Thank you to all those who reviewed. I would take a bullet for you, if you
would want to see this story end.
Chapter 4- Charms and the Truth about Rikki
Professor Flitwick stood on a precarious stack of books as he proceeded to tell the 7th year class about the complexities of Incendio charms.
Rikki and Imogen sat at the back of the class, both occupied. Rikki's eyes were on Flitwick, following his lecture whilst Imogen dipped her quill in her inkbottle and doodled absently on scrap pieces of parchment. Rikki was jolted from attentive listening by the jab of Imogen and the rustle of papers as she passed a note to her.
I: Haven't we done this already?
R: Probably, but knowing me I'd have forgotten it by now.
I: Why am I not surprised in the slightest? So what do you think of all this?
R: 'This' being Hogwarts or 'this' being all the bloody gorgeous guys (and teacher) Awesome!
I: I was referring to the lesson actually.
R: scoffsdon't give me that. So who do you fancy? Ron? Seamus? That blonde guy we me this morning, funny name? Its not Neville is it?
I: No. I don't like anyone. Stop thinking about guys.
R: It's Harry isn't it?
I: I DON'T like anyone. Comphrende'?
R: You do.
I: Do not.
R: Do.
I: Do not.
R: Do
I: This is childish.
R: You started it by denying your feelings for Harry.
I: I told you; I don't have feelings for anyone. Including Harry.
R: Liar.
I: Your irrepressible, you know that don't you.
R: So you tell me.
I: Meh!
R: Harry and Imogen, sitting in a tree....
I: I'm not dignifying that with a response.
R: K-I-S-S-I-N-G
"Usher! Carmichael! You are guests in my classroom and I would expect you to act accordingly. Now can either of you repeat to me the nature of an incendio charm?
Rikki cleared her throat. "The incendio charm is one of the milder fire charms, similar in nature to the flamesco charm. They are rudimentary charms in a wizard's repertoire.
"Not be confused with the inferno charm." Imogen continued. She pointed her wand at the parchment, detailed with her and Rikki's transgressions and muttered a charm. The paper burst into flames, smouldering before Flitwick's eyes, effectively destroying all evidence of their conversation. "Practical use of the incendio charm."
Flitwick frowned in mild disapproval. "5 points from Gryffindor for cheek to a teacher," he squeaked.
The class groaned and mutters began to break out.
"And 5 points to Gryffindor for a thorough understanding of incendio charms. Respectively."
Rikki grinned wildly and Imogen resisted the urge to do the same. Flitwick climbed back on his literary podium and carried on with the lecture, Rikki listening attentively and Imogen doodling on a piece of scrap parchment. Just like old times.
Rikki wandered the echoing tall corridors, hearing her footsteps resound off the stone walls. It was only her second day of schooling at Hogwarts and already she was tired and weary of her classes and unescapable teachers that peered forebodingly down on her, making her squirm (at least more then usual, as a skirt as short as hers often made her squirm), when she didn't know the antidote to the common flu or the counter-jinx to a Jelly-Legs hex.
To the right of her, she could hear the squeaking voice of Professor Flitwick, directing first years to levitate feathers. Rikki stepped up next to the window, guarded by the heavy curtain on the inside. She watched as the timid students poked hopefully at still feathers. Rikki watched a young wizard slide his wand under his feather and flick it up, jabbing his friend in the side, showing him his 'talent'. She smiled, remembering her first day at Beauxbatons and how she'd done the exact same trick, except the teacher has see her and had gotten her to attempt levitating a trunk of school books. Rikki could still see the laughter on Imogen's face as she tried to destroy the Howler sent by her mother for breaking her first wand within a week of owning it.
Rikki admired the pale young witch so much like her friend had been, in the front corner lift her feather off the desk. The feather quivered and then fell gracefully onto the desk...Rikki turned away.
Rikki made her way towards the sun, watching the ground of Hogwarts disappear into nothing. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as the wind gently tickled her body. She belonged here; she could hear the wind beckoning her name. Here she could find peace, away from the eyes of those who followed her every move. Imogen often admonished her for disappearing like this. Rikki often ignored this gesture; she needed to escape...she'd found a way to leave and find her peace that often disappeared on the ground, without drawing attention to herself-
"...but Rikki, a young witch, in a ridiculously short skirt, often the attention of hormone-crazed boys, disappearing and being placed a bloody great big eagle in the sky is hardly likely to go unnoticed.
