DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own a fair amount of the background characters. Some of the characters (Taseia, Faellen, Kairn, and Seth in particular) I am the creator and owner of. So hands off please. The rest are copyright to J. K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Ah! I love this chapter! I don't know why but it made me all happy writing it =3 Yay for Seth and Kairn! They were my favourites for this chapter. Just because. -glomps them both- Two uploads in one day, aren't you lucky? I'm really cracking down, no? So, same drill as always. Please read and review and I'll feel loved and keep writing this all out, hehe.

Mystixnight

Chapter 11 I Owe You One

Taseia woke up slowly, stretching out and savoring the chill that settled over her. With a contented smile she sat up, kicking away the single sheet that covered her bed. The smile spreading all the further, she almost shrieked in delight, scrambling to the window. Snow! The world was blanketed in an ethereal damper of sparkling white, almost blinding to look at. Taseia pressed herself almost flat against the glass, wanting to wrench it open or, even better, go for a swim.

A snore from a bedstead to her right made her jump and shy away from the window suddenly. Casting a hesitant glance around her and trailing her fingers down the glass, she resigned herself to the fact she could wait one more day... The thought made his shiver in excitement. One more day of classes! Just one! And then winter break. The snow had been late in coming, but it was worth the wait.

Making her bed and exchanging her pajamas for her regular clothing she grabbed her hat and books and set off into the common room. No one was up, but she was used to that. She was an early riser. Besides, she didn't fancy running into Sienna, though usually she just ignored Tai, unless she was with a large grouping at which point she would make a show of jeering at her. She had Charms today, though, and Seth was joining her class too! She'd never been in a class with him. For the earlier part of the year he'd been with the Hufflepuffs for the most part. He'd made a few friends, but always seemed more than relieved to split from the crowd and make his way back to herself, Faellen and Kairn. She'd asked him about it once and he'd made sort of a confused face and said, simply enough, "Most've th'girls stare at me. Dunno why. S'cause I'm loud pro'bly..." He shrugged; though it seemed to her that he avoided her gaze. She could have been imagining things...

Taseia herself was a little curious as to that. Of course, there had always been a little something 'off' about Seth, but it was a quirky, almost endearing quality. And she liked him for it... Whatever those others thought, she couldn't care less.

Slowly, the common room began to come to life around her. Saying a few hellos to those that weren't so closely tied to Sienna to ignore her altogether she made her way to the Great Hall with a few of them. "Why don't you sit with us today, Tai?" One of them asked, tilting her head to the side and giving a little smile. Taseia shrugged. "Thanks, but I'm used to sitting over there," she said as she gestured to the Slytherin table. A lot of people disliked that she sat there. The Slytherins weren't exactly chummy with any of the other houses. But it made the most sense. Faellen and Kairn were both in Slytherin, therefore, majority rules. Her and Seth sit there too. No one gave them much attention anymore. She split from the group and was halfway to her selected seat when she heard someone call her. "Sei!" She split into a grin and turned around in time to find herself crunched in Seth's arms. "Hey!"

Taseia let out a squeak and with a sheepish grin Seth released her, giving a crooked grin. "Sorry," he muttered. She shook her head, inhaling. "Not a problem," she smiled despite herself. She got a few glances from the friends who were just sitting down at the RavenClaw table. There gaze flittered between Seth and Taseia noticeably and then with a visible scowl they turned around. Taseia shrugged it off.

Seth gave another lopsided smile. "Charms, t'day!" He lifted his brows as though keening for appraisal at even remembering, which Taseia was more than happy to give. "Oh yeah! Flitwick said something about learning that 'Leviosa' thing today. I already know it, though... " Seth opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again and then nodded. "Right... Tha' thing." He looked away casually, obviously not remembering. Tai made a face, sitting down. "You cannot lie, you know that?" She teased.

Seth made a face of his own, baring his teeth. "Yeah, I noticed. Thanks fer rubbin'it in."

