31.

TERESIAS

"Mggh," Teresias said. "Gmmr-"

Frustrated,he pounded the table.

"Take your time," Dumbledore said.

After a moment,the bones in his jaw seemed to

coalesce with the rest of his face.

"I can't do this," he said,in an impossibly low voice.

Dumbledore nodded. "If you don't feel ready-"

"I duhhnt-"

Dumbledore put his hands on either side of Teresias's face.

"All your life,people have called you a monster,have they not? I

know your landlady and your neighbors did."

Teresias nodded. His flesh shifted under Dumbledore's fingertips.

"I don't think you're a monster,Teresias. None of us think so. I find

you wondrous. You're not hideous, you're beautiful."

Teresias would have cried if his tear ducts hadn't been inside

his head at the moment.

"Kingsley will be fine," Dumbledore said. "He's quite resilient. Chief

Wiggum was hit with a Cruciatis Curse,as you know, but he's all right. You did

quite well,my boy...I'd never even heard of the Killer Bird spell before tonight."

Teresias smiled,even though his lips were dragging downward towards his chin,

which was splitting into a cleft.

"I won't force you to remain in the Order if you feel you cannot."

He went back inside. Teresias looked up at the stars,trying to find his future.