm not too familiar with that, since she told me about it in passing, after my great grandfather came last year. He freaked her out so bad it wasn't funny. I mean, come on. He pops up in a big old ball of flame, right next to her, and then chuckles. He has a raspy voice, man. But, I digress."
"Thank you."
***************************************************************************************************
***One Year Earlier***
"So, Damy, what's next? You have so many cool things. Man, my presents are never these neat!" Missy said, pouting.
"And?" I said, a bit put out.
"I'm just saying, jeez. No need to give a big stink."
"Well, I wish you'd stop it, because you know I'm gonna share with you what all I have. I always do!"
"Oh, yeah!" She said, her mood brightening considerably.
"Do we have peanut butter?" she said.
"Probably not."
Just then, Mom came over to me and stood in front of us, fidgeting. I could tell she wasn't wanting to say anything, and she was worried about telling me. But, she seemed a bit excited, too, like she was going to see her grandpa.
"Umm... Damy, honey, there's something I need to tell you. Your great-grandfather is coming, and there's something I need to tell you about him."
"Yes?" I had guessed right. Hmm.
"Well, he's... How do I say this? He's..."
"Old?" I said, throwing in suggestions.
"Well, yeah, but that's not what I was gonna say... He's not exactly a wizard, though, and-"
She was cut off by a loud sound, kind of like a ball of flame going off. She had this gleam in her eye, pure happiness.
"GRANDPA!" She screamed, and rushed between me and Missy. She hugged someone tight. I could hear a raspy voice chuckle. It didn't sound too friendly. Missy and I turned around slowly. What we saw freaked us both out. It was a large man, about 7 feet tall, and he had jet black hair with the ends on fire. He had flames in his eyes. He smiled a wide, healthy grin, that flashed white. He was wearing a blood red tuxedo, with a black undershirt, that had a small fire-flower for a flower over his lapel. His shoes were polished black, and he had on a pair of cufflinks that blazed. His skin was extremely pale. Missy ran behind me. I cowered in place.
"Don't be scared. It's just me, Damy! Your great-grandpa!" he said, smiling. His teeth were very large and pointy. It did not reassure me.
"You know, you were named after me!"
"Wow." I said, unenthused.
"Yup. Damien. You're a Leo, ain't you, son?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, here's your present. Where's the cake, Jocelyn? I'm hungry."
He handed me a long box that barked 3 times at once. I eyed it warily.
"Well, Open it up, Damy!" Missy said impatiently.
"Fine."
I ripped it open by the back, and I saw a little dog's behind in the light. I set the box down, and I looked deeper inside. I saw one pair of eyes that flashed red. Then, I saw another pair of eyes at the same time, that flashed green. Then, I saw a third pair that flashed blue. I petted the... dog... And then, it turned around, and licked my hand. All three at once. Missy giggled silly like, and I smiled at Grandpa. he smiled back, then went to get some cake.
Missy ran up to him.
"Hold on a minute, okay?
"Okay..."
She placed her hands on his chest, and then she stared at him.
"WOW! A nice demon!"
***************************************************************************************************
***Back in the Present***
"Well, " Dumbledore asked, "Does she have any... abilities?"
"Her dreams. She can tell the future about 90% of the time. It's really quite accurate. But, today... At the tavern... I think it was a side effect from all the anger she has built up. From why we left our school."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Tell me what all happened, please."
I told him. He nooded, and then explained to me.
"Yes, that seems right. That corresponds with what they had to say. Well, is she different in any other ways?"
"She is extremely empathic. She can pick up on a person's intentions like that." I said, snapping my fingers.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"Well then, you're dismissed."
"Thank you."
And, I ran to see Missy.
"How on Earth did you do that?"
"Hmm? The banishment spell? It's really simple, you just-"
"NO!!" she screamed.
"What then?"
"How did you use that electric keyboard?"
"Hmm?"
"How did you use the keyboard? Hogwarts' powerful magical field blocks all electricity."
"Oh, that. I had to find a way to bypass the magical torrent of certain freeflowing energies, and then manipulate those certain forces in order to create my own unidirectonal current of magical energy, thereby creating a certain io-magnetic flux of sorts, that blocks out any sort of free energy such as those from a freefloating or partially formed enchantment, charm, or transmogrification."
Hermione nodded.
"Oh. I wonder why I never thought of that!"
"I worked it out back home... I mean... Back... In America, because it helps to have a Gameboy in your History of magic classes. Our teacher was dead on his feet, and twice as boring. He reminds me of Professor Binns here."
