A/N- In the words of the great speaker, Homer, (and I don't mean the blind Greek philosopher): Woo-hoo! I'm back, case you didn't notice, and I hope to Holly that I didn't loose any of you lovely reviewers. Anyway, even if I did, it just means that they weren't worth my time, right? Right. If you're new and you're lost, I've been gone and quite lacking in a computer for the greater part of the summer. For those who give a flying horse's ass (forgive my Spanish. Er, French. I think. Maybe German?), I have finished this story, and I have another, as yet untitled, that's in the works, and I'm quite fond of the idea so far. I also have gone slightly insane and have learned how to play the Mongolian zither in my prolonged absence. No, I have no clue what that is. Ahem. Enjoy chapter nine, will you?
Dear reviewers:
Star of the Muses -well, I've updated. Isn't it wonderful how you can still depend upon a few precious things in this world? Lol. Thank you for your review.
Super dork 10 -the cruel irony that I just acquired you as a new reviewer right before I left is not nearly as twisted as that horribly likely statistic: you may never again come across this story or read my little note to you. However, if you do, I give you my endless thanks, apologies for any inconvenience, and humble request that you continue to read this story and judge it accordingly.
Benny- I hope you're true to your word, because I would very much like to hear from you as to how you think this story turned out. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and thanks for your last review.
Snuffles2984- having just read your review, I'm blushing, as usual. Thank you kindly. And update Fallen soon, before my hair turns gray and falls out from anticipation. (Apologies for the morbid and unnecessary analogy)
- You may have noticed a newly acquired eloquence, or, if I may go so far as to say, slightly silly way with words. This, I believe, is the result of both a summer away from my parentals, and heavy reading of the brilliant fellow writer, The Duchess of Inkling, before the writing of this passage. I pray I did not alarm you too greatly.-
Disclaimer- I don't like disclaimers. (Sticks out tongue and hops away.) (Yes, I said hops.)
CHAPTER #9
When Sirius awoke the next morning, refreshed and ready to begin the day, he made his way over to James's bed, intending to convince his best friend to speak to him again. When he got over there, however, Sirius found that the hangings to James's bed were open, his comforter wrinkled and empty. He had obviously gone down to breakfast. Figuring that he would just corner him in the Great Hall, Sirius dressed quickly, and made his way down, too.
When he reached the foot of the marble staircase, he turned in the direction of the Great Hall and groaned. Instead of catching and intercepting James on his way out from breakfast as he had hoped to do, he found himself faced to face with a hoard of people whom he very strongly disliked, each one more so than the next. Standing before him was a very nasty crew of Slytherins. Sirius's scowl deepened as he took in each ill- domineered face. In the front of the pack stood his cousin, Bellatrix Black, her boyfriend, Rodolfus Lestrange, and Sirius's own brother (by blood and nothing else) Regulus Black. In a bunch behind them were some fourth year slime balls: Lucious Malfoy, Narcissa Black (another cousin), Evan Rosier, and Augustus Rookwood. Skulking in the back behind a curtain of greasy black hair was the pallid archenemy of the Marauders: Severus Snape. All of them were looking malicious; like a pack of lionesses ready to move in for the kill.
In an attempt to scape a brawl, Sirius tried making his way around the group, but Bellatrix held out an arm and caught him in the chest.
"What?" said Sirius savagely.
"Not even a courteous 'Good Morning' for your dearest cousins and brother?"
"Yeah, well, forgive me for interrupting your daily romp, but I don't tend to consider people like you and him-" Sirius nodded curtly to Regulus "to be anything close to family at all. Now, are you going to let me by, or are you going to make me do it the hard way, and curse you all out of my path?"
Sirius allowed the effect of his words to settle in. he could almost see the furious battle being wrought inside his cousins head. The need to continue to egg on her most loathed enemy was conflicting painfully with his most inconvenient skill with a wand. Sirius smirked after a few second's pause.
"Look, Bella, if it's going to take you that long to think of a comeback, then you'd better pick up your skill or just get used to being stepped all over, because the moment for comedic timing passed about sixty seconds ago."
He walked off, his back to the lot of sneering Slytherins when he heard Bella speak again, this time in a taunting baby voice:
"You always did take it the hard way, didn't you, Sirius? Couldn't bear being so left out, could we? Got our feelings hurt when we found out mommy and daddy liked big brother more than us, hmm?"
