Treading softly she neared the crouched professor and the animal. As she got closer the pain pulsating from the cat became unbearable.
"Professor? Would you mind if I had a look at-" Stopping Daine asked the cat what her name was, "An'la?
"Sorry?" Snaoe stood up and turned to Daine. In his arms he was cradling a rather large white cat.
"I can heal. Animals, I mean." Snape juggled his arms in doing so he intensified the pain felt by the cat tenfold.
"Will it hurt her?" Hit normally stern and harsh face was filled with a concern that luminated his dark eyes.
"No." Snape's nose twitched. Slowly he stepped closer to Daine and gently placed the cat into her arms. Murmuring reassurances to the cat Daine walked to the giant hoops. Leaning against one Daine closed her eyes and quickly slipped into her mind.
Surrounding the cat with the comforting cushion of her mind Daine entered the cat's body. Burning out minor internal bruises as she went Daine got to the cat's left foreleg, flinching as she realised the extent of the cat's injuries. The lower main bone was cracked in several places and the bones above that was broken through the middle. The paw though was a mess. Each little socket to allow the cat freedom of movement had been popped. Some of the larger bones had shattered and had cut the ligaments. One bone splinter had made it's way to the higher ligaments and ripped those also. Daine seared the torn ligaments togther. The bones took longer, while she was working on the dainty bones in the paw Daine sent a few strands of copper thread to wrap around the breakages in the larger bones. Working like a heating strip on a piece of split plastic the bones melted into each other. Slowly the paw began to take it's correct shape. The last bone in place Daine checked for any other injuries, the left eye was blind from multiple cataracts, they had obviously been there for years, so she scorched them out. Satisfied that nothing else was hurting the feline creature, Daine returned to her body.
The professors stared at her as An'la leaped out of her arms and bounded to her master. Gawping slightly Snape crouched down to pick up the cat. Everyone except Daine had seen the cat released from a stormwing's claws at over 20 feet from the ground. All had seen her land strangely on her front left leg and crumple on the ground. And now everyone was seeing her swatting at a swinging strand of Snape's raven hair.
Blushing slightly Daine took a step back. Crossing her arms she unconsciously tried to ward off the stares directed at her. Tentatively Daine spoke,
"Professor McGonnagal, what will happen to the stormwing bodies?"
"We'll sort that out when Dumbledore gets back from London." Unsure what to do Daine slung her quiver over a shoulder, picked up her bow and quickly made her way to the castle. Her mind a whirl Daine made her way down to the dungeons. All three animals slid along the corridor to Daine.
-Where have you been? We were all so worried! The two-leggers wouldn't let us go to you.- scolded Blackpaw.
-Yes where were you? There was no one to help me when I got stuck.-
-Braane, where did you get stuck? If you were somewhere you're weren't supposed to be it serves you right!- Immediately Braane's voice took on a vague note.
-Nowhere really, just somewhere where a bird easily gets stuck.-
-Well if you say so. I was fighting stormwings. They came to kill me from my world. But nobody got hurt. Can we go to our rooms? I'm getting cold.-
-As long as you don't run off again. I was really worried.- Touched by Cub's concern Daine opened the wall and ushered the animals in.
Peering around the bedroom door Daine quenched her worries that Kitten had somehow gotten out of the rooms and was wreaking havoc everywhere. Sitting on her hind legs she was intently studying a paperweight that used to be Daine's desk. It looked a little like the small globe Numair had used to catch criminals' minds. Smiling at how absorbed Kitten was in the simple glass object Daine put her bow and quiver on the floor and then made her way to the small joining door that led to the bathroom. Turning on the single tap that issued forth a stream of pure water Daine shouted the wolves and Kitten. The two wolves appeared first and then Kitten, still holding the paperweight. Switching off the jet of water Daine picked up Kitten and threw her in the bath. Seeing the treatment they were about to receive the wolves backd off. Grinning Daine leaped after them and managed to shepherd them into the tub.
-What's this for? We've done nothing wrong!-
"Apart from smelling like a piece of cow dung, you're right Cub, you have done nothing worng" Glaring Cub paddled to Blackpaw and nudged her sister. Both had the glint of mischief in their eyes.
