Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish that everything were mine.

Natural Mystic

Chapter 9

Faust took them to the first floor and led them to a ladder that would take them into the attic. "This is where Janice does her Divination things." He grinned. "I don't go up there very much. Be careful on the ladder. The fourth step is a trick step."

Ron nodded and carefully climbed up the ladder. He pushed open the hatch and was met by loud music. Charlie happened to be a stone-cold ska fan, and while living with him, Ron had learned much about Muggle Jamaican music from the sixties and seventies.

There's a natural mystic blowing through the air

He looked around. It wasn't like Trelawney's old classroom at all. Several skylights bathed the room in light, and an open window allowed a cool October breeze to enter the room, blowing away the remaining bits of smoke the lingered in the room.

The scent brought back some memories of Dean Thomas. He'd smuggled a particular kind of weed product into Hogwarts in their sixth year, and dropped it into Trelawney's incense bowl at the end of their lesson. Trelawney and the Slytherins who had class the next period had had some very vivid 'visions' as a result. Things had nearly gone wrong when Trelawney, thinking she was a birdie, jumped off her tower. Luckily Professor Flitwick had been taking a stroll outside and managed to catch her with a levitation charm.

Dean had nearly been expelled for that. But since it had been his first serious transgression, he ended up receiving detention until the Hogsmeade weekend in April. When he'd finally served his time in detention, they had all gone to The Three Broomsticks the to celebrate his 'freedom'. That had been the day of the first major Death Eater attack. Dean had been killed.

If you listen carefully now you will hear
this could be the first trumpet, might as well be the last
many more will have to suffer
many more will have to die - don't ask me why

Ron's thoughts came back to the present as he noticed Lieutenant Cliff, swaying to the music. "Lieutenant Cliff?" he yelled, trying to make his voice carry through the loud music.

"Hush! Bob's preaching. I'll be right with you!"

Ron shrugged and climbed down the ladder again.

"Well?" Hermione asked.

"Bob's preaching," Ron said, repeating Cliff. "She'll be right with us."

Moments later, the hatch opened and Lieutenant Cliff's face looked down on them. "Sorry about that. I just need to establish a certain rhythm before I tap into the mystical plains. It focuses my inner eye. Come on up."

Hermione muttered something under her breath, looking very sceptical. Ron grinned at her before climbing up the ladder once more. Ginny came next, followed by Harry and finally Hermione.

Cliff took a seat on a stool behind a rectangular table and gestured for them to sit on the four stools on the opposite side of the table. It would be a tight fit for the four of them. "Please, have a seat…and don't worry about the vase."

"What vase?" Hermione frowned, trying to spot what Cliff meant. As she did so, her hand knocked over a vase that had been standing on top of a chest. It tumbled off and shattered.

"That vase," Cliff said.

"Oh…sorry!" Hermione blushed.

"I said not to worry about it, I'm a witch, aren't I?" Cliff said, grabbing her wand and fixing the vase with a flick of her wand.

"How did you do that?" Ginny asked, impressed. "Did you see Hermione knock it over before she actually knocked it over?"

"What's really going to bake your noodle later on is whether she still would have knocked it over if I hadn't said anything," the Jamaican witch said.

"Hah, that's the oldest trick in the book." Hermione scowled, looking unconvinced. "Trelawney did it to Neville too, in our first divination lesson."

"Well, you don't have to have danced with Neville to know he's an accident on two legs." Ginny grinned. "Neville breaks things all the time. His reputation for clumsiness precedes him. Trelawney probably knew that and decided to use it to try and impress you…everyone could have guessed that Neville would end up breaking something."

"But you're not clumsy, Hermione!" Ron continued, picking up where Ginny had left off. "In fact, you're one of the most graceful people I've ever known…as long as you don't get on broomstick." Harry and Ginny sniggered at that comment and Ron suppressed a chuckle too. "I mean, you've never even spilled too much of an ingredient into a potion, at least, not by accident."

Hermione's cheeks turned pink and Harry burst out laughing. Being in a particularly foul mood in their fifth year, Snape had forced Hermione to partner up with Malfoy. After growing tired of his insulting whispers, she threw too much chopped dragon's liver into their cauldron, causing the potion to blow up in Malfoy's face. It was one of Ron's fondest memories.