Tai only smiled innocently. "My pleasure." Turning around she began buttering a piece of toast, though Seth remained standing, looking at the doorway. "Fael!" He shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Hey," an answer lifted itself over the hum of the crowds. Faellen sat herself down opposite Taseia with a grin. "How go things with you two?" She quirked her brows, not even making eye contact and acting as though she couldn't care less. That was just Faellen, though, and Seth and Taseia were both used to it.

"We've got Charms," Seth said again, coming up behind her to put both arms around her shoulder and give her a squeeze. Faellen shoved him off her with a disgruntled, if muffled, "Ger'off!" Both Seth and Tai could see her grin, though.

"Don't even think about touching me, Seth," A cold voice from behind them piped in as Kairn passed them to sit down and gave the other lad a wide berth. Seth only gave a wicked grin, though he seated himself obediently, watching Kairn like a cat watches a mouse.

The banter was the same as usual, save for the fact Fael didn't lash out at Kairn quite so often and kept shooting him almost apologetic glances. This, more than his fear of being mauled by Seth unsettled the dark haired boy and he was relieved when the meal ended.

Seth put out a hand for Taseia, helping her to her feet. "We're off t'Charms! See ye later," he said, giving a mock salute. Fael saluted right back, though it was dreadfully sarcastic and Kairn only grunted. Just as they were about to leave Seth whirled around and wrapped Kairn in a bone crushing hug, releasing him only upon hearing a satisfy crackle. Kairn gave a wheeze and sagged as Seth let go with a devilish smile, lifting a hand as if to hit him, but Seth was already gone and he could hear him laughing in the hallway.

Fael gave a laugh of her own, but walked with him down the hallway none-the- less... "Kairn?" She started and he gave her a bland glance, if slightly inquisitive. He gave a grunt to signify 'what?' and she bit her lip. "Why did your Da-..." She trailed off as sort of a wall projected itself over his expressions and he went stony under her gaze. "Why did your potion work out last class and mine didn't?" She ducked her head meekly, changing subjects quickly, though she really couldn't care less. "Snape said he might have to lecture me next time."

Kairn seemed relieved that she didn't delve any further and shrugged. "You forgot to strain the Buber puss I think." Faellen nodded agreeably and they walked in silence the rest of the way to class.

* * *

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Tasiea said again, flicking her wrist and her wand upwards and sending the feather towards the ceiling. A delighted Professor Flitwick clapped eagerly. "Excellent! Excellent! I can see someone has been practicing," he beamed. "Five points for RavenClaw," he squeaked and Taseia only blushed and continued practicing.

The class had been fun with Seth there. She'd been trying to help him but it seemed to her that he was more amused trying to mutter gibberish and see if it was a spell than actually get the Wingardium Leviosa one down pat. As of now, Flitwick was going through the class, seeing everyone's progress and assessing what they had to work on to have it perfect for next class. She could hear Seth a row back. "Flubbernum!" He shouted under his breath and she heard an odd squelching sound and an 'oops' from Seth. She turned around to look and saw that, yes, he had discovered some spell or another. But, seeing as how he wasn't experienced enough to work it correctly, it had turned his feather into a feather shaped piece of sludge that gave off a less than appetizing odor. Seth's face screwed up and he sent Taseia a sheepish and pleading look. She could only shrug and give a helpless frown of sympathy. Seth's dark optics shot to Flitwick, a few students over and back to his sludge feather which he nudged curiously with his wand and gagged as it rippled. A sudden spark lit his gaze and with a wink to Sei and a wicked grin he shoved the thing off his desk, kicking it with a foot under another student's. Turning casually to the boy beside him he started bantering in a low voice. The other kid smiled and nodded and laughed at appropriate times. Seth adopted a serious expression and she could see him making some gesture or another with his wand and shrug confusedly. The other kid smiled and nodded just as Flitwick drew up beside Seth. Seth nodded to the other boy and turned to the professor. She saw their mouths move and Seth raised his wand and a feather found it's way upwards. Flitwick clapped and gave a few pointers with his wand about the movement of Seth's own and wandered off.

