I apologise if this one bores you, but believe me it saves a lot of boredom later. Please review.

Chapter 7: Ancient Runes and Talking to Snape

Astray I have wandered, I have been haunted by the fear that's been holding me down, but the Heavens sing your silent cry, and they whisper.

Starfall - Dragonland

It was after breakfast a week before the Christmas holidays, and Veronique was sitting in a classroom on the third floor, next to Hermione. They were waiting for Professor Vannan to enter and start their lesson. Veronique was watching her brother who sat next to Blaise Zabini, and she wasn't particularly happy.

Hermione glanced at her. "Are you alright?" she asked. Veronique awoke from her daze.

"What? Oh, sorry. Yeah, I'm fine," she muttered, and stared at the desk as their teacher entered the room.

"Good morning class. I do apologise for being late, held up talking to Professor McGonagall." She put her books on the desk and turned to face the class. "Right, today we will be starting a new topic, seeing as it's not long before the end of term we won't go into any great detail, we will merely see what you know and top up your information. We will be starting work on studying those who used and still do use Ancient Runes. Can anyone tell me who use them?"

To nobody's surprise Hermione's hand was straight in the air.

"Yes Miss Granger."

"A group of peoples known simply as Tribes or Clans use them, and they each have their own language and own system of runes," she said, sounding, as was usual, like she had swallowed text book.

Professor Vannan smiled at her. "That is correct. Now, what can anybody tell me about the Clans?"

Again, Hermione answered. "There are groups of people who have certain traits. Each clan is made of people who can do certain things, each clan member is able to transform into their clans animal."

"Like an animagus," Hannah Abbot said.

"To a certain extent, yes, like an animagus," Vannan said.

"No," said a voice. "They're nothing like an animagus." Everybody turned to Veronique who sat frowning at their professor. "The only similarity is that they transform into animals," she stopped when she noticed everyone staring.

Vannan was slightly amused. "Do continue Miss Veero, you are quiet correct, and, as you can see, everyone is listening."

Veronique winced at the name but nodded and continued. "Animagi turn into animals by choice, they underwent the transformation by choice and they chose the animals they transform into. People of the Tribes have had the ability to transform from birth. They are marked with the Tribe's mark that looks as though it has been burnt into the skin, though it has not, it has been there from birth. It is from that that the Dark Lord got the idea for the Dark Mark." Several people exchanged horrified glances. Vannan nodded.

"Can you tell me anything about the different tribes?" she asked Veronique.

"The animals they turn into, there isn't a tribe for every animal under the sun, only some. There are many bird tribes, falcons, eagles, ravens etcetera. There are animals which Muggles would refer to as mythical creatures, animals such as unicorns and griffins. Then there are the more normal animals, horses, wolves and such like."

Vannan was now solely interested in Veronique, and began testing her knowledge. "How can you distinguish a Tribe member from an ordinary person?"

"It is difficult to do so on sight," Veronique replied immediately. "There is the mark as I have said before, but it usually in a place that is easily covered. Each Tribe has special abilities that if used you could guess that they were from a Tribe of some form."

"What abilities?"

"Well it varies on the Tribe. There are common things such as mind speech and the ability to transform into an animal, though animagi do that also. Tribe skills can vary from things such as transportation and invisibility to things such as flight, or levitation more than flight really. And of course there is their wandless magic."

"Explain wandless magic, as in how it's done, if you can."

"Wandless magic is as it sounds really, just magic without a wand. It is done by a transfer of energy from the one doing the magic to wherever the magic is required. Healing is an example of wandless magic. The energy of the healer is transferred to the person being healed and the energy takes away the problem, though often it is dangerous and though the patient does not die sometimes the healer can die due to too much energy lost."

Vannan considered the child before her and then asked another question. "What can you tell me of the leadership of the Tribes?"

"They are each ruled by one person, and how that person is chosen is varied among the different Clans. In some Clans it is hereditary. In other Clans there is a person born with a slightly altered Clan mark which marks them as the leader. Other's are voted or elected as leader. There is usually some proof as to the leadership once the leader is established. In some cases it is the variation on the Clan mark. In other cases there is some kind of relic or even weapon that marks them as a Clan leader. A particular bit of jewellery is used in some Clans."

Everyone was staring at the girl who usually paid so little attention in their lesson. Vannan frowned at her slightly. "How do you know all this?"

Veronique shrugged. "I find the Clans interesting, so I've tried to find out as much as I can about them."

Hannah put her hand tentatively in the air and Vannan was drawn back into the lesson and away from Veronique. "Yes Miss Abbot?"

"Are they Tribes or Clans?"

"They can be called either, that is an important thing to remember." She looked around at the class. "I hope you were taking notes through all that Miss Veero said."

Veronique left the classroom and ran after Hermione. "Hey, Hermione," she called. Hermione turned and waited. "I need to talk to you and Potter and Weasley and Ginny," she said. Hermione pointed up the corridor to where they were walking towards them.

"Well you can," Hermione said smiling. "Hey guys, come here!"

They came over and Harry looked at them. "Yeah?"

Veronique looked at him. "I have news regarding the Christmas holidays. You aren't to stay at Hogwarts, but you aren't going to the Burrow or to Headquarters."

"Well where are we going then?" Ron spat, glaring at Veronique.

"I was coming to that," she snarled. Then she carried on in a normal voice. "You are going to Highton Manor, I've already told Fred and George, and obviously myself and Skylar already know."

"What's that?" asked Ginny.

"It's my home, mine and Sky's," she looked happy at the thought of going back there.

They were about to continue their conversation when Snape came up to them. "Miss Veronique," he said. "I need to speak wit you, come with me." He stalked off and Veronique trotted after him. Snape said nothing until they came to his office, where he beckoned for her to sit down in the chair opposite his desk. She did so.

"Veronique. I wish for you to know that I am aware of what you have done, and have been from the start. I merely wish to know why you decided it would be a good idea."

Veronique looked puzzled. "I'm sorry Sir, I don't understand you."

Snape Put his head in his hands and sighed before replying. "Yes you do. Why do you believe that joining the Dark Lord will help you? I understand your need for revenge, even if I do not agree with it, but I wish to know why you thought it would help you."

"I don't know what you mean Sir," Veronique replied, her face blank.

"YES YOU DO GIRL!" Snape yelled. He regretted it the moment Veronique flinched. "Yes you do," he continued in a calmer tone. "I am aware you know full well what I am talking of. Though I cannot force you to admit it, I will tell you this. I understood you to be a smart girl, not stupid as you turned out to be. Veronique, joining the Dark Lord was the worst thing I ever did, and now look at me. I am a spy, and it is far from an easy life. I know you will not tell He Who Must Not Be Named this; I have no fear of discovery on your part. Just let me tell you that if you should choose to go back on what you have done, you cannot do so with ease." He sighed. "You are dismissed."

Veronique left silently.