Chapter 29

Beauxbatons and Curses

Richard March reappeared at the front gate of Hogwarts. Since the Winged Flame charity couldn't make a Port-Key that would work on the grounds of Hogwarts, they had arraigned for Hagrid to meet him there, and Hagrid was already opening the gates. "Hello Richard," Hagrid said as he opened the gates. "Did you have a good time?"

Richard grinned wryly as he stepped through the gates. "I saw Cathy, defended her honor against a Muggle, got in yet another fight, and ended the night by disappearing in front of a bunch of Muggles, including some police and a television crew. I guess you could say it was an interesting night at least."

Hagrid stared at him for a minute. "Aye, it sounds like it," he agreed, "and explaining it all to Professor Dumbledore and James is likely to be just as interesting."

Richard winced. "Isn't it, though." He started toward the castle after Hagrid shut and locked the gates. He sighed, and raised his ring. "Chimera one, this is Sphinx two."

James froze as he heard Richard's call. He looked at Tiffany, and just for a minute, considered ignoring the call. Tiffany frowned at him, even as she sat up and began buttoning her blouse. "I could hate him very easily right now," he sent, even as he raised his ring to respond. "Sphinx two, this is Chimera one."

Richard winced again at the frustration in James's voice. This was not going to be fun. "I might have found a slight flaw in the timed Portkey you gave me. For example, what if the person with it were being filmed by Muggles, or talking to the police at the time it went off?"

James and Tiffany stared at each other as they listened to Richard's story. Tiffany began straightening James's robes as James thought about it. "Sphinx two, Ravenclaw One is waiting to escort you to your house, get him to take you to the Headmaster's office instead, we'll join you there."

Tiffany was already on her ring, waking Jerrick but James didn't bother with a ring. "Rose, wake up," he sent, reaching with the emotional bond that was the base of the twin bond.

"Alright already, I am awake. What's the matter?" Rose was not happy to be awoken at a very late hour.

James relayed the story, and then got to the point. "I need you to owl father tonight, telling him we have this under control, and while you're at it, owl mom and have her check on the Feathers. They might be having second thoughts at this point."

"Anything else, Brother mine?"

"Not unless you have a Time-Turner Tiffany and I can use."

Rose considered the desire, frustration, and other emotions James was holding in check, and smiled to herself. "You'll have plenty of time for that later, say after the war?" she sent in an arch tone.

James stuck a mental tongue out at Rose. "When you choose your mate, Flower Child, I'm going to remember every snide comment, innuendo, and crack at our expense, and you will pay for them all."

Rose giggled to herself as she got out of bed to start writing notes.

James's next call was to Professor Dumbledore. "Hogwarts one, this is Chimera one."

Professor Dumbledore looked at his ring. He knew James and Tiffany were up, waiting for Richard to return, but he hadn't realized it was that late. He considered the time and sighed. It was just about the right time for Richard to have gotten back, called James and for James to be calling him, meant that something had happened that James thought he should know about.

"Chimera one, this is Hogwarts one. Should I assume that something has happened?"

"Roger that, Hogwarts one. Sphinx two, Ravenclaw one, Phoenix two and I are all enroute your location. We'll explain when we get there."

Richard and Professor Flitwick were the first to arrive, and Professor Dumbledore kept it light, asking about Cathy and the Feathers until the gargoyle announced the other three.

After everyone was settled, Richard told his story again. James and Jerrick asked him a few questions while Professor Dumbledore relaxed slightly. He had a bit more information than the others had, and was not worried about this, unless it affected Manticore somehow.

James was coming to the same conclusion. "I think we can keep Manticore out of this. The Winged Flame set it up, and while we, as the Winged Flame will have to reconsider the use of timed Portkeys, that is not a Manticore thing." James shrugged. "It was the best option for keeping Richard from doing underage magic though."

Jerrick agreed with a warning. "I think that may depend on if the Television crew was broadcasting live, or merely recording the story for later. If the Aurors have to obliviate several hundred people, they may look into this more than if it is only the people on the actual site."

Jerrick thought about that for a minute and then shrugged. "Since we lack data on that right now, we'll just have to wait and see. I think we might have a harder time explaining how an old Wizard family member is intimately familiar with Muggle martial arts."

James shook that concern off as he relaxed. ""That is part of a study Melissa, Emily and April are doing. They can explain it easily."

Jerrick looked dubious, but before he could say anything, a new voice interrupted their talk. "Pardon me, Headmaster, are you." The voice trailed off as the head in the fire saw all the people staring at him. "Right. I see you are aware of tonight's events. Would you mind terribly if I were to Floo in to talk for a bit?"

"Not at all," Professor Dumbledore said calmly, "just give me a few minutes to take down the wards on the fireplace."

James looked at Jerrick. "Who was that, and what do you know about him?"

Jerrick smiled faintly. "His name is Marstil Zelany, he's the head of the Obliviators and one of father's oldest friends. He's fair, honest and very much a by-the-book- person."

James considered that and frowned. "That could be good or bad. If we didn't do anything wrong, he'll probably leave us alone. If we did do something wrong, he'll feel required to do something, and that could be bad."

Before anyone could say anything more, the fire flared and a man stumbled out of the Floo Network. They examined him quietly as he dusted the soot off. Marstil Zelany was a short man, barely over one and half meters. Thin and wiry, he used short quick movements that suggested a great deal of nervous energy. As he cleaned the soot from his hair, you could see the streaks of gray at his temples.

He finished dusting himself off, and quickly examined all the people in front of him. When he was finished, he turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Hello, Professor, it has been far too long."

Professor Dumbledore smiled at him, and his eyes were twinkling. "It has been some time since you were here, but somehow, I remember it as if it was only yesterday."

Marstil flushed guiltily and turned to Jerrick. "Hello, Jerrick, how are your parents?"

Jerrick smiled. "Fine, as of our last letter, although father was saying you never come around anymore."

The Auror made an excuse without meeting Jerrick's eyes. Jerrick merely nodded, but James saw his eyes narrow slightly. James and Tiffany were both watching him, as James asked Rose, "Is he trouble?"

"Not tonight, but in some of the futures he can be either an ally or an enemy," Rose said, as she followed James's path to his meeting with Marstil Zelany, and following the Auror's path forward from there. Few people knew that Rose could not follow the path of someone that she'd never met, unless their path crossed the path of someone Rose could follow, and that was just the way James wanted it.

