This chap should be better.

I am NOT JK
I do NOT own HP.
I do NOT like Harry Potter! (just kidding)

Chapter Eleven
Nine… On Time

The remaining days ticked down to none.

Sarah was passing her study. Randomly pulling books from the marble shelves that made up the walls. She was on a quest to find something to distract her attention, desperate to find something to occupy her time. Friday was a horrid day for her friends to be arriving. She had only the students' meditation in the morning and Severus's in the afternoon. It was up to her to find a way to spend her free time.

It was now eight forty-two, and Sarah found herself staring out the window for about the hundredth time since she had awoken this morning. She had normally used this time to get some of her personal work done, however she knew that if she tried anything magical now it would only end in havoc.

Deciding that the best course of action would be to try and get ride on this nervous energy she fled the library.

In her classroom she swept over to a tall Mahogany cabinet she had placed in a far corner of the room. Form it she extracted a long wooden staff and a lead-weighted practice sword. She didn't trust herself with blades at the moment. Setting down the wooded objects Sarah removed her habit. Underneath she wore buck skinned clothes in the form on tan riding pants and a tight fitting, brown colored shirt.

Neatly folding the habit, then placing it on the desk, she next picked up the weapons. All the desks were pushed into a corner of the room as usual, leaving the center floor open for activity. Keeping the staff in hand she stepped into the center of the room. Beginning a complex foot pattern, complete with hand and staff motions.

She stayed at this for hours. Alternating between staff and sword with some hand-to-hand combat mixed in. Every once and awhile incorporating magic into the sequence as well, letting the staff float in mind air and spin vertically, the perfect move for warding off enemy punches. So intone to the magic was she that she didn't hear a knock at the door.

Severus was walking in the first floor corridor, on his way down to the dungeons. As he came across Sarah's door he heard the noises of wood colliding.

But she has no students at this time… Does she?

The rattling continued as Severus knocked on the door planning on sneaking a peak inside while asking her some question or another about that stupid journal she had given him. Although this plan did not seem as if it was going to work, because Sarah never answered the door. He knocked again slightly loader this time, but still no answer.

What could she possibly be doing in there? Severus thought, before opening the door a creak. It was unlocked and made a slight creek as he applied pressure to the rusty hinges. He found his teacher in the center of the room. Her choice of action was found by Severus to be most odd.

Sarah was standing with a piece of wood shaped to resemble a sword in her left hand. Although this was the most normal of parts, for Severus keep catching glimpses of what looked to be a long staff whiz around the room. The stick seemed to have a mind interlay its own as it swept around the room, sometimes pausing for a second, only to start off again. Every couple of times it would change direction Severus would see the staff zoom towards the mage. It came at her with such speed that he was shore if she had not so talented a hand with that sword-like stick the flying object would have broken a rib.

Severus watch in slight awe as the armored person made the sword glide across the air, leaping from foot to foot, lunging towards her target, never once missing. Sometimes using both hands sometimes only one. Severus was surprised at her coordination as the stick came at her from behind, threatening to hit the venerable spot in back of her knees. Severus's Death Eater reflexes tolled him to jump towards her and grasp the stick. However he had no time to react. As the stick zoomed even closer to her teacher she jumped! Doing a sort of midair cartwheel, no hands needed, over the stick that had zoomed right under her.

Severus continued to watch as the threatening stick seemed to get angry. Striking her at close quarters as if it and Sarah were engaged in some sort of duel. Severus looked more closely at his teacher wondering if she had lost control of her magic. He though to intervene but found him self unable to move. Severus still watching his teacher, still trying to move his useless feet forward when he heard a mighty cry, "ONGAURD!"

Using both hands Sarah swished the stick-sword around in a tight, half circle snapping the offending stick in half. It fell motionlessly to the floor.

The sweaty, Sarah, bent down and picked up both pieces of the stick. Severus watched through his crack in the door as she placed down the sword-stick and pressed the two splintered pieces of the enemy back together. When done the sword and renewed stick jumped into the air off towards a cupboard in the corner.

The dark man chose this point to walk away, sure that the lady was on longer in immediate danger, as a phrase came to mind. To shay. He thought. To shay.