Taseia blinked, glancing to the nasty looking feather under a desk and then to Seth. With a quick look around she scrambled over. "How'd you do that?"

Seth was cracking up, keeled over his desk with his hands around his middle, eyes sharp with tears of mirth. "I didn'! Tha's jus' it, Tai! I didn'!" He cracked up again; oblivious to the stares he was getting. Taseia scowled and shook her head. "I don't get it..."

Seth choked on one of his giggles and managed to restrain himself enough to lift his head. "It was 'is!" He gestured to the boy beside him, giving him a grateful grin, though the other kid looked a little confused. "I told 'im I couldn' figger out th' right way t' say it an' asked if'e could show me. An' he did! An' that's the feather Flitwick thought was mine!" He broke up into hoots of laughter again, nearly collapsing on the floor. Taseia found herself laughing as well. She wondered why he didn't do well in school. For all his low marks and barely adequate practical skills he was very clever. He had a sharp mind and good instincts and knew how to handle people and himself. And yet... Every other test was emblazoned with a "D"... Sure he pulled off mostly passing marks, and he wasn't bothered in the least by the fails he did receive, but Taseia knew he could do better. He just needed practice! Seth was too exuberant for her to bring up tutoring as of now. One more class now and another after lunch and they were free for Winter Break! Why bother him with school in a time that's supposed to be freedom from just that?

They set off down the hall together and he gave her another bone crushing hug before he set off for his next class with the Slytherins and she went off for her own.

* * *

All four of them were more than happy for the freedom winter brought. Fael steadfastly refused to go skating ever again when Seth brought it up. In other words, Seth had her out there the next day, teaching her again. In the end she found she really liked it, so long as she wasn't out there alone. Though no one ever said anything about it, they did note she shied away from the center if possible. And no one really means 'no one except Kairn' who wheedled at her often about it. He had a hefty bruise on his right shoulder that was proof of one particularly accurate rock thrown in a rage. He wore it rather proudly though, and for now, he almost forgot about his deal with Mirillen. Despite himself, he was sort of relieved...

The days came and went in a steady succession and they really did enjoy themselves. Christmas morning came sooner than they expected and Taseia did receive some food from her mother, along with new winter robes and a rather beautifully crafted anklet made of a clear, cold metal that had colors rippling subtly through it when she moved. It made her think of a rivulet of water, frozen in place but still flowing. Tiny bells hung from six places equally spaced around it and you could barely hear them when she walked. Even in the snow she went barefoot when she could. Faellen was surprised to find any presents at all, besides those from her three friends. But it seemed a few other kids from the orphanage had not forgotten her and she received a surprisingly well crafted scarf among her items from an old foster mother. It looked as though she had made it herself, and seeing as how she had been a squib, Fael knew she made it by hand and that... Well, it meant a lot to her. It was all in red and black and orange... Seth received a lot of little, hand-made things from his seven siblings. Mostly useless and childishly done but he put them proudly on his windowsill, though he would probably never need two clay ashtrays (he didn't smoke and wasn't exactly planning to), a decorative tie, three finger painted coffee mugs or a clay dog statue. He grinned excitedly at each one, though, murmuring little things to the other kids (they had all banded together in the hospital wing in the morning with their gifts to unwrap them) about each one of his younger family members. His mother had sent him a new dress robe (his old one was surely on its last legs) and he had folded it up carefully and put it in his trunk, knowing how much they cost and how little the family had to spare. Despite the meager haul of his own he seemed very pleased with himself and even more so when Taseia offered to follow through with her earlier offer and gave him some of her mother's home cooked goods. Kairn had the most curious presents though. His mother had obviously saved up and had gotten him multiple books, which was expected as she worked in Flourish and Blotts. But there were little pastries and a leather wand case he knew she had stitched herself. It was the last one, at the bottom of the pile that caught and held his attention. He turned his back to the group as he held up the tall, thin package, unwrapping it slowly. A card tumbled out of the simply adorned wooden case, well polished and still gleaming despite its obvious age. It read:

'Dear Kairn,

I, or I should say 'we', found this awhile ago when we were tying up some loose ends regarding the task at hand. At first, we thought we might give it to your mother, but I thought that you should have it. I think you'll understand when you see it... I hope that it brings up as fond memories of him for you as they did for me...