I looked around, and saw that the only person at the table's face besides me and 'Mione that was not confused was Missy. She hit me.
"Ouch, what was that for?"
"Nobody else knows what you just said."
I looked around, then recollected myself.
"Okay, all I had to do was grab some spare energy from all the magic floating around, and then place a shield charm over your object, and augment-"
"DAMIEN!"
I blanched. She only used my full name when she was angry.
"Umm, what's the word? Help me, Hermione! Umm... Come on, oh, yeah. Strengthen it with the spare energy. It reflects- no, bounces all the magic off, and creates a field of perfectly normal... space."
"OOHHH!" the whole table said at once.
"Also, you could, more difficult though it may be, feed the magical power of a charm in the positive side, into a certain electronic item, and then, it would push the electricity out, and it would run on charms."
Everyone understood this one a bit better. I sighed in relief. Suddenly, I remembered a certain sporting event that usually happened on Saturdays.
"Umm... Guys... Quidditch."
Everyone jumped. Harry picked up his last pieces of toast, and ran out the door. Fred and George hugged Missy and vamoosed. I jumped up and ran. I wanted to see how good these guys were. I screeched to a halt right at the end of the table.
"Hey, Ron, come on!"
"Okay..."
He got up and ran to join me. Missy sipped the rest of her pumpkin juice and finished off her toast while we patiently waited for her.
"Hurry up, girl!"
She looked at me confused. Then, realization dawned on her face.
"OOHHH! You want me to come with you!"
"Well duh!"
"Okay!"
She bid a polite goodbye to Hermione and Ginny, who were talking rapidly about nothing. Hmm. I ran past the rest of the table with the other two and I noticed Neville reading a letter that made him smile. A brown owl was standing next to him.
"That looks like Hermes!" Ron said.
"I don't think so. Probably his grandmother's owl."
I thought his grandmother was mean. At least, that's what I thought. Hmm. I pushed it out of my mind and we ran out of the Great hall. All of a sudden, a blur of light whizzed past, and I heard a mumbling. I remembered what I had done the night before.
"ACCIO PEEVES!"
The blur of light zoomed towards me, and I caught it.
"All righty, guys, look what I have here!"
Peeves was completely crimson, and was very dizzy from the way he kept moving. I smiled at Missy. Ron smiled.
"This is what happens when Poltergeists cross me."
"Yeah, I remember. Ron, did you know that in America the ghosts have a warning posted all over not to cross him?"
"No... I'm not surprised, though. It seemed like he had experience."
"Well, I do. And thank you for noticing." I was still a little bit nervous about our discussion last night. I think he was too.
"Okay, now, I want everyone to see him. Help me. I'm gonna do an enormously slow banishment spell. Missy, concentrate."
She started rubbing her temples. I pointed my wand at Peeves, and said a banishing spell. He floated into the Great Hall, and we all heard Filch cracking up. Everyone gasped and started a loud, raucous laughter that echoed. Ron, Missy and I ran to the Quidditch field. When we got there, Harry and Fred and George were all blushing and walking slowly towards us.
"What's wrong??" I asked.
"It's the first week, and ole Woody is holding Quidditch tryouts. So, no practice." Fred quipped, blushing.
"And, today is our Hogsmeade day." George added.
"Good. I want to talk with Dra. I haven't had time to for a while!" Missy said, surprising everyone.
We all went back to the common room to get ready. Missy finished early and ran. She was probably running to get Draco. I slipped on a pair of dark green silk slacks as I heard Ron yell loudly.
"SOMEONE!"
I ran.
"What is it?"
"I found this," he said, brandishing a small feather, "In 'Fuzzbutts' Web. And, a note that's a reply from Mom that I sent with Pig."
"Uh-Oh."
That, 'Maybe a bird, but not a fly' comment was coming back to bite me in the rear. All of a sudden, we were interrupted by a loud crack noise. A small egg fell out of the web, and smacked on the ground. It burst open, and a weird creature crawled out. A small owl about the size of a tennis ball flew out from the webs, and nipped the baby creature affectionately. Fuzzbutt crawled out, and came over and squeezed Pigwidgeon with 2 arms in a hug. It came over and did the same thing to the the baby. It started cradling it. Ron gasped. Hermione and Ginny walked up, looking flushed, and they started at the sight of the creature.
"What is it?" Ginny asked.
"It looks like the spider and the owl had a... baby..." Hermione finished.