To which Rikki would reply. "Well they'd see more if they looked at the 'bloody great big eagle' that doesn't wear anything, rather then trying to look up my skirt."
Imogen often rolled her eyes and stormed out at this point. "Rikki, you're an animagus, for God's sake, you don't need to have everyone know that, and I doubt the boys are at all interested in the body of an eagle. They'd much rathe see you flying naked as a human than flying naked as an eagle. And you're practically asking them to look up at your skirt at that length.
Rikki smiled at the arguments they often had. She loved her best friend dearly, especially when she managed to drive her insane with her ditziness. She allowed herself to pummel to the ground, and pulling out of the dive at the last before morphing back into her human form as she landed gently on the ground before walking nonchantly out of the forest. It was time for her flying lesson with Oliver. Oh the irony.
Rikki wrapped her arms around herself as she walked silently towards the Entrance Hall where Oliver had arranged to meet her. Her shoes echoing as they had done moments before, she spun slowly on her heels waiting for Oliver to arrive as she stood by herself in the large Hall.
Distant footsteps in the hall jolted Rikki from her solitude. A body hurried towards her. She recognised the figure; it was one she had secretly been studying for the past few days at mealtimes. Oliver Wood stepped out of the shadows.
"Sorry I'm late. Had to find a broom for you- school ones are a bit dodgy, but I managed to fix it best I could... that is, if you don't already have a broom?" He questioned Rikki.
"Er-no. Daddy was going to buy me one, but I insisted he didn't, as I never really grasped the flying concept. Besides, my hands are empty." She held her hands out to the side, demonstrating her empty palms.
"Course." Oliver brushed his ignorance off with a smile. "Anyway, ah...shall we make our way towards the Quidditch pitch?" He gestured with his right hand towards the Entrance doors, indicating that Rikki should go first.
They walked to the pitch in silence, Rikki searching her mind for something to say, and hopefully break the ice that hung between them. Upon reaching the pitch, Oliver held open a door to let her in. Stepping into the light, she cast her eyes around the tall goalposts and high stands that were raised above ground level. She could not hide her amazement.
"Wow,' she spoke softly. 'It's nothing like at Beauxbatons. It's...it's something else."
Oliver smiled at her genuine astonishment. 'Yeah it is." He looked up at the goal post he knew so well. "Even better when you're up there, flyin'. Hear everyone cheerin' you on, feel the excitement. Wicked feeling..." his voice faded off.
Rikki looked over at his clouded eyes and his face that was lifted towards the sky. Noticing her eye, Oliver regained his professional attitude. "Right. Flying."
Oliver launched into a brief lecture about brooms and the safety of flying, as Rikki nodded her head. Her eyes looked over the two brooms in his hand, one of which was ratty and dull, with splinters and twigs sticking out of the end. She assumed that this was the school broom she was to ride.
The other one was the finest racing broom in the country, the Firebolt. She knew by the gold name engraved in the top of the handle. Its brush was sleek and tied with gold. It was obvious it was Oliver's, being a professional Quidditch player.
"Okay. Now first of all I want you to grasp the handle with your left hand." Oliver passed the dilapidated broom to Rikki, his fingers grazing her palm. She looked into his eyes and gripped the handle tightly.
"Now swing your left leg over the broom. Yeah that's it. Budge up a bit, but. You don't want to fall off."
Rikki swung over the broom and looked over at Oliver to follow his next instructions.
"Right, you're right handed aren't you?" Rikki nodded. "Okay, put your right hand in front of your left hand. Guides better, like, being the more coordinated hand and all. Now all you do is gently push off from the ground. Lean back to go higher, right? And when you want to come down, just lean forward. Right? And I'll be flying around, too, in case...well, if anything happens, you know?"
Oliver easily got on to his broom and looked at Rikki.
"Now?" She asked him.
"Yeah. Go ahead." Oliver nodded at her.
Rikki gently pushed off from the ground, wobbling slightly on the broom. Oliver rising up with her. He called over to her.
"Don't worry if it starts to waver or something, just these old brooms that's all."
Oliver lazily made his way over to Rikki who began to turn in figure eights.
