Tyra watched Harry redden as he bossed around the would-be Quidditch team members from his perch on his broomstick with a mixture of interest and amusement. Ginny Weasley was turning out to be quite the Beater,pelting Bludgers with deadly accuracy out of the field. She was the only one Harry wasn't thoroughly frustrated with. Neville Longbottom was making a sorry swing with his Beater bat, missing everything except the heads of the other players. Ron was doing fine, stopping the Quaffle several times as it zoomed toward the hoops. He had gained confidence over the summer and had adjusted admirably. The only other player he was pleased with was Dean Thomas, whose passing skills were wonderful. He had already mentally placed Ginny and Dean on the team. That still left two Chasers and a Beater. Colin Creevey had turned in his camera for a broom, and actually prised the Beater bat from Neville's hand as he ducked an attacking Bludger, sending it flying. Colin would do fine as a Beater. He still needed two Chasers. Seamus Finnigan did a sickening roll, unable to control his broom well enough to stay seated. Harry clutched his head, rolling his eyes. Tyra could tell his head hurt. Hermione looked concerned as well. Euan Abercrombie, a second-year, looked really good passing the Quaffle with Dean. Harry decided he would do. That left one position open. He sent Neville to pass the Quaffle and try to score some goals. He was actually doing admirably, though his aim was off. He'd have to do. Harry ticked off the list in his head, then called everyone. "I'll be posting the final outcome tomorrow, on the Common room notice board. You all can check for the results after lunch. Thanks to everyone who tried out." Harry was relieved that the ordeal was over. Tyra scribbled down what he recited to her after the students had cleared the field. "Chasers are Dean Thomas, Euan Abercrombie, and Neville Longbottom. Beaters are Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey. Keeper is obviously Ron and I am the Seeker." Tyra scribbled with her quill furiously.
"Got it. It's all right here." She handed him the parchment and rubbed his shoulders to relax him a little. Harry smiled slightly, relieved.
"I have to say I agree with your decisions. It was a circus out there!" Ron grumbled, running his fingers through his red hair. It stuck up in different directions. Hermione smoothed it subconsciously and shouldered her impossible load of books.
"I hate to say it, but I was beginning to wonder if it would take all night," Tyra stated, grinning at Harry. "You looked so…regal up there on your broom." Harry snickered, poking her. She never ceased to amuse him, although she scared him as well. She had grown on him as a very good friend. She seemed to fit with the group well. Which made him uncomfortable that he was going behind her back and reading about her. But hadn't her own bird given him directions? Harry shook his head, trying to push that thought in the back of his brain until he and Ron could read over the book in their room that night. Harry led the way into the Great Hall, not even bothering to change robes for dinner. Ron did the same, their robes making splashes of scarlet amid the black. Tyra sank into the seat across from them, Hermione in tow. They had gotten deep into discussion about the finer points of Arithmancy. Harry let them go on and on, intent on his treacle tart. His head was beginning to hurt again. It was just a dull ache at first, but it was quickly becoming stronger. He pushed his tart away, suddenly nauseated. Tyra interrupted herself mid-sentence. "Harry?" she asked, concern clear.
"Are you all right?" Hermione finished worriedly. Ron had a huge mouthful of food, but looked intently at his friend. As he started to double over, Ron grabbed him by the elbow and heaved him to his feet. Tyra and Hermione chased them out of dinner, food forgotten. Malfoy seemed to be the only one who noticed them leaving. It was a good thing they had left, because no sooner than they had cleared the door, Harry blacked out completely. Tyra rushed over and helped Ron support his limp weight. Hermione picked up Tyra's forgotten bag and trotted after them toward the infirmary. It was clear after a few moments that the stairs would be next to impossible to navigate carrying him. Tyra fumbled through her jean pockets for her wand.
"Moblicorpus," she muttered, and Harry was suddenly lifted horizontally. Tyra guided him up the stairs with her wand.
"I should have thought of that one," Hermione said, angry with herself. Ron took Tyra's bag from Hermione and they followed the floating form of Harry and the distracted Tyra as they rounded the final corner to the infirmary.
"What happened here?" Madame Pomfrey chided, making room on a spare bed for Tyra to set Harry on.
"We're not exactly sure, Madame Pomfrey. He just…blacked out," Hermione explained, taking the task as spokesperson.