The Hall rang with the laughter of Bella and her stupid gang, and just then, as though those words had been a trigger to some sort of chip in Sirius's brain, he wheeled round, pointed his wand at Bella, and shouted, "Conjuncto!"
When the spell hit his cousin, the cheeky guffaws of the whole Slytherin lot were turned instantly into shrieks of surprise. Bellatrix was howling in pain, clutching her right eye.
At the same moment, as though time itself were against him, Sirius heard a throng f people making their way out of the Great Hall, all crowding excitedly around the second fight that had taken place that weekend. At the head of the crowd, Sirius saw as he turned, was James. He was watching the row while he leaned against a corner in the door. He wasn't hurling insults at Sirius, but he wasn't sticking up for him, either.
Regulus and Redolfus were helping Bellatrix to her feet and trying to wrench the hand away from her eye to examine the damage. Snape stood scowling off to the side of his mates, who were all huddled together and whispering nervously as they shot periodical glances at Sirius.
Bella struggled to regain her balance as she struggled around in agony; left hand still clutched t her heavily wounded eye as she used her free hand to aim for Sirius's chest with her ebony black wand.
"Bombardio!"
The spell hit a suit of armor to Sirius's left, bounced off and shattered a mirror up ahead. In his fury, Sirius found even more antagonizing words escaping him.
"That's seven years bad luck, Bella! Guess that means your dreams of a life with your ugly boyfriend might not work out."
This time, it was Redolfus who raised his wand, but before he could even think of a curse worthy of the efforts against his girlfriend's attacker, a loud bang issued from yet another wand. The whole crowd turned around.
Professor Albus Dumbledore stood at the top of the marble stairs.
All went quiet. The whole Entrance Hall seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for the Headmaster to speak.
"Mr. Lestrange and Mr. Black, kindly take Bellatrix to Madam Pomfrey, and inform her that the young lady has been hit with a conjunctivitis curse," said Professor Dumbldore. He spoke as though he were talking of the matter over tea. There was a slight pause as the crowd parted to let the three Slytherins up the stairs, and Dumbledore descended to the main level of the Hall. There was a hush as he resumed speech.
"I would also like for Ms. Narssica Black, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Rosier, Mr. Rookwood and Mr. Snape to proceed to your head of house immediately. Do note that I shall know it if you decide not to do as I ask."
The fourth years bunched off toward the dungeons. Snape gave Sirius a particularly nasty sneering smirk before turning to follow the others. As the action began to wind down, the crowd too dispersed, leaving Sirius alone with the tall wizard.
"Sirius, come with me, if you please," said the Headmaster shortly, and he began to walk to a place that he had only heard about, as very few students had actually seen its interior: Dumbledore's office.
Sirius was completely bewildered. Why had Dumbledore chosen to chastise him? He was innocent, he had been unfairly provoked......
They came to a halt in front of a huge gargoyle. It sprung to life and leapt aside when the Professor spoke the password, leaving a large gap in the wall that lead to a spiral stone staircase. Stepping in after Dumbledore, Sirius jumped as the stairs began to spiral slowly upward, halting when they became level with a pair of huge doors bearing oversized knockers. Dumbledore knocked, which Sirius first thought strange, as he figured that the only person that would be inside to let them in would be the Headmaster himself. Almost immediately, however, the knobs on the doors twisted, and Fay poked her fairie face out. Looking slightly hesitant, she shot a quizzical look at Sirius before admitting the two of them in the room.
Sirius had just enough time before Dumbledore spoke to marvel open- mouthed at the great wizard's office. The extremely esthetically pleasing circular room, sporting many books and almost infinite numbers of strange, whirring gadgets. Sunlight poured in from the high-framed windows and shed light on the endless portraits of headmasters and mistresses, more than half of whom seemed to be feigning sleep. (A few were snoring too loudly to be entirely plausible.)
Gracefully, Albus Dumbledore swept over to the high-backed chair behind his desk and conjured two fluffy poufs for his guests to sit upon. Sirius sat in one, feeling awkward, and saw Fay doing the same out of the corner of his eye. They sat in silence for a moment, watching Dumbledore situate himself and waiting for him to speak.