She jerked to a stop next to him, hovering slightly as she wavered on her broom. Oliver took his hands off his broom and leant over. "You're still loose on the broom. You've got to be tight. Your grip's still weak." He placed his rough hands over her small hands. "Like this okay?" He let go, watching her palms.
"Okay." Rikki nodded. Oliver grinned at her.
"You've got it. Balance is perfect."
Rikki smiled at Oliver, relaxing slightly. In the process she lost control of her broom and she and her broom fell the short way to the ground. Rolling off her broom, she sat up dazed as Oliver landed and crouched next to her.
Rikki grinned sheepishly. "Told you I can't balance."
Oliver grinned at her humour. "Nah, just the old broom. You only just relaxed and lost control of it. Mean, my Firebolt, I could fall asleep on it. Just the old ones you need control."
Rikki got up and smoothed her crumpled skirt. Oliver looked at her. "Do you want another go?" He asked her.
"Yeah." Rikki nodded confidently. "I want to get back on that broom." She glanced around to look at the broom. "On second thoughts..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at the handle, which had snapped in half.
Oliver followed her gaze to the broom. Drawing out his wand, he muttered "Reparo" and the broom immediately joined together. "Anyway, I should probably give that broom some servicing before it's flown again...but, you can use mine." He held the shining broom out to her.
Rikki hesitantly took it. "You sure?"
"Yeah." Oliver shrugged it off. "Why have you changed your mind?"
"No," Rikki shook her head, her blonde hair flying around her face. "Just...I'm not so confident now..."
Rikki looked relieved. "Umm, yeah thanks." Her gratitude showed through her hesitant voice as she folded her skirt around her. Oliver climbed on behind her. Hearing his voice in her ear, Oliver said, "Now grip it tight."
"Yeah?" Rikki held the handle possessively.
"Yeah. Now on the count of three, we'll push off. One...two...three."
The broom rose quickly to the level of the goalpost due to the heavy jolt from both Oliver and Rikki. Rikki looked down at the ground that was shrinking quickly.
"Oh Good Merlin." She raised her hands to her mouth in surprise.
"Careful, now!" Oliver grabbed her hands, brushing softly at her soft cheek to place them back on the handle. He kept his hands over Rikki's as they began to circle the pitch and do various figures.
The sky darkened as a solitary broom circled the pitch. Rikki felt the tickle of his warm breath on her neck as he spoke. "We'd better go in. Lean forward now."
Rikki felt his chest resting against her back and they reached the ground. Oliver dismounted, followed by Rikki. She handed the broom to him.
"Merlin." Rikki looked back up. 'That was awesome." She felt Oliver join her.
"Yeah flying's not so scary, is it?" Oliver smiled as he too, looked at the dusky sky.
Rikki look at him in mild surprise. "Oh-it wasn't that I was scared. I've been flying for ages. Just never on a broom."
"What?" Oliver's brows crossed in confusion. "How-what do you mean you've been flying for ages?"
"Oh," Rikki put one hand on her hip, as the other flicked a strand of hair out her eyes. "I'm an Animagus. Eagle. So I fly a lot. Oh-don't tell anyone. Kinda quiet."
Oliver turned to look at her side on. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah," Rikki brushed it off. "It's no big deal. Like I said, I love flying-just never got the hang of it on a broom. Anyway." She walked over to where the school broom lay. Picking it up she handed it to Oliver.
"Oh, thanks," Oliver continued to stare at her.
"Anyway-shall we go in?" Rikki enquired, looking at Oliver's impressed face.
"Yeah, good idea." He led the way out of the pitch into the castle. In the Entrance Hall he turned to her. "Same time next week? We've got to get you a better broom, okay?"
"Yeah, okay," A small smile crossed her lips. "Thanks. I guess I'll see you at dinner, right?"
"Yeah," Oliver nodded. Rikki turned and made her way towards Gryffindor tower to change before dinner. He stared at her retreating back, his mind whirring.
A/N Ok everyone fourth chapter, all about Rikki. Next time we look at Imogen, her response to Rikki's admission to Oliver, Quidditch tryouts and a game against Slytherin. I know you are all thinking that Rikki's admission was a little hasty, but it's not in her nature to hide things. And don't worry Imogen isn't an Animagus, she isn't anything. I know Rikki tends to appear Mary-Sueish but that does change in later chapters.
But for now a preview of the next chapter
"You bastard," she sobbed into his robes. "I thought you were going to die!"