"That nearly cost me my status as prefect," she muttered. Then she shrugged and grinned. "But it would have been worth it."

"Snape looked positively murderous." Harry guffawed. "For a split second I thought he would curse you."

"Snape, as in Severus Snape?" Cliff asked. "My god, he continued being a bully even when he was a teacher?"

"You know him? You went to Hogwarts?" Ron asked, surprised.

"I was a Hufflepuff. But just for one year. Snape was two years ahead of me, like your parents," Cliff said, looking at Harry. "Oh, I had such a crush on Sirius Black!"

Ron watched Harry to see his reaction, and was relieved to see an easy smile. "Yeah, you and twenty other girls, if what Remus tells me is true."

"So why did you leave Hogwarts? You weren't expelled, were you?" Ginny asked.

"Oh no, nothing like that. You see, my class and I were looking for roots we'd have to use in Herbology, when a centaur came up to me and told me he was delivering a message from the stars. He said I was a talented Seer, and that I had to go to another school to learn to use my gift better. Hagrid was watching over us and saw it happen. He told Professor Dumbledore, who called the Oracle of Ogygia. She personally came to Hogwarts to test me, and she detected my gift. So I finished my year at Hogwarts and went to Ogygia for the remainder of my school years."

"I think Trelawney's a bit bitter about not having been admitted to Ogygia." Harry grinned. "I had tea with the Oracle and Professor Dumbledore once, and she told me about Trelawney sending letters complaining about the fact that a talented Seer like herself wasn't admitted."

"I've met Sybil Trelawney too. I ran into her twice at a Seer seminar. She does have a rather high opinion of herself."

"She's an old fraud," Hermione said in a dismissive tone.

"I wouldn't go so far as to call her a fraud." Cliff smiled. "Sibyl's main problem is that she's so intent on seeing doom that it clouds what limited vision she does have," she explained, while conjuring a small wooden box from one of the shelves in the attic.

Ron recognised the beautifully carved piece as a Tarot card box, made of wood because of its insulating properties against magical currents and vibrations. As she took out the deck, and unwrapped it, Ron couldn't help but appreciate the handsome motifs embroidered into the silk cloth, which was large enough for cards to be placed upon it, even in the most elaborate of readings. "Afraid outside energies will influence the deck?" He smirked.

"Not at all," Cliff replied, much to his surprise, as she began to sift through the deck, separating certain cards. "I just love finery. My own energies that have been transferred to the deck aren't so fragile that they disappear when I leave the deck exposed. All these rules about how you should keep your cards are just guidelines and suggestions, which point out that the cards should be handled carefully and with respect. But everyone should keep their cards like they want to."

"So, what kind of spread are you going to use?" Harry asked.

"I'm not going to use any spread right now. I just need you to select the cards that will symbolise you in my readings. Some people believe that certain cards describe physical characteristics of people. That would mean that, Ron, for example, with red hair, would be one of the Court Cards of the Wands…and opinions even differ about those things. Some say that the King of Wands is blond, for example." Cliff shrugged. "But I don't think one should limit the cards like that. I'm just separating the court cards and some of the major Arcana from the rest of the deck—"

"Hold on!" Hermione interrupted. "I read up on some Divination before I decided that the class was a waste of time…I don't remember anything about major Arcana being used to represent querents."

Ron nodded. He didn't remember that either, and while he didn't claim to know more on the subject than Lieutenant Cliff, what he did know had been enough to earn him an O.W.L in Divination. If it had been up to Trelawney, only Lavender Brown would have received any O.W.L.'s for divination. But thanks to the 'theory rule' instituted by the Council of Clairvoyants, people without 'mystical sensitivity' could also earn one O.W.L. by knowing things about Divination. Otherwise it wouldn't be fair to the ninety-five percent of the students who didn't have the gift.

