"Here we are, Gryffindor Tower," Ran said, stopping just short of the Fat ladies corridor. "Anything you wish before we part for the night?"

"I am running out of Tablets…" Hermione said, adjusting her grip on her impressive stack of books.

"If you have been using them as I instructed you should still have enough for the rest of the week, is this the case?" Ran said, and Hermione nodded in reply. "Very good, I will have more for you on Monday. Anything else?"

"I think I have a good idea on everything, thank you," Hermione said.

"Very well, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Remember to get at least three-to-four hours of sleep."

"Yes mis- I mean Ran Sensei." Hermione said.

"You don't have to force yourself to use Japanese honorifics if it is uncomfortable. I will accept Miss, Professor, or Doctor." Ran said, "Regardless, good night. If you excuse me I shall be retiring myself."

"But what about Hailey and Chen? You left them in the classroom." Hermione asked.

"You needn't worry, Those two are more than capable of finding their way back, not that they will be, I believe they have some… shenanigans planned for tonight, and I have no interest in chasing them up." Ran said, turning to leave.

"But wandering around unsupervised after dark is against the rules!" Hermione said. "Shouldn't you do something?"

Ran was silent, and Hermione wondered if she had offended the fox woman, but when she spoke it was in her normal level voice. "Hermione, I have a little assignment for you, a little thing to contemplate when you have a moment. It will not be marked, and you have all year to work it out, but I would like an answer before you board the train back home. Can you do this?"

Hermione stared befuddled at the back of Rans head. "I suppose I can, but what's the assignment?"

"Answer me this. Why do rules exist and when can they be broken?" Ran said.

"What?" said Hermione, her befuddlement increasing.

"I don't expect an answer immediately. In fact I want you to take your time. If you get back to me in less than a month, I will suspect you have not put enough thought into your answer." Ran said. "Goodnight Hermione."

Ran rounded a corner, and her footsteps ceased.

"Goodnight... Sensei." said Hermione absentmindedly, alone in the corridor, left to ponder Rans question.

"Dammit Hailey, are you done yet?" Chen said, Examining her claws in irritation.

"Give me a sec, this takes time you know." Hailey muttered, fiddling with the lockpicks.

"Come on, getting bored, here." said Chen, watching Mrs Norris chase red dots that only she could see.

"Lock picking ain't easy. Now stop distracting me, before I break another pick." Hailey said.

"Oh for the love of- let me do it!" Chen said pushing Hailey out the way before conjuring witchfire over her hand, and ramming it into the lock. "There, its unlocked, now let's get on with this, shall we?"

Hailey pouted, "I'll never get any better if you don't let me practice."

"Suck it up. Time and place Hailey." Chen said, "Now one more time, lets go over the game plan. You know what's behind this door?"

"Huge three headed dog, aggressive." Hailey said, quickly getting into the mood.

"And the plan is…"

Hailey Grinned, and two heavy iron chains dropped out of her sleeves, a faint green glow hinting at their conjured nature. "Restrain and immobilise with prejudice."

"Try not to leave any obvious marks." Chen said, "We are going for subtly here, we don't know how often they check on this brute. So no scars, no pulled fur, no gaping wounds, got it?"

Hailey banished the chains and flamboyantly saluted. "Yes Ma'am."

"Alright, so that's your job. Now what's mine?" Chen said.

"Backup for when this immediately and inevitably goes pear shaped." Hailey said.

"Good! now let's get in there!" Chen cheered.

"Yeah!"

And with a cheer they charged in.

Leaving a rather confused Mrs Norris, wondering where little red dot went, and trying to remember what it was doing before it appeared.

With Chen slamming the door behind them, Hailey wasted no time in casting her first spell.

"Chain Grapple"

Three oversized chains flew out of her Sleeves, huge manacles appearing at their tips, each snapping shut around the surprised three headed dogs necks.

Haileys triumph was shot lived however as she looked around the room. "Umm Chen, what do I chain him too?"

Hailey was then sent flying forward as the dog got over its initial surprise and tried to yank the manacle off of its necks.

"You okay up there?" Chen called from by the door.

"I'm fine!" called Hailey, who had managed to get behind the dogs heads on its back, "Just find something to anchor my chains too!"

You sure?" Chen called.

"Yes, now hurry before it tries-waitnononono-"

Chen cringed.

"Rolling over." Hailey Croaked. "Chen, please..."

"Oh right, helping now." said Chen, rolling up her sleeves.

Hailey and Chen sat panting, back to back, in the middle of the floor.

"Bit of a brisk workout huh?" Chen said.

"Easy for you to say. He sat on me… twice." Hailey said, "I probably smell of dogbutt."

"Oh stop whining, we got him didn't we?"

Indeed the three headed dog stared at them balefully from where it was chained down heavily, by several large hooks imbedded into the floor. Its muzzles were chained shut, to stop it from barking.

"How long do those chains last anyway?" Chen asked.

"As long as I'm within thirty meters, a few hours tops." Hailey said.

"Only thirty meters?" Chen said.

"Hey, I'm getting better. Do you know how many separate magical constructs there are in a single length of chain? One for every link."

"I guess that's also why you make the links so big?" Chen said.

"Well it works, and giant chains look cooler." pouted Hailey.

After a few more minutes of sitting there catching their breath, Chen sat up. "Well now that the metaphorical dragon has been slain, shall be go take a peak at its hoard?"

"Well that's what we are here for, I'm certainly not going back after all the effort we went through to muzzle that mutt." Hailey said.

"Now that's not nice. I Thought you liked dogs." Chen teased.

"I like my dogs, they are good boys." Hailey said, "I don't like giant homicidal three headed monster guard dogs, especially when they sit on my face."

"Are you still on about that? Come on let's check under the trapdoor already." Chen said.