Marstil Zelany turned to James and Tiffany. "You two I know of, from the papers at least. Tiffany Potter and James," he thought for a second, "Evans, I believe."

They nodded, and James shook his hand, noting the firm grip and the searching gaze. He turned to Tiffany. "Tell me, Miss Potter, do you really grow five meters tall and spit green fire?" His tone was amused, but his sharp eyes watched Tiffany closely as he waited for her answer.

"Neither, I'm afraid. I can use the Pyromancy, but I can't spit it, and the whole growth thing is a wild story made up by a student to sell to a reporter."

"Pity, that is. It could be a useful talent if you could do either." He looked at Richard, and then turned to Professor Dumbledore. "We have business, Professor, if you're done with the students?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Actually, Mr. Evans and Miss Potter are responsible for tonight, and I thought they should have a chance to have their say. Mr. Clearwater is here at their request."

Marstil's eyes had swept the group again as the Headmaster spoke, and now he sat down facing Richard. "Why don't we start with your version of the events? Start with how you got off the grounds, and go from there."

Richard smiled, looking towards London as if he could see Cathy. "I was off the grounds because I'm in love, and very lucky." He told Zelany about Cathy, and how the Winged Flame had helped the two of them get permission to attend each other's dances and other school events.

James interrupted him at that point. "His disappearance tonight was an error on the part of the Winged Flame. We made the Portkey so that it would go off at a certain time so that Richard wouldn't have to do magic, or miss his curfew," James flushed, and carefully avoided everyone's eyes, "even if Cathy and he were too busy to remember it."

The Head Obliviator nodded, as he looked back at Richard. "They were not expecting you to be the center of attention."

Richard grinned and said, "neither was I, actually." He went over the events that had led up to the fight with the ex-boyfriend and the attack by his brothers after that. Obliviator Zelany asked a couple of questions as he looked at a scroll he pulled from his robes.

When he was done, he sat in silent thought for a minute, and then looked at Richard. "Your story matches with everything I learned at the scene, although I would like to know how you defeated four people so quickly."

Richard scratched his head, not noticing the sharp glance that action drew from the Auror. "A little luck and a lot of training," he said, looking for the truth, without saying too much. "Two years ago, an Educational Society called the Fraternal Order of Manticore was formed. Their goal is achieving the best possible educational results possible for every member. To that end, they are testing a number of theories about the best way to get an education. One of the many theories being tested is that the self-discipline of the martial arts would translate to discipline in good study habits."

Marstil Zelany was making a few notes in his scroll, but his mind was not on the case. He was thinking hard, and remembering everything that people had said or done since he arrived. He was struck with an odd thought and decided to test it. Turning to the headmaster, but watching the students, he spoke. "I believe I have everything that I need from you. Unless you need them for something, Professor, I think you can let the children go to bed."

The Auror kept his face blank as Richard and Jerrick both looked to James for instructions, not the headmaster. He filed that away, and examined them again. He noted the rings they all wore, even Tiffany, and decided that they must be a Manticore thing. Good. That would make finding all the Manticores very easy when he wanted to find them.

He watched as the students left, with James in the lead and all of them falling into a single line that seemed vaguely familiar. He watched them go, trying to remember, but was distracted by Professor Dumbledore.

"How much trouble is Mr. March going to be in?" The headmaster inquired calmly.

"Unless something turns up that he didn't tell us, none. He didn't use any magic himself, acted like a Muggle, and wouldn't be a problem except for that Portkey. We will be sending a strongly worded letter to the Winged Flame, discouraging the use of any more of their timed Portkeys." Marstil said, still picturing the younger people walking out.

Professor Dumbledore smiled faintly. "I don't believe you'll have that problem anymore. Mr. Evans rarely makes the same mistake twice."

Marstil Zelany was about to ask a couple of questions about Mr. Evans and his friends when his eyes caught a gleam on the Professor's hand. Professor Dumbledore was wearing a Manticore ring. He thought quickly but couldn't remember if Professor Flitwick had been wearing one or not, but decided to hold his tongue. The two chatted about other things for a few minutes and then the Auror made his goodbyes.

Back in his office, he finished his report and filed it with his recommendations. After a few minutes thought, he took out a fresh sheet of parchment and wrote down his impressions of the strange students he'd met tonight. Those four, no, five Manticores had been different from any students he'd met before. Of course, the Headmaster had always been a bit strange, but the students were very strange. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He replayed the scene as the Manticores left again. Where had he seen people walking like that? The arms and legs moving in perfect unison, the controlled stride, it was something he'd seen somewhere before if only he could remember where.

He stopped and started over at the beginning, going over everything he could remember about his visit to Hogwarts. Ironically, it wasn't an action or sentence, but a name that brought the memory back, of being in Muggle London a few years back, watching soldiers march in a parade.

He noted that fact down, and looked at the pieces of the puzzle that he had. There were too many pieces missing right now, he decided. He looked at what he did have and decided he could justify a few carefully worded inquiries based on what he did have.

Very careful inquiries, because if Jerrick was involved, Adrian Clearwater might be involved as well, and Zelany had no illusions about his ability to hide anything from Adrian for long. Of course, he could just drop by for a visit and ask his friend outright. He finally sent off a routine request for information on Richard March and the Winged Flame, normal in a case like this. If that turned up anything, he'd decide then what he was going to do.

Marstil Zelany left his office just about dawn, as the very group he was thinking about was gathering for their morning exercise. Had he seen the groups doing their physical training routines, he'd have had many more questions.

James looked around the various groups and smiled. The Manticores had changed dramatically in two and half years and he was proud of them all. He looked at Chimera. Tiffany and he had changed the most, but all of them were different. James grinned as he remembered listening to a half dozen of Manticore's women talking about Chimera. They had been discussing Chimera's physical abilities, with a few asides about their best features.

Hangeld was nearly as tall as his father, and nobody believed he'd stop at his current height of two and a quarter meters. His strength was phenomenal, as every Manticore knew, but the women said that his best features were his eyes. Deep brown and expressive, they showed his feelings as clearly as any sign could have.

Hangeld's partner, Emma Weasley was hard to miss. She had inherited the bushy thick hair of her mother Hermione Granger, and the startling red color of her father Ron Weasley. Put together and worn waist length, it was a banner advertising her presence like a perfect sunset. The only thing that was brighter than her hair was her smile. Emma smiled at everyone, believing that strangers were just friends waiting to be found.