Sarah was standing in the room of requirement fussing over the beds. There had originally been ten cots in the room. However, upon Sarah's request the Headmaster had converted then to five bunk beds thinking her friends would like that better. Only today when she had walked in she found her self wishing that she had kept the cots. Using her wand she tried to fix her laps in judgment although the results were disappointing. She was not the best witch especially in transfiguration. She quick reflexes brought on by her magic only made it seem so.

She found that some of her newly reformed beds came out with only three legs, and others no headboard or foot board. She soon became discussed and had just managed to change the beds back she had tampered with when Dumbledore came in.

"Ah, I thought I would find you hear. Dinner begins in a half an hour and I thought you might like to go down with me."

Looking at her grandfather solemnly she replied, "Surly… Have you gotten word of them yet?.. My friends."

Dumbledore door gave a forced smile back. "No, I have not but I assure you the minute I do I will let you know." He walked over to her and gave her a tight hug around the shoulders. "I am sure they will be hear soon. Would you like me to send Fawks out to look for them?"

Yes. Sarah thought. Then looked up to answer Dumbledore, "No, that isn't necessary."

Her grandfather took in the sight of her pitiful face. Then his smile brightened, "Well, that's really to bad isn't it." Without another word he steeped towards the burning hearth, threw some of the green powder that lie in a bag on a hook in the wall, into the flames. "Headmaster's office." He said clearly and disappeared.

A minute later she returned through the fireplace with a large bird resting on one shoulder. "I'm afraid you'll have to tell him what to look for… I still can't seem to remember their names.

The Great Hall that night seemed louder that usual to Sarah. Although the students had not been told that other mages were coming she had a feeling that so at least suspected it. This meant nothing though and Sarah new it. She was a very skeptical person, never trusting anyone that had not earned it. That is except for Severus. Of course she had ruined his life, so it was the least she could do. At that moment some small voice, the voice of truth spoke out from the back of her mind. Is there not another reason? A more personal one?

No. Sarah fought back at the voice. There is none other than that one.

Through out dinner Sarah caught Dumbledore throwing occasional glances her way. Severus on the other hand was ignoring her even more than usual. She figured he was apprehensive about more mages coming into the school. After all look at what one had managed to do to his life. He's probably thinking he should just feed himself to the Giant Squid and get it over with.

Sarah was still sitting at the head table when Falkes came flying in at lighting speed. Dropping a note right beside Dumbleodre's water goblet. With the bird perched on his shoulder he opened the letter. After glancing at it he handed it over to Sarah. "I believe this is for you."

Sarah took the parchment to see to words written neatly upon it. Clever bird. She looked up to smile at her grandfather. "He is clever isn't he." She said while gently stroking the bird on his head.

Fawks just remained still as she did this. The only thing to change was his eyes which seemed to close slightly in pleasure.

Dumbledore nodded then pointed with a bony finger towards the main doors of the Great Hall. Sarah saw a young women about her age in a dark green habit, half concealed by the door waving at her. "Emma." Sarah said in a whisper.

The Headmaster looked at his granddaughter. "Emma, is it? I shall have to remember that."

Sarah could only nod.

He followed her line of vision to the door and noticed a young woman standing there. She had light brown hair and big green eyes that were bright enough to be noticed from the high table. She was very slender, standing a few inches lower than Sarah. Her green robe ornamented with a gold rope belt reminded him of Sarah's usual attire.

When Sarah rose from the table towards the main doors Severus followed. He however used the doors in back of the high table so he would not be noticed. The passage led him into another room which was connected onto the Entrance Hall.

When he entered the hall he saw his normally collected, sarcastic, and somewhat strict teacher, running towards a group of about ten people all dressed in habits. Severus watched as Sarah ran into the arms of a tall, heavily muscled man in a dark green habit. The man swept her up off the floor giving her a bone crushing hug. It was then that Severus felt a flicker of emotion that he couldn't place. As the tall man set her back down a man and a woman stepped forward. To Severus they looked almost identical. They were both heavily muscled as well but quite short. The two seemed to be fighting Sarah's attention. As the two bickered the women from the door came over to give Sarah a friendly squeeze.