"Some people say that the Knights don't represent people either, while others say that they do. Some people say that Queens are only women of about thirty-five or older, while Kings are men of similar age. Like I said, I don't believe in limiting the cards. It all comes down to what you believe, I suppose. The way I do things works for me." Cliff looked at Hermione apologetically. "I know this is hardly a satisfying answer for you, but as you undoubtedly know, this is a highly imprecise form of magic.

"There aren't fixed incantations, like those when you're casting spells…actually, if you think about it, incantations aren't really necessary either. I mean, most simple spells can be done by just pointing the wand and focussing on what you want to accomplish, right?

"No…like voiced incantations, these cards are only a way to focus one's thoughts, and since everyone thinks differently, coming up with a fixed set of rules would probably be a waste of time."

"It works fine with charms and hexes," Hermione pointed out.

"I'm not claiming I know why magic works the way it does. But I do know that, while they make teaching young wizards easier, incantations also limit what a wizard can do. If you want to do something but you don't know the right words or pronunciation, you're stuck."

"You've got a point, there," Harry agreed. "Though in a way the limitations are good. Imagine how many people would get hurt if a wand and the right thoughts were all one would need to do magic. People thinking about hurting others would actually hurt others—"

"And this coming from a wizard who doesn't even need a wand to do simple magic." Hermione smiled at Harry.

Instead of looking pleased, Harry's face darkened. "It's not always pleasant, or handy. If you lose control of your emotions—" He swallowed. "That's what Wolfe was most afraid of…"

Ron looked at Cliff gratefully as she changed the subject. "As for using major Arcana as querents, Hermione, you're right about that. But I feel that some people just aren't covered by the court cards of the minor Arcana."

"What's this reading about, anyway?" Ron asked, hoping to further take Harry's mind off things.

"There is something nagging at me," Cliff replied. "I'm using the cards to define these issues. I have a feeling that these events involve the four of you, and possibly others. But I can only be sure after I do the reading, which I'll be doing in private, by the way. All you have to do—" She placed the thin deck of court cards and selected major Arcana on the table. "—is to shuffle these cards and pick one from the deck…no peeking, of course. When you've picked your card, you put it face down on the table until everyone is done."

"Why?" Ginny frowned.

"Because I don't want anyone to ponder the meaning of the card another has drawn while drawing their own. It may interfere with the process."

Ginny shrugged. "All right then, who goes first?"

"You may choose among yourselves."

Ginny looked at Ron and the others. "I'll go first, okay?"

Neither Ron, Hermione nor Harry objected, so Ginny reached over to the pile of cards and began to shuffle them. After a minute or so, she cut the deck and picked a card from the top, placing it face down on the table.

Next came Hermione, Ron, and finally Harry.

After Harry had selected his card, Cliff took the remaining cards and shuffled them back into the main deck. "You can show your cards now."

Ron looked at his card…it was the King of Wands. He glanced at Hermione's card, and saw that she was the Queen of Swords. Ginny's card turned out to be the Queen of Coins, while Harry's—

"Hey, I took two cards. They're stuck together," Harry said, as he peeled off a card that had been sticking to the back of the other. Ron saw the Magician in one hand, and the Emperor in the other. Both were major Arcana.

Ron looked at Cliff quizzically, who had an intense frown on her face. "Can I see those cards?" she asked Harry, who immediately handed over the cards for inspection. "That's odd. The cards are perfectly clean…no stickiness."

"Is it some kind of sign?" Ginny asked promptly, her eyes glowing with anticipation. Ron was suddenly reminded of Parvati and Lavender during Divination.

"I don't know…yet," Cliff said. She brought both cards behind her back where they couldn't see them, and fumbled around a bit before carefully placing both cards onto the table facedown. "Pick one."

Harry went for the one on the right and ended up with the Magician.

Cliff nodded serenely. "I can't say that was unexpected."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked quickly, looking a bit worried.

"Relax, Harry. I don't predict doom at every corner. I just meant that you resemble the Magician so much. Let me tell you what I mean.

"Originality, resolution, skill, mastery, flexibility, dexterity; these are some traits you have. The card indicates strength of will, and the ability to choose one's own actions, face risks, and see a task through to completion. However, your skill could also have been used for destructive or evil ends." Cliff reached over and patted his hand. "Fortunately for us, though, you made the right decision. Now pay attention. You've taken Divination, so you should know this, but I'll refresh your memory anyway."

