The Firetah
(part nine)
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Sunlight shone through the windows of the girls' dormitory and Anchoret was happy. Happy in a way she hadn't been since she was a child. So much left to learn, and so very little time to do it. She was eager to get started, and grateful for the offer of friendship from Hermione. The dream of the previous night wormed its way back into her mind as she was dressing a few minutes later. Dark forest, night, the pale man. She shook the dream off the way that she shook off the cold that seemed to creep into her body at times. The dream meant nothing, she told herself. She'd had it before, but never so...vividly. No matter. She was a Firetah... nothing could harm her and hope to survive unscathed. Anchoret finished dressing and joined Hermione in the Common Room.
Those wiser and far, far older than she would have despaired had they heard her thoughts that morning. The arrogance of youth dies hard.
*******
I greeted the golden bright sun by opening my eyes and reflecting its flame. My first day of classes at Hogwarts. I should get going. I brushed off the lingering coldness of my familiar dream and descended the stone steps to my common room.
Ahh, there's Hermione. She's with the Potter boy and his flame-headed friend. These are Hermione's friends? Great. I can see Ron looking from Hermione to me in disbelief. He wants to say something, but Hermione cuts him off. "Ron, Harry, you remember Anchoret. She's in my dorm. I said she could come round with us, because you know, she doesn't know anyone yet..."
"Sure," Harry murmurs. I can tell he's pleased. I look at him...really look, for the first time. I am confused once again by the force of his emotions... never before have I experienced such a blow. I swoon. Ron, of all people, reaches out to steady me. I am thankful for the support, but I can feel his desire to let go of me. I steady myself and Harry looks momentarily stunned. Hermione asks if I'm all right. I assure her that I am. I should probably refrain from looking at Harry until I can find out what's going on.
Whatever emotion he's sending me I am not strong enough to deflect... or understand. It doesn't have the chill of hatred like the feelings in my dreams, but what is it? I have to talk to Dumbledore.
But not now...Ron looks at me quizzically and mumbles something about breakfast. We climb through the portrait hole and make our way to the Great Hall.
*******
Harry watched Anchoret as she walked down the stairs into the common room. She was so beautiful...so wonderful. How could people not be spellbound by her? Yes, spellbound. That's a good word for it, thought Harry lazily as he watched her.
She was walking toward them. His throat closed up. He had wondered why Hermione had kept them waiting when they usually just went right to breakfast. Anchoret stopped there beside him and Hermione explained that she had volunteered them, more or less, as the welcoming committee. He didn't mind at all. When Hermione finished speaking he said "sure," and then Anchoret turned and looked at him. He would do anything...he would die, he would serve her forever... if only she would look at him like that for always. But too soon she had turned away. She looked paler than usual and...weak. What had happened?
Then, before he even knew what was happening, she was reeling. He wanted to reach out and catch her, but he was too slow. It was Ron's hand that shot out instinctively to steady her. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione asked her if she was all right, and she said yes. Even now the girl's skin was regaining the pink tinge Harry supposed was her normal color.
They went down to breakfast, Harry's mind still whirling at his good fortune. He pushed the uneasy thought that perhaps he had caused her dizzy spell to the back of his mind. Still, he thought that he had felt her...lessening somehow when she looked at him. Absurd. He would for now savor the company of his friends and the warmth of their new companion.
*******
Ron Weasley looked at the girl standing beside Harry in disbelief. How could Hermione have done this? He imagined wearily a whole year without Harry as his constant companion and groaned inwardly. He just knew Harry would be following Anchoret around like a puppy. He could see something that he couldn't name in his best friend's eyes, but Anchoret seemed not to notice. How could she not? Perhaps she was choosing not to. Harry not good enough for you? thought Ron nastily.
He turned his attention to Hermione who was explaining that they were going to befriend Anchoret and that was that. Yes, there was Hermione...but she was more than a friend, he supposed, even though they hadn't yet spoken of the change. But now this. Hermione was always so concerned about other people. Ron supposed she just assumed her two best friends would be, too. Ron looked at Anchoret again and saw that she had turned towards Harry like she was seeing him for the first time. About time, as he's looked nowhere but at you...Ron thought. Then, suddenly, she was colorless and limp. Ron saw she was about to fall and he reached out to her. She grew calm and he drew his hand away from her shoulder. Hermione looked scared and asked if she was all right and the girl said yes. Ron's stomach rumbled then, and he wanted breakfast.