"I think that I am correct in thinking that neither of you are quite sure why the other is here. But, I thought that I might speak to both of you in one go, as it is Sunday, and I know you are both keen to run out and cause mischief with your friends." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he smiled at them. "Anyway, to business. As I am sure you are both highly aware, fighting or dueling on the school grounds is a very grave situation, which I as Headmaster am expected to frown most deeply upon. However, I would like to hear your explanations of this weekend's events before I judge you too harshly. Ms. Farthing, if you would be so kind as to account the events of the previous afternoon?" He finished, and looked over his folded hands and half-moon spectacles attentively.
It took a moment for the girl to begin, but when she did, she spoke with a defensive air that gave her a look in the eye not unlike that of a young revolutionist.
"Well, that... girl, Lily Evans, nearly called me..." she paused and glanced hesitantly at Sirius.
"Go on," prompted Dumbledore.
"She nearly called me something highly offensive, Headmaster, sir. It almost made me think she knew...something, and I acted rashly, needless to say." She finished with a look at Dumbledore that seemed to Sirius to be somewhat suspicious and significant, but maybe he had read too much into it.
"You need say no more, Fay. I believe I understand the rest, based on what some of the prefects have told me. Sirius, this is when you jinxed Ms. Evans, if I am not mistaken?"
Sirius still felt increasingly uneasy. "Yes. Um, Headmaster. Sir." He thought he heard Fay let out a faint giggle, which was instantly suppressed.
"And I would also very much appreciate your side of this afternoon's story, if you please. I believe when I entered the scene, I had already missed a few.... highlights."
"Well, there's not much to say, really. All there is to know is that Bellatrix and her friends said a number of... well, personal insults that sort of... set me off, I guess. And I'm sorry," he added, quite pathetically.
Dumbledore smiled yet again. "Your apology is most certainly accepted, Mr. Black. I am convinced that while the two of you may have had very good reason to attack your peers, I cannot allow you to leave my office without understanding that you now comprehend fully the rules against fighting and dueling, nor can I let you both go without punishment, as it would seem highly suspicious on my part if I didn't. I will not be terribly firm, however. How do the two of you feel about a weeks detention with Madam Pince in the library, beginning tomorrow afternoon?"
Sirius and Fay both groaned. The Headmaster laughed.
"Ah, I expected such youthful enthusiasm. Sirius, you are free to enjoy the remainder of the day. Ms. Farthing, I would like one quick word with you before you part."
The expression on Fay's face as Sirius turned to leave the office was not one of surprise. She had remained motionless in her seat, and he thought he saw her give the tiniest of waves before he was behind the closed doors once more.
When Sirius retraced his steps out to the Entrance Hall, his brain was teeming with curious thoughts, mostly involving Fay. His anger, which had been so prevalent earlier that morning, was now subsiding quickly to make way for a newfound curiosity. What was it that Lily had called her that had caused her to attack her so rashly? Whatever it was, Dumbledore seemed to know about it. Sirius could tell that they had shared some kind of secret surrounding the matter when he was back n the office. And what did she have to stay to talk to the old man about? Surely it couldn't be that secret?
"Ouch!"
Sirius had evidently been so deep in thought that he had not been paying close enough attention to where his feet were leading him, causing him to bump headlong into Remus Lupin.
"Alright there, Padfoot?" grinned Remus, rubbing his forehead.
"Yeah, fine." Sirius's head was throbbing, but he forgot the pain at the much needed sight of a friend and ally. He grinned too.
"I heard you got in another fight this morning," said the werewolf cautiously.
Sirius was amiable. "Yeah, but it's done. The only thing I've really got to worry about now is my week's worth of detentions-" Remus winced sympathetically. "-and James. He's still not talking to me."
"Give him time, he'll come around."
"Yeah," said Sirius, a bit distractedly, for he had just remembered that he had a more pressing issue to discuss with his friend. "Listen, Moony, I've just gotten back from Dumbledore's office, and something weird happened.'
He proceeded to tell Lupin about what had happened between Fay and Dumbledore. When he had finished, Lupin confused him very much by letting out a loud, "Ha! I knew it!"
"Knew what?" Asked Sirius, bewildered.
