Chapter 5: Cainte

Both Phoebe and Payton had made it through the first week of classes, somewhat successfully. Payton was still struggling with her wand and had decided to speak with Professor McGonagall about it at dinner that night. While Phoebe still did not have a wand yet and after speaking to Dumbledore, she had asked Minnie to help her purchase one. Phoebe and Minnie were going to go to Diagon Alley this weekend for some supplies as well as a wand. Since Phoebe had arrived so late, it was the first chance they actually had.

Phoebe was running late after her last class had been turned upside down by the 6th and 7th year Slytherin's. Apparently, they had tried to get her attention and wound up turning her classroom into a harmful rose maze. She had dismissed the class quickly but needed to enlist the help of Professor Snape with a Potion to clear the whole thing up. She understood now why Mr. Longbottom feared the Potions Master so; he had a constant glare and sneer attached to his face, which never seemed to lift. No matter how many times she had tried to off-handedly make him smile, she was unsuccessful. Phoebe was very confused, as she had never had this effect on a man before. What perplexed her even more was why she even seemed to care. It's not as if she was looking for someone to date and she never went for his type before. She always liked the pretty boys. She just shrugged it off, figuring it was due to the fact she hadn't been around another man her age in so long. Down the corridors, she marched and went directly into the noisy Great Hall.

Her eyes instantly began searching for her young niece and she soon found her chatting quietly with her friends for Gryffindor. Phoebe's eyes narrowed though when she saw Draco Malfoy, a fifth year Slytherin, with two of his thugs walking Payton's way. She certainly didn't trust that boy and it had seemed his eyes never wandered far from her niece. /I really hope he doesn't have a crush on her/ Phoebe thought, as she made her way to the head table where Minnie and Pomona had left a seat open for her. By the time Phoebe had sat down, Draco was already at the Gryffindor table.

"Hello Payton, it seems as though you are keeping bad company already, making friends with a Weasley is always a bad move. I am here to introduce myself, I am Draco Malfoy of Slytherin," he stated with a smug smirk.

"I know who you are Draco, but I was not aware I gave you permission to call me by my first name," Payton glared at him. No one was going to insult her friend and get away with it. "Now, if you don't mind, I was trying to eat before you so rudely interrupted" Payton said as she turned her back to eat.

Draco's face flushed furiously. "I'll teach you to insult a Malfoy, you dirty b%#h!" Draco yelled as he reached into his robe and pulled out his wand.

Phoebe was to her feet the moment Draco called her niece a b%#h. Phoebe was furious. Minnie gently put her hand on Phoebe's arm and tried to get her to sit down before any students noticed the new teacher's outrage. She was not fast enough it would seem, because even though there was a lot going on at the Gryffindor table, three students were looking directly in the direction of the head table the moment the action started. While Harry raised his eyebrow, Ron pouted his lips, and Hermione, seeming to always state the obvious, said, "well what was that all about, a teacher has never responded like that before." Each of them turned their heads back to Payton to see what would happen next. Draco was not fast enough getting his wand out of his robe because just as he was getting it out if his pocket, Ginny had already hit him with her famous "Bat Bogey curse." Draco's goons were desperately trying to help Draco get out of the Hall as quickly as possible.

Payton and Ginny just looked at each other and busted out laughing. Soon the entire Hall was laughing with the exception of the Slytherin table. When the Hall finally died down and everyone had turned back to their own conversations, Harry, Hermione, and Ron came over to congratulate the girls for getting Malfoy so well. Then they all began to talk about the amount of homework that had already piled up on them, their first martial arts class this weekend, and Quidditch tryouts. Soon people began heading back to their common rooms and as they all stood up to leave, Payton said, "I'll catch up with you guys later ok? I need to talk to Professor McGonagall about something." While the trio said "no problem," Ginny turned to give Payton a questioning look. Payton just pointed to her wand and sent them all on their way.

Slowly she approached the faculty table at the front. Professor Dumbledore watched her approaching and gently nudged Minerva out of her conversation with Phoebe. "Well, Albus, I was in the middle of..."

"Oh, hello, Payton, what can we do for you?" Professor McGonagall asked in her firm voice.

"Well I was wondering if you could help me with my wand. You had said in class it didn't seem to fit me and I am having a hard time working with it during my homework. I was wondering if there was some way to make it fit me?" Payton stammered in a low voice. She didn't like attention and it seemed as if all the teachers were now looking at her, especially Professor Halliwell.