"Let's have a look then." She scurried around the bed. Tyra took her bag from Ron and leaned against the wall, well out of the way. Hermione took the chair next to the bedside, Ron hovering over her shoulder. It wasn't Tyra's place to shove her way in. They were Harry's friends first. She contented herself with humming a little tune, waiting to be certain he was okay. "He'll be fine." She filled a dropper full of foul-smelling liquid and trickled it into the corner of his mouth. Harry spluttered at the taste, shaking his head and sitting up suddenly.
"He's close!" Harry shouted, clutching his head and trying to force his emerald eyes to focus. Behind half-lidded eyes, he could see Voldemort standing in a cluster of trees. He couldn't make out the surroundings, but the picture sent a new wave of pain in its wake.
"You're delirious, Dear. Relax." Madame Pomfrey settled him back against the pillows. She gave him a beaker of water and a headache potion. He took them both and gulped them down.
"You going to be all right?" Ron asked, managing a half-smile for Harry's benefit.
"I'll be fine." Hermione hugged Harry. "Madame Pomfrey, I swear I am all right, can I go please?"
"I suppose. Mr. Weasley, walk with him in case he decides to collapse on us again." Madame Pomfrey pursed her lips. "And come up between classes tomorrow for more headache potion, if you need it."
"He will,"
Hermione assured, standing close to make sure Harry could get to his feet. Tyra watched with slight amusement. The behavior was odd, but she knew it meant
only one thing. Harry was connected to
Voldemort by the scar, she had seen him clutching it like it were about to tear
open. She didn't know why she was so
amused, but she was. "Tyra? Are you coming?"
"Of course, forgive me. I was dozing off over here. Must be tired." By her tone, Harry knew she was hiding
something from them, but decided later would be a better time to confront her
about it. He allowed her the moment to
think about things as they made their way to Gryffindor tower.
"I have hall duty tonight!" Ron realized, smacking his forehead. "You too, Hermione. Remember? It's Gryffindor night." Hermione nodded, glancing at Harry and Tyra apologetically.
"I've got him. Get a move on," she said, smiling for their benefit. She placed herself next to Harry, allowing her arm to keep him steady.
"You seemed a little distant back there. Are you all right?" he asked her, trying his best not to question her about the past, demand that she tell him.
"Fine. A little shaken, is all. I assume HE is Voldemort?" Harry nodded slightly in confirmation, stumbling slightly. "And you can feel when he's happy and stuff? No wonder Snape will be giving you Occlumency lessons."
"You actually know what Occlumency is?" he snorted.
"The study of psychic defense. Shutting your mind to people. Dad says it is a hard thing to master. He says only Dumbledore and Snape can do it, as far as he knows. I should say Dad said," she stated, face falling.
"Will you tell me about the past, Tyra?"
"Soon, Harry. Soon, I promise. I am still coming to terms with it, coming to terms with myself. Rest assured I will tell you though." Tyra steadied him as they climbed into the portrait hole. "Please don't think I am trying to keep anything from you."
"I don't." Harry felt like he was lying. The truth was, he felt like she was keeping something from him, and he wanted to know why. He wanted to demand the truth from her that instant, make her sit down and spill her guts. But it wasn't fair of him to think that. She had just lost her father and was an orphan now. It wasn't the wisest time to press the issue. Sighing, he came to an inner understanding. Being patient was hard, but he'd have to settle for it. After all, he still had the book… "Would you help me to bed? I think I need to lay down after all." Tyra didn't question him, instead helped him up the boys' staircase and stopped outside his door. "Goodnight, Tyra."
"Goodnight, Harry. I hope you feel better tomorrow." Tyra leaned over and kissed his cheek. Harry rubbed the spot dumbly before letting himself into his bedroom. It was empty. On the weekends, no one went to bed early. He pulled on his pajamas and drew the curtains around his bed before heaving the volume from the library. He flipped through the pages until he found Gordeeva, Tyra (Page 3327). He scanned the list of names. Tyra was at the bottom, alone. Her father's family line went back three generations to Thaddeus Gordeeva and Greta Frump. Her great-grandparents ended the list. On the other side, starting with Tyra's mother, Tatiya, was a huge family tree, going back at least fifty generations. But it was the last name that caught his eye. Snape? Like Professor Snape? On the same line as her mother's name, over five spaces, was listed Severus Snape. Severus and Tatiya had the same grandparents. Tyra was related to Snape? Cousins? It was impossible. But it was staring him in the face. The looks Snape had given her made sense, as well as the attitude she had toward him in the hall. It explained a lot, but brought up many more questions. Like why she was related to Dark Wizards, and if she could be truly trusted at all.