It was then that a tall man with deep brown, shoulder length hair turned from the group to look at Severus. The man walked over and grasped Severus by the shoulder. Severus followed the man willingly back to the group not knowing of the sort of misted haze he found himself in.

Severus was drawn back into reality when his captor spoke up. "Speaking of the students might this be Severus?" His teacher turned to look at him her bright, friendly smile faded from her lips. It didn't transform into a scowl or even a frown. Instead it was replaced with the usually grim line that he had begun to associate with the mage. Sarah soon transferred her gaze to the man holding him.

"Yes, that is he." She paused. Severus this is a dear friend of mine, Truthbind."

"Call me Scott." Said the stranger, turning so he could shake Severus's hand properly.

"And this is Greenrose." Sarah gestured to the women beside her, the women he had seen at the door.

"Emma, if you would." Replied the lady lightly.

As Sarah turned to gesture at a man in a midnight-blue habit the man grasped her hand and smiled. He then turned to Severus. "I am Neil. It's truly a please to meet you Severus although I must say I have only hear a little about you." Turning back to Sarah he continued, And you… It is not as if we go around calling you Stirsword, please, have him call us by our given names. None of this margery stuff." Severus caught a flash of gilt on the woman face as she introduced the rest of the party with more suitable names.

Severus was only setting half his attention on the names. The other half was on the man named Neil. Severus had decided that he hated him. He hated the way he talked to Sarah with such ease. How he was able to bring every emotion from smile to a semi-guilty frown to her face. He hated how the man seemed so relaxed around him when Severus wanted him intimidated. To make it even worse Severus had a strange feeling that even if he were to get the mans attention, even his best scowl could not wipe that ugly smile off his face.

As Severus glanced around he noticed that the fair-haired man was not the only one smiling but also every one else in the group including Sarah. They all seemed to be good friends and Severus hated it.

When Scott pointed two a small gathering of children by the door James motioned to move into the Great Hall. "We will have to be introduced sometime, so why not now?" He had asked Sarah.

In reply the mage just shrugged as she took the lead. All the mages followed her into the Hall while Severus went back into the Hall the way he had come out, for it was better for him not to be stopped in the company of only the mages. He was not so stupid as to let his secret be revealed.

When Severus reentered the hall he found Sarah whispering in Dumbledore's ear, whilst the remaining mages stud in a half circle just to the right of the staff table. The stud perfectly still, their eyes being the only thing moving, tacking in every single detail around them.

The Headmaster stud and all the furious whispers were called to a halt. Dumbledore scanned the crowd with an expression of utmost seriousness on his face. "As you all know Professor Merloom is a certified mage. So, it is only fit to think that she would know other mages as well. Both the Professor and I agreed that it was not right for you students both those in her class and those who aren't to be introduced to one type of fully grown magic. There for we have nine other mages all with different magic's that have come to stay with us for a while. They are here not only to teach you, but also for you to teach them. Our new guests are all mages however none of them are wizards. Nor have any of them been to the wisarding world before. I expect you all to treat then with respect and hospitality."

"Now if they would not mind I would like them to each step forward and say a little about themselves so we may all feel a bit more acquainted with one another."

Wordlessly Neil stepped forward. "I am Neil Willadawn, my mage name is Inknote. My magic is with that of Musical Instruments. I was certified as a mage at age 22 and my favor instrument is one most of you may not know called the trumpet."

Severus was shocked when from the pocket of his habit the mage withdrew a horn shaped, brass instrument. It made a crisp air splitting sound when he blew into it playing a few choice notes. When done he placed the trumpet back into his pocket and stepped back letting Emma step forward.

The last to go were the twins who to Severus's relief did not finish each others sentences of even share the same power.

It was almost seven when dinner finally ended which men Severus had already missed half his lesson. He was hoping to sneak away when Dumbledore grasped his shoulder. All the mages are to meet in the room of requirement in fifteen minutes I would like for you to come. Severus nodded solemnly, "Very well Headmaster," then fled.