They wound their way past the throngs of people in the corridors and into the Great Hall. Ron was very confused.
*******
Classes that day were a whirl of confusion and learning. Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts (where Professor Lupin kept looking at me as if I was going to burst into flame). There was Arithmancy with Hermione and Herbology with all of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fifth years. There was Care of Magical Creatures with the giant Hagrid, who was kind and surprisingly gentle. I liked him right away.
Also there was Potions.
When I asked Hermione what our last class of the day was, I heard groans from Harry and Ron. "Don't be such babies," Hermione said sharply. "It's just Potions."
"You say that like it's a perfectly normal class, Hermione, and not a torture session in the dungeons with a teacher who hates us and a whole house that despises us," said Ron wearily.
"Remember, Ron. It's not Snape this year, it's Moody," said Harry. I chanced a glance at him. He had been quiet today. I wondered if it was normal for him or if he had been thinking about what had passed between us that morning.
Ron brought me out of my reverie with a whoop."It is Moody, I'd forgotten!"
"Well...I daresay he'd punish us just as much if were late as Snape would," said Hermione. With that, we set off for the dungeons.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all gasped when we entered the room where our class was. I couldn't see anything special about it, just cauldrons and stone benches and a big desk in front. Hermione exclaimed," But where have all the nasty creatures in jars gone?" Ron said," Yeah, what about the disgusting herbs and plants, too?" Apparently the room had been far less hospitable than this last year. It was hard to believe, though. The room was musty, damp and hot. There were dark, shadow filled corners even the bright candles couldn't illuminate. I shuddered. At least the teacher was going to be interesting.
A few minutes later the Slytherin fifth years strode in and picked places across the room from the Gryffindors. The blond boy was in front of the last group that glided in. He was grinning at one of his beefy, ugly friends and they spoke in whispers. Two blonde girls trailed behind the trio and offered low comments, which the boys mostly ignored. I would have him look at me. I summoned a tiny bit of power and directed it at him. He turned, and gave me a lazy smile. My heart beat faster and I had to concentrate to keep from blushing. I would not let him see how he had affected me. I remained outwardly calm and lifted one eyebrow. He winked. I gave him a small, cool smile and he sauntered on.
*******
Hermione took out her Potions textbook and tried to settle in her seat. She was lining up her quills and parchment (she wanted to start right in when Professor Moody arrived) when Malfoy walked by with that stupid grin on his face. He was talking to Crabbe and Goyle who looked even bigger and more stupid than last year. She almost felt sorry for poor Pansy as she trailed after Malfoy. He didn't seem to know she was there.
Then Malfoy did something strange. He smiled. Not his usual nasty grin or his cold, superior smirk, but a flirtatious, show-offy smile. She knew it wasn't for her, so she turned to find the recipient. A shudder went through her. Anchoret. The girl had lifted her eyebrow and was giving Malfoy a smile so small that no one else noticed. But Hermione did.
Why was she smiling at Malfoy, of all people? Couldn't she see that he was a no-good, spoiled monster? She had known that Anchoret was...different, but what was she doing smiling that slow smile at him? Hermione glanced over at Harry, and saw that he was rummaging around in his bag for something and hadn't seen. She knew that Harry was besotted with Anchoret...who could miss it, for Heaven's sake? Her heart sank...poor Harry.
Hermione was just reasoning to herself that Anchoret would choose whom she wanted to choose and she should stay out of it when Moody walked in. She silently resolved to keep an eye on Harry and do anything she could to keep him from getting hurt any more than he already had been. She could at least do that.
*******
Ron sat through Potions in a daze. He crushed his beetle eyes and stirred his bat wings halfheartedly into the bubbling potion in his cauldron. She had flirted with Malfoy. He knew he couldn't tell Harry about it, though. He looked at Harry who was vigorously stirring his potion while talking to Anchoret, who wouldn't look at him. Harry had suffered enough, but Ron secretly thought that Anchoret and that stupid git Malfoy belonged together. He knew he'd have a hard time convincing Harry of the fact, though, and Hermione would just tell him to mind his own business. He would, as long as Harry seemed all right.
He looked at Hermione suddenly and reached over to ruffle her hair. She hated it when he did that. He spent the rest of Potions croaking like a frog, but it was worth it.
