Author's Note: Not feeling well so this is a short update of the tale. I promise to make it up readers tomorrow with a more...interesting...section.

And to Grand-Illusion, glad you like the story. Yes, I've read the three gryphon books by Lackey and enjoyed them. I can see where you'd find similarities between my gryffins and hers, but the creatures I write of are based upon myself and Rave. The gryffin Leiko was around for a good two years before I ever picked up a Lackey book. Actually, even before I'd heard of Lackey. It honors me that I be compared to such a talented and popular writer.

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

Section 12: Innocent Eavesdropping

Harry lay still in his bed, feigning sleep. He was thinking about what the gryffins had said. They didn't seem to realize how powerful Voldemort was, how strong his forces were. The boy longed to tell them just how much danger Leiko was in, but he got the feeling they'd brush him off as an emotional teenager. And he really couldn't blame them, though the gryffins seemed to be a bit childish themselves.

Harry's ears perked as the sisters continued to speak.

"So...are you going to tell tall, dark, and bitchy?"

"No. No point, really. Once I return to my own form it'll be over, and he's better off not knowing. You've been near him...you must have felt the darkness within. Trust me, he doesn't need to know."

"Very well. It's your call, after all. Still, I don't like to see you keeping things from your mate. Even if he is only temporary."

"Rave..."

"Fine, fine...I'll keep my beak shut. But I won't pretend to like him."

"Good. And he's not my mate."

"Sure."

"Get out."

Harry listened as the big creature left the infirmary. The two had been chuckling at the end, so they weren't really mad at each other. Although the one called Rave seemed to be annoyed at Leiko for reasons beyond his knowledge. Did gryffins have rules concerning their mates?

The boy shuddered. Snape and Leiko mates? That was much too horrible to consider. And Leiko had denied it. So, maybe the gryffin was just amusing herself. Just seeing what being human was like before she turned back. Harry chose to believe that instead of the alternative. His mind just couldn't deal with it.

"I know you're awake, kid. What's on you mind? You must have at least one question rattling around in that head of yours."

She did sound like Snape, thought Harry. Strangely enough, the Snape-like attitude didn't bother him coming from her. He sat up and turned to face his professor.

"So that was your sister?"

"Yes, in a manner of speaking. We're bonded spiritually, not by blood. Family reunions are much nicer when you can choose your relatives, don't you think?"

"Yes. I have to agree with you there."

"Not fond of your own relatives?"

The boy shook his head to say 'no' and Leiko dropped the subject. It was obviously something he didn't wish to speak of. Probably wished he could pick his relatives as she had. Leiko changed the subject.

"That last bit we were arguing over...don't repeat that to anyone. I doubt you understood much of it, but I'll fail you if you say one word."

That snapped Harry out of his brooding. His eyes got wide as he saw that the woman was serious, even though she'd used a joking tone.

"I won't tell Snape, you can be sure of that. And I'll try to not let it slip to Hermione and Ron."

"I suppose even if your friends knew they'd be unlikely to inform the Potion's Master. I've noticed he likes to pick on the Gryffindors. That's why I pick on the Slytherins, you know. Balance. Plus it drives him mad."

"Your sister didn't seem to like him. And why did you tell her to imagine Professor Snape as a gryffin?"

"Rave has slightly different taste in males than I have. And I told her to do that because it was the only way I could convey what I see in him. Trust me, kid, it wasn't the personality. But did you ever notice that his nose makes an attractive beak? And I've always had a thing for black. But don't tell anyone...if Severus knew I thought of him as a crow, he'd hex me."

They giggled at the idea of Snape trying to hex Leiko over something so silly. Madam Pomfrey interrupted their chat to examine them. She gave Leiko as disapproving look, but smiled at Harry.

"Well, Mr. Potter, it looks as though you can return to your own bed today. But I want you to rest and not strain yourself. I don't want you back in here five minutes after you've been released. As for you..."

The witch turned her gaze to Leiko, who knew what was coming.

"I want you to stay a bit longer. There are still some aspects of your anatomy that are not fully human, and I want to be sure you are healed before I allow you to leave."

Leiko sighed as the woman left the room. So she was to lay in an empty room with no one to talk to. Just great. She looked over at the boy and noticed that he was already out of bed and heading for the door. He paused and turned to face her, one final question popping out of his mouth.

"Why are you telling me all this? I mean, you're a professor and I'm just a student. Why let me know so much about your personal life?"

"Because you're here. And, through all my years of existence, I have never learned to keep my big beak shut. Plus I can tell you're not the type to go spreading gossip. Now get out, kid. Freedom awaits."

Harry returned the smile Leiko was giving him and headed out the door. The boy was happy to be out of the hospital, but Leiko was sorry to see him go. At least Rave had arrived. The red one would most likely stay close, if only to keep an eye on Snape and assess the man's worthiness. Sometimes Rave did get annoying, especially when she became protective of her sister. Being human didn't help, as Rave had little respect for that life form in a battle situation. Leiko sighed and went back to sleep, hoping that Pomfrey witch would let her out before she was forced to hurt someone.