Chapter 17

Kayla had recovered from the previous day pretty quickly. They all had spent the evening in the common room doing their homework and playing exploding snap. She had slept deeply and was well rested for the new day. The pretty Gryffindor was enjoying her breakfast when the owls arrived. Thor landed in front of her knocking over a glass of pumpkin juice. Kayla took the letter from his leg and started reading her fathers' reply.

Dearest Kayla

I hope you're fine and you're enjoying your stay at Hogwarts. Your Headmaster informed us that the two of you fit in well and there are no complains so far. Let me tell you that your mom and I are very proud of both of you and hopefully everything will be sorted out soon so we can see you during Christmas break.

Your letter contained some interesting question. I know you're extremely talented in potions and it makes me very happy that you're following in my footsteps. The ingredients you mentioned are extremely powerful. Dried vampire blood is used for potions, which are supposed to bring back from an "undead" state, caused either by potions or curses. These potions are not very reliable and extremely complex. I haven't come across dried vampire blood since my time as assistant teacher in Rumania, but I have heard, that some of the followers of Voldemort have it in their possession. I sincerely hope that this is just a rumor. In the old days, bark of holy oak was commonly used to recover somebody, who was cursed. Since all the holy oaks are felled, it's really hard to get. I managed to buy some a few years ago, while I was in Scotland. It's one of my greatest treasures. Sorry I can't help you about moonbell roots. I've heard about it, but I don't have more informations. Scales of Aquarius are almost impossible to get. The Aquarius broke up every contact to the wizarding world ages ago. I haven't seen one Aquarius scale before. Sorry girl that I can't help you anymore.

The potion you read about in the library must be very old and I'm wondering that a book with such a powerful potion is not in the restricted section. Fortunately your brother is recovering fast. As far as he told me, he should be back at school next week. I've received a letter from his healer and she told me, that this accident will have no lasting effect on his eyesight. But I'm insisting that the two of you stay away from Draco Malfoy. He's very dangerous and I don't want you two to give him a reason to hurt one of you again. Hugs and kisses from your mom and me.

Love Dad

Kayla slipped her father's note in her bag and continued her breakfast. She had no idea how to avoid Malfoy. They had Potions and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins and now she would even see him during Advanced Potions, an extra class Snape was giving to prepare students who wanted to take their N.E.W.T.S in potions.

The brown-haired Gryffindor knew her brother too well. She knew he would want to take revenge. His sister couldn't really blame him. The blond Slytherin deserved it after all. It was well known that Snape, the Head of Slytherin House, always favoured his own house above all, but it was just unfair that he didn't take any points this time. Kayla knew and, somehow approved, that if Snape wouldn't punish Malfoy for this Kelsey would. However, this time it wouldn't be done with a bunny tail.

Herbology with the Hufflepuff's was uneventful. After class Kayla asked Professor Sprout if she had ever heard about moonbell's. Unfortunately the teacher couldn't give her more information than her father had already. Kayla felt uncomfortable when she left the greenhouse and walked back to the castle together with her friends. Divination was next. Let's hope I make it through class this time, she thought.

Thinking about the perfumed smoke in Trelawney's class room made her sick already. When they reached the castle, Kayla took a deep breath and then followed Ron and Harry to the North Tower while Hermione went to Arithmancy.

The smoke was breathtaking. Kayla felt already dizzy when she sat down at a table right next to Harry and Ron. They started with Tarot cards again. Ron looked at Harry's cards and frowned.

"You have The Tower, The Sun and The Death"

"Let me guess" Harry grinned

"According to the book...err...you will have a big change, be happy and somebody will die" Ron said.

"Hush, before the old dragonfly comes around and tells me I'm going to die again" Harry whispered and pushed the cards over to Ron.

Kayla couldn't concentrate on her cards. Neville was muttering something about a sacrifice and willpower but she barely heard him. The heavy perfumed smoke gave her a headache and she was just glad that she only had 15 more minutes to endure. Professor Trelawney was gliding past her table; fortunately she didn't take a look at her cards.

Her first Advanced Potion lesson would be this afternoon and she hoped Snape could give her any information about moonbell root or Aquarius scales. The pretty Gryffindor had just no idea how to ask him.... it was still Snape, no matter how nice he had been during their last encounter. Somebody pushed her slightly.

"Do you like it here so much that you want to stay longer?" Harry smirked. Kayla looked around and recognized that the lesson must be over and everybody was packing their bags and leaving the class room through the trapdoor.

"No, of course not" Kayla sighed. "Let's get out of here quickly"