A/N: This is almost the end. There are 6 more chapters to go and three of them going to be short. Thanks to my: pen name is… for the review. I'm glad u liked it. So anyway, here's another chapter.
Disclaimer: I own everything in the world EXCEPT Harry Potter. I know, I know its not fair but I'm slowly learning how to deal with it. No get away from me! I don't want another shot! I'm not sleepy! No…
Chapter Fifteen: The Black Mirror of Fur
Harry had woken the nest two days with a renewed energy that he didn't think came from within himself. He didn't care that the four of them had nothing to do and had almost been caught by Snape in the Room of Requirement, which by now was completely void of new ideas. He was too happy to think about. "Happy" actually wasn't the word for it—he was at peace. Sirius's words were in his head and more importantly, his heart.
"You know what we haven't done? We haven't gone to see Hagrid; we should do that," Harry suggested.
"But what about Ginny? We can't just go and not tell her," Hermione reminded the two boys, who were now putting their shoes on.
"Right…eh...I'll get the map and we'll go tell her."
(sc)
Voldemort stroked the black cat as the early morning light seeped through the crack of the doors. "Hogwarts…of course that's where he's keeping them. Dumbledore thinks I can't get past his defenses. He's in for a surprise. He's not going to keep her from us. Is he darling?" He laughed as the cat jumped dutifully out the window that Wormtail had just opened.
(sc)
"Ginny, there you are!" Ron huffed as he, Hermione and Harry turned the corner. "You were moving really fast. We almost couldn't keep up with you."
"It was like you had four legs or something," Harry joked.
"We were going to see Hagrid. Do you want to join us?" Hermione asked, as she caught her breath.
"Oh. Can I meet you there? There was something I needed to talk to Alexia about." Ginny muttered.
"Yeah that's fine we—"
"Ok then. I'll see you there," Ginny turned around and walked off before anyone else could speak.
The trio turned to leave when Ron spoke. "Wait isn't Alexia's office the other direction?"
"Oh honestly Ron. You're on the opposite end of the castle. If we were in the Common Room then yes, it would be that way. You'd think after five years you'd know your way around, especially to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom."
"Well it's not my fault. I think this castle changes as much as the D.A.D.A. teachers do," Ron and Harry smirked as they headed toward Hagrid's cabin.
(sc)
"So, you think he's going to be coming soon?" Lupin asked.
"Yes I do. We all know what really happened that day. We have to stop him before he gets a chance to come after Harry," Alexia paced the floor.
"Or you," Lupin added looking at her. "I assume he knows, by now, that you are not only back but also teaching here. It's only a matter of time before he tries something."
"I have taken many precautions, which are already in place for the new school year. Voldemort, try as he may, cannot get through them," Dumbledore finally spoke from his desk.
"He can't. But can she? Nothing can get through? Not a dog, a bird, a fly? You know what she can do Dumbledore." Alexia was still pacing the room.
"Though I cannot stop a fly from entering the grounds, it would be unwise to attempt to get over the gates. Be it by foot or paw or wing," his twinkling eyes looked as if they had been laughing. But behind the twinkle, deep behind, there was a concern that he could not hide. A concern that agreed with Alexia…if she wanted in badly enough, she would find a way.
"Remember who you are talking about…he alone is horrible and she is as well. Put them together…"
"I know. We will keep an eye out for unusual behavior. Filch can constantly wander the area. Remus, perhaps you could go talk to Severus and find something to prevent or detect if and animagus comes on grounds."
"Dumbledore…" Lupin nodded his head toward Alexia, who was so engulfed in thoughts she didn't notice.
"Oh yes. Alexandria, I forgot for a moment that you—"
"I've forgotten it too. I'm not animagus anymore. I haven't used in years. I won't use it again either. Do what you must; it won't affect me in any way."
"Very well," Dumbledore smiled at the girl. Lupin quietly exited the room. "You and I shall sit and try to determine what she might turn herself into."
"I already know—a cat." Alexia said, sitting up in her chair, her eyes twinkling with the thought.
(sc)
"What a 'prise! Harry, Hermione, Ron…come in. Where's Ginny?" Hagrid asked as they went inside.
"She'll be along. She had something to take care of," Ron smiled at the big man.
"How are you Hagrid?" Harry asked him.
" 'lright I 'pose. How are you doing with…everything?" Hagrid asked Harry.
The memories of that night came flooding back to him, though he tried not to let them. "I'm doing fine actually."
Conversation between the four of them went into class plans for Care of Magical Creatures, which none but Ginny were in. "But Hagrid aren't Lullypussen dangerous?" Hermione asked solemnly. Ron gave her a look. He highly doubted that Hagrid cared much about danger, considering the Blast-Ended Skrewts they had encountered a few months before.
"If ya dunno how to handle them they can be feisty, but they aren't that bad," Hagrid stated bluntly. Ron let out a small, silent scoff that only Harry could hear, to which Harry responded by laughing, which did not help the cause of being quiet. Hagrid looked at them.
"So what is a—" Ron started to ask.
"A Lullypussen is a three-legged snake-like animal but it has fur, like a ferret that's missing a leg mixed with a lizard's face and a snake body. They can jump to enormous heights and are great hunters because of their highly venomous teeth." Hermione finished with a look of utter annoyance at the whole situation. When she turned her head, Ron and Harry burst into laughter.
(sc)
It walked slowly along the edge of the woods. The laughter from the old cabin hit its dark ears. It moved faster toward the laughter. Faster. Faster. Then it fell to the ground, a heavy weight on top of it. It wriggled onto its back and looked into the mirror and saw itself looking back.
(sc)
"I should make the rest of the staff aware for you. If everyone has an eye open she'll be easier to stop," Alexia's smile diminished.
"I will meet you at Hagrid's. We shall split up and I will see you there. I had a matter I needed to discuss with him anyway," Dumbledore rose from the desk.
"Professor, I'm sorry. I feel like this is all my fault. I should have kept her chasing after me. She would have stayed away from him and not had a chance to know where Harry is. And I think of James and Lily…I should have been here."
"Alexandria, the situation could not have been avoided. Since Voldemort's return, it should have been evident that she would come. And I asked you here, for Harry. Now, we must go. We can discuss this later. Let us go on our way," Dumbledore and Alexia walked out the door of the office.
(sc)
Ron kept glancing at his watch. Ginny still wasn't there yet. Whatever she had to talk about with Alexia was taking a very long time.
He glanced out the window as Hagrid poured some tea. Dumbledore was walking down the hill toward them when he stopped, suddenly.
(sc)
A pain-filled meow nearby, halted Dumbledore's walking; his eyes darted to an area on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. That was when he saw it.
There were two identical black cats fighting on the ground. They didn't notice him raise his wand and shoot the red beam toward them, until one of the cats fell, stunned, to the ground. The other cat froze as Hagrid's door opened with a thud and he took a step toward Dumbledore and the cats.
Ron, Hermione and Harry's faces appeared in the doorway. The remaining cat zoomed toward the forest, and was missed by Alexia's spell. "Let's get her to the castle. Make sure this one is her and not a regular cat." Dumbledore picked up the cat delicately and started up the hill—Ron, Harry, Alexia, Hermione and Hagrid behind him.
A/N: Oooooh a cliffy. Get used to it folks, with only six chapters I have a feeling there will be more. Haha. Please review! Thanks so much for reading!