Professor McGonagall looked over to Professor Dumbledore who gently nodded and she said "Payton you will come with Professor Halliwell and I to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. I will take you to Ollivander's where I am sure you will find a wand that suits you. We will pick you up in the common room at 8 am sharp, that is all." With that, Payton smiled broadly as Professor McGonagall turned back to her conversation. It seemed she was not the only one, as Professor Halliwell looked as excited as she did. She must be happy to be getting a wand too, Payton thought as she walked back to Gryffindor.

Phoebe was ecstatic. She was going shopping with her niece. She couldn't have been happier, even if Payton didn't know who Phoebe was yet, she would be able to get to know Payton in a more relaxed setting.

Payton was nervous when she got back to the dormitory though. She was going to spend the entire morning with two teachers...shopping. She decided to pass up the extra time in the common room and headed straight for her bed. When she got up there, she pulled back her bed coverings to see her familiar, Sheba, spread out on the bed in front of her. Sheba smiled and let out a small growl to tell her master she was hungry. At that moment, the door flew open with Ginny right behind it. "Payton, what is going on?" Ginny suddenly stopped yelling and as Payton turned, she could see Ginny's mouth hanging open.

"What's wrong Ginny?" Payton inquired, curious as to why the girl had suddenly stopped yelling.

"You have a dog on your bed, Payton, a dog. What are you doing with a dog as your pet? You are only supposed to have cats or owls. Sometimes a frog or a rat. But you have...a dog!" Ginny squealed.

Payton laughed, "oh, Sheba is not a dog, she is a Celtic cainte, my familiar. I received special permission to bring her with me when I came to Hogwarts. She was gifted to me by my grandmother's remaining relatives in Ireland and since there was no one else to take care of her Professor Dumbledore agreed to make an exception. Plus she is highly magical and quite self sufficient."

"Is she nice? Can I pet her?" Ginny asked still standing in the doorway.

"Sure, Sheba, I would like to introduce you to my friend, Ginny." Payton stressed the word friend as Sheba cocked her head to look at Ginny. Then Sheba laid her head back down on the bed waiting for Ginny to approach her. "Go ahead, she's ready now." Payton said while giving Ginny a little push toward the bed.

Ginny approached with her hand out flat as Payton just laughed. "She's not a muggle animal Ginny, she has already accepted you. Go ahead pet her."

Ginny reached up and began to pet the cainte. "She so soft, so beautiful, oh Payton, she's wonderful." Ginny cried out as she buried her face in the white and tan fur enveloping Sheba.

Payton smiled, "well it's time for me to let her out, so you want to come with? However, I must prepare you, be ready for a shock. Are you sure you want to come?" Payton asked again while Ginny nodded her head desperately. "Ok, ready Sheba. How about Hermione this time?" Payton asked the cainte. Sheba just growled and stretched as she jumped gracefully off the bed.

Ginny was surprised to see how large the animal actually was. She had seen many dogs, even wizard ones known as crups, but she had never seen an animal as magnificent as this one. Sheba was white with tan markings, her eyes were a gorgeous golden color, which seemed to show emotion, she stood over two feet tall, and the animal walked regally about. Suddenly, before Ginny's very eyes Sheba stood up on her two hind legs and transformed into Hermione. At that moment, Ginny fainted square away and fell onto Payton's bed.

Payton turned to Sheba, now Hermione and said "well it's a good thing she was standing that close to my bed." Sheba just nodded gently. Meanwhile, Payton walked over to Ginny, took out her wand, and said "Ennervate." Ginny woke up and looked over Payton's shoulder at Sheba.

"How did she...what's going on...what kind of magic is this?" Ginny looked accusingly back and forth between Payton and Sheba.

Payton sighed, "like I told you before Ginny, my familiar is know as a Celtic cainte. Cainte are known for their shape-shifting abilities, although they are very rare and they are seldom loyal. Sheba is loyal to me though, she has been put through the tests several times, and she remains mine. Sheba is able to change into limited creatures, humans being one of them. She cannot, speak while in this form though. Also, she is of pure magic, neither dark nor light. Since she is not a trickster cainte, like most, she will never betray me or my friends. Do you understand now?"

Ginny just nodded her head ever so slightly, "but why Hermione?" she asked.

"Since Hermione and Harry are off snogging somewhere Sheba will not run into her. Also no one would think it weird if you, I, and Hermione were going out for a walk." Payton explained. "Do you still want to come with?" Payton asked her gently.

"Oh absolutely," Ginny said, "but where are we going?"