Ron suppressed a grin. They probably needed it, since he and Harry had barely earned their O.W.L.s. Most of what Ron had learned had already slipped from his mind.

"The Magician's number is One, the number of creation and individuality; his power is transformation through the use of his will. In his manipulation of the basic elements into all the substances and materials of life, he shows us that from a foundation of the mundane can emerge all that is to come. He can take the Nothing from which the Fool emerged and shape it into something, making one out of zero. Clearly this is power of a divine sort, and it is true that the Magician is a conduit for a higher power, which commands the entire material world. Since all that we can see in the physical world is the conduit himself, the acts he performs often seem like extremely powerful magic.

"Like it or not, Harry, it is widely known that you've mastered everything you've put your mind to. And the rest sure sounds like the legend of the Boy Who Lived, doesn't it?"

Ron shot Harry a glance. His friend was squirming on his stool. "A little, I guess."

"A little, huh?" Cliff grinned and continued. "The Magician's real power comes from sources outside of him, and he is effectively powerless without these sources, as these sources of power are impotent and useless without their conduit. Funny, how your friends fit into the scheme of things, too."

"Be more specific." Hermione frowned.

"Does this mean you agree with my interpretation so far?"

"It does seem strangely accurate." Hermione admitted with visible reluctance.

"And you realise that you are one of Harry's sources? The Queen of Swords… highly intelligent, has a complex personality, and is concerned with attention to detail and accuracy in all things. She is alert to the attitudes and opinions of those around her, and skilled at balancing opposing factions whilst she furthers her own schemes."

"I don't scheme!" Hermione protested.

Ron laughed. "Really? What about our second year?" He knew he'd made his point when Hermione flushed red. Even though she disliked breaking rules, she could be quite the schemer when she needed to be, and Ron had taken it upon himself to remind her of that part of herself every so often.

"She is self-reliant, swift acting, versatile and inventive…a person who is renowned for their perception and insight," Cliff continued. "The intuitive quality of the Water element and the mental clarity of the Swords are behind this potent combination, and in this case the two elements are not opposite to one another. This keen vision allows the Queen of Swords to see straight to the heart of any situation, past the illusions that may entice others into seeing what isn't really there. She always sees both sides of every argument…"

"That's our Hermione, all right!" Harry smiled.

A slow smile spread over Hermione's face. "All right, I caught that little hint. Ginny and Ron are sources too, aren't they?"

"Yes! Ginny…the Queen of Coins. Sensible, down-to-earth, wise and compassionate. She is a lover of comfort, splendour, ostentation, the grand occasion and the grand manner. She is lavish in her affection and her gifts, magnanimous and forgiving. She has a responsible attitude to her wealth, and uses it to support and advance those in her domain. She appreciates the good things of life."

"I picked the wrong card," Ginny grumbled. "That sounds like Heidi."

Cliff gave Ginny a penetrating stare. "You picked the card you were meant to pick. You may not have a lot of gold, but you certainly qualify when it comes to the affection part. The Queen of Coins is a character in which the energy of a major Arcana is reproduced, but on a more accessible level. She is like a mirror of the Empress. I think this means you are the one closest to Harry."

Ron looked at his little sister. "The Queen of Coins is supposed to be nurturing, sustaining all kinds of life," he said, dragging the things he had learned in Divination to the surface. "You're the one who kept Harry going when things really got bad. Hermione and I were there too, but you gave him something we couldn't."

"The Queen of Coins is not necessarily rich in terms of money, but she is always rich of heart, and she shares her wealth with all those in need," Harry said, gazing up at Ginny with a look that left Ron unable to decide whether he should pat him on the back or beat him into a bloody pulp.

"Nice to know you have paid some attention in your Divination class," Cliff teased Harry and Ron. Then she fixed her penetrating gaze on Ginny again. "Her only real weakness is an obsession with the security and protection that the Coins suit embodies, and this should come as little surprise because the Empress has trouble in this area as well. Very protective, sometimes overly so."

Ginny looked at her feet. "Right."

