Disclaimer: I don't own anything… you know the rest

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"JAMES!" Spirit sat up shaking, emerald eyes wide and searching as she struggled to control her breathing…

"Hush!"

She felt a cool hand touch her forehead, pushing her lightly back down onto the bed. Looking into a pair of eyes a shade or two lighter then her own, a feeling of peacefulness settled over her. Closing her eyes once again she slept. This time a sleep, undisturbed by dreams.

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A few hours later Spirit lay awake staring at her ceiling, trying to make sense of last nights happenings. First of all there had been that voice. She knew it- him. He sounded the same as the James in her dreams. Not the James from fifth year, but the year older version. His voice had matured. It was deeper, more knowing.

Then there was the dreams. Lily… she was Lily in those dreams. She had felt and seen everything from Lily's perspective. The first dream was familiar. It was the dream that had haunted her every night for the last six months. She could cite every word off by heart without missing a beat. But the last two dreams, they were new. She'd never had them before. But all that hurt and pain Lily had been feeling at the time, she'd felt it… known it. Her anguish over the loss of her mother. The anger and then the love she had for James. The terror, hatred and pain Tiron had caused. The curse striking her… She'd felt it all.

Except that there had been something else. Something that wasn't quite right. She could vaguely recall Lily opening her eyes a few seconds before the curse struck and seeing the beam of green light coming towards her in slow motion. But there had been another light. This one gold and it had merged with the other a second before striking. Then had come a peculiar spinning sensation and then, nothing.

Gingerly she placed a hand on her forehead, raising her head suddenly to gently probe the spot at the back of her head where a lump should have been. Except there was none, not even a slight ache. Now that she'd come to think of it, how did she get home? Did someone find her? Who changed her clothes? And wasn't there someone in here with her earlier? Who, what, when, how, why? Argh! She had so many questions that required answering.

The question she most wanted answered was, why would she be dreaming of Lily Evans? It was… weird. Sure the characters from the Marauders era had her enthralled from the moment she'd first read of them, but no more so then the average fan… Right? Did the average fan have dreams such as she'd had? Don't think so.

Frustrated she threw the bed covers back. Padding over to the window she pulled the curtain back and gazed outside. By the looks of things outdoors it was late afternoon. She could see the neighbourhood terrors down the street standing around outside Mrs Stanton's, the resident 'lady of the night', smoking cigarettes or some type of illegal substance. Across the road from them Mr Harris was watering his one and only rose bush and glaring at 'those menace's to society.' Spying two familiar figures strolling up the road, she opened her window and leant out, intending on giving them a yell when a shrill wolf whistle distracted her.

"Lookie what we have here. 'Cor young Spirit, howz bout you come give ole Manuel a kiss eh? I'll make it worth your while I will," a voice called up to her.

Peering down below, Spirit spotted Mandodo, or Manuel as he liked to be called. He was staring up at her, his mouth hanging open showing off his blackened teeth. One hand reached up to scratch at his scraggly ginger hair and the other was reaching down to… "Ughhh! Go away Dodo! I'll get the coppers on you next time I see you around here!" Slamming her window shut she turned back towards her bed and froze.

A cat sat upon her bed calmly licking its paw. Spirit narrowed her eyes. It was the same cat from the alley. The same thick golden fur, the same green eyes. Just like the eyes that had… "What are you?" Spirit whispered. Stumbling backwards, she stifled a scream as the cat made an abrupt move, and leapt off the bed transforming into…

"AHHHH! PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL!"

"You did not just call me Minerva McGonagall! Do I look like her?" said an outraged voice.

Spirit gulped. Before her stood a young woman with silky smooth golden hair and beautiful almond shaped green eyes, wearing a one shouldered turquoise gown that moulded itself to her slender figure. She was what could only be described as a vision of loveliness… Or she would be, if she wasn't looking as if she'd just swallowed a barrel full of worms.

"I have never been more insulted in my life! Me," the young woman huffed, waving her arms about wildly, "mistaken for Minerva!"

"I'm sorry," Spirit apologised. "It was the whole cat thing… Professor McGonagall… transfiguration… Harry Potter and the Philosop-- Hold on!" Who and what are you?"