Ron came in well after midnight, slumping on the edge of his bed wearily. He tugged off one shoe, then the other. He was rather shocked when Harry whispered his name. "You aren't going to believe what I just learned from looking at the book. Tyra is related to Snape!"
"As in scary Potions-master Snape?" Ron asked incredulously. "Wacky."
"It makes
sense. I told you how he looks at
her. Like he's trying to remember
something. They're cousins once-removed
or something like that. Still, they are
cousins, which means they are related.
Tyra's mum was a Snape. It makes
sense though," he continued, talking mostly to himself. "Mum was always sticking up for Snape in the
memories I have seen. If her mum and
mine were best friends, that would give my mum a reason to back Snape up. This is odd.
Can we trust her?"
"I don't know, Harry. Why don't we talk about this to Hermione in
the morning? She might have an
idea. I am tired." Seamus Finnigan stirred slightly. Harry took it as a sign. Rolling over, he forced himself to go to
sleep, despite the millions of questions running through his mind.
Ron was up early, despite turning in late. He shook Harry awake and they went down to the common room together. Hermione was up as well, mulling over some History of Magic notes for Professor Binns' class. "So, tell me again. And tell Hermione," Ron prompted.
"Tyra and Snape are cousins. Her mom and Snape have the same grandparents."
"Seriously?" Hermione looked up from her notes, eyebrow raised. "Harry, seriously. Remember what Sirius told you? There isn't one pureblood family that isn't related in some way to the next. You can't go thinking Tyra is a Dark Witch just because she's related to Professor Snape! You know Dumbledore trusts Snape implicitly. Let it go." Harry wondered how she knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I never
thought of it that way," Ron admitted. "I
wonder if she even knows?"
"I'm sure she does. I am sure she saw him at least once when she
was little. If her mum and Snape were
cousins," Hermione told them. "If that's
all, I am going to finish studying. You
two should be doing your homework as well.
NEWTS come next year." Ron rolled
his eyes at Harry. Tyra came down the
stairs, cradling the newly reborn Taranon in her arms. He was almost totally bald, but his little
eyes were sharp and shining.
"Isn't he cute?" she asked, looking down at him. When she looked up, she noticed the wary expressions on the faces of her friends. "What is it? You look like someone stole your Canary Creams and Honeydukes Chocolate." Tyra sat down slowly in the free armchair across the table from her friends.
"It's nothing," Harry said quickly, trying his best not to look guilty. "We were just discussing NEWTS for next year. Hermione was telling us the improtance of studying."
"I should really get on that. NEWTS are supposed to be terrible. But then again, so were OWLS, and I did fine." Tyra shook her head slightly, resting her phoenix in her lap and stroking the soft down of his forehead. Crookshanks sniffed him tentatively before waddling over and draping himself across Hermione's feet. She said nothing as the others continued to stare at her.
"Oh, you two! Honestly!" Hermione stuffed her notes in her bag. "Come on, Tyra. Let's go get some breakfast while these two sort their issues out. It's supposed to be a nice day." Tyra rose, looking back over her shoulder at Harry and Ron before walking out after Hermione. She wondered what was going on, but guessed Hermione would be uncomfortable telling her. Something had set them off, she just had to figure out what.
"Well, that was nice and comfy," Ron pointed out sarcastically. "Maybe Hermione is right. After all, she certainly doesn't act evil, and she wasn't sorted into Slytherin either." Harry nodded distractedly. His friends were most likely right. He was just overreacting.
"Let's go and apologize. I feel terrible." Harry forced himself to walk down to breakfast. Something still seemed off, but he couldn't figure out what.
A/N: Thanks for the review telling me the first chapter was messed up. I am currently fighting with my computer to fix it.
I know this chapter is shorter than the others, but it said all I wanted it to.
Thanks to Cory for begging me to repost this!!!!!