One evening that October, Snape asked her to meet him in the Charms room at night. He believed she might possess some magical ability, and wanted to test it. He had been doing research on Rowena's background, per her suggestion, and discovered she was a Tardiomagus. Tardiomagi were very rare wizards from Muggle backgrounds whose powers didn't develop until their mid-twenties (instead of at childhood). Most Tardiomagi only became average wizards, developing just enough power to perform basic charms and spells. A rare few became powerful – Rowena was one of these. Unfortunately, many Tardiomagi committed suicide at a young age, being afraid of themselves and having found nowhere to turn for answers. Snape suspected Alexi was a Tardiomagus, possibly a powerful one, which would explain Rowena's associating with her.
When Alexi arrived, he handed her his wand and ordered her to make the feather he brought to fly. She reminded him she was a mere Muggle, but he refused to let her go until she tried. He coached her on how to use the wand and how to concentrate while saying the charm. She tried several times to no avail. Becoming angry, she wondered what he was playing at. Did he get a thrill watching her flounder? Snape reminded her that she defeated powerful charms and spells to even arrive at Hogwarts, that she caused his ink to spill and made the contents of his desk go flying. Therefore, she could do this simple thing. Realizing what he was saying was true, she looked deep inside herself and felt the magic residing there. With renewed determination, the feather flew!
Over the weeks, Snape continued her lessons in secret, and she quickly caught on. She was a natural, and with her studious nature, she began to catch up on her skills. Eventually, Snape told Dumbledore about the lessons, and Dumbledore allowed Alexi to learn the other magical abilities with his blessing. Charms became a favorite, and Alexi was soon stringing together various charms to make what she liked to call Über-Charms, complex spells that weaved many elements into one. She took to Transfiguration the quickest, and McGonagall discovered she had the ability to become an Animagus, shortly after the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament. Her Animagus form was that of a bay mare with black mane and tail and white stockings. She decided to go by the name of Symphony when in horse shape.
Her abilities were kept hidden by the faculty – there was no reason to notify the students. Plus, she wanted to become a spy or an informant for them. She felt she needed to repay Voldemort for the death of her family. Utmost secrecy would be a major component of her success if she followed that route. Once she discovered she could perform magic, she decided to adopt a new name to honor her new life– Andaxia Moonstar.
On her first trip to Diagon Alley, she marveled at the numerous shops. At Ollivanders, she received her own wand – 13 ½ inches, mahogany with an ebony handle, slightly bendy, dragon heartstring wrapped around a vampire's fang (powerful and dependable but rather temperamental). This wand was an ancient wand, dating from the 500's, found in one of the deepest recesses of the shop. She stocked up on robes and cloaks, and purchased several new books.
Snape also taught her how to fly a broomstick and the rules of Quidditch. Plus, she made regular trips to Diagon Alley to pick up supplies for the instructors. On one of these trips, she purchased a snowy owl, which she named Mystique, and a calico cat named Snaptail.
The riding lessons continued as well, the only stipulation having been the students having satisfactory grades to participate. She was planning a large equestrian show showcasing the talents of the students. At this time, she acquired several more horses, including another dappled gray stallion named Arpeggio, a strawberry roan mare named Aurora, a liver chestnut mare named Nebula, a piebald (black-and-white Paint) mare named Tenderfoot, a buckskin gelding named Snapdragon, a black stallion named Eclipse, and a white stallion named Shadowfax (after Gandalf's horse in the Lord of the Rings books). Hagrid mapped out a safe trail through the Forbidden Forest for her, and she used it often.
Of course, Draco decided to show what a great rider he was. He announced that his father kept a herd of fine horses, and he was much better than a mere Mudblood Muggle. Andaxia gave him the opportunity to show his skills on Solstice, who was very high-strung. He did well, until he kicked the mare a little too hard, and she neatly deposited him on the ground. He threatened the mare, but Andaxia interfered. "Draco, the only way to earn her respect is to treat her well and become her partner, not her master. She must trust you, not feel threatened by you. It would be a great honor to secure her trust, as she is very selective. I can show you, if you like."
"Get away from me, you nasty Muggle! I don't need to be taught how to ride by the likes of you!" Draco stomped off in disgust as Andaxia shook her head.
Over the next few days, she caught Draco trying to master Solstice, each time landing in the mud. When no one was around, she finally confronted him. He really felt a need to master the feisty mare, a way to prove himself. She offered again to help, in secret, if he wished it. Quietly, he agreed, but only if the lessons were held in complete secrecy. No one must know he was taking instruction from a Muggle, especially his father.
After many lessons, Draco had won the respect of Solstice, and Andaxia joined them for a celebratory trail ride on Arpeggio. She took the route Snape had led her on a while ago, when he had taken her outside the spells and shown her the castle. She no longer noticed when they left the spell area, but she knew exactly where it was. As they reached the summit, they stopped and watched the sun set, the last few rays sparkling off the lake. She revealed to Draco that he had come a long way and she was proud of him.
"Really?" he asked, disbelieving.
"Yes, truly," she answered. With that, a tenuous friendship had begun.