"Come with me," said Remus eagerly, and he lead his perplexed friend all the way to the library.
Sirius moaned disapproval. "Moony, have mercy, will you? I'm about to spend all my free time next week dusting bookshelves for Madam Pince. I don't want to spend any more time in here then I already-"
"Shut up complaining. I know what's up with Fay. Now keep your voice down and follow me."
He lead Sirius to a dingy corner of the library and immediately began tracing his finger along a section that was entitled, "Part-Human Magical Creatures". Finally, he pulled out a small green book. It was dusty, like most of the library, and its title, "Pixie Folklore and Legends" was written in a gold wispy script across its front. As he flipped through the chapters, Lupin said idly, "Fay isn't a full-on wizard. She's not even full- on human. I think-" he looked around and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I think she's a changeling."
"What's that?" asked Sirius.
"It's all in this book. I've had my suspicions about her ever since the start of term, but I think that this book confirms those suspicions. There's nothing bad about it, mind you, it isn't her fault. Just like it isn't my fault I got the bite, but she'll still be shunned, like me, if anyone finds out, so we can't tell anyone about it. I know exactly how she feels, and I aim to have a talk with her about it, but still, it's weird, isn't it? I wonder if-"
Sirius cut him off. "What are you on about? What's this you're calling Fay? What does it mean?"
Lupin inhaled. "Sorry, I got carried away. A changeling is usually a part human, part Moorfolk that has been raised in the mound of the little people. When the mound, or the fairie community, finds out that the child does not possess entirely the elfish magical powers, it is cast away. The mound will then trade the half-breed with a human child, replacing the fairie, or whatever you want to call it, with a human child that they can use for rough labor. When the child is half-breed with wizard blood, it can still carry on the wizard bloodline, however, and is often just as efficient as any pureblood with wizarding magic. That explains why she's at Hogwarts, and why she got here so late. Also, they can sometimes keep a few of their impish powers." He consulted the book and read aloud. "'A changeling will often bear a strong resemblance to that of its people, and may even have eyes that change color. The child may also have an uncanny ability to play the music of the moor people, often without any previous instruction. They always shy away from iron.' "
When Remus had finished, a flood of memories drowned Sirius's thoughts, and he recalled how she could never touch any iron silverware in the Great Hall, how hers eyes could at one point be green, and the next gray, and the next even purple. How she played so well that eerie music, both on the bagpipes and on that strange flute. Yes, it all made sense. Fay Farthing was a changeling.
Dear reviewers:
Star of the Muses -well, I've updated. Isn't it wonderful how you can still depend upon a few precious things in this world? Lol. Thank you for your review.
Super dork 10 -the cruel irony that I just acquired you as a new reviewer right before I left is not nearly as twisted as that horribly likely statistic: you may never again come across this story or read my little note to you. However, if you do, I give you my endless thanks, apologies for any inconvenience, and humble request that you continue to read this story and judge it accordingly.
Benny- I hope you're true to your word, because I would very much like to hear from you as to how you think this story turned out. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and thanks for your last review.
Snuffles2984- having just read your review, I'm blushing, as usual. Thank you kindly. And update Fallen soon, before my hair turns gray and falls out from anticipation. (Apologies for the morbid and unnecessary analogy)
- You may have noticed a newly acquired eloquence, or, if I may go so far as to say, slightly silly way with words. This, I believe, is the result of both a summer away from my parentals, and heavy reading of the brilliant fellow writer, The Duchess of Inkling, before the writing of this passage. I pray I did not alarm you too greatly.-
Disclaimer- I don't like disclaimers. (Sticks out tongue and hops away.) (Yes, I said hops.)
CHAPTER #9
When Sirius awoke the next morning, refreshed and ready to begin the day, he made his way over to James's bed, intending to convince his best friend to speak to him again. When he got over there, however, Sirius found that the hangings to James's bed were open, his comforter wrinkled and empty. He had obviously gone down to breakfast. Figuring that he would just corner him in the Great Hall, Sirius dressed quickly, and made his way down, too.