Daine shrugged and went back into her bedroom. Opening the dark oak wardrobe she slipped out some large fluffy towels to dry Cub and Blackpaw. Daine stopped at the bathroom door. Kitten was the only creature in the tub. Chortling happily Kitten whistled sharply. Narrowing her eyes Daine did not expect the push of two wolves propelling her to the waiting tub. Shrieking she twisted to stop the two sisters and only managed to make herself fall backwards into the bath. Pushing her sopping hair out of her eyes Daine had seconds to get out of the way of the two falling bodies. Fortunately for her the two wolves fell into the bath just to her left.
-You see, having a bath all together is so much more fun.-
"Ooh, you're going to pay for this." Despite her stern words Daine was grinning just as much as the wolves. Clother dragging down on her Daine took off the clothes until she was wearing just a thin pair of breeches and a thin shirt. With an effort Daine put the now wet towels and her outer robes onto the side of the bath. Reaching out she grabbed the massive bottle of shampoo and swam to Cub. Pushing her nearer to the steps Daine waited until Cub was comfortably sat on one of the higher steps. Hurriedly she washed Cub.
***
As startled as the other professors Snape watched as Daine made her way to the castle. Thoughtfully he turned back to An'la. She had been with him since she was a kitten and had grown just as attatched to him as he had to her. Part kneazle she was remarkably intelligent and hated being partially blind. After Daine had healed her, her left eye was as clear as it was when Snape first met her. Amazed at both his cat and his new student Snape shook his head.
Nearing Daine's rooms Snape was startled to hear a shriek of terror. Alarmed Snape's eyes darted to see if anyone was keeping guard for a would be attacker. He lengthened his tride bumping An'la, who was still in his tired arms. Although he had quickened his pace a lot, he was still not very happy with how long it took to get to Daine's rooms. With increasing alarm Severus noted that the wall was hanging open and that there were numerous sounds coming from the bathroom; growls and strangely enough, splashes. Hesitantly Snape opened the door further. A crow, called Braane if his memory was correct, was perched on the a lower rafter, though he knew nothing about birds, he thought that it might be asleep as it's head was underneath it's right wing. The layout of the room was very similar to his, only Daine's room had less books. Silently Snape glided to the door he judged to be the door to the bathroom and pushed the door open. Though he had never been sure what to expect he had not expected to see two wolves, a fourteen girl and a dragon all having a bath. Snape raised his eyebrows as he ntoiced that Daine was still clothed. Curious Snape watched as Daine began to vigorously wash the two wolves and dunk the dragon. Somehow he succeeded in keeping out of Daine's notice. How he would never know. Though eventually Daine did notice him.
"Professor!"
"I apologise. I heard shrieks and thought you were in trouble. And so I decided to check upon you. And to also thank you." Snape watched in amusement as Daine's brow creased in confusion.
"Sorry?"
"For healing An'la."
"Oh."
"And there is also the matter of your detention to discuss." Daine's abnormally pale skin reddened as she recalled holding two knives against her teachers throat.
"Would you mind waiting while I got dressed and dried?"
"Not at all." Daine quickly clambered up the steps and called for the three remaining occupants of it to get out.
Hurriedly Daine lit a fire in the main room and sternly told Cub and Blackpaw to stay by the fire. As she opened the door to her bedroom Snape got a glimpse of her bow and quiver thrown carelessly on a satin black throwover. Once the door swung back into place Snape turned his eyes back to the wolves. The one with black paws was resting her head on the other's shoulder. Both looked clean and extremely wet. Snape looked down as An'la began to mewl piteously. He had almost forgotten that he was carrying her. She jumped out of his arms and strutted to the bedroom door. Still mewling she scratched against the firmly closed door.
"Hey, come here. Come on, there's a good kitty." Almost mournfully the white cat turned to Snape and, with her feet dragging on the plush carpet, made her way back to her master. Impatient as ever he tapped his fingers against the soft surface of the light blue chair he sat in. Curious he looked around the room. The desk was littered with unfinished papers and spilt ink. The fire danced merrily beneath a mantlepiece covered with very girly objects such as brushes and combs that had been kindly donated by Misses Granger and Weasley. A hugely ornate mirror hung over the fire. All around the edges shining black feathers were tucked in, there were feathers of different colours but the dominant colour was the shiny black feathers like those found on birds such as the sleeping one above his head.
