Amelia dreams of owning a home similar to that of Professor Sprout's office- skylit windows, immense french doors, exotic birds and of course plants. She notices the small bee hive that is residing in the corner of the office.
"Bees?" she asks softly.
"Of course, my dear. Bees are crucial to not only muggle plants but our own as well."
Amelia nods.
"Now, concerning your upcoming year. You managed to have passed all of your courses, you may take any N.E.W.T level course you wish to take. Do you have any idea what you wish to do after Hogwarts?"
To not be a Deatheater? Amelia thinks to herself. "I want to be an auror or a magizologist."
Professor Sprout smiles knowingly. "Might I suggest adding a Healer to your list of potential careers as well?"
Amelia instantly brightens "That's an option?"
The Malfoy girl hopes that maybe she can put off her Deatheater membership for a little while longer, get some training as a healer. Voldemort might like having a healer in the ranks.
The Head of the Hufflepuff House nods. "Might I suggest Herbology, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, Charms, History of Magic and Transfiguration. In addition to your two more electives, I am assuming you would like to once again take Care of Magical Creatures?"
Amelia can't help but make a disgusted face at the mention of the words Transfiguration and . She had barely managed to pass those particular courses.
Professor Sprout notices the girl's face and let out a laugh. "You are not of a scientific mind, Miss Malfoy. You have an old spirit, the type of spirit that the Celtics and the ancient witches and wizards had. You are a witch of the elements and heart, not of the sciences and math."
Amelia cannot help but smile and feel her heart swell at the compliment. "As for my other, I'd like to take Ancient Runes." As if I could get away with Muggle Studies
"If you wish to proceed in either becoming a Healer or an Auror, these are the courses you must take. A tutor might be of great use to you."
Amelia can't help but smile at Professor Sprout's tone. Apparently the fairly new Head of Hufflepuff had been taking lessons from Professor McGonagall.
"Yes ma'am." Amelia replies.
"Good. Now, will you please send Mr. Diggory in?"
Amelia smiles brightly when she sees Lily Evans walk into the Transfiguration classroom. The feisty redhead notices her and begins to move towards the empty chair to the right. Her path is immediately blocked by one James Potter- Amelia and every Griffindor in the classroom quickly turn their attention to the pair, eagerly awaiting the drama that is about to ensue. She notices the other three Marauders snicker immediately; Remus Lupid placing his head in his hands, Sirius Black's cheshire cat smile, and Peter Pettigrew's amused expression.
"Hello Evans, did you miss me?" he asks.
"No more than I missed you yesterday or throughout my entire summer, Potter."
"As in immensely?" the black haired boy asks hopefully.
"As in not at all" Lily snaps back.
"Come off it Evans, you know you are into me."
"You are such as Toerag." Lily shoves past James and claims the empty seat next to Amelia.
"How was your summer?" Amelia asks happily as she squeezes Lily's hand. She ignores the questioning glances that a few members of the Slytherin House give her.
Lily returns the embrace. "My summer was alright. Petunia hates me. But we already knew that. And of course after all that drama with Severus last year, let's just say that my only friend from home is gone."
Amelia gives her sympathetic nod, she can't even begin to imagine what a horrible feeling that must be. To be alone and unable to use magic. She quickly changes the subject. "I am so glad that you are in this course with me! You remember how horribly I did last year."
Lily laughs. "I have to say I was surprised to see you in here."
Amelia sighs. "Just part of planning my future I suppose."
Sirius Black walks across the Hogwarts grounds towards Professor Kettleburn's outdoor classroom. As he walks into the old horse barn converted to a classroom, he sees Amelia sitting on the hard packed dirt, holding an immense tortoise shell kneazle in her lap. The creature is purring contentedly, folding itself in the 'catloaf' position and closing it's eyes. Amelia is talking amiably with Professor Kettleburn who is sitting on one of the low benches beside her.
The handsome boy stops short of the two, pausing to lean against the doorway and observe. There was something about Amelia Malfoy that causes him to pause. As a rule he did stay away from families like hers, especially the name Malfoy. Rumor has it that Abraxas Malfoy, her father, led the movement to force Nobby Leach to leave his post prematurely. Apparently the idea of a muggle born Minister is too extreme.