Read and review! Embittered (and Nameless)
Chapter 4- Charms and the Truth about Rikki
Professor Flitwick stood on a precarious stack of books as he proceeded to tell the 7th year class about the complexities of Incendio charms.
Rikki and Imogen sat at the back of the class, both occupied. Rikki's eyes were on Flitwick, following his lecture whilst Imogen dipped her quill in her inkbottle and doodled absently on scrap pieces of parchment. Rikki was jolted from attentive listening by the jab of Imogen and the rustle of papers as she passed a note to her.
I: Haven't we done this already?
R: Probably, but knowing me I'd have forgotten it by now.
I: Why am I not surprised in the slightest? So what do you think of all this?
R: 'This' being Hogwarts or 'this' being all the bloody gorgeous guys (and teacher) Awesome!
I: I was referring to the lesson actually.
R: scoffsdon't give me that. So who do you fancy? Ron? Seamus? That blonde guy we me this morning, funny name? Its not Neville is it?
I: No. I don't like anyone. Stop thinking about guys.
R: It's Harry isn't it?
I: I DON'T like anyone. Comphrende'?
R: You do.
I: Do not.
R: Do.
I: Do not.
R: Do
I: This is childish.
R: You started it by denying your feelings for Harry.
I: I told you; I don't have feelings for anyone. Including Harry.
R: Liar.
I: Your irrepressible, you know that don't you.
R: So you tell me.
I: Meh!
R: Harry and Imogen, sitting in a tree....
I: I'm not dignifying that with a response.
R: K-I-S-S-I-N-G
"Usher! Carmichael! You are guests in my classroom and I would expect you to act accordingly. Now can either of you repeat to me the nature of an incendio charm?
Rikki cleared her throat. "The incendio charm is one of the milder fire charms, similar in nature to the flamesco charm. They are rudimentary charms in a wizard's repertoire.
"Not be confused with the inferno charm." Imogen continued. She pointed her wand at the parchment, detailed with her and Rikki's transgressions and muttered a charm. The paper burst into flames, smouldering before Flitwick's eyes, effectively destroying all evidence of their conversation. "Practical use of the incendio charm."
Flitwick frowned in mild disapproval. "5 points from Gryffindor for cheek to a teacher," he squeaked.
The class groaned and mutters began to break out.
"And 5 points to Gryffindor for a thorough understanding of incendio charms. Respectively."
Rikki grinned wildly and Imogen resisted the urge to do the same. Flitwick climbed back on his literary podium and carried on with the lecture, Rikki listening attentively and Imogen doodling on a piece of scrap parchment. Just like old times.
Rikki wandered the echoing tall corridors, hearing her footsteps resound off the stone walls. It was only her second day of schooling at Hogwarts and already she was tired and weary of her classes and unescapable teachers that peered forebodingly down on her, making her squirm (at least more then usual, as a skirt as short as hers often made her squirm), when she didn't know the antidote to the common flu or the counter-jinx to a Jelly-Legs hex.
To the right of her, she could hear the squeaking voice of Professor Flitwick, directing first years to levitate feathers. Rikki stepped up next to the window, guarded by the heavy curtain on the inside. She watched as the timid students poked hopefully at still feathers. Rikki watched a young wizard slide his wand under his feather and flick it up, jabbing his friend in the side, showing him his 'talent'. She smiled, remembering her first day at Beauxbatons and how she'd done the exact same trick, except the teacher has see her and had gotten her to attempt levitating a trunk of school books. Rikki could still see the laughter on Imogen's face as she tried to destroy the Howler sent by her mother for breaking her first wand within a week of owning it.
Rikki admired the pale young witch so much like her friend had been, in the front corner lift her feather off the desk. The feather quivered and then fell gracefully onto the desk...Rikki turned away.
Rikki made her way towards the sun, watching the ground of Hogwarts disappear into nothing. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as the wind gently tickled her body. She belonged here; she could hear the wind beckoning her name. Here she could find peace, away from the eyes of those who followed her every move. Imogen often admonished her for disappearing like this. Rikki often ignored this gesture; she needed to escape...she'd found a way to leave and find her peace that often disappeared on the ground, without drawing attention to herself-
"...but Rikki, a young witch, in a ridiculously short skirt, often the attention of hormone-crazed boys, disappearing and being placed a bloody great big eagle in the sky is hardly likely to go unnoticed.
