Chapter Eighteen---

For the people at the titles on these chapters may seem weird, but you guys have the revised version and I forgot to change chapter numbers on those. So I'll change 'em soon. R&R…I don't have that many…TTTT and I want to say thank you for the reviews some of you gave to me, it made my week. Please keep 'em comin'!

Start-----

"You bastard." The door slammed behind me as it hit the door with a force that could put a dent in it, which in fact it did. Dumbledore's head shot up from the book he was reading near the window, dropping the book on to the nearest table to his left.

"Alexsis, wait. Let me—"

"No! I won't. You never told me. You never told what I really was. You let me just 'figure it out on my own.' Do you know how much that hurt? Do you? No." His eyes that were looking at me with concern were now looking about me with sadness.

"Just let me explain—"

"Explain what? This book," I waved the book I held in my grasp in front of my face. "seems to explain everything." Dumbledore grabbed the book from my arms and read the spine.

"Ah, yes. I see you found it." A sound half way between a yelp and a growl emitted itself from my throat. He had strategically placed that book there, knowing I would find it, knowing I would get angry and chew him out, all the time knowing that this could all be avoided if he had just told me out straight?

What the hell?

"I didn't tell you because I thought you would be better off not knowing and have time to get settled in here and have time to grieve." I flopped angrily into a plush chair and picked up one of the brass objects on his desk to fiddle with; to keep my anger under control of course.

I was quite for a moment and we waited there in the silence of the room for what seemed like ages before I turned slowly towards him.

"You know, keeping important information from people is going to get you into a lot of trouble one day." I turned my head back towards the window I had recently been focusing my attention to.

Dumbledore's voice drifted over to ears from behind me. "And how would you know what is going to happen to me, Alexsis?" I shrugged my shoulders knowing he could see.

"I don't. Just a feeling." Dumbledore crossed the length to his desk and leaned up against the front.

"I know you are beyond angry for my actions, but there are many tasks we must do now that you know." His statement didn't sound sincere, but his eyes were sad and the twinkle he usually had hidden there was distinguished. I felt like I had just yelled at my grandfather and now felt really bad for it.

I cleared my throat. "Uh, like what tasks?" He sighed and folded his arms across his chest in a thoughtful manner.

"Well, we, as in you and I, will have to take you to see the Council and perform your coming of time ceremony, then go through your next transformation, which we'll do when we see the Council, and—"

"Wait wait. Who is the 'Council'?"

"Friends of mine. A council of Erians. Hidden deep within the darkest tresses of a forest I once stumbled onto. I told them I knew an Erian, your father, and they were more welcoming; well, they weren't attacking me anyways." He gave a chuckle as if to recall a pleasant memory.

I didn't find it funny at all.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, I suppose there is no dilly dallying around. We should get going."

…

I can't believe he said dilly dallying; I feel dirty.

I stood from my seat and sighed. "Yes, I suppose we should, though you'll have to lead the way." He merely nodded and grabbed his hat and put his wand in his pocket.

"You're what!" Erin abruptly stood from her seat as Andy sat and looked on with a concerned gaze.

"I said, I'm going away for awhile with Dumbledore and I'll be back in a week or so; depends on the weather." I was currently packing some extra clothing and the book I had read earlier into a tight pack. I put my wand in my jean clad pocket.

"Take care of Frog for me? He only eats a little bit of owl food, he prefers candy corn." Erin gaping mouth made a noise of what I assume was agreement.

"Well, I…er…guess this is good bye for now." I let way a short smile onto my face as I turned to go meet Dumbledore at the entryway when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Be careful out there, Al?" Andy looked at me with her same concerned stare.

""O-Of course I will Andy. I'll be back." She pulled me into a tight hug.

Now I haven't been one for much physical contact, only maybe a hug from my parents from time to time.

So this was kind of awkward.

I lifted my arms and placed them lightly around her shoulders then I felt more weight being pressed onto me. I jerked up only to be met with a blanket of auburn hair that belonged to Erin.

Then the moment was over in what seemed forever. "Yeah, well, g'bye then. See you!" I turned from their waving forms and headed towards the entryway.

"I can be assured you have everything Alexsis?" I nodded in agreement and we started for the outside world beyond the castle and the classrooms.

"Er, sir. Where do we start?" I stood staring out into the distance that was the forest.

"I think right here would be a great start. All good things start from the beginning, which, how conveniently, is where we are standing right now."

This is when I noticed that he had no map.

Wow, what a trip this is going to be.

I took a deep inhale of breath and followed Dumbledore down the cobblestone stairs and into the deep blackness of the forest.

Somehow, I don't think that I'll be the one having a lot of fun on this little trip.

Okay, people/reviewers (I wish)/readers, I am looking for some constructive criticism. Constructive being the key word. Don't tell me that the story sucks and leave it at that. Give me some feedback people! Please and thank you. ;D