(part nine)
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Sunlight shone through the windows of the girls' dormitory and Anchoret was happy. Happy in a way she hadn't been since she was a child. So much left to learn, and so very little time to do it. She was eager to get started, and grateful for the offer of friendship from Hermione. The dream of the previous night wormed its way back into her mind as she was dressing a few minutes later. Dark forest, night, the pale man. She shook the dream off the way that she shook off the cold that seemed to creep into her body at times. The dream meant nothing, she told herself. She'd had it before, but never so...vividly. No matter. She was a Firetah... nothing could harm her and hope to survive unscathed. Anchoret finished dressing and joined Hermione in the Common Room.
Those wiser and far, far older than she would have despaired had they heard her thoughts that morning. The arrogance of youth dies hard.
*******
I greeted the golden bright sun by opening my eyes and reflecting its flame. My first day of classes at Hogwarts. I should get going. I brushed off the lingering coldness of my familiar dream and descended the stone steps to my common room.
Ahh, there's Hermione. She's with the Potter boy and his flame-headed friend. These are Hermione's friends? Great. I can see Ron looking from Hermione to me in disbelief. He wants to say something, but Hermione cuts him off. "Ron, Harry, you remember Anchoret. She's in my dorm. I said she could come round with us, because you know, she doesn't know anyone yet..."
"Sure," Harry murmurs. I can tell he's pleased. I look at him...really look, for the first time. I am confused once again by the force of his emotions... never before have I experienced such a blow. I swoon. Ron, of all people, reaches out to steady me. I am thankful for the support, but I can feel his desire to let go of me. I steady myself and Harry looks momentarily stunned. Hermione asks if I'm all right. I assure her that I am. I should probably refrain from looking at Harry until I can find out what's going on.
Whatever emotion he's sending me I am not strong enough to deflect... or understand. It doesn't have the chill of hatred like the feelings in my dreams, but what is it? I have to talk to Dumbledore.
But not now...Ron looks at me quizzically and mumbles something about breakfast. We climb through the portrait hole and make our way to the Great Hall.
*******
Harry watched Anchoret as she walked down the stairs into the common room. She was so beautiful...so wonderful. How could people not be spellbound by her? Yes, spellbound. That's a good word for it, thought Harry lazily as he watched her.
She was walking toward them. His throat closed up. He had wondered why Hermione had kept them waiting when they usually just went right to breakfast. Anchoret stopped there beside him and Hermione explained that she had volunteered them, more or less, as the welcoming committee. He didn't mind at all. When Hermione finished speaking he said "sure," and then Anchoret turned and looked at him. He would do anything...he would die, he would serve her forever... if only she would look at him like that for always. But too soon she had turned away. She looked paler than usual and...weak. What had happened?
Then, before he even knew what was happening, she was reeling. He wanted to reach out and catch her, but he was too slow. It was Ron's hand that shot out instinctively to steady her. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione asked her if she was all right, and she said yes. Even now the girl's skin was regaining the pink tinge Harry supposed was her normal color.
They went down to breakfast, Harry's mind still whirling at his good fortune. He pushed the uneasy thought that perhaps he had caused her dizzy spell to the back of his mind. Still, he thought that he had felt her...lessening somehow when she looked at him. Absurd. He would for now savor the company of his friends and the warmth of their new companion.
*******
Ron Weasley looked at the girl standing beside Harry in disbelief. How could Hermione have done this? He imagined wearily a whole year without Harry as his constant companion and groaned inwardly. He just knew Harry would be following Anchoret around like a puppy. He could see something that he couldn't name in his best friend's eyes, but Anchoret seemed not to notice. How could she not? Perhaps she was choosing not to. Harry not good enough for you? thought Ron nastily.
He turned his attention to Hermione who was explaining that they were going to befriend Anchoret and that was that. Yes, there was Hermione...but she was more than a friend, he supposed, even though they hadn't yet spoken of the change. But now this. Hermione was always so concerned about other people. Ron supposed she just assumed her two best friends would be, too. Ron looked at Anchoret again and saw that she had turned towards Harry like she was seeing him for the first time. About time, as he's looked nowhere but at you...Ron thought. Then, suddenly, she was colorless and limp. Ron saw she was about to fall and he reached out to her. She grew calm and he drew his hand away from her shoulder. Hermione looked scared and asked if she was all right and the girl said yes. Ron's stomach rumbled then, and he wanted breakfast.