It certainly had. It had feathers all over, and it was about the size of a baseball. It had about 4 eyes, and A beak. It had 4 wings, and 4 large talons. Ron and I exchanged glances. It made a cute chirrup noise, like a bird, and then, it flapped a few wings. It hovered a little bit, but then, it passed out from exhaustion. This was definitely something to talk to Missy about. Silk dripped out of its beak like drool.
"Ron... What are you gonna name it?"
"Me???" he asked, in deep surprise. "It's not mine. Let Missy name him!"
"Okay."
We finally made it to Hogsmeade. Missy briefly ran to me and asked me to meet her in the Three Broomsticks.
"Sure, I guess. Want me to bring the gang?"
"Yeah. We need to get them to at least get along, you know."
"Yeah, I know."
So, I dragged everyone into the building. Missy waved me over with one hand hidden from Draco. I pulled Harry, Ron, and Hermione over and sat them down. Harry sputtered and complained loudly. Ron gave scowling looks at Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. Hermione hmmphed. They, however, did sit down. Missy and I were gonna have to force a conversation between them. All this squabbling was ridiculous.
"So, what's up with you all?" Missy asked, fake pleasantness dripping from every single note in her voice.
"Well, Ron's owl and your spider had a bit of an accident." I said, trying to strike up a conversation.
"Oh Lord! Fuzzbutt didn't..."
"Nope."
"Then what did he do?"
"Now, there's a baby... er... Spowl."
"A... Spowl?"
"Spowl. Part-Spider, Part-Owl."
"Hmm. Well, Ron, do you want him?" She seemed extremely nonplussed about the whole thing. I had a feeling that Fuzzbutt got around.
"NO!"
"Well, I don't exactly want him!" Missy said. She looked at me, and lightly nodded her head in Draco's direction.
I picked up on this.
"Do you have an owl, Draco?"
"Yes." He said, smugly. "His name is... Erm..."
"Isn't it Tweety?" Vincent added helpfully.
Greg, Draco, Missy and I all hit him.
"OUCH!"
Ron, Harry, and Hermione burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Draco snarled, leaning over the table. His face was right across from Harry's.
Ron could barely stop laughing to tell him.
"I mean, come on... hahah, Big, bad Draco Malfoy, hahaha, with an owl, Hahaha, named, hahaha, Tweety!" And he burst into laughter again.
"Shut up, you limey bold faced excuse for a pure blood prat! Your mother looks like she swallowed a bog old tub of Skele-Gro!"
Missy looked shocked. I was, too. It's not like Ron didn't deserve it, but... I had never heard Draco come so close to cussing before. He was obviously holding back because we were here. Harry snarled as he leaned across the table, face right in front of Draco's.
"Excuse me? What did you say about him?"
Draco reiterated his last phrase, only adding a few... flavorful adjectives. This was not how I wanted the conversation to go. Harry snarled something nasty in return. Everytime any one of them said something, their faces went closer and closer together. I started when I heard his voice. I had never heard him so close to cussing, either. Not hard, though. I had only known him for about a week. Then, Draco uttered something about Harry's mother. Harry's eyes widened, and he retorted in the same fashion. Draco viciously spat a string of insults out. They both started to argue at the same time. Meanwhiles, Ron, Hermione, Greg, and Vincent all were staring at the battle of words. Everyone in the tavern was staring now. Madam Rosmerta's cup of Meade was overflowing. Their noses were touching now. I was fixing to pull out my wand and stop them, when they were interrupted by a loud clunk from Missy. We all stared over at her. Her eyes were glowing funny, and she was staring into space. Her cup of Butterbeer fell over, slowly spilling.
"Hate is powerful.
Hate
Starts to create
A bond
Deeper than a pond.
Love is powerful.
Love
Comes from above.
It comes from below.
Sometimes figured out fast, Sometimes slow.
Powerful bonds,
Broken by none.
Except the victims,
On their own whims.
Master your feelings,
Then comes the dealings.
Love or hate?
Hate or love?
Which is which?
Can you switch?
That's for you,
To,
Decide.
Don't let your feelings slide."
She chanted it all, then, her head slipped and smashed against the table. She slipped out of her seat. Everyone was shocked silent. It was eerily silent. I thought she was playing Finally, I took the reins.
"She's just messing around. Come on, Missy. While a very good poem, that was in no way a real prediction."
Normally, by now she would have been giggling. I was beginning to get worried. I crouched underneath the table, and looked at her. Blood was seeping out of a wound on her head. She smashed it open.
"I NEED HELP!!!"