He went to his Dungeons not exactly sure why. He spent his few spare minutes passing his office. Occasionally stopping to stare at one of the many glass jars that lined the wall. Staring at the jars his mind began to drift, renewing the thoughts and feelings of hatred towards all of the mages especially Neil, Inknote, Music mage, or whatever his name was. His mind was freshly enraged just in time for him to meet Dumbledore.

As Severus reached the door he was most displeased to find none other than Neil, standing outside facing the door. Severus smirked, Don't mages even no how to turn a doorknob?" Getting ready to show the mage his hospitality he stepped forward, but was surprised when he noticed the mage was humming. Humming, thought Severus. What in Merlin's name-"

"Ah, Severus, it's good to see you again so soon." Neil had stopped his humming, now looking the other man in the eyes. "I was just planning my wards for this room."

"They are already warded." Severus shot back without thinking.

"Yes, I realized that. However the magic of the wisarding world is foreign to me. And it is my own experience that when students are better acquainted with locking charms then the teacher they tend to unlock and get into things not suitable for them. Also I prefer my own protections to those of others that way if they are broken I have no one to blame but myself."

Before Severus could think of a remark to put the man back in his place the door opened. Merra, the young sowing mage of the group. "There you two are! I was beginning to think you have locked yourselves out. The room is soundproof Neil, it's perfect for your playing. Now all we have to do is lock you in there and I shall never have another headache."

"Hey," Replied Neil, smiling broadly. "I'm not that bad."

Laughing the two went inside with Severus following behind. Another reason to hate them, he thought, There is much to much laughing going on around them.

When Severus entered the room he was not a all surprised at what lie in the room. The new mages however seemed thoroughly impressed. They were all scattered around the room picking up random objects asking about their use.

Dumbledore seemed delighted to answer the questions. However when the girl Cami asked about a small medical supply cabinet that lay in the corner Dumbledore turned to Severus. "I believe the school potions Master is better suited to tell you about that by dear. For I still have trouble recognizing the simplest of potions.

After giving the Headmaster a look of pure hatred Severus swept over to the cabinet. "Broodworth," he said picking up the bottle, "is for minor cuts and scrapes. Rennsford, helps too-"

"Bring a fever down." Severus looked up quite perturbed to see Sarah staring a the small cupboard with her arms crossed. "Honestly why didn't you guys just ask me. There is no need to bother Professor Snape with your questions."

James came over to rest an arm around her shoulders. "Of course I had almost forgotten that you are certified in potions. I think we have just all become so used to you just doing all the brewing for us."

"James is right," said Cami, "I just thought that you might be unfamiliar with these considering how few times you have been to the wisarding world… forgive me?"

It was so odd to see such a short, muscled, woman try and give a fake pouty face. However Sarah must have found it funny for she started to laugh. Pretty soon everyone except Snape was laughing."

When he was just about to leave Dumbledore managed to stifle himself. "Severus I do believe that to tomorrow being Saturday it would not be to much to ask for both you and Sarah to show our new guests around the castle tomorrow. I would do it myself by I'm afraid I already have plans."

"But Headmaster," said Sarah, "I have the students till noon tomorrow."

Yes, and we all want to meet out new students as well." Said the other twin, Peter.

"Fine.. fine… Then I believe the four hours between lunch and dinner is more than enough time. Then Sarah and Severus can have there class after dinner as always. Does everyone agree?"

Here is a chat of the mages so you wont get anymore confused than you already are.

NAME, POWER, MAGE NAMES, GENDER

Neil Willadawn/musical instruments/Inknote/M
Merra Johnson/sowing/Lace/F
Scott Yazic/seer/truthsayer/Truthbind/M
James Michal/wild or animals/Staghorn/M
Raoul Camen/healer/Goldenflame/M
Cami Mecca/blacksmith/Anvil/F
Peter Mecca/carpenter/Oakwook/M
Kaki Jerome/weather/Skyfire/F
Emma Carran/plants/Greenrose/F
Sarah Merloom/weapons/writing/Stirsword/F

Thanks to:
BlackFire: I don't think I could get rid of you even if I tried. THANKS!

To the rest…
Just have fun reading… BYE!