Author's Note: Zero reviews as of this moment, but i'm happy and chipper due to the fact the gryphons seem to like it. Though I do wonder if anyone else is reading.

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

Section 4: Rumors Abound

Dumbledore paced in his office, not certain what to do about the newcomer. He trusted Snape's judgment and, after talking with her for only a few moments, was sure the gryffin was not a danger to the school. Still, something told him to be wary of her. She was too calm about being attacked, and a malicious gleam had filled her eyes when she'd asked that Malfoy be turned over to her for punishment.

"You sent for me, Headmaster?"

"Ah, yes...Hagrid. You heard about our most recent guest? Good. I asked you here because I want to know what you can tell me about gryffins."

"Gryffins. Well, now...they're related to hippogryphs. In fact they've been around longer than hippogryphs. Have a liking for gold and other such things. Use it to line their nests, they do. Or so I've heard. Never actually seen one up close before. I was real excited when I heard one had come to Hogwarts, especially when they said it could talk. Never heard of a talking gryffin before. But I suppose there are stranger things out there..."

"Hagrid..."

"Right. Gryffins. Well, I've heard tell of wizards using them to guard treasure, though not so much in recent times. Seems they get a bit too attached to what they're supposed to be guarding and won't let even the owner near it. Sad, that. Poor beasts get killed for doing as they were taught when that happens."

The burly man sighed in sorrow at the thought of so noble a beast being killed. He loved magical creatures and it pained him to know that so many were put to death simply due to misunderstandings that could have been prevented. Dumbledore knew this and allowed him a moment of silence before speaking.

"Is that all you know about them? I confess my knowledge of the creatures is rather limited, never having reason to concern myself with them. But there seems to be something different about this Leiko, something that separates her from the rest of her kind."

"I heard she got turned into a human. Poor thing. That Malfoy should be expelled for attacking a harmless little gryffin like that, what with her not provoking him or anything. Have you decided what to do about him yet, Professor?"

The Headmaster shook his head. He couldn't expel Draco Malfoy, and really had no wish to do so. The boy was better kept in plain sight instead of off somewhere with his father, getting involved in who knew what sort of trouble. No, the punishment would have to be severe enough to convey the seriousness of his actions, yet not so bad as to incur the wrath of his father. Lucius Malfoy was a powerful man, and loyal to Voldemort as well. Dumbledore would have to tread carefully.

"It has not yet been decided. Mr. Malfoy will be punished, but I see no reason to expel him. He was, as I understand it, merely protecting his Head of House. He could not have known that the gryffin was a friend."

"Still...that curse he used was forbidden for students. Surely that in itself is enough to kick him out of the school?"

"I'm afraid not, in this case, Hagrid. But rest assured that he will be dealt with accordingly. In the meantime I have a mission for you..."

Dumbledore went on to explain what he wanted Hagrid to do. It was a long meeting, and no further mention of Malfoy or the gryffin was made. Hagrid left the Headmaster's office well after midnight to prepare for his journey. Dumbledore found that Professor Snape was waiting to see him and, sighing with fatigue, called the younger man into his office.

"What is on your mind, Severus? It's not like you wait for hours outside my door. I must assume that the reason for this visit is important."

"Yes, it is. Or, rather, it's important to me. I need to talk to you about the gryffin...er...woman. She keeps waking up and demanding to be shown to a proper room. Pomfrey is trying to keep her sedated, but the sleeping potions don't have much effect. And another thing, have you heard what the students are saying about our guest? I've overheard many versions of Malfoy's escapade, none of which are true and most of which aren't even remotely close to what happened. I don't want rumors ruining Leiko's reputation before she's even out of the infirmary."

Dumbledore regarded his potion's professor with a long look. The man was showing concern for another being, and a beast at that. The gryffin must have great powers of persuasion to send the Potions Master into such unusual behavior. Perhaps it would be good for him to care about something other than those jars of ingredients for a while. The Headmaster made a mental note to talk with the woman alone when he got the chance. In the meantime, perhaps he should have her moved into a more suitable room.

"Alright, Severus. Calm down. I think it is wise to give the gryffin her own room. I don't think that one can be contained for long in one place if she doesn't wish it. And about the students, let them talk. When Leiko is fully recovered from her ordeal I'll speak with the student body about our guest. I don't think it will take long for her to heal. She seemed well enough this afternoon."

"I'll get a room ready. She has already asked to be near me, so I'll have her put into a room in the dungeons."

"It seems she likes your company, Severus. Take advantage of that and see if you can find out what brought her to the Forbidden Forest. I noticed earlier that she seems to have an American accent. I was unaware that gryffins had migrated to that continent. Find out if there are more where she came from. They could be potential allies."

"As you wish, Headmaster."

Snape turned and left the room with a swirl of his black cloak. He was both relieved and annoyed that the female was being moved into a room near his own. It wouldn't be hard to get her to talk about her life, but getting specific details from her was a problem. In the forest she had spoken of the places she'd been and things she'd seen, but never gave any names. Strange. He hadn't noticed at the time how vague she was actually being. Perhaps that was a common trait among her kind, or maybe she really did posses a silver tongue. At any rate, we was going to have to get to know her much better than he already did to get the information Dumbledore wanted. And, to be honest, he wasn't all that annoyed at having to associate with the beautiful stranger.