Tyra was bent over her Defense Against the Dark Arts paper on the ways to fend off werewolves when Harry and Ron appeared.  Hermione gave them both a very meaningful look as they seated themselves across the breakfast table.  Snape had been subbing for their DADA class, and Harry was wondering if Dumbledore would ever find a replacement teacher.  He understood Tyra's attention to detail.  Especially since Snape was her cousin.  Her was thinking on it again.  Shaking his head, he put on the most pleasant smile he could muster.  "How's it going?" Harry asked brightly.

        "I don't want to write a report on them.  Can't I just bring Remus in?  Will that get me credit for the assignment?"

        "Somehow I don't think Snape would appreciate it.  Lupin isn't his favorite person in the world," Ron explained. 

        "I was only kidding," she chided, grinning a lop-sided grin.

        "Sorry if we seemed a little strange earlier," Harry said sheepishly.  Tyra could tell he wasn't used to apologizing.  She managed a smile. 

        "You don't have to tell me why if you don't want to.  But I would be glad to clarify anything that may have upset you if it pertains to me."   She turned her attention back to the paper, Taranon letting out a peep of agreement before snuggling down in her robes.  She bit into her toast, giving Harry time to consider what he was doing. 

        "Is that Tonks at the table there?  Next to Snape?" Hermione asked suddenly.  Tonks, with her bright pink hair, was very easy to pick out amid the teachers.  

        "It is!"  Tyra said excitedly.

        "Wonder what she's doing here?"

        "Rumor has it that lady is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher!" Neville whispered. 

        "Cool!" Ron exclaimed.  Tonks seemed to have noticed them, for she waved.  Tyra grinned widely, nudging Harry under the table.  He waved as well before digging into his bacon.  Hedwig came in with the other owls to deliver a copy of the Daily Prophet and a letter.  The letter was nondescript, other than the familiar star-shaped gold wax seal holding it securely.  Tyra stared at it with terrified eyes, looking as though she might run. It was addressed to Harry alone, but no doubt had come from the same person who had sent the threat.  Harry opened it slowly, allowing the wax to crumble between his fingers before smoothing the paper.  He finally took a deep breath and started reading. 

        Mr. Potter,

                If you want to solve the mystery of Tyra Gordeeva, you must take her phoenix.  The bird can reveal all.

                        A Concerned Friend

        "This is strange," Harry muttered, shoving the letter in his pocket.  He knew he shouldn't trust the letter, that much was certain.  But he wondered how anyone would know he had been snooping into Tyra's past in the first place.  He shook his head slightly when Ron opened his mouth.  "Tyra, can I ask you something?"

        "Sure, Harry, what is it?"

        "Are you related to Professor Snape?"
        "Yes," she replied, brow furrowing.  "Was that the issue?"  Harry nodded slightly.  "Well, rest assured Severus and I spend very little time together.  He used to come see us on the holidays, back when my mom was still alive.  He was much more fun and lively back then.  He's always been quiet though."

        "You said Taranon found you?"

        "Yes, why?"

        "No reason, I was just curious."  Hermione lowered her eyes, then looked sideways at Harry from beneath her lashes. 

        "Okay, anything else?"
        "No.  I'm fine, really."  He worked to reassure her.  She looked as though he might faint at any moment.  It was almost irritating, but at the same time nice to know she cared.  She shrugged and neatly crossed a "t" before putting her quill down.  She rolled the parchment after powdering it to set the ink.  Wrapping it with a ribbon, she tucked it safely into her bag. 

        "Want me to post the Quidditch list for you, so you don't get mobbed?" she offered.

        "That's be great, thanks."  Tyra took the parchment from Harry and waved to them as she left the hall.

        "What is it, Harry?"  He shared the content of the letter with his friends.  "That's odd," Hermione mused.  "I wonder why they gave you that lead."

        "I think someone wants me to delve into Tyra's past for them.  But the strange thing is, she doesn't seem evasive.  I'd rather ask her to tell me herself."

        "Maybe there's something even she doesn't know."  Ron just glanced back and forth between his friends as though they were a highly entertaining tennis game. 