They wound their way past the throngs of people in the corridors and into the Great Hall. Ron was very confused.
*******
Classes that day were a whirl of confusion and learning. Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts (where Professor Lupin kept looking at me as if I was going to burst into flame). There was Arithmancy with Hermione and Herbology with all of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fifth years. There was Care of Magical Creatures with the giant Hagrid, who was kind and surprisingly gentle. I liked him right away.
Also there was Potions.
When I asked Hermione what our last class of the day was, I heard groans from Harry and Ron. "Don't be such babies," Hermione said sharply. "It's just Potions."
"You say that like it's a perfectly normal class, Hermione, and not a torture session in the dungeons with a teacher who hates us and a whole house that despises us," said Ron wearily.
"Remember, Ron. It's not Snape this year, it's Moody," said Harry. I chanced a glance at him. He had been quiet today. I wondered if it was normal for him or if he had been thinking about what had passed between us that morning.
Ron brought me out of my reverie with a whoop."It is Moody, I'd forgotten!"
"Well...I daresay he'd punish us just as much if were late as Snape would," said Hermione. With that, we set off for the dungeons.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all gasped when we entered the room where our class was. I couldn't see anything special about it, just cauldrons and stone benches and a big desk in front. Hermione exclaimed," But where have all the nasty creatures in jars gone?" Ron said," Yeah, what about the disgusting herbs and plants, too?" Apparently the room had been far less hospitable than this last year. It was hard to believe, though. The room was musty, damp and hot. There were dark, shadow filled corners even the bright candles couldn't illuminate. I shuddered. At least the teacher was going to be interesting.
A few minutes later the Slytherin fifth years strode in and picked places across the room from the Gryffindors. The blond boy was in front of the last group that glided in. He was grinning at one of his beefy, ugly friends and they spoke in whispers. Two blonde girls trailed behind the trio and offered low comments, which the boys mostly ignored. I would have him look at me. I summoned a tiny bit of power and directed it at him. He turned, and gave me a lazy smile. My heart beat faster and I had to concentrate to keep from blushing. I would not let him see how he had affected me. I remained outwardly calm and lifted one eyebrow. He winked. I gave him a small, cool smile and he sauntered on.
*******
Hermione took out her Potions textbook and tried to settle in her seat. She was lining up her quills and parchment (she wanted to start right in when Professor Moody arrived) when Malfoy walked by with that stupid grin on his face. He was talking to Crabbe and Goyle who looked even bigger and more stupid than last year. She almost felt sorry for poor Pansy as she trailed after Malfoy. He didn't seem to know she was there.
Then Malfoy did something strange. He smiled. Not his usual nasty grin or his cold, superior smirk, but a flirtatious, show-offy smile. She knew it wasn't for her, so she turned to find the recipient. A shudder went through her. Anchoret. The girl had lifted her eyebrow and was giving Malfoy a smile so small that no one else noticed. But Hermione did.
Why was she smiling at Malfoy, of all people? Couldn't she see that he was a no-good, spoiled monster? She had known that Anchoret was...different, but what was she doing smiling that slow smile at him? Hermione glanced over at Harry, and saw that he was rummaging around in his bag for something and hadn't seen. She knew that Harry was besotted with Anchoret...who could miss it, for Heaven's sake? Her heart sank...poor Harry.
Hermione was just reasoning to herself that Anchoret would choose whom she wanted to choose and she should stay out of it when Moody walked in. She silently resolved to keep an eye on Harry and do anything she could to keep him from getting hurt any more than he already had been. She could at least do that.
*******
Ron sat through Potions in a daze. He crushed his beetle eyes and stirred his bat wings halfheartedly into the bubbling potion in his cauldron. She had flirted with Malfoy. He knew he couldn't tell Harry about it, though. He looked at Harry who was vigorously stirring his potion while talking to Anchoret, who wouldn't look at him. Harry had suffered enough, but Ron secretly thought that Anchoret and that stupid git Malfoy belonged together. He knew he'd have a hard time convincing Harry of the fact, though, and Hermione would just tell him to mind his own business. He would, as long as Harry seemed all right.
He looked at Hermione suddenly and reached over to ruffle her hair. She hated it when he did that. He spent the rest of Potions croaking like a frog, but it was worth it.