I pulled her out and had Ron, Draco, Harry and I carry her to the bar.
"Rosmerta!" I snapped.
"Yes?"
"Ice. Now. Vincent, Greg, go get someone from school. Now. Ron, go with them, please. Harry, Draco, I need your help. We need to get something to stop the wounds."
Draco rushed over, and Harry snatched some of his own robes and tried to rip them off.
"Here, let me help."
He reached for his wand and performed a severing charm. It ripped off immediately, and they both grabbed it and put it on her forehead. Rosmerta finally had the ice.
"Thank you. Now, does anyone have tape?"
Hermione rushed up. She gave me a thing of tape.
"I keep a roll in handy."
I wrapped the tape around the piece of robes and around her head. I placed the ice over the wound.
"That's all we can do. At least until Vincent and Greg get back."
We were all grim and silent. Then, we saw Madame Pomfrey run up with Dumbledore in tow. She was pale. Ron and Draco's gang were behind them. They looked worried. Dumbledore looked at me gravely.
"Damien. We need to talk. Harry, Draco, and the rest of you. You will return to your common rooms in a matter of an hour. I would like to question you after I'm through with him. Go and finish up your shopping quickly."
And, without another word, he swept noiselessly out the door of the tavern. I followed silently. When we reached a large stone gargoyle, he said something that sounded like M&M's. It sprang to life and jumped out of the way, but not before bowing. He went into his office, and I followed. I noticed a very large, sick looking bird on a stoop. I cringed. I hate it when animals got sick. And, Dumbledore hadn't even done anything about it. My opinion of him had dropped greatly in the last few minutes.
"Aren't you going to do anything about that bird? Like a healing spell, or anything? He looks real bad." I let all my anger seep into my voice. Dumbledore noticed.
"Fawkes will be okay. But, we are not here to discuss my bird, Damien. Since I have not had the- erm, pleasure of having you two for the past 4 years, I need to get to know you better. As well as Missy."
"Are you mad at me?" I said, anger definitely clear.
"Certainly not."
"Then don't call me 'Damien.' That's Missy's angry name for me. Call me Damy."
"Alright. First off, I need to know something. Was it you who did that to Peeves?"
"Yes. He deserved it. He-" Dumbledore cut me off.
"I don't need to know. I just want to know how you know those advanced spells."
"AP classes. Also known as Honor Classes."
"I see. He did, indeed deserve it. He's been around since I was in school, and that, was a long time ago." He said, winking. My mood lightened a bit. "What other 'abilities' do you posess?"
"Well, I can talk to animals."
"You mean, Snakes?"
"Absolutely not. I said animals, and I meant it. Snakes are one of the worst animals to talk to. All they do is sneak, connive, and be fickle. They're really not conversationalists after all."
"And, how do you suppose you've come by that ability?"
"It's really hard to pinpoint, but, I believe my mother's mother was sired by a demon. He was nice, though. He came to my birthday party last year. He brought me my own baby Cerberus!"
"That would explain the temper, then. And, what happened to the dog?"
"He was a miniature pinscher Cerberus. He's only about 3 feet tall. He's still in America, guarding my house. Mom and Dad had to put up so many anti-flame charms it's not even funny..."
"Would you be willing to demonstrate those powers of yours, Damy?"
"Sure."
"Fawkes is looking a bit under the weather. He hasn't burst into flame in a while, and-"
"What do you mean? You want me to make that poor bird burst into flame? No way!"
"He's a phoenix."
"Oh." I could feel a blush coming to my face.
I walked over to the bird and he looked at me very sicklike.
"Alright, you. You are not looking good at all. Dumbledore here says you need to burst into flame. Please, for me, probably the only human that you can understand. Please?"
Fawkes just looked at me. Dumbledore frowned at me.
"Erm, was I supposed to be able to understand that?"
"Yes. I had a teacher help me develop it last year so everyone can understand what I'm saying. Makes things simpler."
I still had the feeling he thought I was lying. I had to do something drastic. I bent down and whispered into his ear. He straightened up immediately, and looked at Dumbledore. I mimed to Dumbledore to rub his stomach and look at the bird. He did. Fawkes looked back at me, and then did a gulp.
"Fine, fine. I'm just lazy, is all. Don't worry about me. Hold on a minute, okay? It takes a little bit. Just... don't do anything drastic, please."
Fawkes looked like he was going to burst. He held his breath, and I stepped back. He kept holding it, until he turned blue. Then, I felt heat rushing from him. He burst into flame, and a little chick stepped out from the ashes.