        "I don't know, but there is just something strange going on here.  Dumbledore tells me I can learn from her, she's related to Snape, and now this whole thing about her phoenix.  It just doesn't make sense."  Harry shook his head.  "I have to do that stupid Potions homework for Snape."  He excused himself in this manner, leaving Hermione and Ron sitting at the table staring at one another.  Was Harry really so suspicious as that?  Shrugging, Ron, trailed after him, leaving Hermione bent over her Arithmancy book with a quill. 

        Tyra was finishing posting the list as Harry walked into the common room.  She was alone, except for Taranon and Crookshanks skittering around her ankles.  "Oh, hey Harry.  You surprised me," she said, smiling as she sank into a chair. 

        "Tyra, do you have anything to hide from me?"  Tyra just stared hard at him, as though trying to gather her thoughts.  

        "Why would I, Harry?  I'm not a Dark Witch, if that's what you were thinking.  I abhor my mother's side of the family for working for Voldemort.  But remember, Harry, my mom was good.  She was there to defend your family.  I feel bad that she failed and all, but Lily Potter was Mom's best friend.  You can't possibly assume that my family's past passes to everyone in my family."  She stared even harder at him.  "What is it?"

        "Why won't you tell me about the past, Tyra?  Why?"

        "You know it's still painful, Harry.  Why do you ask questions when you already know the answer?"  Tears welled in her eyes.  Ron and Hermione had entered, careful to stay away from the two as they spoke. 

        "Lily and James Potter were my parents.  They died.  I was raised in Muggle hell by my aunt and uncle, and I am still able to talk about my past.  You could tell me about yours."  Tyra blinked as the tears began to trace her cheeks.  Harry felt slightly guilty about making her cry, but he needed to know.

        "Maybe we could do this somewhere less…public?" Hermione suggested.  "Let's go visit Hagrid."  Tyra nodded her head once in assent.   Harry finally relented, allowing himself to be led across the grounds.  He regretted not having brought his cloak as the chilly air swirled around them.  Tyra was cold too, she was trembling violently.  Harry was certain it was nerves as well, though.  Hagrid's hut had smoke curling from the chimney, and Fang's familiar booming bark greeted them as they knocked at the door. 

        "'Ello, 'Ermione!  'Arry, Ron, Tyra."  Hagrid saw Tyra's face and opened the door more widely, ushering them inside.  "What brings you 'ere?"  He chuckled as Taranon skittered into his lap and settled himself. 

        "I urged Harry to come here so that Tyra could explain her past.  Harry would have had her crying in front of all of Gryffindor."

        "Well, then," Hagrid said, beetle-black eyes widening slightly as he cleared his throat.  His bushy eyebrows raised almost comically as he gestured to the chairs around his table and set about making tea over the fire.  Ron and Hermione seated themselves in Hagrid's over-sized armchair together, trying to remain out of the picture. 

        "What do you want to know?" Tyra asked, swallowing.  "Hermione, you may as well take notes on this.  Dumbledore will want to know it anyway." 

        "I think the beginning is a good place as any to start," Harry suggested. 