James looked to their left, and there was Adam and Lisa. James smiled at the contrast. Lisa Malfoy was quiet, somber and reserved. Pale skinned even after summer training, she appeared even paler next to Adam, of whom it was said that he could tan during a British winter. James didn't quite believe that, but it was true that Adam was the first to tan each summer and the last to lose that tan. Lisa was quiet around people she didn't know, and since Adam was always soft-spoken and unfailingly polite, most people outside of Manticore considered them the nice pair of Chimeras.

Manticore knew better. Adam and Lisa pulled a great many pranks, although their pranks were not the flash and flare of the twins, or the booming explosions of Emma and Hangeld's prank accidents, but equally annoying. One of their best so far was the Consonant Confusion Cookie. Eating this cookie would cause every third consonant in your speech to change. You might try to say "Good morning, Professor," but what the listeners would hear would be "Good Jornizg, Phofesder," or something similar.

Chimera finished stretching, and James led them in the exercises of the day as he looked at the last pair of Chimeras. Melissa Xavier and Rose Evans were quite similar in many ways. Both of them understood people better than any other Chimera, and they were, because of their respective talents, very reserved. Rose could see the future of anyone she met, and Melissa could feel his or her emotions. Those two talents tended to make people nervous about being around the two of them. Most of their close friends were in Chimera, and all of their friends were Manticores, who understood the restraints they lived by. Neither of them would use the power they had for personal reasons.

Physically, they were similar as well, being of medium height with long dark hair and the lithe bodies of trained athletes. It was that thought that derailed James's train of thought. He looked at Chimera, actually looked at them, not at what his mind and memory told him he would see.

James flushed red as he noticed that the ladies of Chimera were growing up, and out. All of them had curves that had nothing to do with physical training. "How did I miss this?" he wondered.

"Possibly because the only curves you ever see are mine?" came Tiffany's amused thought. "Or maybe it's because you don't want to think of your sister growing up and thinking about doing the things we do?"

"Please, just stop right there. You are so right that I don't want to think about that at all." James shivered and looked at Chimera again. With his awareness of their growing maturity came a new worry. James looked at Chimera and thought. Tiffany was no help here, and James turned to Rose. "Rose," he said, "what are the chances that someone will try to break up Chimera?"

Rose blinked, until she caught his thinking. She blushed, and looked at her friends. A few minutes later, as they lined up for the short, fast run that would end PT for the day, she finally answered him.

"Lisa and Hangeld are safe. You know how most Wizards feel about the Malfoys and Non-humans. Adam is too quiet and ordinary to inspire the kind of crush that causes people to try and break up a couple. Emma is so wrapped up in Hangeld that she wouldn't even notice the attempt, and I have this lunatic brother that keeps me safe. Plus, like Adam I just am not going to have the kind of looks that make men turn and look again."

James started to say something, but Rose cut him off. "It's true, ok? I know it, in ways you can't begin to understand. The problem we're going to have is Melissa. She is going to have the kind of beauty that makes people stare, and once we're out of Hogwarts, nobody is going to know or think that she reads minds, and some of them are going to hit on her."

James frowned as he brought Chimera to a stop at the end of the run. He looked at Rose, and touched her with their bond. She looked at him. "I am not worried about after school," he said gently, "because by then, she's going to be too attached to be separated by someone else, isn't she?"

Rose's face flamed as she started the cooling down stretching. "Yes."

Manticore went on planning the Giantlands mission. Since they had so much time to plan the mission, James excused the fifth and seventh year students from planning so they could put more time into the OWLs and NEWTs.

March passed quickly, and all too soon, it was the first of April, and time to meet the Beauxbatons Quidditch team. They were going to be for the rest of the year, mingling with the students from Hogwarts and in view of that, Professor Dumbledore had everyone outside that morning.

The Hogwarts Quidditch season had been truly spectacular this year. With four or more linked people on three of the teams, almost all of the matches had gone over three hours. Between the experience of the twins, Adam's strategies, and their whole team being linked, Gryffindor was at the top of the standings, closely followed by Ravenclaw who had pulled off a marvelous combined sneak/feint to beat Slytherin. Hufflepuff was at the bottom of the standing, not because they had a bad team, but because the advantages of the links and Starblades were simply too great to be beaten, although Hufflepuff had come close in their match against Ravenclaw. They had actually scored more points against Slytherin then Ravenclaw had, and only the Slytherin capture of the Snitch had given the Slytherin team the victory.

Emma Weasley grinned as she looked around. The Minister of Magic was here, along with a few other Ministry officials, and she was looking forward to them finding out something that Professor Dumbledore and the Hufflepuffs had found out only this morning. Gryffindor was supposed to play Beauxbatons for the Inter-School title, but as the Hufflepuffs had found out just before breakfast this morning, just twenty minutes after the Headmaster had, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin had all declined to play.

At least, the linked members of those teams had declined, and without them, none of the houses had teams. James and Tiffany had talked to them all the day before, asking them to decline to play. His reasoning had been simple and honest. James wanted to be sure that Hogwarts was invited to next year's Tourney, and he didn't think they would be if one of the linked teams humiliated the unsuspecting Beauxbatons team.

It had taken him nearly two hours to convince the others, but in the end, they had agreed. James and Tiffany had told Professor Dumbledore this morning, and he, in turn had told the Hufflepuffs.

Emma looked over where a wide-eyed Hufflepuff team stood near the Headmaster. They were going to be introduced as the Hogwarts champions, and that would be the first anyone outside of Manticore heard about it. Emma was happily anticipating that little bombshell.

Jerrick Clearwater had gotten May-ling off to the side while they waited. "A little bird has informed me that you might have access to a great deal of ready money."

May-ling frowned at Jerrick, but agreed that she might have a few Galleons put away.

"And," Jerrick said thoughtfully, "you have been to Hogwarts before, and could be considered an alumni?"

May-ling stared at Jerrick, wondering where this was going. "It has been three hundred years or so, but yes, I could be considered an alumni."

Jerrick smiled slyly. "Another little bird informs me that the Firebolt Broomstick Company is going to unveil their latest, greatest Broomstick on Monday. If someone were to purchase seven of them, donating them to the Hogwarts Quidditch team." He allowed his voice to trail off as comprehension dawned in May-ling's eyes.

May-ling thought about it for a minute "Your little bird still doesn't like to lose, does he? Even when he's not actually playing in the match."

Jerrick grinned. "It was a female bird that mentioned this to me. Apparently, they simply don't have the time to get Starblades before the match, and the new Firebolt Inferno is supposed to be the very best short of a Starblade."