The kneazle notices him first, a single yellow eye opens to regard him before it slides shut. Sirius swears that he can hear the purring from the other side of the classroom.
"Mr. Black, welcome back. Amelia, I need to go prepare the lesson." Kettleburn stands slowly and stiffly from the bench he was sitting on and hobbles out a second door. Sirius takes this as his chance and approaches Amelia.
"Is this tiny lion yours?" he asks.
Amelia gives him a dazzling smile that almost takes Sirius's breath away. No." she replies wistfully.
"She seems to like you, what's her name?" he squats in front of her and scratches the kneazle behind the ear.
"This is Milly." Amelia replies.
Sirius smiles, he wants to make a remark about how beautiful she is or one of his many other pick up lines that he uses with the girls that he has charmed. He is about to open his mouth when voices and laughter immediately break his spell.
Rabastan LeStrange and Evan Rosier walk into the classroom followed by Peter Pettigrew and a few other students. Milly immediately growls and hisses as the three students file by.
"Milly?" Amelia asks as the kneazle leaps out of her arms and disappears into the shadows of the hayloft.
Sirius exchanges a glance with Amelia. "They only do that when they sense someone distrustful or suspicious." Amelia says softly as she and Sirius climb to their feet.
"Well it is Rosier and LeStrange. Obviously, Wormtail is straight out." Sirius says as the two of them begin to walk to the empty benches next to Peter Pettigrew.
"Right." Amelia muses.
He goes to the bench where Peter is sitting and can't help but be disappointed that he hadn't managed to lure Amelia to follow him. Instead she is sitting on the bench next to one Amos Diggory.
A majority of the class is a bore of going over the syllabus and of course the lecture about how important the N.E. are for their graduation and chosen careers.
"Now the original plan was to spend our last remaining time with some fwoppers. However, Hagrid has captured something magnificent that I believe will become a once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be walking to the banks of the Black Lake."
All the students stand, some eagerly like Amelia, others with more reserved motions. Kettleburn has a history with dangerous creatures.
Sirius looks over at Amelia, she is approached by Rosier and LeStrange. He notices how Diggory pauses, holding her elbow, Amelia just gives him a reasurring smile, causing Amos to walk away. Much to Sirius's disgust, pleasantries and even a hug are exchanged between the three purebloods. He slows his stride, even making a show of tying his shoe in an attempt to eavesdrop.
The three pure bloods walk and talk and Sirius is forced to walk ahead to avoid being noticed. The walk to the Black Lake is a longer one, and despite his every attempt to slow down and hear what they are saying, he can't. He eventually gives up and joins the half circle of students next to the banks of the lake. Peter give him a questioning look.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to go and stand next to the lesser blood status of my friends." There is venom dripping from Amelia's voice at the word 'lesser' obviously she is mocking the words of other boys. Soon he finds her standing next to him, tossing her hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms, lets out a huff of frustration.
"Lesser blood, huh?" Sirius whispers sarcastically.
"Shut it, Black." Amelia snaps.
"Do you believe that rubbish?"
"Obviously not." the annoyance is obvious.
"You sure?"
"Would I be standing next to you and Peter?" those strange pink eyes are narrowed in a challenge.
"I just didn't know we were friends is all." Sirius flirts.
Amelia opens his mouth to reply, instead she is cut off by Professor Kettleburn who is standing in the shallows of the Black Lake.
Behind the man is a beautiful horse with pondweed and water plantain tangled in its black mane. At first Sirius thinks that the creature is black, but as he boldly steps closer, he realizes that it is actually a midnight green. The horse is wearing a gold bridle.
"Hagrid found the beast this morning, the creature was injured and had moved to the shallow water."
"Is that a kelpie?" Amelia asks, not bothering to raise her hand.
"It is Miss Malfoy." Professor Kettleburn replies.
The kelpie turns and regards Amelia with its opaque white eyes. It lets out a whinny revealing sharp teeth. "Come closer" the creature says.
Sirius makes a move to grab Amelia, but the blonde has already taken a small step back. He exchanges a weary glance with her, before turning his attention back to the unseelie fey.