The heavy door swung open to reveal Daine dressed in the exact clothes she had been wearing the first time she had met Snape. Though the colours were a little dull, Snape could see that they had been well made.
"Hello. Are you all right?" With great warmth a smile spread across Daine's features. Confused Snape said nothing but then realised that it was An'la she was talking to not him. Daine sat on an empty chair near the wolves. Close behind her Kitten jumped onto her lap.
"Miss Sarrasri? You will serve your detention with me, tonight at 7 p.m. exactly."
"Yes professor." unwillingly the ends of Daine's mouth began to curl upwards.
"What do yuo find amusing about a detention Miss Sarrasri? If I had known you found them to be so funny I would have made sure you got many more." Snape said dryly.
"It's not the detention sir. It's just something Cub said." Sure enough the one without black paws was staring intently at Daine.
"What did she say?" warily Snape eyed the grinning wolf.
"She asked me if I could make my face so boring as yours. She said that your face never does anything."
"Indeed? Well I shall have to prove her wrong." Slowly as if not used to using the muscles in his face Snape smiled. Baffled at why he had done that Severus decided to change the subject.
"I also said I wanted to thank you. And I do. Thank you very much. I couldn't have beared it if An'la had died just now."
"It was nothing. I was helping myself out too really."
"Pardon?"
"Oh of course. You don't know much about Wild Magic do you? Well all the pain An'la felt on the Quidditch pitch I felt too. She was quite a lot of pain. It was either heal her or carry on with that massive pain in the arm and hand."
"Amazing. You can talk to animals, heal them and turn into one. Quite remarkable. Is there anything you can't do with animals?"
"Well I do have my limits. My teacher, Nuamir, and I," Daine swallowed a lump in her throat, "Found that my range for talking to animals is about ten miles. But to heal I have to be quite near them. I can stay in an animals mind thouhg until about fifteen miles I'd say. I tried the other day and I seem to be able to do it a lot farther away then I have ever been able to."
"What do you mean by stay in their mind?"
"It's like they have two minds. Mine and theirs, I see everything they see, everything they smell. It gave me quite a fright the first time I did it. I ended up watching myself through a wolf's eyes. That was how I first managed to shape shift."
"Fascinating. And you can do this with every animals for a fifteen mile radius you say?"
"Yes. Though at first I could only do it with wolves. Because of how close I am to wolves." Daine lowered her eyes to the carpet.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, " Daine paused. Though she hardly knew Snape he was like Numair in so many ways. She felt she had to tell him everything he asked about, "When I was thirteen my mother and grandfather were killed by bandits. I- I went mad. I thought I was a wolf and ran with a pack in the nearby forest. I killed so many men just like a wolf would. I couldn't remeber being a two-legger. A human I mean, it was like I had enevr been anything but a wolf."
"How did you stop?"
"Cloud, my pony, bit me until I remembered. Then I said goodbye to the pack and got a job in the Queen's Riders."
"How do you know you won't go mad again?"
"Numair put a magical wall between my magic and the bit that makes me, me. So that they don't mix and make me mad again."
"You miss your friends an awful lot don't you?"
"Yes. Even when they found out I went mad and acted like an animal for the best part of three months they still didn't treat me like dirt. Even though my friends are all nobles and are much more important than a commoner like me, they still amde an effort to be my friends."
"They sound wonderful. I hope you find a way to get back to them."
"So do I, professor." Daine turned sadly to the crackling fire and sighed. Thinking of all the friends she had left behind. And, in all probability would never see again.
********
Well how was that for a chapter? Yeah so it was a bit rushed and totally naff but ah well. I've just realised that Daine hardly ever has any lessons or anything like that so the next chapter will be a boring account of detentions and classes etc. Also if any suggestions to which direction this story should take are out there please tell me!! Either thorugh e-mail or review I don't care (Thouhg I would prefer a review *hint-hint*).
