Disclaimer: Not mine, what you recognize. The rest, it is.

A/N: Well, here it is. I have no idea what wood Hermione's wand is, so please assume that it is rowan. I looked and did not find a mention of anything else. Please read and review.

"I'm named Artemis. I guess that you can tell why I go with my nickname, Timia. The name Artemis always implies mischievous boys or old uncles, now. It didn't once, when I was first given this name.

"Artemis was the name of the Greek goddess of the moon, and of the Hunt. The Roman equivalent is Diana. What few understand, or want to understand, is that a god, or goddess, doesn't just go away when you're done believing in them. Though the Greeks were conquered, their deities were not. Life without worshippers was not what the pantheon wanted, but there was no way to force people to believe.

"Zeus decided to make some changes. He called the pantheon together, and a decision was made. All power for one day and night was put to making the gods' bodies mortal. It was impossible to de-immortalize their souls, you see," she earnestly explained, "but they'd already lived lives longer than anyone should.

"So the souls were separated from the gods with the goodwill of all, and fell into other, open bodies, but not as one piece. They split into thousands of fragments, for a gods' soul is far too much for a normal vessel to hold- all but occasionally. I am one of the few who can.

"Both of my parents harbored splinters of Artemis' soul, and they were passed down to me. It was enough to wake a talent, hidden in some people. I am a vessel suitable for a god's soul, and so the fragments filled me.

"Muggles normally use ten percent of the brain. Magical humans use around fourteen to sixteen, because the magic opens different connections. Muggle-born witches and wizards use around seventeen percent; their connections to both worlds opens pathways which pure-bloods can't hope to find."

Timia thought she heard Ron scoff, "So much for Malfoy, going on about Hermione..." It was the first sound that any of the three had made, but she ignored it; even in the States they had heard something of Malfoys.

"I use more than they. I have memories packed in every section of my brain, memories that I can access with care and a few spells. Memories of the pantheon, of being goddess of the Moon and the Wild Hunt. I am the essence of Artemis, and yet I am myself as well. That is the genius of Zeus, that the spirit and soul would wax eternal, but they would not be forever stuck in this world. It gave the immortal spirits freedom, between bodies and souls.

"I am a vessel, and I am here because it is necessary. I would have gone without awakening these memories, if Voldemort had not made a vessel necessary, so that I can instruct." The last was said somewhat bitterly. "Hermione, I am here to help you in the fight against Voldemort; for you are to be at the front of the battle. I was not entirely truthful with you at breakfast. I have been shunned because I am a misfit, no matter what part of the world."

Hermione just looked at her, somewhat pointedly. "You know better than that. Or, you'd better know better than that. We're your friends."

Ron and Harry, however, weren't ready to forgive. "What were you talking about with Hermione?" Harry asked very softly, and somewhat dangerously. He ignored the look that Hermione shot him, and her not-so-subtle kick. "If you have anything to do with hurting her in any way, or causing her wand to malfunction, or anything-"

"I know. I am involved indirectly, but I'm only here to help you. And, not everything was a lie- I really am going to do independent studies, and Snape really did make me run out of his office. I'm a teenaged girl, who's supposed to be a Goddess and doesn't know how. All I'm supposed to need is what's locked somewhere in my mind, but I sure haven't found much yet..." She trailed off, then asked, "What do you want to know- in terms of details?"

Harry and Ron exchanged looks, then both turned to Hermione.

"I can take care of myself, occasionally. I'm as much a witch as either of you are wizards."

"No, you can't, so you're just that lucky to have us here to protect you," Ron said. "Harry, what do you think?"

Harry gave Timia an appraising look. "She sounds sincere. She's been really nice since the first day, and I just don't think she could do... She's okay. I trust her, even if you shouldn't trust appearances."

Ron nodded slightly, then asked, "What was that about transformations?"

"Your friend, Lupin. His transformations have been getting more and more difficult with each moon- he probably hasn't wanted to worry you by telling you."

All three looked at her intently. "How do you know about Lupin?"

"What do you mean something's gone wrong?"

"And how long has this been going on?"

The three spoke in order perfectly, easily falling into line, and she set out to answer, in order.

* * * * *

Minerva McGonagall stood in Albus Dumbledore's office, walking briskly from side to side. "All over the school- all over! Every class, house; even amongst us, Albus! We have to find out what the problem is!"

"I know what the problem is, Minerva." He spoke calmly, but she was so involved in her passionate outbreak that she apparently didn't hear him.

"I'm serious! There are too many things going on for us to need to deal with this. I've heard from Lupin- he's worried. There have been more magical outbreaks all over England, some beginning months ago and others just starting, but it is agreed that they appear to be coming to a culmination!"

"I know what the problem is." It appeared that once again he had been ignored, but as the Professor continued with her lecture he stood up. "I said that I know what the problem is!"

"-what about- You do?"

"Yes. I do. I'd say four, no, five others are certain in the school. Maybe more have figured it out; I'm surprised that you haven't."

"What are you talking about?"

"The wands. The wands, my dear professor. Every malfunctioning wand has been made of the same wood. Every wand has been made of Rowan."

"But isn't that-"

"Yes. Yes, it is. It's going to be a hard month."

* * * * *

justice isn't golden

apollo wasn't true

justice isn't pretty

this you already knew

justice isn't dark

it glories in the light

justice, it is silver,

hanging in the night

"The moon represents purity. It once was smooth, its surface clean, but now it's pocked with craters, blemished by the dark magics used. Werewolves were one of the results when wizards first attempted to tamper with the moon's power.

"An attack was expected, the target was not. Forces of darkness diverted all of their power trying to blemish the moon's purity; they were the first werewolves. The moon defends herself, and it was quite effective. None dared try again when those who went first were reduced to animals.

"The werewolves are irrevocably tied to the moon, and the moon is being tested of late- she has been targeted by Voldemort. The werewolves, including your friend, are feeling the stress he causes."

She looked at each of them carefully. "The moon's power grows as it waxes in the sky- so it is most powerful at the full moon. Magic on earth runs the same way, tides of power increasing ever so slightly with the moon. Unfortunately, as her power increases her defenses lessen. It was, I suppose, assumed that she would be able to attack any who would attempt to harm her- as she did the wizards of the first tide.

"Voldemort has decided to rid the night of its one grasp to purity, so that the night will be forever lost to darkness. Dark magic is already connected to the night, out of sight of my brother, Apollo. He does not hold with darkness. That is why the moon was put to the night, a beacon of hope which wards away the dark. Voldemort is trying to destroy the moon."

A/N: Good? Bad? I'm really not too sure about this chapter, I don't like writing explanation as much as dialogue, or action. Oh, well. Please review. I appreciate it.

I'd like to thank my dear friend EvilFireWitch, who beta'd this chapter; any remaining errors are my own.

Tah!