May-ling nodded. "I thought something was strange about this. James is far too loyal to offer to buy another company's Broomsticks. Rose is far more pragmatic about that type of stuff. Tell the little flower that the owl will be on its way today."

Jerrick looked around. "Just out of curiosity, how did you get so much money?"

May-ling looked away. "You would be surprised," she said bitterly, "at what you can save, when you have a thousand years to do it, and you're too young to buy anything of importance." May-ling left with that comment, rejoining the crowd waiting for their visitors. Jerrick stared after her, wondering again what it would be like to be a child forever.

Emma thoughts were interrupted by the sound of thunder. Since almost everyone knew how the students from Beauxbatons had arrived for the Tri-Wizard's Tournament during Harry's day, they started watching the sky.

They were not disappointed, as Debra Valentine was the first to spot a rapidly growing speck in the sky. It grew quickly and soon everyone could see it. It was a tornado, a spinning twirling cylinder one hundred and fifty meters high, with a dark mass in the middle.

It settled in front of the crowd, raising a breeze that smelled of foreign shores and started to shrink. As the mass was revealed, it became apparent that it was a small cottage. The last of the tornado disappeared and the front door opened. James looked at Rose, and she just rolled her eyes. She had known James too long not to know exactly what he was thinking right now. When they went to Beauxbatons next year, they would have to make a dramatic entrance that topped arriving in a tornado. She turned her attention back to the people now coming out of the cottage.

Nine people had come out of the cottage, and they started toward the headmaster and the Ministry officials. The woman in front was tall and slender, with short blonde hair and gray eyes that swept the crowd. She stopped in front of Professor Dumbledore and held out her hand. "Professor Dumbledore," she said in a voice tinged with a French accent, "I am Headmistress L'Amour." Professor Dumbledore greeted her, and then introduced her to Minister Fudge.

Minister Fudge, seeing the two photographers that Professor Dumbledore had allowed to be here, began making a speech. His speech was platitudes and really quite boring, even for a politician. James and Tiffany looked at each other, and concentrated. A few minutes later, a flock of birds flew out of the Forbidden Forest and started toward the group on the lawn. Minister Fudge saw them coming and cut his remarks short, scurrying inside before the flock ever got close to him. James and Tiffany released the birds with their thanks, and followed the crowd in.

The arrival of the Beauxbatons had been timed so that they would be just in time for lunch, and the Houses settled into their seats. The Beauxbatons were sitting at the Hufflepuff table, and Professor Dumbledore stood up at the head table. "Honored guests, fellow instructors and students, today we welcome the Beauxbatons Quidditch team to Hogwarts in the start of what might be an annual competition between schools from around the world."

"Allow me to introduce the Beauxbatons team," said Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore had been less than surprised to hear that Gryffindor would not be representing Hogwarts this year, but he had thought that it would be because James was worried about the reporters that would be talking to all the players.

That James would be trying to start more branches of Manticore was not something he'd thought of. James was a control freak, and the idea that he'd let a group of Manticores work someplace that he couldn't watch over them was not an idea that the Headmaster had thought of. He had been surprised to hear that Hufflepuff would be the Hogwarts team though. He pushed those thoughts away as he introduced the visiting team.

"Sitting to my right is Headmistress L'Amour." Everyone had seen her of course but she stood up nodding at the students. She sat down as Professor Dumbledore turned to a man that most of the staff had already recognized. "The Quidditch Instructor for Beauxbatons is none other than Oliver Wood, once the captain for Gyffindor's team." Oliver Wood had not lost any of the personal charm that he'd had in Harry's first couple of years. It had matured into a quiet handsomeness that had a few of the older female students looking twice.

"Lucy Misthold is the Team captain and plays the Seeker." A short slim blonde girl with delicate features stood up from the Hufflepuff table.

"Richard Lee is their Keeper." The short stocky boy that stood up was clearly of an Asian descent.

"Mike Apple and Trae Cale are the Beaters." Mike Apple was a tall dark haired boy with wide shoulders he was still growing into, and Trae Cale was a shorter red haired girl with a very solid look and a hint of mischief in her brown eyes.

"The Chasers for Beauxbatons are Maria and Miguel Sanchez and Arthur Pendragon." James and Rose ignored the two brown haired people that stood up, searching for their cousin. Which cousin, or how closely related he was they didn't know, but the Pendragon Clan was too closely intermarried for him not to be a relation of some sort. Arthur Pendragon was a tall blonde boy with dark green eyes. As he stood up, he radiated haughty distain until his eyes met Rose's.

An electric thrill shot through Rose, and was echoed a second later as he looked at James. From the look of surprise that flickered across his face, he'd felt it as well. He hid it well though, just taking a closer look at them before sitting down, and turning his head to say something to Miguel sitting next to him.

"What was that?" asked Tiffany.

"Mom once said that we'd know if we met another Pendragon. I think now I understand why she was so certain we would know," James told her.

"And if the Hufflepuff team will stand up, I'll introduce them to the guests from Beauxbatons." Minister Fudge's head had come up as he heard the headmaster name the team that would be playing, and there was a puzzled frown on his face.

"Mandy Mayfair, Team captain and Keeper." Mandy was a serious looking seventh year girl with light brown hair and eyes.

"Xavier Montgomery is the Seeker." Xavier was a small fourth year boy with a ready smile and sharp eyes that never stopped moving.

"The Chasers are Elias Whittaker, Gerry Marshal and Emily Whittaker." Elias was a big dark haired fifth year, who would have seemed larger in any school that didn't have Hagrid and Hangeld to compare him too. Gerry was a slightly built tall redhead in his fifth year. Emily (no relation to her teammate.) Whittaker was an average looking girl, brown haired and brown eyed, whom everyone forgot about until they saw her fly. She'd been on the Hufflepuff team since her second year. Now in her sixth year, she was widely acknowledged to be the finest flyer in Hogwarts, and a big piece of their team.

"Finally, the Hufflepuff Beaters are Colin Lupin and Cary Fudge." Colin Lupin, (3rd cousin, once removed to Remus Lupin.) was a quiet boy with determined eyes and curly black hair.

James grinned as Cary blushed to find himself the target of so many eyes. Cary Fudge had tried out for and won the Beater slot just three months earlier when the fifth year that was in the position quit, deciding that studying for the OWLs was more important to him.