Well toodles
-x-Kylaia-x-
"Professor? Would you mind if I had a look at-" Stopping Daine asked the cat what her name was, "An'la?
"Sorry?" Snaoe stood up and turned to Daine. In his arms he was cradling a rather large white cat.
"I can heal. Animals, I mean." Snape juggled his arms in doing so he intensified the pain felt by the cat tenfold.
"Will it hurt her?" Hit normally stern and harsh face was filled with a concern that luminated his dark eyes.
"No." Snape's nose twitched. Slowly he stepped closer to Daine and gently placed the cat into her arms. Murmuring reassurances to the cat Daine walked to the giant hoops. Leaning against one Daine closed her eyes and quickly slipped into her mind.
Surrounding the cat with the comforting cushion of her mind Daine entered the cat's body. Burning out minor internal bruises as she went Daine got to the cat's left foreleg, flinching as she realised the extent of the cat's injuries. The lower main bone was cracked in several places and the bones above that was broken through the middle. The paw though was a mess. Each little socket to allow the cat freedom of movement had been popped. Some of the larger bones had shattered and had cut the ligaments. One bone splinter had made it's way to the higher ligaments and ripped those also. Daine seared the torn ligaments togther. The bones took longer, while she was working on the dainty bones in the paw Daine sent a few strands of copper thread to wrap around the breakages in the larger bones. Working like a heating strip on a piece of split plastic the bones melted into each other. Slowly the paw began to take it's correct shape. The last bone in place Daine checked for any other injuries, the left eye was blind from multiple cataracts, they had obviously been there for years, so she scorched them out. Satisfied that nothing else was hurting the feline creature, Daine returned to her body.
The professors stared at her as An'la leaped out of her arms and bounded to her master. Gawping slightly Snape crouched down to pick up the cat. Everyone except Daine had seen the cat released from a stormwing's claws at over 20 feet from the ground. All had seen her land strangely on her front left leg and crumple on the ground. And now everyone was seeing her swatting at a swinging strand of Snape's raven hair.
Blushing slightly Daine took a step back. Crossing her arms she unconsciously tried to ward off the stares directed at her. Tentatively Daine spoke,
"Professor McGonnagal, what will happen to the stormwing bodies?"
"We'll sort that out when Dumbledore gets back from London." Unsure what to do Daine slung her quiver over a shoulder, picked up her bow and quickly made her way to the castle. Her mind a whirl Daine made her way down to the dungeons. All three animals slid along the corridor to Daine.
-Where have you been? We were all so worried! The two-leggers wouldn't let us go to you.- scolded Blackpaw.
-Yes where were you? There was no one to help me when I got stuck.-
-Braane, where did you get stuck? If you were somewhere you're weren't supposed to be it serves you right!- Immediately Braane's voice took on a vague note.
-Nowhere really, just somewhere where a bird easily gets stuck.-
-Well if you say so. I was fighting stormwings. They came to kill me from my world. But nobody got hurt. Can we go to our rooms? I'm getting cold.-
-As long as you don't run off again. I was really worried.- Touched by Cub's concern Daine opened the wall and ushered the animals in.
Peering around the bedroom door Daine quenched her worries that Kitten had somehow gotten out of the rooms and was wreaking havoc everywhere. Sitting on her hind legs she was intently studying a paperweight that used to be Daine's desk. It looked a little like the small globe Numair had used to catch criminals' minds. Smiling at how absorbed Kitten was in the simple glass object Daine put her bow and quiver on the floor and then made her way to the small joining door that led to the bathroom. Turning on the single tap that issued forth a stream of pure water Daine shouted the wolves and Kitten. The two wolves appeared first and then Kitten, still holding the paperweight. Switching off the jet of water Daine picked up Kitten and threw her in the bath. Seeing the treatment they were about to receive the wolves backd off. Grinning Daine leaped after them and managed to shepherd them into the tub.
-What's this for? We've done nothing wrong!-
"Apart from smelling like a piece of cow dung, you're right Cub, you have done nothing worng" Glaring Cub paddled to Blackpaw and nudged her sister. Both had the glint of mischief in their eyes.