To which Rikki would reply. "Well they'd see more if they looked at the 'bloody great big eagle' that doesn't wear anything, rather then trying to look up my skirt."
Imogen often rolled her eyes and stormed out at this point. "Rikki, you're an animagus, for God's sake, you don't need to have everyone know that, and I doubt the boys are at all interested in the body of an eagle. They'd much rathe see you flying naked as a human than flying naked as an eagle. And you're practically asking them to look up at your skirt at that length.
Rikki smiled at the arguments they often had. She loved her best friend dearly, especially when she managed to drive her insane with her ditziness. She allowed herself to pummel to the ground, and pulling out of the dive at the last before morphing back into her human form as she landed gently on the ground before walking nonchantly out of the forest. It was time for her flying lesson with Oliver. Oh the irony.
Rikki wrapped her arms around herself as she walked silently towards the Entrance Hall where Oliver had arranged to meet her. Her shoes echoing as they had done moments before, she spun slowly on her heels waiting for Oliver to arrive as she stood by herself in the large Hall.
Distant footsteps in the hall jolted Rikki from her solitude. A body hurried towards her. She recognised the figure; it was one she had secretly been studying for the past few days at mealtimes. Oliver Wood stepped out of the shadows.
"Sorry I'm late. Had to find a broom for you- school ones are a bit dodgy, but I managed to fix it best I could... that is, if you don't already have a broom?" He questioned Rikki.
"Er-no. Daddy was going to buy me one, but I insisted he didn't, as I never really grasped the flying concept. Besides, my hands are empty." She held her hands out to the side, demonstrating her empty palms.
"Course." Oliver brushed his ignorance off with a smile. "Anyway, ah...shall we make our way towards the Quidditch pitch?" He gestured with his right hand towards the Entrance doors, indicating that Rikki should go first.
They walked to the pitch in silence, Rikki searching her mind for something to say, and hopefully break the ice that hung between them. Upon reaching the pitch, Oliver held open a door to let her in. Stepping into the light, she cast her eyes around the tall goalposts and high stands that were raised above ground level. She could not hide her amazement.
"Wow,' she spoke softly. 'It's nothing like at Beauxbatons. It's...it's something else."
Oliver smiled at her genuine astonishment. 'Yeah it is." He looked up at the goal post he knew so well. "Even better when you're up there, flyin'. Hear everyone cheerin' you on, feel the excitement. Wicked feeling..." his voice faded off.
Rikki looked over at his clouded eyes and his face that was lifted towards the sky. Noticing her eye, Oliver regained his professional attitude. "Right. Flying."
Oliver launched into a brief lecture about brooms and the safety of flying, as Rikki nodded her head. Her eyes looked over the two brooms in his hand, one of which was ratty and dull, with splinters and twigs sticking out of the end. She assumed that this was the school broom she was to ride.
The other one was the finest racing broom in the country, the Firebolt. She knew by the gold name engraved in the top of the handle. Its brush was sleek and tied with gold. It was obvious it was Oliver's, being a professional Quidditch player.
"Okay. Now first of all I want you to grasp the handle with your left hand." Oliver passed the dilapidated broom to Rikki, his fingers grazing her palm. She looked into his eyes and gripped the handle tightly.
"Now swing your left leg over the broom. Yeah that's it. Budge up a bit, but. You don't want to fall off."
Rikki swung over the broom and looked over at Oliver to follow his next instructions.
"Right, you're right handed aren't you?" Rikki nodded. "Okay, put your right hand in front of your left hand. Guides better, like, being the more coordinated hand and all. Now all you do is gently push off from the ground. Lean back to go higher, right? And when you want to come down, just lean forward. Right? And I'll be flying around, too, in case...well, if anything happens, you know?"
Oliver easily got on to his broom and looked at Rikki.
"Now?" She asked him.
"Yeah. Go ahead." Oliver nodded at her.
Rikki gently pushed off from the ground, wobbling slightly on the broom. Oliver rising up with her. He called over to her.
"Don't worry if it starts to waver or something, just these old brooms that's all."
Oliver lazily made his way over to Rikki who began to turn in figure eights.
She jerked to a stop next to him, hovering slightly as she wavered on her broom. Oliver took his hands off his broom and leant over. "You're still loose on the broom. You've got to be tight. Your grip's still weak." He placed his rough hands over her small hands. "Like this okay?" He let go, watching her palms.