"Thanks! I feel a lot better!" He squeaked.
I went and sat back down. Dumbledore looked at me amazed.
"What did you say?"
"I just told him that we were in the mood for some fried Phoenix, and that if he didn't burst into flame, we'd make him. On a stove." I said, smiling.
"Very good. Now, is there anything else about you I should know?"
"Not really, except that the hair is real, my great grandfather the demon is the father of Tom Riddle's mother, and that... Never mind."
"Are you sure??"
"Positive. We are not going to talk about it."
"If you don't want to, we don't have to. But, the hair is real?"
"Yup. Side effect of being a spawn of evil!" I said, winking. He chuckled.
"Now, can we talk about Missy?"
"Sure. Like?"
"She seems a bit strange. What can you tell me about her?"
"Her family descends from Selkies. I'm not too familiar with that, since she told me about it in passing, after my great grandfather came last year. He freaked her out so bad it wasn't funny. I mean, come on. He pops up in a big old ball of flame, right next to her, and then chuckles. He has a raspy voice, man. But, I digress."
"Thank you."
***************************************************************************************************
***One Year Earlier***
"So, Damy, what's next? You have so many cool things. Man, my presents are never these neat!" Missy said, pouting.
"And?" I said, a bit put out.
"I'm just saying, jeez. No need to give a big stink."
"Well, I wish you'd stop it, because you know I'm gonna share with you what all I have. I always do!"
"Oh, yeah!" She said, her mood brightening considerably.
"Do we have peanut butter?" she said.
"Probably not."
Just then, Mom came over to me and stood in front of us, fidgeting. I could tell she wasn't wanting to say anything, and she was worried about telling me. But, she seemed a bit excited, too, like she was going to see her grandpa.
"Umm... Damy, honey, there's something I need to tell you. Your great-grandfather is coming, and there's something I need to tell you about him."
"Yes?" I had guessed right. Hmm.
"Well, he's... How do I say this? He's..."
"Old?" I said, throwing in suggestions.
"Well, yeah, but that's not what I was gonna say... He's not exactly a wizard, though, and-"
She was cut off by a loud sound, kind of like a ball of flame going off. She had this gleam in her eye, pure happiness.
"GRANDPA!" She screamed, and rushed between me and Missy. She hugged someone tight. I could hear a raspy voice chuckle. It didn't sound too friendly. Missy and I turned around slowly. What we saw freaked us both out. It was a large man, about 7 feet tall, and he had jet black hair with the ends on fire. He had flames in his eyes. He smiled a wide, healthy grin, that flashed white. He was wearing a blood red tuxedo, with a black undershirt, that had a small fire-flower for a flower over his lapel. His shoes were polished black, and he had on a pair of cufflinks that blazed. His skin was extremely pale. Missy ran behind me. I cowered in place.
"Don't be scared. It's just me, Damy! Your great-grandpa!" he said, smiling. His teeth were very large and pointy. It did not reassure me.
"You know, you were named after me!"
"Wow." I said, unenthused.
"Yup. Damien. You're a Leo, ain't you, son?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, here's your present. Where's the cake, Jocelyn? I'm hungry."
He handed me a long box that barked 3 times at once. I eyed it warily.
"Well, Open it up, Damy!" Missy said impatiently.
"Fine."
I ripped it open by the back, and I saw a little dog's behind in the light. I set the box down, and I looked deeper inside. I saw one pair of eyes that flashed red. Then, I saw another pair of eyes at the same time, that flashed green. Then, I saw a third pair that flashed blue. I petted the... dog... And then, it turned around, and licked my hand. All three at once. Missy giggled silly like, and I smiled at Grandpa. he smiled back, then went to get some cake.
Missy ran up to him.
"Hold on a minute, okay?
"Okay..."
She placed her hands on his chest, and then she stared at him.
"WOW! A nice demon!"
***************************************************************************************************
***Back in the Present***
"Well, " Dumbledore asked, "Does she have any... abilities?"
"Her dreams. She can tell the future about 90% of the time. It's really quite accurate. But, today... At the tavern... I think it was a side effect from all the anger she has built up. From why we left our school."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Tell me what all happened, please."
I told him. He nooded, and then explained to me.
"Yes, that seems right. That corresponds with what they had to say. Well, is she different in any other ways?"
"She is extremely empathic. She can pick up on a person's intentions like that." I said, snapping my fingers.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"Well then, you're dismissed."
"Thank you."
And, I ran to see Missy.