"To Hagrid's hut. Fang and Sheba spend most of the night in the dark forest with Hagrid or wandering the grounds together. At least until she becomes acquainted with it all then she can go out on her own. In the morning after we have left for classes, she comes up and goes to sleep in my bed." With that statement, Sheba let out a low growl as Payton put her cape on. "Well it's true, Sheba, you aren't ready yet."

With that, the three of them walked down the stairs and out through the portrait hole. "Good night, Payton, Ginny, and Sheba," the fat lady called through her frame.

"How did she know?" Ginny asked. "Dumbledore told me paintings could tell animals and animagus apart from the rest of us. I am not sure how but that's how Sheba gets in, in the morning, and that's why she wouldn't let Sirius Black in last year." Payton explained as they made their way down to Hagrid's hut.

As soon as the night air hit their faces, Sheba transformed back into her dog form and they all walked together. After dropping Sheba off into Hagrid's care, they ran back up to the common room, just in time to make it before curfew struck on the hall clock. Wearily, exhausted from the day's events and their run back to the castle, the two girls collapsed into their beds before falling into deep sleeps.

Payton woke up early the next morning to Sheba's licking her face. They had decided that during the weekends it would be best if Sheba snuck into the room before the other girls woke up. That way, there would be a lot less questions. "Alright, come on," Payton groaned as she moved over to make room. Suddenly, Payton shot up in bed. It was Saturday morning and she was supposed to meeting Professor McGonagall and Halliwell in...oh, no her clock said 7:40 am. That meant she only had 20 minutes to get a shower, get changed, and make it downstairs. She grabbed her stuff and ran out the door just as her bed coverings were falling back into place.

Twenty-two minutes later, Payton's wet hair was wrapped up in a tight bun, she had on jeans and a periwinkle jumper, and she was late. Even though it was only by two minutes, Professor McGonagall was definitely not happy when Payton ran down the steps. Her only reply to Payton's apologies was a stiff, "let's go." So, Payton followed Professor Halliwell on their long trek down to Hogsmeade. Many of the students were all talking about the first Hogsmeade weekend that would be coming up in October so Payton was glad she was able to see what it looked like before then. Professor McGonagall stopped in front of a door marked "Floo Network Transportation Office." The group walked in and Professor McGonagall said, "Three for Diagon Alley, please." The gruff man behind the desk said, "sure lady number 4."

The ladies walked over to fireplace number 4 and Professor McGonagall explained how to use the Floo Network to Professor Halliwell. When she was done, she turned to Payton and asked, "Miss Trudeau, would you mind doing the honors?"

"Not at all, Professor." Payton said as she took so powder threw it into the fireplace and said Diagon Alley once she was in. They wound up at another Transportation Office just outside Diagon Alley's main street. Professor Halliwell seemed to bump into her just a bit when they were exiting but Payton was sure, it was just because it was her first time in the Floo.

Professor McGonagall explained they would be going to Gringott's first, then to Ollivander's, Flourish and Blotts, and then some wandering. They would be back at the school by lunch and there was to be no dawdling. Payton laughed to herself. She was glad Professor Halliwell was getting the same treatment she was and Professor Halliwell was quite amusing to watch looking at all of the shops the way Ron looked at Chocolate Frogs candy. That reminded her, she wanted to see if they could stop at the sweets shop before heading home. She knew Ron would appreciate adding some more cards to his collection. Hmm, Payton thought, why do I have Ron on the brain all of a sudden? How Silly, she dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand as they entered Gringott's. Payton had some of her money transferred here from Toulon so she took out several galleons, a few sickles, and a number of knuts. Then they all made their way over to Ollivander's.

As they entered the store both Phoebe and Payton were taken back as it seemed very dark and depressing, they both looked back at McGonagall as if to say something when a voice came out of the back storeroom.

"Hello, ladies. Needing a wand today, are we?" the purveyor asked drawing each word out.

"Who would like to go first?" He asked.

"I will," stated Professor Halliwell, "mind as well get this over and done with as quickly as possible" as she grinned at Payton.

"Ok measurements..." he said, "hmm, a Charmed One, tough to place...let's see what I can find for you."

Phoebe and McGonagall looked at each other ever so briefly, if the owner knew she was a Charmed One what would this man tell Payton. Shortly, there after he came back out with a few boxes. "Try these first" he stated as Phoebe picked up wand after wand with little result. "Ok, this is it, I am sure of it," the owner affirmed with finality. Phoebe picked up the white wand with a black handle and gently made a sweeping motion with her hand. Suddenly, the wand began to glow and brilliant sparks flew out the top. "This is mine," Phoebe cried with delight.