Hermione caught Ron's eye and she gave him a knowing look. Cliff had voiced the very reason why Ginny felt threatened by Heidi. She had also suggested that Ginny was very much like their mum in some ways.

"Ronald!" Cliff said solemnly. "The King of Wands… A man who is noble and courageous, and who exhibits qualities of great strength and fortitude. He is virile and passionate, and has a loyal and generous nature. He is a lover of traditional ways and family life. He tends to act swiftly when provoked, yet on occasion may find it hard to be decisive because his insight enables him to see every side of a problem. He is splendid at giving moral support." Her solemn look was quickly replaced by one of mischief, and she turned to Hermione. "Passionate and virile…is that true?"

"Why don't you ask your cards?" Hermione snapped, blushing furiously.

Harry and Ginny laughed, and Cliff giggled. "I'm afraid my cards aren't good at girl-talk. But anyway—" She smiled at Ron. "The King of Wands is the ultimate leader, who looks forward to challenges because he enjoys the rush of adrenaline that solving a difficult problem can induce."

"That's Hermione's fault, always kicking me into action. Ever since I became a Ranger, I don't know what else I ought to do," Ron replied jokingly. Back at Hogwarts, he'd always allowed Hermione or Harry to take the lead. He had limited his own leadership to ordering around his pieces on the chessboard.

"It is true," Cliff said. "Matthias says that you've changed a lot in very little time. I think you used to be the Knight of Wands. But you grew up." She looked at the others. "All of you did. You were already far more mature than most people your age when you came here, which is part of the reason you were approached to begin with. But you kept on growing.

"Yet the more things change, the more they stay the same. For the King of Wands has a remarkably good relationship with the common people," Cliff said. Then she began to shuffle her remaining cards again.

"So are you going to tell us what the cards say, when you've done with the reading?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know. It all depends on the nature of the information."

"But you can't keep it from us if it concerns us!" Ginny said indignantly.

"Can't I?" Cliff frowned. "Tell me, would Hermione still have knocked over that vase if I hadn't said anything?"

"I-I…oh, I s-see what you mean," Ginny stammered. "Sometimes it's better not to know the future."

"I happen to be among the people who think so, yes. Hard to believe, right, since I'm clairvoyant! I think the main problem with revealing people's fortune is that it causes a lot of people to behave according to the predictions, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sometimes, the cards tell me whether or not I should reveal information, but it's seldom that easy. It worked out all right for that Hogwarts attack, but sometimes it doesn't." Cliff sighed. Then she smiled. "Why don't you go downstairs and have some drinks. Matthias is making some fruit drinks as part of our diet."

Ron raised his eyebrows. The Lieutenant had lost a bit of weight. He'd though it must have been a trick of the light at first, but now that he paid closer attention, he saw that her clothes seemed a little looser.

"Why are you on a diet?" Ginny asked.

"I began mostly to support my hubby through his diet. Then I decided it wouldn't be bad to get some of my girlish figure back again. Besides, I'll gain a lot of weight again when I get pregnant."

"Make sure you don't overdo the diet, Lieutenant, or it may decrease your fertility," Ginny said.

"Oh, don't worry. Serafina would help me keep it balanced, but thank you for your concern."

"Are you and Captain Faust going to have children?" Hermione blurted out. "At your age wouldn't that be dangerous for you?"

"Hermione, she's a witch…and so are you!" Ginny said. "We age a little slower and live much longer than Muggles do, remember? We can still quite safely have children even when we're fifty. And if there is a complication, magical healing—"

"Oh, right…I forgot about that." Hermione sighed. "It's just that so many wizards have children earlier than Muggles do, particularly you Weasleys."

"Hey, we don't have much choice in the matter." Ron grinned. "The Weasley legions cannot be repelled by Anti-conception Charms, remember?"

"Oh, don't worry. I reinforce the charm every day."

Ron felt his knees go weak. "What? You're not on potion?"

"Honestly, I'm not taking any chances—"

"Hermione!" Ron groaned. "Mum used to do daily charms too, after Fred and George. But it didn't work, did it? Please, unless you want to have a baby, start using potion!" he pleaded. "You heard what the cards said, right? Virile…" The subsequent scowl on Hermione's face told Ron that he shouldn't have used Divination to argue his case, and he kicked himself mentally He could have said anything, but not that. Even if he hadn't been completely serious.