The horse is gone, instead there is a beautiful nude woman standing where the kelpie had been. "Bloody hell" he gasps.
The rest of his classmates let out gasps of shock as well; long black hair, tangled with river plants falls to cover her beasts in what he can only say is a tasteful way. He wishes he could see that rest of that hour glass shape, unfortunately the water she stands in hides what he assumes are shapely legs.
"Kelpies are shapeshifters, they favor the shape of a woman in an attempt to lure young men to a watery grave." Professor Kettleburn explains.
"Would work on me." Gilderoy Lockheart swoons.
Rosier and LeStrange scoff and snicker, although they too cannot seem to take their eyes off the woman.
"Many years ago the MacGregor Clan of Scottland managed to create these bridles to capture the kelpie, when a kelpie is wearing it's bridle, the person who has placed the bridle over it's head is in control of the creature."
The woman gives Professor Kettleburn a glare in response, she turns her attention towards Sirius. Her eyes are a dark maroon color, however they are pleading and helpless-just begging him to come closer.
"Please handsome lad, come save me from this man." her voice is melted chocolate.
Sirius takes two steps towards the woman, wanting only to help her, to hold her, to touch her. She must know of his love of women-those full lips pout and creamy arms raise beckoning him forward.
Slender hands close on his wrist and lower arm. He glances down in annoyance and shakes his arm. A second pair of hands grab his shoulder and he is yanked back. He notices Amelia and Peter had grabbed him, breaking the Kelpie's spell.
Professor Kettleburn raises his wand, pointing it at the kelpie. "You will not lure my students." he commands.
The kelpie pouts prettily before changing back into the water horse.
"What's going to happen to it now?" Amelia asks.
"Send it back to faerieland?" Rosier mocks.
"Something very similar, Mr. Rosier. Kelpies belong to the Unseelie Fey, there is a Court located in the Forest."
"You're going to summon a member of the court?" Peter asks.
"Hagrid has already begun to search for the Fey. He should return with a member of the court soon. Anyways, class is almost over, are there any other questions?"
A few more hands are raised and questions are asked. Kettleburn answers each question.
Finally class is dismissed. He is about to turn to Amelia, but realizes that she has already immersed herself in conversation with the Care of Magical Creatures professor.
He smiles to himself before pairing up with Peter and trekking towards the castle.
He suppresses a groan when he sees Rosier and LeStrange lounging against the castle wall.
"A blood traitor with a magical horse lover? How perverted can you get, Black?" Rosier demands.
"You two were swooning just as hard as the rest of us." Sirius shoots back.
"Damn shame Amelia has a soft spot for blood traitors." LeStrange muses choosing to ignore Sirius's comment.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Peter demands.
"I would've loved to have seen that Kelpie tear Black apart." LeStrange spits.
Sirius feels his hand twitching towards his wand, "Say it again, LeStrange."
"I said, it's a damn shame that Malfory has a soft spot for blood traitors and mudbloods." the Slytherin boy mocks.
"Not worth it, Sirius." Peter warns.
"Yeah, it's a damn shame. Malfoy seems to be the only member of the bloody Sacred Twenty-eight. Her and my cousin."
"Andromeda is a fool, blinded by love. Despite her sorting into Hufflepuff, there's still hope for Amelia. Looks like the Black family is the one full of failures. The Noble House of Black my ass."Rosier answers.
"Oh yes, what a noble house it is." Sirius mocks.
"Come on, Sirius." Peter urges, grabbing his friend's arm.
"Yes. Run along, Black." Rosier mocks once again.
Sirius grunts and gives the other two wizards what he hopes is his worst sneer before following Peter back into the castle.
Amelia is about to begin her trek towards the castle to find Amos waiting for her. "So I've managed to book the pitch three times a week for the next month."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Well come Friday we are having tryouts."
"Let the dirt settle on the grave a little bit, no one is more excited than Rholanda and I to start playing again, and yet the first week isn't even over yet."
"Exactly! It'll give us a one up over the rest of the teams"
Amelia sighs. "I have no idea why Ted Tonks left you in charge."
"You voted for me"
