Author's Note: And in this section we discover why I keep mentioning Ravindra in my credits.

And thanks to Romulan Empress for her suggestion concerning comments. I figured it out after only five minutes of staring at the screen.

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

Section 11: Thicker Than Blood

Ravindra landed softly in the grass at the edge of the forest. This had to be the place. She could smell gryffin all over, as well as a very strong scent that could only be magic. Just great, she thought. In her experience magic-using humans were more of a threat than the gun-using kind. Still, she did not detect the distasteful feel of evil. Perhaps these magic users were friendly. She blinked her golden eyes and moved towards the castle.

Ron and Hermione were walking towards Hagrid's hut and talking about Harry. Professor McGonagall had already told them that their friend was fine and would be released from the infirmary soon, but they still worried. Hermione was especially concerned that Voldemort could use Harry in the manner he had. There had to be a way to prevent any further attacks, but how? She was puzzling this when Ron jabbed her with his elbow.

"Hey, look over there! Is that what I think it is?"

"If you think it's a gryffin, then yes. Ron, we need to get back to the school and tell Dumbledore."

"Excuse me..."

Both students froze as the large red and purple beast spoke. She was a living example of what Professor Leiko had told them about certain magical beasts being able to talk.

"Sorry to frighten you, but I'm looking for someone. Big black and red gryffin, green eyes, horns, gold earring in left ear. Seen her?"

Hermione was too stunned to speak at first. Ron gathered his wits more quickly.

"Why do you want to know? Are you going to hurt this someone or is she a friend?"

"Hurt Leiko? Actually, I just might after what she's put me through these last few days. Don't bother lying kid, I can smell her all over you. But something's wrong with the scent. Where is she?"

Before either student could speak they were interrupted by the clearing of a throat behind them. Turning they saw none other than Snape with a very peculiar look on his face.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger. You should be in the school, I do believe. 20 points from Gryffindor for skipping class. Now, return to the castle immediately."

The two students gave Snape a look of protest, but headed back to the castle without speaking. Snape turned his attention to the beast before him. She was red with a purple belly and had a mane of whitish hair running down the back of her neck. She was smaller than Leiko, standing at ten feet to Leiko's original fifteen. The strange gryffin's rear legs were the same draconic structure and Snape was convinced that the two must be from the same area, if not the same flock. Although he didn't know if these gryffins lived in flocks or not.

"I am Professor Severus Snape. If you have anything to ask, talk to me. Now, why are you here?"

"I'm searching for my sister."

"Your sister? Older sibling, I take it?"

"Actually I'm the elder. But the way we view family bonds is too complicated to get into. Is Leiko here or isn't she? I know she's been here within the past few days so just tell me and I'll be off."

Snape considered telling the large red beast that Leiko had moved on. However, he didn't think she would enjoy that and he did not want that woman angry with him. She was bad enough when trying to be friendly.

"Leiko is here, though I doubt you'd recognize her. She's undergone some...changes."

"I know she's been in pain. I could feel it. That's why I came. Just take me to her so I can see that she's alright."

"Very well. I shouldn't do this but I get the feeling that you would break in otherwise. She's in the infirmary. This way."

Snape lead the red gryffin into the school. The few students they met in the hallways were both shocked and frightened at the site of a ten foot gryffin walking about. They knew from the rumors that Leiko had had black feathers, so they quickly realized that this red creature was a new gryffin.

"Ravindra."

"What?"

"You never asked my name. It's Ravindra. Although..."

And the golden-eyed gryffin leaned down to sniff more carefully at Snape. She recognized the significance of the scents on his robe.

"...you can call me Rave."

They walked in silence, Snape not sure what to make of that comment. Those golden eyes seemed to hold a knowing look that reminded him too much of Leiko. He pushed open the door to the hospital wing and beckoned to Ravindra to wait. He wanted to have a word with Leiko before he allowed the red gryffin to enter.

Snape was relieved to find that Potter was asleep again. He could talk to Leiko without having to deal with his least favorite student. The dark haired woman beside the boy crawled out from under her blanket as he approached, wondering what Snape was doing there when he should be in the Great Hall eating.

"Something unusual has just appeared on Hogwarts' grounds. Do you know anyone named Ravindra?"

Leiko's eyes went wide and she practically leapt out of the bed, grabbing Snape by the collar of his robes.

"Rave's here? Where is she?"

"Right here, sis."

The red gryffin entered the infirmary. Upon seeing her, Leiko grinned and ran to her, hugging the larger creature about the neck. Snape watched, annoyed that 'Rave', as she wished to be called, had not waited for permission to enter.

"I thought you weren't going to join me on this little adventure. What made you track me down?"

"You were in pain. And it's a good thing I did come for you. Look at yourself! You've shrunk!"

"Died, actually. Brat called Malfoy decided I was dangerous."

Rave chuckled. Leiko loved feigning innocence, but she wasn't very good at it.

"If only he knew how right he was. How did you manage to get in good with this lot? They don't seem very gryffin-conscious."

"No, they're not. I've taken over for one of the professors...teaching of magical beasts. The students don't believe most of what I tell them, which is just as well. Sometimes it's best to play mute, you know. Poor little animal that can't understand what it's doing."

Snape had had enough. He hated listening to females prattle on, and it disappointed him to see Leiko doing just that. He started moving for the door, thinking he'd better tell Dumbledore about their latest guest. Knowing the Headmaster, however, he was sure the man already knew.

"Leaving, Snape?"

"I must inform the Headmaster about your...relative's arrival."

Leiko was slightly disappointed, but this would give her a chance to talk to Rave alone. She watched until the wizard closed the door behind him, then gave her sister a conniving look.

"Alright. What's with you and the human? He's not very pretty and that personality could sour milk. So spill it, sis. What's up?"

"Rave...imagine him as a gryffin."

Ravindra considered the Potion's Master, warping his features in her thoughts. She gave a gryffin grin at her manipulative sister.

"I see now. With that nose of his he'd make a perfect raven type. And...canine rear, I think. He strikes me as a dog. But that still doesn't explain why you're attached to him. And don't try to fool me. I smelled your scent all over him."

"Fine then. I won't say another word. Now, why did you come here? You know my being in pain isn't necessarily reason enough for you to come hunting me down."

"Ok, ok. So I sort of missed you. But I also felt something very wrong with you. Something happened recently...what was it?"

"Mental attack. Apparently I've attracted the attention of a wizard who wishes to conquer the world."

"You've just got all sorts of men chasing after your human self don't you?"

"And you wish it was you."

The two sisters glared at each other, then burst out laughing. Each knew how serious the situation was. They communicated mentally, through an unconscious link that allowed them to feel impressions of what the other experienced. They were sisters of the soul, siblings of spirit rather than blood. That bond was strong and the two knew how to use it their advantage. They were both nervous about the danger to Leiko, but didn't consider it a severe threat. After all, Rave was unique among gryffins and had abilities Leiko lacked. Together they were confident they could vanquish any enemy that might surface.

Perhaps that was too optimistic of them.