"Ron, I'm perfectly sure I'm safe."

"I don't know, Hermione," Ginny began carefully. "Arthur and the twins were both born despite the charms Katie and Angelina used. They weren't planning to have children so soon. Maybe you should go on potion…"

"Absolutely not…I won't be bullied into—"

"You have to!" Ron urged.

"I don't have to do anything, Ronald Weasley!" Hermione said sharply.

Ron gritted his teeth. Why did she have to be so stubborn and underestimate the Weasley fertility? He was surprised that she wasn't pregnant already!

"I hope we've been able to help you, Lieutenant. I have some things I need to do, so if you'll excuse me," Hermione said, bending down to open the hatch. Then she quickly disappeared down the ladder.

Ron quickly said goodbye to Lieutenant Cliff and hurried after Hermione. She wouldn't get away from him that easily. They needed to discuss this, because he felt that now would certainly not be the best time for them to bear the added burden of responsibility for a child. He had yet to turn twenty-two. He simply didn't feel ready to be a father, and their responsibilities as Rangers complicated matters even more. "Hermione!"

Hermione, who was stomping down the street, didn't answer.

Ron quickened his pace and caught up to her. "Hermione, hold on!"

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" she snapped angrily, not stopping.

Glancing at his watch, Ron knew it would be pushing his luck, since he had to report for disciplinary duty. But in light of the current crisis, that would simply have to wait. "This is more important."

She suddenly halted. "Fine. So talk!"

"Here?" Ron asked. He didn't feel like discussing this out in the open.

"If you want to talk about it now."

"All right!" he said, and began to talk as softly as possible. "Hermione, I told you that charms aren't a guarantee when it comes to my family. You have—" Ron bit back the rest of the sentence. It was best not to put that sort of pressure on her. "Sorry. You probably think you know what you're talking about, but so do I. If you don't want to use potion, that's fine. But that'll mean that we may have children sooner than we planned." He sighed. "Hermione, why won't you just use potion?"

Hermione lowered her gaze and didn't answer him. That was so unlike her. Ron knew Hermione only broke eye contact when she was hiding something. But what could she possibly be hiding? Why did she seem so hesitant to use Anti-conception Potion?

"Ron…I…" Hermione said, looking him in the eyes again.

He then saw that hers were shiny with unshed tears, and a thought suddenly struck him. "Hermione, are you…do you have infertility problems? Can you have children?"

Hermione couldn't contain herself any longer and burst into tears.

Ron stepped forward immediately and engulfed her in a hug. He didn't say anything. He just held her, knowing that she'd talk when she was ready to. He shot overly inquisitive passers-by hostile looks that left no doubt to the fact that he wanted them to mind their own business. When Harry and Ginny turned up a few minutes later, Hermione seemed to have calmed down and was ready to speak.

"Remember when Death Eaters attacked my parents' home?" she sniffed.

Ron nodded. How could he forget! It had been a painful example of how much Ministry information the Death Eaters had had access to. Luckily, it had been more of an intimidation mission than an actual execution. The only reason Hermione was still alive was because Voldemort had wanted her to live and deliver the message to Harry. Otherwise they would have been far more aggressive. "Yeah, Malfoy was one of them, right?"

"They were throwing the curses at my middle. The mediwizard repaired some of the damage, but I only have one working ovary left. They said it wasn't one hundred percent either, and that using something as heavy as Birth-control Potion would very likely shut it down forever."

"Oh, Herm! Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I know you don't want children now, Ron. B-but…the longer we wait, the slimmer our chances of having any children. The mediwizard told me—and I ran some of my own tests too, with Serafina's help—I can't count on being fertile for ten more years. If we're going to have children, we'd better have them now."

"Wait, Serafina knew about this?" he asked angrily. Then he looked at Harry and Ginny. "What about you two?"

"They didn't know, Ron!" Hermione assured him. "Only Serafina and Captain Sharif knew."