Daine shrugged and went back into her bedroom. Opening the dark oak wardrobe she slipped out some large fluffy towels to dry Cub and Blackpaw. Daine stopped at the bathroom door. Kitten was the only creature in the tub. Chortling happily Kitten whistled sharply. Narrowing her eyes Daine did not expect the push of two wolves propelling her to the waiting tub. Shrieking she twisted to stop the two sisters and only managed to make herself fall backwards into the bath. Pushing her sopping hair out of her eyes Daine had seconds to get out of the way of the two falling bodies. Fortunately for her the two wolves fell into the bath just to her left.
-You see, having a bath all together is so much more fun.-
"Ooh, you're going to pay for this." Despite her stern words Daine was grinning just as much as the wolves. Clother dragging down on her Daine took off the clothes until she was wearing just a thin pair of breeches and a thin shirt. With an effort Daine put the now wet towels and her outer robes onto the side of the bath. Reaching out she grabbed the massive bottle of shampoo and swam to Cub. Pushing her nearer to the steps Daine waited until Cub was comfortably sat on one of the higher steps. Hurriedly she washed Cub.
***
As startled as the other professors Snape watched as Daine made her way to the castle. Thoughtfully he turned back to An'la. She had been with him since she was a kitten and had grown just as attatched to him as he had to her. Part kneazle she was remarkably intelligent and hated being partially blind. After Daine had healed her, her left eye was as clear as it was when Snape first met her. Amazed at both his cat and his new student Snape shook his head.
Nearing Daine's rooms Snape was startled to hear a shriek of terror. Alarmed Snape's eyes darted to see if anyone was keeping guard for a would be attacker. He lengthened his tride bumping An'la, who was still in his tired arms. Although he had quickened his pace a lot, he was still not very happy with how long it took to get to Daine's rooms. With increasing alarm Severus noted that the wall was hanging open and that there were numerous sounds coming from the bathroom; growls and strangely enough, splashes. Hesitantly Snape opened the door further. A crow, called Braane if his memory was correct, was perched on the a lower rafter, though he knew nothing about birds, he thought that it might be asleep as it's head was underneath it's right wing. The layout of the room was very similar to his, only Daine's room had less books. Silently Snape glided to the door he judged to be the door to the bathroom and pushed the door open. Though he had never been sure what to expect he had not expected to see two wolves, a fourteen girl and a dragon all having a bath. Snape raised his eyebrows as he ntoiced that Daine was still clothed. Curious Snape watched as Daine began to vigorously wash the two wolves and dunk the dragon. Somehow he succeeded in keeping out of Daine's notice. How he would never know. Though eventually Daine did notice him.
"Professor!"
"I apologise. I heard shrieks and thought you were in trouble. And so I decided to check upon you. And to also thank you." Snape watched in amusement as Daine's brow creased in confusion.
"Sorry?"
"For healing An'la."
"Oh."
"And there is also the matter of your detention to discuss." Daine's abnormally pale skin reddened as she recalled holding two knives against her teachers throat.
"Would you mind waiting while I got dressed and dried?"
"Not at all." Daine quickly clambered up the steps and called for the three remaining occupants of it to get out.
Hurriedly Daine lit a fire in the main room and sternly told Cub and Blackpaw to stay by the fire. As she opened the door to her bedroom Snape got a glimpse of her bow and quiver thrown carelessly on a satin black throwover. Once the door swung back into place Snape turned his eyes back to the wolves. The one with black paws was resting her head on the other's shoulder. Both looked clean and extremely wet. Snape looked down as An'la began to mewl piteously. He had almost forgotten that he was carrying her. She jumped out of his arms and strutted to the bedroom door. Still mewling she scratched against the firmly closed door.
"Hey, come here. Come on, there's a good kitty." Almost mournfully the white cat turned to Snape and, with her feet dragging on the plush carpet, made her way back to her master. Impatient as ever he tapped his fingers against the soft surface of the light blue chair he sat in. Curious he looked around the room. The desk was littered with unfinished papers and spilt ink. The fire danced merrily beneath a mantlepiece covered with very girly objects such as brushes and combs that had been kindly donated by Misses Granger and Weasley. A hugely ornate mirror hung over the fire. All around the edges shining black feathers were tucked in, there were feathers of different colours but the dominant colour was the shiny black feathers like those found on birds such as the sleeping one above his head.
