The Firetah

(part six)

Dumbledore stood up in the Great Hall and made the usual announcements about rules, forbidden areas and classes. He then bade all his students goodnight. Ron could see that the events of the day had taken a lot out of him, and this worried him. Dumbledore looked wearier than ever before, and delicate, somehow.

Anchoret, on the other hand, Ron noted with curiosity, was looking vibrant. In fact, it almost seemed as if a soft glow came from her. He had been watching her all night, and she just kept getting...brighter. At first it was funny that Harry couldn't keep his eyes off her, but then it got a little annoying when Harry didn't even care that the Chudley Cannons had won their first game in a century. Harry had just mumbled, "Great, Ron" and went back to staring. Even Malfoy was looking at her. He looked at Dumbledore again and noticed even he was smiling at her, and she smiled back. He was made even grumpier by this, and didn't even notice when Hermione smiled at him sweetly. He watched Dumbledore leave silently before the bustle to get to the common rooms started. Why isn't anyone else noticing this? Thought Ron irritably.

*******

I stood up with the rest of my classmates. I could see that the redhead, Ron, was watching Dumbledore as he left. His glances went from Dumbledore to me, and I could see suspicion and unease in his eyes. This was not a good start. What was it that he thought I was doing? I decided to put everyone's minds at ease at once, before Ron's opinion of me spread. We couldn't have that. I look carefully into Ron's mind. I can see that he thinks I am draining the Headmaster's power. I couldn't help it if I was, but I would have to talk to Dumbledore about this. Why was this happening?

I sent out a comforting assurance to cover everyone. I felt the unease drift away like petals on the wind.

There was silence as we departed the Great Hall for our respective common rooms. Dumbledore wouldn't like me doing this. Oh well. Just for tonight, I thought, let there be peace.

*******

Minerva McGonagall stood up after the Headmaster left and looked for the source of the blanket of sleepy silence that rippled out over the usually noisy Great Hall. Ahh...she should have known.

She gathered up her robes and swiftly walked to intercept Anchoret before she got to her common room. Time for the nightly talk...

The students parted instinctively to make a path for her, and she hurried forward.

*******

I could feel McGonagall coming close behind me. Must be time for our talk. She would, naturally, object to my blanket of silence. Too bad, I thought. That was one of my favourites.

I turned around to face her and was surprised at the look on her face. Not fury, not fear, but a softness that I'd wager she'd rarely shown to the world.

"Come with me, Anchoret," She said softly. And so I did. We sat down in smooth wooden chairs in her office, and she looked at me with curiosity. "Where did you learn how to do that, Anchoret?" I studied her for a moment. "I've always known, Professor. I just didn't want them staring at me like that. I can't help what I am, and I'm not evil. I can hear what they're thinking if I put my mind to it, and I don't like their suspicions. I would never willingly hurt the Headmaster. You know that."

She looked at me almost tenderly. "I know that. But you are going to have to get used to people staring at you. You are new, and you are strange. Even though the students don't know what you really are, they know you aren't just another student. You cannot hide entirely that fiery spirit within you. Nor would I want you to. Know this, however. I will not permit you to go casting silencing spells whenever you want to. The same rules that apply to the students apply to you. Do you understand? It is not your place to impose silence, or anything else, on the students. I know you know more than they do, but if you want to stay at Hogwarts you must abide by the rules, Anchoret. Try to blend in." She stared at me then, long and hard. "As much as that is possible." She sighed.

I nodded quickly and flashed her a smile. I liked this woman. She smiled back and said, "I think you know the way to your common room. I trust you also know the password?" At my nod, she added," You will be rooming with Hermione Granger, Lavander Brown and Parvati Patil. Just follow the giggles and you'll have no trouble finding your room. Your things are already in there."

I said goodnight and walked silently up to Gryffindor Tower. Why wasn't I put in Slytherin? I mused. Father said that it was a possibility. He was in Slytherin...but he's as good a man as any I know, so he wasn't typical. They will be surprised. Mother especially, she was hoping I would be in her old house, Ravenclaw. How boring. I think the Hat did just fine, although I would have liked to get to know the blond boy better. He seems...interesting. Ah, well. I won't let a little thing like being in enemy houses stop me. Nothing has ever stopped me from getting what I want.

Little did Anchoret know that what you want is not always what you need.