"Bloody hell! Serafina just picked to wrong time to learn how to keep secrets."

That elicited a half-sobbing snigger from Hermione.

Ron smiled. At least he could still make her laugh. "And I finally know why Captain Sharif keeps giving me those odd looks."

Ginny began to giggle and Hermione followed suit. Harry was giving him a diabolical grin. "That's not why he looks at you like that, Weasley."

"Ron…Captain Sharif is gay, and he fancies you!" Ginny said, trying very hard not to laugh.

"What?" Ron exclaimed, shocked. He gave Harry a murderous glance. "How long have you known?"

"That he's gay or that he fancies you?"

"Both!"

"Well, I've only known about the fancy for a month, Ginny told me. As for him being gay, come on! You can't tell me that you haven't noticed the way he moves!"

"He's got a wooden leg!"

"I said the way he moves, in general, not just the way he walks."

"That doesn't mean anything," Ron persisted. This couldn't be true. He just couldn't be that oblivious.

"Honestly, Ron!" Ginny laughed. "He wears eye-liner!"

"I thought that was an Egyptian fashion thing…"

***

nycgal: Glad you liked the chapters.

SiriDragon: Evil evil person, you said. Music to my ears. ;-)

Lana Riddle: Thank you.

Gogirl: I never lie. No, I merely suggest some things and leave you to interpret them. And if it were her daughter, the child would have grown up mighty fast, don't you think?

Maverick Davis: I don't know if angst was the right word. But the adversities will increase, yes.

harry/ginny4eva: He knew there was a good chance he'd be sent to Azkaban, where in turn, he knew there would be a good chance that he'd get his soul sucked out.

Ginny1946: No-one was in a speaking mood at the funeral. In fact, I could argue that they chose not to speak to avoid bitching about the commander in an emotional moment. On another note, at the moment, there is no Ranger from Guyana. But I have some other Rangers from the region, written in my notes. There's one from Surinam, for example. But the Rangers are not yet at full strength. There will be plenty of new Rangers in the future, Who knows?

EliCa: I'll write as fast as I can.

Nosgoroth: Am I? Why thank you.

Casual Reader: Yep, Aberforth is Gandalf. There are going to be some other LoTR moments throughout the story.

sherman: There is nothing to forgive, my friend.

The Millenium One: To pull a Harry: To seemingly perish, only to triumphantly return and baffle the others characters later. :-)

Lamina Court: Yeah, many people just assume that Dumbledore never reproduced. I tried to give this 'child' some background as well, and weave it into the story. I hope I made it interesting.

Maab: Oops, I forgot to mention that about the Draconians. Disclaimer: While I added my own meaning of the origin of the Draconians' name for this story, it was indeed inspired by The Vision of Escaflowne. Thanks for reminding me, Maab.

rowan: I'm sorry the reading isn't quite as elaborate in some stories, but after asking around, I came to the conclusion that it would be better not to write about actual spreads, since interpretations can vary per deck used and from person to person. Another writer who once wrote about Tarot, told me that the readers actually e-mailed her, insisting that the way she interpreted things were all wrong. I just wanted to avoid that.

Sorensen: No, they haven't discussed the properties of those necklaces. :-) That'll have to remain for a late chapter.

Petals: I guess it depends on you definition of angst. As for Aberforth, I wish all that wisdom had been my own, but as it is, I borrowed it from a sci-fi series, as I mentioned in the disclaimer. Dumbledore's age, I think, was never actually discussed. But I could be wrong. I heard that stuff about Dumbledore being a senior wizarding citizen, and McGonagall being in the 'wizarding middle age' too. I also got the impression that Dumbledore was old, even for wizards. Anyway, I'm not sure if it had been Rowling who said those things, or whether it had been educated guesses made by people who've analysed the books. Like I said before, I could be wrong, it could have been Rowling herself, in which case I'll have to plead ignorance to excuse my faulty info on the subject.

malfoyslova15: I believe that is mentioned in 'Existence after Life' chapter 16.

RogueAngel: Well, as you've seen, this lady isn't like Trelawney.

Clare: Sorry, I have to adhere to my one post every two weeks strategy.