Chapter 2
As the sun traveled its nightly voyage through the underworld, Kyra sat awake on the unknown bed that she claimed for the time being. Not wanting sleep, she carefully pulled her dark forest green cloak off the back of the chair that sat beside the bed and tightly wrapped the cloth around her chilled body.
Walking out onto the school grounds, she muttered in haste, "At least the night now has banished the angry, fiery sun, which always seems to glare down from the heavens like the baleful eye of some infuriated god." Now, with the ever-watchful eye closed, it let her breathe in a sigh of relief and began to venture out into the darkness. Though chilled, she was a creature of the night and enjoyed the company of the moon and stars more than the sun.
Hagrid's hut could be seen through the misty shades of the night. Smoke bloomed from his chimney and a light stood ablaze inside his dwelling. Pleased to know that she wasn't the only person up at this time of night, she advanced to the light.
"Who is it?" a booming voice called from inside after she lightly tapped the flat of the door.
"Kyra, you git! Who else do you think would be awake at this time?" The door to the small cabin swung heavily to the outside and a chubby, hairy face peered at her intently.
"Kyra? What do ye think yer doin' 'ere?" His stern face was not of the man she once knew. A very odd look must have crossed her face for his big belly giggled as laughter burst from inside of him. Her features relaxed with ease as a thin smile spread across her face.
"I'm jus' kiddin' ye. Come on in, Kyra. I was jus' makin' some tea if you'd like some." Remembering the last time she had Hagrid's infamous tea, her face paled and she gently shook her head 'no'. "Ye sure? All righ' then. Fine with me." Another grin played upon his lips.
He knew how she felt about his tea. It had been a little over two years ago while she was roaming the grounds between dusk and dawn on one of Albus' callings when she had stayed at Hogsmead. She had known Hagrid and they were close friends, but she had never tried any of his cooking. She had sat down gently on a wearisome chair and sipped on her tea after her tiresome walk around the grounds. About her third sip, her face fell as she got up to pass through the back door in order to vomit. The tea tasted like any other but her stomach just couldn't handle it. It took three days for her stomach to settle and she still would not accept anything but bread from the dear man. He didn't mind that she never wanted his tea again, just as long as she still came to visit once in a while.
Sitting by the fireplace seemed to sooth her soul and she unleashed her emotions on the half-giant. He sat in silence as he felt her pain, love, and joy. Ending her out burst with her reoccurring dream, she stopped and sat in stillness.
Hagrid leaned forward and laid a gentile hand upon her knee and whispered, "Hope's flames always burns, dear, lightin' the darkness until the coming of day. These dreams you're havin' must be repeatin' themselves for a reason. I know it's 'ard 'n all, but ye either find out why these things are happenin', or you'll keep on havin' these dreams- uh- nightmares." Frantically blinking in order to hold back her tears, she slightly shook her head in dismal. Glancing up at his bearded face, another worry slipped into her mind as she looked into his eyes. They seemed to want to tell her something important, something that seemed to eat inside of him. Before she could ask anything, he hastily continued. "Well, all I can say is go 'n talk to Dumbledore. He'll know what ta do."
More conversations occurred within the hut as the moon swiftly passed over the sky. As Hogwarts slept that night, many animals were on the prowl, hunting for their prey and passing up the opportunity to be eaten by a slobbering beast that haunted their sacred land. Shadows began to withdraw into the darkness as the sun rose and began its journey to the heavens.
"I'm so sorry that I kept you up all night, Hagrid. Really, you should have thrown me out!"
The giant-like man smiled down at his long-time friend with love. "Now if I really wanted ta throw ye out, I would've a long time ago!"
"I guess that's a relief. Well, thank you. It helps to have someone around to talk to." After saying their farewells, she slowly glided to the gigantic front doors of the majestic castle ahead.
Students quickly carried themselves to the Great Hall to devour enough food to awake their sleepy minds and get them ready for the day. Being as careful as possible, Kyra managed to squeeze by the rush of children with only a bruise on her fore arm, and with hurrying steps, made it safely to the front of the Hall.
The old wizard glanced at her in confusion as if she had apparated into the seat next to him. The only noise she made was her soft breathing and the occasional rustle of her velvety green robes. "How has your stay been, Kyra?" His voice echoed within her ears.
"Alright, I guess. I went to Hagrid's for a while last night, we talked about-" she was cut off from an interruption from the wizard (he appeared to be the new Trigonometry Professor) on Dumbledore's other side. After that, she sat in silence as she picked at her food made by the very talented House elves.
She had nearly forgotten her errand she had to deliver before the first class of the day started. Standing so suddenly, she startled Albus with her sudden movement making him settle his eyes upon hers as if wanting an explanation for her sudden need to leave.
"I'm sorry to leave so soon, but I have forgotten an errand I must run for one of the Professors." Her head bowed slightly before she snapped her body around to walk through the nearest door and break away into the silent halls.
She felt as though she had walked around the school twice. She stopped and wondered, Where in the Abyss is this room any way? Her patience was running thin. Her ears became prickly and she heard a distant noise that sounded like footsteps. Relived, she thought that this person might know how to get to this mysterious room that she figured must be jumping from floor to floor in amusement while laughing at her wildly.
As the person suddenly turned the corner, she desperately tried to get their attention. "Um, Excuse me, but can you help me find this room?"
A gentile voice responded with great patience, "That depends on the room. Which room are you looking for?"
As he came nearer her, she realized that this man was different, in ways unknown to her, from the other adults residing in the castle. His eyes were gentile and tired, his face relaxed, but within their beauty came a fierceness that haunted his dreams.
Noticing that he was starting to blush from her constant gaze, she released her eyes from his and laid them upon the paper clenched lightly in her hand. "I'm looking for Professor Lupin. Do you know where I can find him?"
"You already have." Raising his hand in greatings, "I'm Professor Remus Lupin. And you are the new addition to Hogwarts this year, I presume." An eyebrow lifted in questioning, which Kyra found slightly attractive.
"Er, yes. My name is Kyranosa Nellenbach. I've been sent to give you this message from Professor McGonagall." Her voice was soft but never ceased until the end.
He lightly clutched the tiny piece of paper and returned her gaze. "Thank you. I must ask, though. How long have you been searching these halls?" he questioned with a grin, slightly cocking his head to one side.
She sighed in exhaustion, "Well, lets just say that I'm about ready to go back to bed from sheer exhaustion. I guess I've been wandering here a little too long." Her eyes glittered as her lips curled into a smile. They laughed for few minutes, but soon the bell for the first class of the day rang and their conversation ceased. They walked in different directions, one going to teach a class of 5th year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, while the other, headed off in search for a new job, one that would keep her busy for a few hours.
Walking down the stairs, she thought of how she seemed to know him. Ah, yes! I've heard of him! He has been proclaimed one of the best DADA Professors in this School. Wow. I thought he was a lot older than what he looks like. Oh well, not my business any way. But still, a smile creped over her lips as she thought of his amazing laugh and all knowing eyes that seemed to mesmerize her and drag her into his thoughts and dreams. Her thoughts traveled back to his face that was drawn of fatigue and sorrow, and though his eyes seemed to smile, they hid his thoughts from the outside world.
Suddenly shaking her head and waking her senses, she thought only one thing, No, I can't be with a human... No, I can't be with a human, no…