When he reached the foot of the marble staircase, he turned in the direction of the Great Hall and groaned. Instead of catching and intercepting James on his way out from breakfast as he had hoped to do, he found himself faced to face with a hoard of people whom he very strongly disliked, each one more so than the next. Standing before him was a very nasty crew of Slytherins. Sirius's scowl deepened as he took in each ill- domineered face. In the front of the pack stood his cousin, Bellatrix Black, her boyfriend, Rodolfus Lestrange, and Sirius's own brother (by blood and nothing else) Regulus Black. In a bunch behind them were some fourth year slime balls: Lucious Malfoy, Narcissa Black (another cousin), Evan Rosier, and Augustus Rookwood. Skulking in the back behind a curtain of greasy black hair was the pallid archenemy of the Marauders: Severus Snape. All of them were looking malicious; like a pack of lionesses ready to move in for the kill.
In an attempt to scape a brawl, Sirius tried making his way around the group, but Bellatrix held out an arm and caught him in the chest.
"What?" said Sirius savagely.
"Not even a courteous 'Good Morning' for your dearest cousins and brother?"
"Yeah, well, forgive me for interrupting your daily romp, but I don't tend to consider people like you and him-" Sirius nodded curtly to Regulus "to be anything close to family at all. Now, are you going to let me by, or are you going to make me do it the hard way, and curse you all out of my path?"
Sirius allowed the effect of his words to settle in. he could almost see the furious battle being wrought inside his cousins head. The need to continue to egg on her most loathed enemy was conflicting painfully with his most inconvenient skill with a wand. Sirius smirked after a few second's pause.
"Look, Bella, if it's going to take you that long to think of a comeback, then you'd better pick up your skill or just get used to being stepped all over, because the moment for comedic timing passed about sixty seconds ago."
He walked off, his back to the lot of sneering Slytherins when he heard Bella speak again, this time in a taunting baby voice:
"You always did take it the hard way, didn't you, Sirius? Couldn't bear being so left out, could we? Got our feelings hurt when we found out mommy and daddy liked big brother more than us, hmm?"
The Hall rang with the laughter of Bella and her stupid gang, and just then, as though those words had been a trigger to some sort of chip in Sirius's brain, he wheeled round, pointed his wand at Bella, and shouted, "Conjuncto!"
When the spell hit his cousin, the cheeky guffaws of the whole Slytherin lot were turned instantly into shrieks of surprise. Bellatrix was howling in pain, clutching her right eye.
At the same moment, as though time itself were against him, Sirius heard a throng f people making their way out of the Great Hall, all crowding excitedly around the second fight that had taken place that weekend. At the head of the crowd, Sirius saw as he turned, was James. He was watching the row while he leaned against a corner in the door. He wasn't hurling insults at Sirius, but he wasn't sticking up for him, either.
Regulus and Redolfus were helping Bellatrix to her feet and trying to wrench the hand away from her eye to examine the damage. Snape stood scowling off to the side of his mates, who were all huddled together and whispering nervously as they shot periodical glances at Sirius.
Bella struggled to regain her balance as she struggled around in agony; left hand still clutched t her heavily wounded eye as she used her free hand to aim for Sirius's chest with her ebony black wand.
"Bombardio!"
The spell hit a suit of armor to Sirius's left, bounced off and shattered a mirror up ahead. In his fury, Sirius found even more antagonizing words escaping him.
"That's seven years bad luck, Bella! Guess that means your dreams of a life with your ugly boyfriend might not work out."
This time, it was Redolfus who raised his wand, but before he could even think of a curse worthy of the efforts against his girlfriend's attacker, a loud bang issued from yet another wand. The whole crowd turned around.
Professor Albus Dumbledore stood at the top of the marble stairs.
All went quiet. The whole Entrance Hall seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for the Headmaster to speak.
"Mr. Lestrange and Mr. Black, kindly take Bellatrix to Madam Pomfrey, and inform her that the young lady has been hit with a conjunctivitis curse," said Professor Dumbldore. He spoke as though he were talking of the matter over tea. There was a slight pause as the crowd parted to let the three Slytherins up the stairs, and Dumbledore descended to the main level of the Hall. There was a hush as he resumed speech.
"I would also like for Ms. Narssica Black, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Rosier, Mr. Rookwood and Mr. Snape to proceed to your head of house immediately. Do note that I shall know it if you decide not to do as I ask."