"Your wand has a Cherry length which means it carries with it the power of divination to help with your premonitions and it is an excellent wand for transfigurations. The base is made up of Black Walnut, which is good for charms, levitation, and since it is at the base, it gives extraordinary power and security for Defense Against the Dark Arts. It is 10" long and the core is that of a young unicorn mane hair. The core is pure magic, like yourself, with the added bonus of being from the mane to add in seeing" the owner explained Phoebe's new wand to her. "Next!"

Payton stepped up to the counter next and as he measured her he looked up into Phoebe's pleading eyes and as if understanding only said, "ah, new to wand work, using the wrong one, I see, you are very strong in pure magic as well, let's see what will fit you," the owner contemplated as he walked back into the storeroom. Payton did not seemed surprised by this news Phoebe noticed although she did seem to keep glancing back at them to make sure the teachers were all right with the news. When Professor McGonagall finally smiled at her, Payton visibly calmed down.

It seemed as if it were taking a much longer time for the owner to come back with a wand for her and when he finally did he said, "I am afraid I cannot seem to find anything to fit you." Payton's face was stricken, how could she not have a wand that was right for her. Then the owner perked up a bit. "Do you have your old wand with you?" "Yes," Payton replied as she pulled two wands out of her bag, looked them over, and handed one to Mr. Ollivander.

"What is the other wand, dear?" he asked, as he looked over the one he now held in his hand.

"Oh, that is my Grandmother's old wand. My grandfather gave it to me after she passed on. I carry it with me wherever I go, it's priceless." Payton explained, as all the adults seemed to smile down at her.

"Do you mind if I look it over?" he asked with great curiosity. Payton shrugged lightly as she gently passed it to him. As Mr. Ollivander uncovered the wand, both teachers looked at the beautiful creation with awe, while he sat back and examined it.

"The wand itself is made of ebony wood, which represents strength and generates unsurpassed magical energy, however see this pattern of red and white wood as if weaved in, these are mahogany and white oak. Mahogany is known for transfiguration and its strong protective qualities with abilities to withstand lightning strikes. While white oak is known to be a protective and highly magical Celtic wood and will guard against evil thus warding off the Dark Arts. It is 7 and ΒΌ" long, might be a little too short but let's see the core is...hmm, do you know what the core is made up of Payton?' The owner quizzed her.

Payton said, "yes, there are three magical properties associated with it as each member of the line had their own that fit. My Great-great grandmother's was leprechaun gold which brought her luck (she wasn't that great of a witch you see), then my great grandmother's core was added and that was a chimera scale from her father's wand, and lastly my grandmother's was fairy dust gifted to her when they added her strand of white oak to the wand."

"Very interesting and very, very powerful magic. Although, once a new core is added it absorbs most of the old cores magic. However, it always leaves it's own trace on the wand. What I mean to say is a non-Irish, lesser witch would be unable to wield this. Payton, will you please try this wand." Mr. Ollivander gingerly handed it back to her.

This surprised Payton because no one at Hogwart's ever used family wands. Second-hand maybe if they were not fortunate enough. But never from their family. "If you want me to." Payton replied giving the wand a wave and while it did glow slightly and warmed her hand, it still didn't seem to fit her. "See, didn't really work," she said handing it back to the opened hands of Mr. Ollivander.

"You are wrong Payton, it did work, and very well in fact, you just need to add your own core. Now do you have any ideas of what magical property might fit you best...phoenix feather, dragon heartstring, unicorn tail..."

"I think, cainte fur would best suit me," Payton replied anxiously.

"Hmm, cainte fur, I can see where you might get that but I am afraid I don't have any, it's too rare, very tricky to work with, and the wand isn't always faithful to it's master," he explained to her.

"Here, you can have some of this," Payton replied as she pulled a locket out from under her robes, opened it, and handed a piece of Sheba's fur to the owner. "This is from my familiar, Sheba, I am sure this is for me. Are you able to add it?"

Mr. Ollivander took the fur, the wand, and three galleons from Payton. "Come back in one-hour and I will have your wand."

An hour later after getting all the supplies and candy they needed they headed back to the wand shop. As soon as they entered, Mr. Ollivander appeared looking quite excited and a bit frazzled. "Well, I finally did it. Even though, I think it was meant for you to do on your own the wand finally allowed me to add the cainte fur. Now, will you please try your new wand Miss Trudeau?"

Payton took the wand from his hands, she was still a bit nervous since they had to be heading back soon. Nevertheless, the wooden handle fit perfectly into her palm and as she tried a simple wand maneuver the wand glowed brilliantly and Payton felt the power radiate up her arm. She had her wand.