Professor N. Mirillen'

Kairn found a lump clogging his throat as he opened the box with shaking hands. A wand lay on the crushed red velvet inside, which he lifted gently. It was lightweight and longer than most wands, thin red bands around the top and bottom. An engraving on the inside of the case read 'Mahogany Wood, 16 ½ inches, Two Phoenix Feathers.' And there, scrawled carefully at the very bottom or the wand, pressed into the wood was 'PS'. Pyre Sairet... Kairn knew he was shaking, knew a smile was so dominating his features he was grinning like an idiot, knew that if he didn't stop himself he was going to break out in laughter or tears or both. Gingerly putting the wand back, he placed the note on top of it and covered it up, placing it with his other gifts and turning back to the group who were all watching him curiously. He couldn't, for the life of him wipe the grin off his face.

Seth blinked curiously, tilting his head to the side and whispering gruffly. "What is it?"

Kairn gave a short, hysterical chuckle. "His wand." His smile widened and Taseia balked in confusion. "It's my Dad's wand." He picked up the box, opening it again and gazing at it in muted awe. Fael made a little sound, the only one there who had any clue what this might mean to him. Taseia picked up on it quickly, and Seth seemed to as well. Kairn lifted it up curiously and found it warmed to his touch. Flicking it carefully at a random object he said 'Accio pillow'. The wand made a sharp click like a lock sealing in place and he frowned, repeating himself. "Accio scarf!" He pointed it at Fael's scarf but it only repeated the sound.

He looked rather hurt and lowered his hand, staring at it in confusion. Taseia piped up suddenly. "It's got a lock, Kairn." He looked up in befuddlement. "A lock?"

She nodded, reaching out hesitantly and he gave it to her after a moment's deliberation. "Yeah... A simple one, though, by the look of it." She held the wand in the palms of both hands, murmuring a few words under her breath, which only received more of the dark snapping sounds. Frowning, Taseia paused a moment, thinking then smiled slowly. "Dissealium," she said to it and a new, lighter, softer click resounded outwards. With a triumphant smile she handed it back to Kairn, chest out. Fael clapped out loud then appeared to think better of it as she blushed and began carefully inspecting the bracelet from Taseia. Seth grinned brightly; watching the entire thing was curiosity and sending an appraising and impressed glance to Sei.

Kairn took the wand gently, beaming his gratitude to the silver haired witch who was so pleased at having evoked so much as an emotion from him, not mentioning one so great as this that she blushed. He pointed it at another pile of presents and said "Accio ribbon." It flew obediently into his hands he had a sudden feeling he was going to burst at the swelling of pride and emotion in him. It almost felt as though the wooden thing was blazing in his hands, a pleasant tingling sensation that made him feel so... So full. He looked up at Taseia, still choking over all the different feelings vying for attention in him. "Thanks, Tai," he said. "I owe you one for this... Thanks." Taseia blushed deeper under the gentle silver sheen of her skin. "Anytime..."

Seth shifted his weight awkwardly as a deep, lulling silence fell. "Skatin' anyone?" He inquired, met with three enthusiastic (which was unusual for one member in particular) shouts of agreement.

* * *

A/N: Heh ^^ At the risk of being repetitive I'll say it again. I loved this chapter! Writing it was nice and I feel like hugging Taseia for some reason. Just 'cause she's being all helpful. Joyous little children XD