The fourth years bunched off toward the dungeons. Snape gave Sirius a particularly nasty sneering smirk before turning to follow the others. As the action began to wind down, the crowd too dispersed, leaving Sirius alone with the tall wizard.
"Sirius, come with me, if you please," said the Headmaster shortly, and he began to walk to a place that he had only heard about, as very few students had actually seen its interior: Dumbledore's office.
Sirius was completely bewildered. Why had Dumbledore chosen to chastise him? He was innocent, he had been unfairly provoked......
They came to a halt in front of a huge gargoyle. It sprung to life and leapt aside when the Professor spoke the password, leaving a large gap in the wall that lead to a spiral stone staircase. Stepping in after Dumbledore, Sirius jumped as the stairs began to spiral slowly upward, halting when they became level with a pair of huge doors bearing oversized knockers. Dumbledore knocked, which Sirius first thought strange, as he figured that the only person that would be inside to let them in would be the Headmaster himself. Almost immediately, however, the knobs on the doors twisted, and Fay poked her fairie face out. Looking slightly hesitant, she shot a quizzical look at Sirius before admitting the two of them in the room.
Sirius had just enough time before Dumbledore spoke to marvel open- mouthed at the great wizard's office. The extremely esthetically pleasing circular room, sporting many books and almost infinite numbers of strange, whirring gadgets. Sunlight poured in from the high-framed windows and shed light on the endless portraits of headmasters and mistresses, more than half of whom seemed to be feigning sleep. (A few were snoring too loudly to be entirely plausible.)
Gracefully, Albus Dumbledore swept over to the high-backed chair behind his desk and conjured two fluffy poufs for his guests to sit upon. Sirius sat in one, feeling awkward, and saw Fay doing the same out of the corner of his eye. They sat in silence for a moment, watching Dumbledore situate himself and waiting for him to speak.
"I think that I am correct in thinking that neither of you are quite sure why the other is here. But, I thought that I might speak to both of you in one go, as it is Sunday, and I know you are both keen to run out and cause mischief with your friends." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he smiled at them. "Anyway, to business. As I am sure you are both highly aware, fighting or dueling on the school grounds is a very grave situation, which I as Headmaster am expected to frown most deeply upon. However, I would like to hear your explanations of this weekend's events before I judge you too harshly. Ms. Farthing, if you would be so kind as to account the events of the previous afternoon?" He finished, and looked over his folded hands and half-moon spectacles attentively.
It took a moment for the girl to begin, but when she did, she spoke with a defensive air that gave her a look in the eye not unlike that of a young revolutionist.
"Well, that... girl, Lily Evans, nearly called me..." she paused and glanced hesitantly at Sirius.
"Go on," prompted Dumbledore.
"She nearly called me something highly offensive, Headmaster, sir. It almost made me think she knew...something, and I acted rashly, needless to say." She finished with a look at Dumbledore that seemed to Sirius to be somewhat suspicious and significant, but maybe he had read too much into it.
"You need say no more, Fay. I believe I understand the rest, based on what some of the prefects have told me. Sirius, this is when you jinxed Ms. Evans, if I am not mistaken?"
Sirius still felt increasingly uneasy. "Yes. Um, Headmaster. Sir." He thought he heard Fay let out a faint giggle, which was instantly suppressed.
"And I would also very much appreciate your side of this afternoon's story, if you please. I believe when I entered the scene, I had already missed a few.... highlights."
"Well, there's not much to say, really. All there is to know is that Bellatrix and her friends said a number of... well, personal insults that sort of... set me off, I guess. And I'm sorry," he added, quite pathetically.
Dumbledore smiled yet again. "Your apology is most certainly accepted, Mr. Black. I am convinced that while the two of you may have had very good reason to attack your peers, I cannot allow you to leave my office without understanding that you now comprehend fully the rules against fighting and dueling, nor can I let you both go without punishment, as it would seem highly suspicious on my part if I didn't. I will not be terribly firm, however. How do the two of you feel about a weeks detention with Madam Pince in the library, beginning tomorrow afternoon?"
Sirius and Fay both groaned. The Headmaster laughed.
"Ah, I expected such youthful enthusiasm. Sirius, you are free to enjoy the remainder of the day. Ms. Farthing, I would like one quick word with you before you part."