The heavy door swung open to reveal Daine dressed in the exact clothes she had been wearing the first time she had met Snape. Though the colours were a little dull, Snape could see that they had been well made.
"Hello. Are you all right?" With great warmth a smile spread across Daine's features. Confused Snape said nothing but then realised that it was An'la she was talking to not him. Daine sat on an empty chair near the wolves. Close behind her Kitten jumped onto her lap.
"Miss Sarrasri? You will serve your detention with me, tonight at 7 p.m. exactly."
"Yes professor." unwillingly the ends of Daine's mouth began to curl upwards.
"What do yuo find amusing about a detention Miss Sarrasri? If I had known you found them to be so funny I would have made sure you got many more." Snape said dryly.
"It's not the detention sir. It's just something Cub said." Sure enough the one without black paws was staring intently at Daine.
"What did she say?" warily Snape eyed the grinning wolf.
"She asked me if I could make my face so boring as yours. She said that your face never does anything."
"Indeed? Well I shall have to prove her wrong." Slowly as if not used to using the muscles in his face Snape smiled. Baffled at why he had done that Severus decided to change the subject.
"I also said I wanted to thank you. And I do. Thank you very much. I couldn't have beared it if An'la had died just now."
"It was nothing. I was helping myself out too really."
"Pardon?"
"Oh of course. You don't know much about Wild Magic do you? Well all the pain An'la felt on the Quidditch pitch I felt too. She was quite a lot of pain. It was either heal her or carry on with that massive pain in the arm and hand."
"Amazing. You can talk to animals, heal them and turn into one. Quite remarkable. Is there anything you can't do with animals?"
"Well I do have my limits. My teacher, Nuamir, and I," Daine swallowed a lump in her throat, "Found that my range for talking to animals is about ten miles. But to heal I have to be quite near them. I can stay in an animals mind thouhg until about fifteen miles I'd say. I tried the other day and I seem to be able to do it a lot farther away then I have ever been able to."
"What do you mean by stay in their mind?"
"It's like they have two minds. Mine and theirs, I see everything they see, everything they smell. It gave me quite a fright the first time I did it. I ended up watching myself through a wolf's eyes. That was how I first managed to shape shift."
"Fascinating. And you can do this with every animals for a fifteen mile radius you say?"
"Yes. Though at first I could only do it with wolves. Because of how close I am to wolves." Daine lowered her eyes to the carpet.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, " Daine paused. Though she hardly knew Snape he was like Numair in so many ways. She felt she had to tell him everything he asked about, "When I was thirteen my mother and grandfather were killed by bandits. I- I went mad. I thought I was a wolf and ran with a pack in the nearby forest. I killed so many men just like a wolf would. I couldn't remeber being a two-legger. A human I mean, it was like I had enevr been anything but a wolf."
"How did you stop?"
"Cloud, my pony, bit me until I remembered. Then I said goodbye to the pack and got a job in the Queen's Riders."
"How do you know you won't go mad again?"
"Numair put a magical wall between my magic and the bit that makes me, me. So that they don't mix and make me mad again."
"You miss your friends an awful lot don't you?"
"Yes. Even when they found out I went mad and acted like an animal for the best part of three months they still didn't treat me like dirt. Even though my friends are all nobles and are much more important than a commoner like me, they still amde an effort to be my friends."
"They sound wonderful. I hope you find a way to get back to them."
"So do I, professor." Daine turned sadly to the crackling fire and sighed. Thinking of all the friends she had left behind. And, in all probability would never see again.
********
Well how was that for a chapter? Yeah so it was a bit rushed and totally naff but ah well. I've just realised that Daine hardly ever has any lessons or anything like that so the next chapter will be a boring account of detentions and classes etc. Also if any suggestions to which direction this story should take are out there please tell me!! Either thorugh e-mail or review I don't care (Thouhg I would prefer a review *hint-hint*).
Well toodles
-x-Kylaia-x-