Author's Note: And we continue with the tale. I do hope it's worth the time to read it.

Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.

Section 3: Fury and Flightlessness

Her eyelids felt heavy, but she just had to open them. She had to see where she was and why she couldn't feel her wings. Voices reached her ears. Strange voices. Wait, she knew that one. The wizard from the woods was there, talking to the others. She listened to them for a while before trying to open her eyes again.

"And then she turned into that. I still haven't decided what to do to Malfoy. He undoubtedly was under the impression she was dangerous, but..."

"Alright Severus, I think I shall deal with Mr. Malfoy myself. That curse he used was not something one of his age should know. But, as you said, he thought he was defending his Head of House. Now, what shall we do with your friend when she awakens? She can't stay in the infirmary."

"First she must awaken, Albus, and I just finished giving her a sleeping draught. I don't expect her to wake up for a good eight hours yet. And when she does I don't want anyone bothering her. She's had quite a nasty experience and gryffin or not I won't have anyone bothering my patients."

"Will you three knock it off? You could wake the dead with all that chattering."

The three wizards turned in amazement as the strange woman sat up in her bed. How could she be awake so soon? Snape quickly walked over to the side of her bed, Madam Pomfrey hot on his heels.

"Do you remember what happened to you?"

She shook her head, sending her long dark hair flying about her face. A pair of green eyes looked up and met his.

"Vaguely. I remember a flash, then pain, and nothing 'till I heard the three of you talking just now. I assume this Malfoy is responsible for what happened?"

Snape nodded as Pomfrey began to examine the woman. A strange look crossed Leiko's face as she suddenly noticed how much larger everything seemed. She looked down at herself and shrieked.

"I'm human! How in the hell did...wait. I heard you talking about a curse. Did that kid KILL me?!"

The three wizards just stared at her with blank looks on their faces. How could Malfoy have killed her? She was alive and talking to them wasn't she?

"Well?!"

Noticing the confused looks on their faces the gryffin took a deep breath before continuing in a calmer tone.

"When my body is mortally injured, the power within revives me. It's happened before that someone killed me and I came back in another form. So it chose human this time...well, perhaps that's so bad. At least I don't have hooves again."

Again, the wizards were giving her stares of amazement. If humans with so much knowledge of the magical world were left speechless at her reincarnation abilities, then it was just as well she'd not been amongst the completely ignorant. Although a regular human would have just screamed and run away, so she'd not have had to reveal her secrets.

"Is anyone going to say something, or have you all gone mute? And someone get me some proper clothing. That is, unless you want a nude woman parading about your school."

Snape was the first to recover. He looked over at Dumbledore and saw that the Headmaster was shocked and amused by the aggravated gryffin. Former gryffin...she was human now. Dumbledore stepped a little closer to her and opened his mouth to speak.

"Of course, dear lady, I'll have someone bring you suitable attire. You caught us off guard with your sudden awakening and I'm afraid we've been rather rude to you. Professor Snape informs me that you were curious to see the school. When Madam Pomfrey releases you from her care, I would be honored to give you a tour."

"Thank you. It's a relief to see that at least one person in this place has manors."

The green eyes shot a glance at Snape, who had slowly been backing towards the door.

"I think I will rest now, as I get the feeling this woman will be hovering over me 'till I'm asleep again. Oh, and unless you had something in mind for the student who killed me, could I have a say in his punishment? I might not have talons anymore, but there's still a trick or two up my sleeve. Not that I have sleeves."

She smirked at her own wit, unaware that the three wizards were exchanging pensive looks. Let a gryffin-turned-human punish a student? It was unthinkable. Although, perhaps letting her take part would not be entirely bad. Young Mr. Malfoy must be taught a lesson, and having to face the target of his curse just might drive the point home.

Leiko leaned back on her pillow as all but the Pomfrey woman exited the infirmary. She had tried not to let her outrage show, but something told her Snape wasn't completely convinced that she was fine with being human. That man was very observant. She'd have to watch him in the future. But the Headmaster seemed convinced. And to be honest, she wasn't entirely upset with the form she'd been given. A beautiful human woman could probably get farther with these people than a fifteen-foot gryffin.

Leiko closed her eyes and drank the horrid liquid Pomfrey gave her. It was supposed to make her sleep, but she knew it wouldn't work. Magical sleeping charms never did on her. Well, not for long. Still, her eyelids were heavy again and within minutes she was dreaming about a certain dark-haired wizard.