The expression on Fay's face as Sirius turned to leave the office was not one of surprise. She had remained motionless in her seat, and he thought he saw her give the tiniest of waves before he was behind the closed doors once more.
When Sirius retraced his steps out to the Entrance Hall, his brain was teeming with curious thoughts, mostly involving Fay. His anger, which had been so prevalent earlier that morning, was now subsiding quickly to make way for a newfound curiosity. What was it that Lily had called her that had caused her to attack her so rashly? Whatever it was, Dumbledore seemed to know about it. Sirius could tell that they had shared some kind of secret surrounding the matter when he was back n the office. And what did she have to stay to talk to the old man about? Surely it couldn't be that secret?
"Ouch!"
Sirius had evidently been so deep in thought that he had not been paying close enough attention to where his feet were leading him, causing him to bump headlong into Remus Lupin.
"Alright there, Padfoot?" grinned Remus, rubbing his forehead.
"Yeah, fine." Sirius's head was throbbing, but he forgot the pain at the much needed sight of a friend and ally. He grinned too.
"I heard you got in another fight this morning," said the werewolf cautiously.
Sirius was amiable. "Yeah, but it's done. The only thing I've really got to worry about now is my week's worth of detentions-" Remus winced sympathetically. "-and James. He's still not talking to me."
"Give him time, he'll come around."
"Yeah," said Sirius, a bit distractedly, for he had just remembered that he had a more pressing issue to discuss with his friend. "Listen, Moony, I've just gotten back from Dumbledore's office, and something weird happened.'
He proceeded to tell Lupin about what had happened between Fay and Dumbledore. When he had finished, Lupin confused him very much by letting out a loud, "Ha! I knew it!"
"Knew what?" Asked Sirius, bewildered.
"Come with me," said Remus eagerly, and he lead his perplexed friend all the way to the library.
Sirius moaned disapproval. "Moony, have mercy, will you? I'm about to spend all my free time next week dusting bookshelves for Madam Pince. I don't want to spend any more time in here then I already-"
"Shut up complaining. I know what's up with Fay. Now keep your voice down and follow me."
He lead Sirius to a dingy corner of the library and immediately began tracing his finger along a section that was entitled, "Part-Human Magical Creatures". Finally, he pulled out a small green book. It was dusty, like most of the library, and its title, "Pixie Folklore and Legends" was written in a gold wispy script across its front. As he flipped through the chapters, Lupin said idly, "Fay isn't a full-on wizard. She's not even full- on human. I think-" he looked around and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I think she's a changeling."
"What's that?" asked Sirius.
"It's all in this book. I've had my suspicions about her ever since the start of term, but I think that this book confirms those suspicions. There's nothing bad about it, mind you, it isn't her fault. Just like it isn't my fault I got the bite, but she'll still be shunned, like me, if anyone finds out, so we can't tell anyone about it. I know exactly how she feels, and I aim to have a talk with her about it, but still, it's weird, isn't it? I wonder if-"
Sirius cut him off. "What are you on about? What's this you're calling Fay? What does it mean?"
Lupin inhaled. "Sorry, I got carried away. A changeling is usually a part human, part Moorfolk that has been raised in the mound of the little people. When the mound, or the fairie community, finds out that the child does not possess entirely the elfish magical powers, it is cast away. The mound will then trade the half-breed with a human child, replacing the fairie, or whatever you want to call it, with a human child that they can use for rough labor. When the child is half-breed with wizard blood, it can still carry on the wizard bloodline, however, and is often just as efficient as any pureblood with wizarding magic. That explains why she's at Hogwarts, and why she got here so late. Also, they can sometimes keep a few of their impish powers." He consulted the book and read aloud. "'A changeling will often bear a strong resemblance to that of its people, and may even have eyes that change color. The child may also have an uncanny ability to play the music of the moor people, often without any previous instruction. They always shy away from iron.' "
When Remus had finished, a flood of memories drowned Sirius's thoughts, and he recalled how she could never touch any iron silverware in the Great Hall, how hers eyes could at one point be green, and the next gray, and the next even purple. How she played so well that eerie music, both on the bagpipes and on that strange flute. Yes, it all made sense. Fay Farthing was a changeling.