"Okay." Rikki nodded. Oliver grinned at her.
"You've got it. Balance is perfect."
Rikki smiled at Oliver, relaxing slightly. In the process she lost control of her broom and she and her broom fell the short way to the ground. Rolling off her broom, she sat up dazed as Oliver landed and crouched next to her.
Rikki grinned sheepishly. "Told you I can't balance."
Oliver grinned at her humour. "Nah, just the old broom. You only just relaxed and lost control of it. Mean, my Firebolt, I could fall asleep on it. Just the old ones you need control."
Rikki got up and smoothed her crumpled skirt. Oliver looked at her. "Do you want another go?" He asked her.
"Yeah." Rikki nodded confidently. "I want to get back on that broom." She glanced around to look at the broom. "On second thoughts..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at the handle, which had snapped in half.
Oliver followed her gaze to the broom. Drawing out his wand, he muttered "Reparo" and the broom immediately joined together. "Anyway, I should probably give that broom some servicing before it's flown again...but, you can use mine." He held the shining broom out to her.
Rikki hesitantly took it. "You sure?"
"Yeah." Oliver shrugged it off. "Why have you changed your mind?"
"No," Rikki shook her head, her blonde hair flying around her face. "Just...I'm not so confident now..."
Rikki looked relieved. "Umm, yeah thanks." Her gratitude showed through her hesitant voice as she folded her skirt around her. Oliver climbed on behind her. Hearing his voice in her ear, Oliver said, "Now grip it tight."
"Yeah?" Rikki held the handle possessively.
"Yeah. Now on the count of three, we'll push off. One...two...three."
The broom rose quickly to the level of the goalpost due to the heavy jolt from both Oliver and Rikki. Rikki looked down at the ground that was shrinking quickly.
"Oh Good Merlin." She raised her hands to her mouth in surprise.
"Careful, now!" Oliver grabbed her hands, brushing softly at her soft cheek to place them back on the handle. He kept his hands over Rikki's as they began to circle the pitch and do various figures.
The sky darkened as a solitary broom circled the pitch. Rikki felt the tickle of his warm breath on her neck as he spoke. "We'd better go in. Lean forward now."
Rikki felt his chest resting against her back and they reached the ground. Oliver dismounted, followed by Rikki. She handed the broom to him.
"Merlin." Rikki looked back up. 'That was awesome." She felt Oliver join her.
"Yeah flying's not so scary, is it?" Oliver smiled as he too, looked at the dusky sky.
Rikki look at him in mild surprise. "Oh-it wasn't that I was scared. I've been flying for ages. Just never on a broom."
"What?" Oliver's brows crossed in confusion. "How-what do you mean you've been flying for ages?"
"Oh," Rikki put one hand on her hip, as the other flicked a strand of hair out her eyes. "I'm an Animagus. Eagle. So I fly a lot. Oh-don't tell anyone. Kinda quiet."
Oliver turned to look at her side on. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah," Rikki brushed it off. "It's no big deal. Like I said, I love flying-just never got the hang of it on a broom. Anyway." She walked over to where the school broom lay. Picking it up she handed it to Oliver.
"Oh, thanks," Oliver continued to stare at her.
"Anyway-shall we go in?" Rikki enquired, looking at Oliver's impressed face.
"Yeah, good idea." He led the way out of the pitch into the castle. In the Entrance Hall he turned to her. "Same time next week? We've got to get you a better broom, okay?"
"Yeah, okay," A small smile crossed her lips. "Thanks. I guess I'll see you at dinner, right?"
"Yeah," Oliver nodded. Rikki turned and made her way towards Gryffindor tower to change before dinner. He stared at her retreating back, his mind whirring.
A/N Ok everyone fourth chapter, all about Rikki. Next time we look at Imogen, her response to Rikki's admission to Oliver, Quidditch tryouts and a game against Slytherin. I know you are all thinking that Rikki's admission was a little hasty, but it's not in her nature to hide things. And don't worry Imogen isn't an Animagus, she isn't anything. I know Rikki tends to appear Mary-Sueish but that does change in later chapters.
But for now a preview of the next chapter
"You bastard," she sobbed into his robes. "I thought you were going to die!"
Read and review! Embittered (and Nameless)