Cary had come to James and Rose for some tips, and they had not only given him those tips, but had spent a good many hours showing him and Colin as much as they could on the pitch. While the two of them were not as good as the twins yet, James thought they had the potential to be better. The only thing that kept the twins in front right now was their greater experience and twinbond.

In Hufflepuff's game against Gryffindor, the Beaters had flown an inspired game, with James and Rose being pushed harder than anyone had done since they came to Hogwarts. James had landed after the game and had left the rest of Chimera celebrating their victory to cross to Colin and Cary. "Are both of you coming back to the team next year?" At their confused nods, James had grinned. "Rose, we're going to have to pay more attention to our practices."

While the Minister of Magic finished the speech he'd started outside, the seventh year Gryffindor Prefect slid down the table until he was close to James. After Minister Fudge finished his remarks and Professor Dumbledore started the meal, he looked at James. "Gryffindor house is a little surprised to find out they are not representing Hogwarts in this Match," he said mildly.

James shrugged. "I bet they are, but it doesn't fit my current plans," he stated bluntly.

"And just what am I supposed to tell them? That you don't want to play, or that you have better things to do?" He raised his hands at James's look. "Yes, I know you actually do have something better to do, but they don't and unless you're going to let me tell them what you are doing, I have to think of something to tell Gyrffindor."

Lisa looked down the table at him. "Just tell them that if we humiliate them this year, we might not be invited to play next year, when we can defeat more schools."

James was looking at Lisa flatly. "You had better hope that there are no American teams there next year, because I've already told you I won't help."

Lisa cut him off in annoyance. "Look you great bloody prat, this isn't about countries, it's about schools. We're not asking you to help a European country beat the US, we're asking you to help Hogwarts beat the North American School of Wizardry or the Salem Institute."

James considered that for a minute, and went back to eating. "By the way, your description of me is wrong," he said mildly, "I am not bleeding, so I can't be bloody."

Lisa stared at him for a second and went back to her food. A minute later, James and Tiffany jerked, and put their hands below the table. When they brought them back, there was a spot of blood on them. They looked at it for a second, and then James looked at Lisa. "Right. Now, your description of me is correct. I am bleeding, so I am bloody. Since I am the one that does not want y'all lying, I will overlook the fact that you just stuck a fork in my leg. However, you made Tiffany bleed, and for that, you're going to pay."

Lisa looked up, startled. "I didn't touch… the Soulbond. I forgot that injuring one of you is injuring both of you now." She looked at Tiffany. "Sorry about getting you caught up in this."

Tiffany waved it off. "You just startled me a bit. I would suggest that you get out of here though, as James is trying to decide between "Robe Removal" and "The Naked Truth" to use on you."

Lisa looked at James, who was eating slowly and turning two familiar looking disks over in one hand. He put the disks away and took out an old Muggle coin he carried everywhere. Since Rose had a matching one, Chimera figured that it was one of the myriad little twin things that they hadn't explained yet. He flipped the coin, looked at it and smiled. "Heads." He grinned at Lisa, and went back to eating. Lisa stared at him for a minute, shrugged, and continued her meal.

Emma had listened to the entire thing, and now looked at Lisa. "Lisa, why aren't you leaving?"

Lisa glanced at her, but didn't stop eating. "Why bother? All that does is make it more fun for James. He's like a cat, the more he can play with you, that happier he is. Besides, I have better things to do than look over my shoulder until he gets me."

Rose giggled, and her comment set all of Chimera to snickering. "Gee Brother Mine, you've been compared to a St Bernard, wolverines, and now cats. Have you ever considered why that might be? You are showering regularly, aren't you?"

James looked at his smiling friends and grinned back. "Actually, Sister Mine, Tiffany and I haven't showered since we found a private bathtub big enough for two. Would you like more details?"

Chimera stared at Tiffany and James. Tiffany had her head down and was blushing fiercely. "Well," she said defensively, "it's much easier to wash his back than mine, and he has the best hands."

"Stop right there." No one was quite sure which of Chimera's ladies said that, but the next line was Emma. "That is just TMI, thank you."

Tiffany looked at Emma as if she'd lost her mind. "You need to pull your mind out of the gutter. All I was going to say is that he has the best hands for shampooing hair ever."

After lunch was over, Minister Fudge was waiting for Professor Dumbledore. "Albus, why is the Hufflepuff team playing? They're at the bottom of the school standings."

The Headmaster sighed. Turning to Headmistress L'Amour, he spoke. "Would you excuse us for a minute? I'll explain everything to you in a few minutes."

Headmistress L'Amour nodded, watching Professor Dumbledore. "I hope you have a good explanation," she said calmly. She walked a few paces away, leaving the two men alone.

Professor Dumbledore turned back to Minister Fudge. "I believe the Hufflepuff team is playing because the other teams declined the honor. Why, I was not told, but it was there choice."

Minister Fudge frowned. "Order them to play, Albus, at least the team at the top, the Gryffindors."

Professor Dumbledore leaned closer, playing on the Minister's prejudices. "Lisa Malfoy is the Captain of that team." Before Minister Fudge could say anything, Professor Dumbledore continued. "I would think you'd enjoy seeing Cary play. He is one of the Beaters for Hufflepuff, and the Gyrffindor Beaters say he's very good."

Minister Fudge's face ran through a series of emotions. "Do you think they have a chance to win, Albus?"

"Of course they do. In fact, I would say they have an excellent chance."

Minister Fudge thought for a few minutes, torn between having his blood play, and fear that Hogwarts, and by extension, his office, would lose. Finally, he nodded slowly and looked at Albus. "Fair enough. But, if Hogwarts loses this year, because you have less than the best team playing, when the invitations go out next year, Hogwarts will decline to attend, due to lack of interest." He turned and walked down the hall, leaving the Headmaster staring after him.

Professor Dumbledore waited a minute, and then called James. "Chimera one, this is Hogwarts one."

"Hogwarts one, Chimera one here."

"Are you ready for your meeting?"

"Roger that, Hogwarts one. ETA your office?"

Professor Dumbledore frowned, and then remembered that ETA stood for Estimated Time of Arrival. James was asking when he should be at the Headmaster's office for their meeting. He thought for a minute. "If you would be there in 30 minutes, that will give me time to prepare Headmistress L'Amour."

"Roger that, Hogwarts one. Thirty minutes."

Professor Dumbledore turned and walked over to Headmistress L'Amour. "If you would come with me, I'll explain what is going on."

