Author's Note: And here we have the plot showing through.

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

Section 8: The Gryffin and the Serpent Lord

Harry sat with his friends at the Gryffindor's table in the Great Hall. They were joking about and teasing one another over some of the silliest things. He wasn't really taking part in the conversation, just listening. His mind was elsewhere, thinking about her.

"Hey, Harry. What do think?"

The boy snapped back to the present and blinked. Ron had asked him a question.

"Think? About what?"

"Haven't you been listening? About the new professor, of course. Personally I think she's a little nutty. I mean, who ever heard of a talking dragon? She's got to be kidding us with that one."

"I thought she was pretty good. At least nothing tried to bite, burn, maim, or kill us."

Everyone agreed with Hermione that the lack of mortal danger was certainly a change for the better. Although they liked Hagrid, he did tend to introduce them to some rather questionable beasts.

"I liked her, though she did remind me a little of Snape. Only she's not out to humiliate anyone."

"Except Malfoy. Did you see his face when she had him go into the Forbidden Forest with her so he could show her how much he knew? It was priceless!"

Everyone laughed at that. It was true that Malfoy was getting an unusual amount of attention from their new professor. He was the reason she was human, that bit of the story had remained constant through all the retellings, and the woman seemed to be getting back at him. Even now the blond boy was looking rather unhappy as he sat at the Slytherin's table.

"I wonder if she's the same way with Snape. So far it's only Slytherins she's picked on. Do you think she has a grudge against him as well, for not punishing Malfoy for turning her human?"

"I don't think so, Ron. Here she comes now, and Snape's with her. And he looks almost happy!"

Everyone within hearing turned to look at the main doors. Sure enough, Leiko and Snape had just entered and the Potion's Master was not wearing a scowl. For the students, that was as "happy" as Snape got. Leiko, on the other hand, seemed to be very satisfied with herself. Her eyes possessed a very mischievous look, and she kept smirking at Snape. The two professors walked past the students and took their places at the head table.

"What was that all about?"

"Really, Ron, you are quite thick. Didn't you see the look she kept giving him? I'll bet you those two are going to be arriving to meals together from now on."

There was a groan from the table as that observation sank in. That beautiful woman with the most hated professor in Hogwarts? Although, most thought, she wasn't really human. Perhaps gryffin's had different taste in men. Or maybe they were just friends, or had been tormenting some students together. Maybe it wasn't what they thought. They hoped it wasn't what they thought.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

Everyone turned to look at The Boy Who Lived. Harry was grimacing and had his hand over his scar. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances and looked at the head table for Dumbledore. They knew what that action meant. Ron leaned closer and whispered in his friend's ear.

"Scar hurting you?"

Harry nodded.

"Yeah. And it's bad this time. I think I should go."

"Hold on, Harry. Look!"

All eyes looked to see what Hermione was pointing at. Leiko was sitting rigid in her chair, an expression of pain on her face. Snape was beside her looking concerned, as was Dumbledore and the rest of the staff. The whole student body had stopped eating and was watching the head table, wondering what was going on. Those near Harry wondered if there was a connection between his rubbing his scar and the new professor's strange expression. Not a soul spoke as they watched Leiko's face turn from pain to anger, her eyes glowing green as she opened her mouth in a hissing growl.

"Get out of my head..."

Snape puzzled at those words, wondering who would dare try to pry into the mind of the gryffin. No one at Hogwarts, surely. Especially not in front of the entire school. He scanned the room in search of anyone acting suspiciously. His eyes stopped on Potter, who was bent over clutching his forehead. Snape growled, wanting to hurt the boy for invading Leiko's mind and at the same time realizing that Potter hadn't the skill to do so. Snape inhaled sharply as it dawned on him that only one person could invade another's mind and also affect Potter in that manner.

"Aghk...gheht...ouoot..."

Leiko was fighting the invader with all her conscious will. She didn't like the feel of this alien presence. It was dark and menacing and dangerous. Worst of all, it was hungry for power. Her power. She had to fight. Had to kick him out of her mind before he could burrow too deeply. She summoned the whole of her will to kick the invader out of her head.

"...Voldemort..."

The name came to her as she pushed against the attacker. It was his name. How had she known that? Somehow, when she challenged him, attacked him, she could see into his mind. She tried again, this time striking harder at the invader.

"...I know you...get out snake...I'll kill you if you remain..."

The students watched as their newest professor started to glow. A purple light was enveloping her, and it was growing. They watched as the light became a sort of cloud and took on the shape of a gryffin. Leiko's eyes went from green to red as the phantom gryffin opened its jagged beak and snapped at an unseen foe. The jaws closed near her head, and those nearest witnessed the forming of a dark green fog in front of her face. The purple light gryffin pulled at the green fog, which had begun to look like a snake.

"Severus, don't touch her. There's nothing we can do and you'll only break her concentration."

Snape glared at the Headmaster but did as he said. He backed off a few steps and watched as the green snake started fighting the purple gryffin. On a nearly subconscious level he was aware that the phantoms were a representation of what was happening in Leiko's mind. He allowed the fear and concern to show on his face as he watched the ongoing battle.

"You won't win, Tom. I know you now...know your taste. You can't cage me and you won't have what's mine. Now...Get...Out!"

Snape's eyes widened in amazement as the purple gryffin reacted to Leiko's words. The thing tore at the ethereal serpent with beak and talon, shredding the shape and dissipating the green mist. The purple light then descended upon Harry Potter, hissing at the boy who now lay in agony upon the stone floor. Surrounding the boy in a golden glow the gryffin phantom reached into his skull and pulled out a wisp of green, which is quickly destroyed. Potter stopped whimpering and lay still. The gryffin of light returned to Leiko's body and disappeared within her. The woman, who was by this time standing, collapsed into Snape's arms.