Miss Moony would like to dedicate this chapter to Twin Tails Speed for being the first reviewer.

Miss Moony would also like to thank froggygirl101, Mister Bigbucks, Flame of Night, Luminous Star, shazia Born confused, Freakstar (twice), darkassassin09, sixpacksirius, maliaphire, Demon's Moon, female half – breed, alix33 (five times!), NazgulGirl (ten times!), Fk306 animelover, Whitelight72, xScenex, Cherished Witch (four times!), Xandria Nirvana, loveless-betrayer, Sivaroobini Lupin-Black, ellayo, silverstagbeauty, MarianHill, Janette Salinas and Shadow00 for reviewing.

Whoop-de-do: I've finally figured out where I'm going with this story!

To An Anonymous Coward, in answer to your review for Wolf and Serpent: I'm assuming Sakura got her powers in much the same way that Muggleborn witches and wizards get theirs – recessive genes in both parents, or maybe just the luck of the draw.

------- I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good -------

Chapter 20

Bustling excitedly into his Defence Against the Dark Arts class the next day, surrounded by his fellow students, all in a similar state, James whispered urgently to Sirius, Remus and Peter.

'But you remember what Patterson said about Mages being drawn to one another, right? It would make perfect sense if the four of us had the gift.'

'James,' Remus explained with a sigh, 'there are plenty of friends who aren't Mages.'

'But not close ones like us,' Sirius cut in. 'Prongs' right, Moony: it's the only proper explanation.'

Remus opened his mouth to respond, but promptly snapped it shut again when he heard someone clear their throat: the lesson had begun.

In addition to Professor Patterson, there were five people at the front of the classroom – the other five Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers. Remus supposed that they'd come to help Patterson with demonstrations, and the such, in case there did turn out to be any Mages in the class.

And speaking of the class… Remus cast a brief look around the magically enlarged room. It was filled to the brim, and as well as the seventh years, the entire sixth year Defence class was present. This included Sirius' little brother Regulus, and when Sirius noticed, he scowled darkly at the younger boy.

'Hello, kiddies,' Ginny West said, twirling her wand in her fingers and waving at the students with a smile of pure evil. The seventh years had at least had their last lesson to become accustomed to her. The sixth years, however, stared in abject horror.

Her brother, Ron West, was directing a murderous look towards Professor Neville James, who didn't seem to notice, and it only intensified when he leant over and whispered in Ginny's ear, threading his fingers through her own.

Ginny pouted, but replaced her wand in its holster nevertheless, and as Patterson cleared his throat once again, the lesson began.

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The students came forward as they were called to the front, each placing their hands on Hermione's glass detection ball as instructed. As of yet, no Mages had come forward, but it was to be expected.

When a Mage placed their hands on the ball, it was supposed to glow – blue for an Academic Mage, or red for a War Mage – and the brighter it glowed, the more powerful the Mage's abilities: when Harry himself had tried it, he had almost managed to blind Professor Dumbledore. The only real downside of it was that it didn't show what kind of Elemental abilities the Mage had, but then again, even Dumbledore – who had invented it – couldn't do everything. Once they had their Mages, they would have to try to discover their elements in the usual way.

'Black, Regulus,' Harry called out, beginning to pay more attention now that he was approaching names he recognised from the future. Surprisingly, the globe glowed faintly red, and there was a spattering of applause from the other students.

Harry raised his eyebrows, and Hermione leant over and told him to skip over the next name on the list – Sirius'. He nodded, and then called out 'Byrde, Jennifer.'

'You missed Sirius out!' James Potter called angrily from the back of the room, even as Byrde – a sixth year Hufflepuff – was getting to her feet.

'I am aware of the fact, Mr. Potter,' Harry said. 'There didn't seem to be much point in his coming up here, when you consider that there are never two Mages in any one generation of a family.'

James scowled, and crossed his arms over his chest, while Sirius glowered at Regulus, as if this were his fault. 'Still not fair,' he muttered.

Harry sighed. 'Fine, then. Black, Sirius.'

Sirius slouched to the front of the classroom, as if embarrassed by the fact that he was coming up, when he already knew that he didn't have the gift. Reluctantly, he placed his hands on the globe, as the others had.

In a heartbeat, it shone bright red.

'Byrde, Jennifer,' Hermione called out, while Harry and the others were recovering from their shock. Sirius grinned goofily, and moved over to near where Regulus was standing, snapping Harry out of his daze, and they continued to call up the students.

Casting Hermione and Luna a look, though, Harry knew that they would not give up until this mystery was solved.