Headmistress L'Amour walked silently for a minute, and then spoke to Professor Dumbledore. "I assume you have a good reason for not having your best players facing us."

"My pardons, Madame L'Amour. The change was only made this morning, and I will explain everything in my office."

They walked in silence to the gargoyle, and Professor Dumbledore made his visitor comfortable before sitting in his chair. "You're about to meet a remarkable bunch of students who have something to tell you, and to ask you. When they are done talking to you, I think you will understand why the change was made."

Headmistress L'Amour studied her counterpart with a speculative eye. "Would this have anything to do with the strange groups of students in each house?"

"Possibly," Professor Dumbledore said, cocking his head as the gargoyle told him that visitors were on their way up, "but why don't we let them speak for themselves?"

The next few minutes were settling in and introductions as most of Chimera found seats. James remained on his feet. He looked at the guest. "I'll tell you straight up, I didn't want to do this," he said bluntly. He took a deep breath and looked at Rose. "Are you sure about this?"

"Not yet, Brother Mine, but by the time you are done, we will be. Just tell her about the prophecy for now. Melissa and I will let you know which story to tell her at the end." Rose said, distracted slightly as she meshed with Melissa and they started examining the Headmistress with their talents.

James nodded, and looked at the Headmistress. "Eight hundred years ago, Elric and Cassandra Evans spoke a prophecy, and the time of their prophecy is here." James went over the prophecy, as he'd done so many times before. Line by line, he explained what they knew and what they thought. They demonstrated the link and the abilities of their group for her. "That is why we dropped out of the Match," James said, "We can destroy any unlinked team, and when you add the Starblades to it, your team would have been outmatched from the start. We might have ended this tradition before it ever started."

Headmistress L'Amour rolled the scroll James had given her and thought for a minute. "That explains why you dropped out, but why did." Her voice trailed off. "You have more links than just this one." It was not a question, but a statement.

James looked at Rose. "Well? Which story do I tell her?"

Rose grinned at him. "Truthfully, which story would you tell her if I wasn't here?"

James raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me how much I would tell her based on my feelings? How much I would tell a total stranger, whom I barely know, and who will be out of my reach and control in barely three months?" He shook his head. "Sister Mine, I'd erase her mind first."

Rose blinked, and then smiled. "It's a good thing you have Melissa and I then, because she's going to be a good ally for us."

James nodded and turned back to the waiting headmistress. "Yes, we have more links. Allow me to introduce you to Manticore." James told her about Manticore, both the cover story and their true purpose.

When he was done, Headmistress L'Amour looked at James thoughtfully. She had an idea about why she'd been told about this, but she wanted to hear it from James. "What do you want from Beauxbatons and I?"

"Nothing, really." James said, looking at the ceiling. "I have to assume that all the schools are going to be targets in the opening days of the war. I know that Hogwarts and the North American School of Wizardry will be," James paused, and looked at Rose. They stared at each other for a minute, and James looked back at their guest again. "And now that Rose has met someone from Beauxbatons, we know that your school will be a target early on as well."

Headmistress L'Amour felt a chill. The thought of Dark Wizards attacking her school was bad enough, but they had defenses in place for that. Muggle armed Wizards though, were an entirely different matter. As far as she knew, no one had defenses for that sort of an occurrence. She listened to James.

"I want you to allow us to form a chapter of Manticore in Beauxbatons, and to allow a group of students to be trained to defend your school. How many people would be trained depends on how big your school is and other tactical considerations, but it will be at least a team of seven, preferably two teams."

The Headmistress thought about that. "What about the Manticores that are not actually training to defend the school?"

James grinned, and passed her a parchment. "The Fraternal Order of Manticore was created as a cover, but it actually works. If they follow the guidelines laid down here, you'll find that the scores of the students will improve."

James reached back without looking, and Rose placed a thick roll of parchment in his hand. "This details everything you need to know to start a chapter of Manticore, and how to contact us discreetly. Look it over, and if you have any questions or concerns, one of us will always be available to talk to you."

James looked at his watch. "Right now though, we are due on the Pitch, to help Hufflepuff train." Chimera said their goodbyes and left.

Headmistress L'Amour looked at the papers in her hands, and then up at Professor Dumbledore. "Obviously you believe that rather intense young man, Professor. Tell me something though. Will I still believe him in six months, after I'm away from his influence?"

Professor Dumbledore looked at the portraits on the wall. "If he is right, and you allow this, your school will be protected when the war begins, saving untold lives. If you don't do it, and he's right, what will happen?"

"And if he's wrong?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "If he's wrong, you will still have an educational society that improves the standings of its members and a group of well trained and intensely loyal people that understand Wizard and Muggle ways."

The two school heads chatted about other things for a few minutes, and then Headmistress L'Amour made her way back to the little house where the Beauxbatons people would be staying during their time at Hogwarts. She put the roll of material away to read tonight. Right now, she'd heard many remarkable things about Hogwarts from Oliver, and she wanted to see some of them.

Out on the Quidditch Pitch, Adam was going over the Hufflepuff plays, making suggestions and adaptations to them. Chimera was in the air, offering advice and tips to their counterparts. As they worked, James got a call over his ring. "Chimera one, this is Hydra one." He stopped, and had Colin join Rose and Cary.

"Hydra one, this is Chimera one, go ahead."

"A fourth year Slytherin of your acquaintance has informed me that Slytherin doesn't agree with letting Hufflepuff defend the School, and they're going to put together a team to take their place."

James smirked. Lisa had anticipated this, and Chimera was ready. "Hydra one, tell the new Slytherin team that Professor Dumbledore has stated that any team wishing to replace Hufflepuff must first beat them in a match. They also have to issue their challenge by Friday."

James could almost hear Sonya's smile. "Roger that, Chimera one. Would you like me to spread the word?"

"If you would, please. Have fun with it. Chimera one out." James signaled a rally to the others, and the two teams landed by Adam, who was still writing plays and suggestions. When everyone was gathered around, James looked at the Hufflepuffs. "The teams that declined to play, did so in the honest belief that you were good enough to win. Some of the Slytherins disagree with us though, and are going to try and challenge your right to play."

The Hufflepuff Captain, Mandy Mayfair muttered something under her breath and then looked at James with a glare. "They can't do this. I won't let them." Murmurs of agreements came from the other players.

Lisa grinned at them. "I'm so glad you feel that way, since I've already made plans for this event." Lisa explained the Headmaster's rules.