        "Don't be surprised if I am very detailed.  I have a very clear memory, after all my dreams.  I guess the earliest memory I have was when you were born.  We always visited Lily and James every Sunday for afternoon tea.  The topic of conversation was always the same, though I didn't really understand.  Voldemort and the Death Eaters."  She paused a moment to be certain Hermione could keep up.  "You were tiny.  Mom told me that we would grow up to be very good friends, that we could play when you got bigger.  I guess that's all one-and-a-half-year-olds really think about.  Your mother was always so nice to me, she used to take me out and swing me on a tree swing your dad had made for them.  Sirius Black was over a lot as well, right after you were born.  He always had something small for me, told me I was his friend.  He must have spent more time holding you than your dad on those Sundays.  Anyhow, things started getting more and more tense.  You were getting bigger and bigger all the time, and then you started stumbling around on your feet.  I was nearly three when the time came and Dumbledore came to call upon your parents.  He said it was no longer safe for your family to remain out in the open.  They would have to cast a very powerful secret-keeping spell to keep your family safe.  My mother offered to be the secret-keeper, but Dumbledore told her that our family would be needed to walk the perimeter and keep an eye out for the Death Eaters.  We would be there at the time the spell was cast to be sure you had a supply of food and company.  Sirius was the natural choice, he'd rather die than give up your family.  He was fiercely loyal, or so my dad told me.  But something went awry.  See, I know Sirius would never have given you up, but for some reason Voldemort found you guys. I never found out why, though Dad had his ideas.  But I remember the night it happened.  Dad had gone to report to Dumbledore for some reason, and Mom was off for the night from patrolling.  I was sleeping downstairs on the couch when the door burst open.  My mother shoved me under the stairs into the cupboard, and went to confront the Death Eaters.  I watched as she fell from some sort of spell.  Your father was in the kitchen.  He headed them off at the stairs, shouting "Lily, take Harry!"   I was too terrified to move or do anything.  All I could do was watch as everything turned sick green and your dad fell as well."  Tyra paused again.  "Some of this I know cause dad told me."  She cleared her throat before continuing.  "I finally found my feet, and when I though the coast was clear, I left the cupboard and was about to follow the robed figures up the stairs.  That was when my cousin Severus grabbed me from behind and threw a hand over my mouth.  I couldn't do anything, I was frozen.  HE was one of them, all dressed in black.  He took me outside, told me to hide in the bushes.  I heard your mom scream, and saw the green light through the window.  And then…it was weird.  This cloud of black ash drifted down the stairs and outside.  Death Eaters were running all over, fleeing the house and the area.  I was almost stepped on by a few, but I didn't dare move.  The last thing I remember of the flight was Severus, holding a finger to his lips and chasing after the others.  I wanted to scream at him, pummel him, but I was just a little kid and I guess I just…couldn't.  When Dad came back and found me later, he found the rest as well.  We went up to your room, fully expecting you to be dead too.  But there you were, asleep in your crib, a scar on your forehead.  Dad told me to sit down and leaned over you.  You were breathing.  I remember Dumbledore coming for you, and telling Dad that he had to take me away from there.  We fled to the United States with help from the Ministry.  I never saw you again, til now.  Dad told me other stories about how you had somehow managed to defeat Voldemort.  He told me never to be afraid, because there was always hope.  But he left something out, something I still haven't figured out myself.  I was told Taranon found me, but I don't remember how he came to be near me.  I was also told that I would never be able to come back here, but I'm here.  I remember all these faces, Remus, Peter Pettigrew, and of course, Dumbledore.  He came to see me from time to time.  I tried to tell him my cousin was a Death Eater, but he told me to think again, because I would most likely not be alive if Severus hadn't hidden me.  I am still confused.  I don't know what to believe, Harry.  But that's all I know, I swear."  Harry shook his head, the memories floating behind his half-closed lids like a picture show.  Things were even clearer after she explained them. 

        "Peter Pettigrew was the secret-keeper, Tyra.  He was working for Voldemort, and gave my family up.  It wasn't Sirius."  Tyra nodded slightly.

        "I don't know why my family is so important to Voldemort.  I know why you are, but not why I am.  I mean, I am an average teenager.  My dad raised me overseas and came to work here.  Everything seemed so…normal.  And now the only person who can give me answers, I am so afraid of I don't know if I acknowledge him as family at all.  Maybe I just remind Voldemort of you.  That's all I can think of.  I just don't know.  Dad told me you would be at school here.  I remembered this tiny toddler, but here you are, a real person, not just some dream.  It's like looking at the past all over again everytime I see you.  You look just like your dad."  Harry felt angry tears stinging his eyes.  She was so intimate about his family.  He wondered why his mother and hers had been such good friends.  "If it's okay with you, I'd rather not go any further into it right now."  Harry nodded slightly, watching as she curled as small as she could in the chair and wrapped her arms around her legs.  Hermione finished her note taking with a flourish, re-reading her own writing.  Hagrid was surprisingly subdued.

        "She's right, yeh know.  Her dad found yeh.  Dumbledore had just sent them away when I came ta get yeh and take yeh to yer aunt's." 

Tyra spent the next few days in a terrible silence, allowing herself contact with Taranon alone.  Something seemed so strange about the bird, now that Harry had gotten the note about him.  He seemed to have a huge affect on Tyra's behavior.  Once again, he tried not to think about it.  The circumstances were odd.  He knew then why Tyra hadn't wanted to discuss it.  

A/N: I didn't intend for the plot to flow this fast, it just is.  I promise this will get less confusing soon. 

As per the usual, I would like to clarify that the characters except for Tyra and her parents are the property of J.K. Rowling.  As much as I wish  I had half of her genius, I don't.  Thanks to those who read this.