Beaming at Spirit in a sudden change of moods, she replied, "I am Xalandrina Ophelia Elisabetta Titania Apollonia Talandroya V. But you may call me… Amanda… Amanda Perry."

Scratching her head Spirit eyed… Amanda in amazement. "Your name is Xalan-- blah blah blah blah blah blah, but you want me to call you Amanda Perry?"

" Yes. It's nice don't you think?" she smiled. "And it's not Xalan blah blah blah blah blah blah. It's Xalandrina Elisab--"

"Yes yes, I got that the first time," Spirit interrupted rolling her eyes. "Now that we have that established, what exactly are you?"

"How about you take a seat and I'll tell you what I can," Amanda said gesturing towards the unmade bed.

"I'll stay standing thank you," Spirit replied. Gazing entrance at the golden tresses flowing down Amanda's back, Spirit grimaced, running a hand hastily through her tangled, loose brown curls. "So umm, what are you?" she asked, frowning now as she compared her light blue pyjama bottoms and t-shirt to Amanda's own elegant attire.

"Well," Amanda said, sitting neatly on the bed, "I suppose you could say I'm part Witch with a few other things thrown in, oh and I'm part... spirit." Looking at Spirit she burst into loud giggles. "Get it. I'm part spirit, your name is Spirit." She laughed pointing at Spirit and herself. "Spirit and spirit." Noticing the stony expression on Spirit's face she stopped laughing and winced. "Somebody obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed…"

"Nooo, I'd just like to know what is going on. A few minutes ago I saw my friends walking back towards home, which means they'll be here any minute, so if you could hurry along with the explanation, I'd be most grateful."

"You young people, always in a rush."

"What do you mean young people? You're not exactly an old woman!" Spirit frowned.

"No I'm not. It depends how you look at it really. I'm 18 in your years. But where I come from, I'm 1800."

"You're joking!"

"No I'm not. I am what is known to but a few as a 'Kohlenhder'. Something similar to a Goddess. It is our job to protect the Magical World and all who dwell within."

"Magical? Are you saying Witches and Wizards really do exist." Spirit was stunned. "The same type of people like from the Harry Potter books."

"Exactly, except these people you've been reading of, really do exist."

"That's not possible!" Spirit replied taken aback.

"Are you sure?" Amanda questioned. "Tell me Spirit, what is your name?"

"You just said it. My name is Spirit! Spirit Gabrielle Light."

"No, I meant what is your real name? Can you tell me that?"

"I don't -- I can't remember--"

"Where are you from?"

"I don't know. I have no memory of that."

"How did you come to be here?"

"Look I don't know okay? Six months ago I was found wandering a forest in Scotland with no memory of who I am or where I came from. As far as the doctor's can tell physically I'm fine, I just can't remember… I spoke with an English accent, so they brought me back to England and placed me here… with Auntie and Uncle... They haven't found any missing person reports or anything that could tell me who I am… Nobody knows who I am… or where I'm from," she whispered, looking over to where Amanda was staring at her sympathetically.

"That's why I'm here. I'm here to help you remember."

"You know who I am?" Spirit asked, hopeful.

"Yes…"

"Well that's great!" Spirit smiled, hurrying over to sit next to Amanda. "Who am I?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that. You'll have to work that out yourself."

"What?" Spirit asked bewildered.

The sound of a door slamming had them both looking towards the room door. "I have to go. I'm sorry Spirit, but I can't give you the answers you need. I can only guide you." Waving her hand an ancient looking book suddenly appeared, suspended in mid air. Taking it Amanda placed it in Spirit's hands. "Take this, it'll help. If you ever need me, really need me, I'll be here." And within a blink of an eye, she had vanished.


Glancing at the book Spirit gasped, almost dropping it when it gleamed a bright gold, returning to it's former state a few seconds later. Opening it she turned to the first page, leafing through the book in confusion. There was nothing there.

"What are you reading?" a voice said from the doorway.

"Reading?" asked another voice. "Should've known."

"Not Harry Potter again is it?" they both asked, looking at each other and laughing.

Spirit grinned. No matter what, they always seemed to be able to make her smile. "Excuse me? And so ask the girls who are every bit as addicted to it as I am... Hey Whit, Gaby. So where is everyone?"