James looked around. "I think I'm going to try and shift the odds in your favor. Right now, I'm going to leave Adam, Emma and Hangeld here with you." James turned and looked at the rest of Chimera. "Rose, you and Melissa go talk to the Ravenclaws, and see if they are going to challenge Hufflepuff. Lisa, if you and Tiffany would do the same in Gryffindor, I would appreciate it." He looked at the four he was sending off. "If you can convince them not to issue any challenges, that would be great, but if they insist, we'll deal with that later." James looked at the Hufflepuffs and grinned. "Probably by letting y'all whup the stuffings out of them."

James turned back to Chimera as Cary explained that 'whup the stuffings' was one of those Americanisms, and it meant to defeat the opponent.

James stared over the Pitch for a minute. "Rose, when you're done with that, I'd like to know what you and Melissa think about our visitors. Lisa, if you would get with Jerrick, I'd like a background report on our visitors as soon as possible, please."

"I believe you might have forgotten to mention your desire to branch out to the rest of Manticore," Lisa said slyly, watching James.

James sighed, and his eyes went absent as he thought. "We're not really branching out. I don't have the people to protect everyplace that is going to need protection, so I want to train some of those places to defend themselves." James looked at Rose, and they stood locked in silent communication for several minutes. James finally shook his head and frowned as he turned back to Lisa. "Ever since Rose told me that both Hogwarts and the North American School of Wizardry were going to be targets early in the war, I've been wondering about the other schools. Now that Rose has met the Beauxbatons people, we can add Beauxbatons to the list of early targets."

James' face went still, and his eyes were cold as he tried to think like the enemy, attempting to put himself in the Patient Child's mind, and figure out what or why the enemy would do something. "All I can think of is that hitting the schools would show that even the Wizard world's strongest places are not safe, while removing a large number of Wizards and Witches that might oppose him if the war goes very long as well as the trainers for anybody he leaves alive." James shook his head, and bit his lip thinking. "If he leaves anyone at all alive."

James shook off the depression trying to overwhelm him and looked around as he mounted his Broomstick. "Right now, I think you all have things to do. Why aren't you doing them?"

Emma looked at James curiously. "What are you going to be doing while the rest of us are working?"

James grinned at her. "Work, Emma, work. Unless you want to go over all of the day's information coming out of the Giant lands?"

Emma thought about the reports Jerrick was always assembling and shook her head. Rose grinned at James and said, "that's ok, most of that stuff is just boring to everybody but you, and we trust you to pass along anything we need to know."

James smiled at Rose and ruffled her hair. "Maybe so," he said, "but somebody has to do it, and since I love you, I try to keep you from getting bored."

Rose smiled back. "You love me, do you? Then you won't mind sharing a few Snickers, right? I've run out."

James stared at Rose and sighed dramatically. "You blackmailer, using my feelings for you to extort candy from me." He reached into his robes and pulled out two of the Snickers bars the twins were addicted to. "See me later for more, this is all I have with me right now."

Rose took them and smiled at James, hugging him while saying something in Lakota that made him blush and hug her back. Tiffany was smiling at both of them, and Chimera was letting them have their minute until James pulled away. "What are y'all doing standing around? I thought you had places to go and things to do." He started to lift off and paused, hovering about three meters off the ground. "Jeez, Adam," he said aloud, "put some clothes on, will you?"

Adam started to say he was wearing clothes, but even as he opened his mouth, his robes faded away, and he was standing there in the Tartan boxers that had so embarrassed Tiffany in their first year. James grinned and looked at Lisa. "You got my lady, now I've gotten your man. Are we even?"

Lisa was admiring Adam's muscles even as she tried to find the disk that had to be on Adam's robes somewhere. The robes were still there, and she was running her hands over the robes, feeling for the disk. She didn't think about what she was doing, or how it looked until she heard the laughter coming from most of the Hufflepuff team and Chimera. "I'm sorry about that, Adam, I never thought he'd target you." She finally found the disk and pulled it off his robes, only to see her robes start to disappear. She tossed the disk into the grass and looked at Adam, who was blushing.

"Lisa, your man is quite… muscular. Are all the men in Manticore like that? And if so, are any of them not taken?" Mandy broke out giggling as she waited for Lisa's response.

Adam turned an even darker shade of red. "Please tell me that Hufflepuff didn't see that."

Melissa's mental tone was almost smirking. "OK, they didn't see that. The amusement, speculation and lust coming from them must be for your plays."

Lisa's head whipped around. "Who's lusting over Adam?"

Melissa and Rose broke out laughing as they started to walk away. "Oh I'm sorry, you were standing too close. The lust is yours."

Lisa turned bright red and Adam showed wisdom far beyond his years and didn't even smile as Lisa hurried away.

Wednesday, James was called to the front of the school just after classes were over. When he got there he stopped, staring at the magical creature standing there. Jerrick grinned at him. "I know you like animals, and I thought you might want to see this one."

James didn't answer as he stared at the Pegasus standing there. It was a beautiful animal, with the delicate features of an Arabian and a rich sorrel coat. The wings were truly impressive, stretching just over nine meters wingtip to wingtip. The wings were white, with an opalescent sheen that made them gleam in the sun. James reached with the totem skills and was entranced.

The man that had been riding the Pegasus was offloading two boxes, and finished as Professor Dumbledore arrived. He looked up and spoke. "Buenas noches Señor. ¿Usted es el líder de esta escuela?"

Professor Dumbledore agreed that he was indeed the Headmaster of the school. The man nodded and handed him a slip of paper. "Si usted firmaría aquí, yo le puedo dar su entrega." Professor Dumbledore signed and looked at the two boxes.

The man mounted the Pegasus and spoke to Professor Dumbledore again. "Señor, si usted necesita aún algo grande entregado, la llamada en el servicio de entrega a domicilio Brillante de Alas. Buenas noches Señor, y tiene un día bueno." He started to go, until he noticed James who was nose-to-nose with the Pegasus and totally oblivious to anything but the animal standing in front of him. "Perdone, el niño, usted tiene que mover. He obtenido un trabajo para hacer."

Jerrick moved up and took James by the arm. "James, they have to go." James frowned, but stepped back. The man turned the Pegasus and they started off. In a few steps the winged horse was at a gallop and then the wings snapped out and it was aloft, a picture of beauty and grace. James took a step after it, his mind still with the animal.

Professor Dumbledore was looking at the boxes, and the note that had come with them. He looked at James. "Do you know anything about this, Mr. Evans?"

James was still with the Pegasus. "It's a Pegasus, a very rare magical beast long thought to be extinct until a small colony of them was found living deep in the Brazilian rain forest. Estimated to be among the smartest of the non-sentient magical beasts, it is highly valued for its ability to fly long distances without tiring, and its ability to take off and land on almost any terrain. They are also the fastest of all the flying magical beasts."

"That's nice to know," the professor said dryly, "but I was talking about the delivery, not the method of delivery."

James blinked as he lost sight of the Pegasus, and turned to look at Professor Dumbledore. He cocked his head at the boxes, noting that one of them was very similar in shape to the ones that the Starblades had come in. "I don't think so, are they for Manticore?"

Professor Dumbledore looked again at the note that had come with the boxes. "These gifts are for the first Hogwarts team, in the hopes that the Hufflepuff team can start a new tradition of victory for themselves."

James listened and grinned. "Not my doing, Professor. If I had done it, they would have Starblades, just like everyone else, provided that second box is what I think it is."

"Professor Dumbledore," came a quiet voice at his side, "I think that if you were to check carefully, you might find that one May-ling Lee, a student in Hufflepuff some time ago bought those things for her former House."

Professor Dumbledore looked at May-ling and her soft smile. "And, if I were to check, would her paperwork be perfect as well?"

May-ling smiled wider, reminded of how Jerrick had figured out there was something strange about May-ling. "I think you might find it to be very good, yes."

"I see," he said as he looked around. "Does anyone know where they Hufflepuff team is right now?"

Jerrick knew, which surprised nobody who knew him. "They're in Manticore hall right now, going over things with Adam."

Professor Dumbledore started inside and the boxes followed him, as did everybody else that had witnessed the delivery. In Manticore Hall, Professor Dumbledore stopped, surprised at the changes since he had been here last.

All of the tables were pushed up close to the front of the room, and the rest of the room was taken up with bookshelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, with barely room to walk between them. Professor Dumbledore turned to James. "How long is it going to be before you have more books than the school library?"

James grinned. "We're not, but only because we're running out of room." He looked at the ceiling. "Unless of course we can take over those three rooms down the hall, and use them for books I don't want everybody knowing we have." He frowned. "That is becoming a problem anyway. Between the visitors in here, and some people who want to be Manticores, it's getting hard to hide the doorway to the lab."

Professor Dumbledore looked at James. "People that want to be Manticores?"

James nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Someone found our Charter, and there are a couple of dozen people that can be Manticores under it, but that Rose and or Melissa turned down as not good for us for one reason or another."

The Headmaster thought about that. "Allow me to give these gifts to the Hufflepuff team, and think about your problem. We will discuss it."

The Hufflepuff team was at Chimera's table, listening to Adam explain a play. "Mr. Brooks, may I have a minute of your audience's time?"

Adam looked up, taking in the Professor the boxes and the crowd behind him. "By all means, Professor."

Professor Dumbledore moved to the comfortable chair reserved for him during his rare visits to the hall. "An alumni of Hufflepuff has sent some things to help the Hufflepuffs achieve victory. They have been given to the first Hogwarts team, which is you right now. Should Slytherin win their challenge, that may change, so take care of them." Professor Dumbledore looked around. "Mr. Hagrid, would you open the boxes, please."

"Aye," rumbled Hangeld. He reached down and took the corner of the lid in one hand and stepped on the box with one foot. He pulled, and the lid came up, accompanied by the sound of screeching nails. He set that one aside and did the same to the other box.

When both of them were open, Adam moved up and pulled out a sack from the first box. He read the tag on the bag. "This is for the seeker." In short order all of the player were admiring a new uniform in Hogwarts colors, complete with all the supplies needed to maintain the various bits for each position.

Adam moved to the second box and took out the top item. It was a Broomstick, and whispers ran through the crowd as they tried to figure out what kind of a Broomstick it was. It was wrapped in black velvet, and Adam smirked as he handed it to a player. Soon, all seven of them had a velvet wrapped Broomstick, and Mandy looked at Cary.

"You open yours first, Cary." Mandy was a Hufflepuff, but she was also fairly smart. She had noticed over the last couple of years that Manticore had everything they wanted, and this largess coming so soon after a Manticore joined her team made her think that Manticore was behind it. If they were going to support one of their own like this, the least she could do is let Cary be the first to see the new Broomstick.

Cary took a deep breath and pulled the drawstring from his Broomstick. The velvet fell away and somebody gasped. "It's a Firebolt Inferno. The first broom with a two wood handle."

Lying before Cary was a vision in red and black. The handle was made of two different woods, fused together with magic. The Firebolt Company had combined Redwood with Black Oak, creating a Broomstick with the flexibility of the Redwood, but the strength and durability of Oak. Individually trimmed and shaped twigs of Hazel and Yew finished each Broomstick, and soon all the Hufflepuffs were admiring identical Broomsticks.

Adam looked at the giddy team and sighed. "I know that talking about plays can't compete with those, but we do have the Pitch in twenty minutes. Can we at least go try those things out?"

Mandy grinned, grabbing her bag and Broomstick. "You heard him, team, we fly in twenty minutes. Last one in the air is a Slytherin."

Sonya Gebbs looked at Mandy. "Hey, I resemble that remark." None of the Hufflepuffs heard her, as they disappeared out the door nearly as fast as if they'd flown.

James stood behind May-ling. "If you happen to talk to May-ling Lee, please tell her she can call on me for a favor anytime."

May-ling sighed. "There is only one favor she wants, and that may be beyond anyone's doing."

James looked at May-ling sadly, and was about to say something when he froze. Across the Hall, Tiffany's head came up, and the two of them locked eyes for a minute. "May-ling, come with me." May-ling jerked, and was right on James's heels. He didn't often give orders like that.

James, May-ling, and the rest of Chimera were soon in an unused classroom, and Emily and April joined them very soon thereafter. They were still there at dinner, and at bedtime. Professor Dumbledore sat up late into the night, waiting for them to come out, but he went to bed unsatisfied.

The next morning he was on his way to breakfast when he got a call on his ring. "Hogwarts one, this is Chimera one."

"Chimera one, go ahead."

"Hogwarts one, I am asking if you would release Chimera, May-ling and Emily from classes today."

Professor Dumbledore frowned. "Why should I do that Mr. Evans? You have missed enough days as it is." The next thing James said surprised Professor Dumbledore in a way he didn't think he could be surprised anymore.

"We need the time to break May-ling's curse."