"Well it matters to me." Hailey muttered, joining Chen by the trapdoor.

Chen opened the trapdoor and peered down. "Well... it appears to be a hole."

"A hole?" said Hailey peering down.

"A hole." confirmed Chen.

There was a moment of silence as they stared blankly down into the depths.

Chen shook her head, "No, there has got to be something down here, they wouldn't be guarding a damn hole!"

"I hope so. Either that or Dumbledore is the world's biggest prankster." said Hailey staring blankly into the dark, you think there is a ladder somewhere around here or…?"

"Hailey, we can fly." Chen said blankly, levitating off the ground "I'll poke around down there, you stay up here and keep Fluffy company, I don't know how deep this hole is, and if I need to make a rapid exit I want to know that dog is staying exactly where it is."

"Fluffy?" Hailey said.

Chen shrugged. "What else would you call a giant three headed dog?"

"Point." Hailey said, "K, don't take to long."

Conjuring a ball of Witchfire for Illumination, Chen descended into the darkness.

"Anything yet?" Hailey called down after a moment.

"It's not too deep." Chen called back. "The bottom seems to be filled with some sort of vine… wow it does not like fire, whatever it is."

"Sounds pretty normal for a plant if you ask me." Hailey called, "Anything interesting?"

"A door, that's it, I guess this goes deeper."

"I guess I'll come down then?"

"Guess so, We'll just have to deal with the dog again on our way out I guess."

Hailey grimace, "Oh joy." But hopped down anyway, shutting the trap door behind her.

Landing next to Chen, the girls peered around the door.

Seeing the room was largely empty, they stepped in. It was a large spacious room, with a very high ceiling. Several large crates littered the floor. Chen peered under the lid of one. While Hailey peered under another.

"I got broomsticks, what have you got?" Chen said

"Keys." Said Hailey. "Lotsa keys."

The other boxes yielded similar results.

"What the hell…" Chen said, scratching her head. But her thoughts were interrupted, by another door on the far side of the room made a rattling sound, before opening a moment later. And Professor Mcgonagall peered into the room.

"Hello? Is someone there?" she called.

No response.

Mcgonagall massaged her forehead. "Of course, nothing. I must be hearing things. I have been working a bit too late."

She withdrew her head, shutting the door behind her.

"From under a box lid, two pairs of eyes peeked out.

"Whats she doing here?" whispered Hailey.

"No idea, but I've got a feeling that there is more to see behind that door." Chen said. "Lets go, but quietly this time."

The pair creeped forward, and opening the door a smidgen peered into the new room.

Mcgonagall had her back to them, and seemed to be examining what looked like a large chess piece, muting incantations to herself.

Chen cast a small hush spell and started creeping across the room, beckoning Hailey to follow.

About half way across the room, Mcgonagall started to turn around, and Hailey and Chen ducked behind some more oversized chess pieces. Too late did they realise that they didn't close the door behind them.

"Now I could have sworn that I closed that door." said Mcgonagall, walking over. Chen and Hailey had to scoot around just so the chess piece would be between them and her.

Once Mcgonagall peered out the door again, Chen and Hailey made a break for the other door, and before they knew it they were safely on the other side, learning against the door.

The pair sighed with relief. Before repressing a gag at the horrid stench.

A large troll sat in a cage in a corner of the room, fast asleep. Chen tilted her head to an other door, and they moved on.

The next room was tiny, with a table in the middle, and a box full of bottles. Nothing seemed to be impeding their forward progress here either so they kept walking.

"Is it just me," said Hailey, thinking they were far enough away from the professor to speak freely, "Or has this been a little too easy? Apart from the dog I mean."

"Yeah, I think so too." Chen said, putting her hands behind her head. "My theory is whatever this is, it ain't finished yet. Mcgonagall was working on something back there, and most of the rooms had boxes full of stuff in them. They are still setting up probably."

"I guess that's handy," Hailey said, as they stepped into the new room, "This just makes things simpler for us."

"Maybe, maybe not." said Chen, looking around the new room. "Thought so."

"What do you mean," looking around the new, circular room, trying to see what Chen was talking about. "I don't see anything."

"Exactly, this is the end of the line." Chen said, "No doors, no half set up security measures, nothing."

"But then where is the thing it was guarding?" Hailey said, "It's just an empty room."

"Duh, they haven't put it in yet." Chen said. "Why would it be here, if they haven't finished setting everything up?"

"Oh right…" Hailey said. "...Does that mean we did all this for nothing?"

"Pretty much." Chen deadpanned.

They stared blankly at the empty plinth in the middle of the room.

"You can swear if you like. I certainly feel like cursing up a storm." Chen said.

Hailey took a deep breath.

"Frick."

"Pfft!"

"Darn." Hailey said, casting a sly glance at Chen.

"He-hehe s-stop it, trying to be mad here." Chain tried and failed to withhold laughter.

"Hecking."

The tension in the room was drained as the two girls descended into snickering.

"I think I needed that." Chen said as they sat down on the middle plinth, sitting back to back.

"We had fun right? Doesn't matter that we didn't find anything." Hailey said, smiling

"I guess so." Chen said. "You feeling less stressed now?"

"Definitely. It feels great to cut loose again, even a little bit." Hailey said. "Thanks Chen."

"Hey, what are friends for?" Chen said.

"Driving each other up the wall?" Hailey said.

"That too." Chen said, laughing. "Especially that."

"Well said, I although I must say I wish you had picked a different place for your little adventure." said Dumbledore.

Both girls fell over with a start as they tried to get up. Ending up in a little pile of limbs.

"For future reference, most students tend to just sneak into the forbidden forest." Dumbledore said conversationally.

"Eheh, Hello Dumbledore." Hailey said from underneath Chen, waving awkwardly.

"Good evening Hailey. Although I suppose good morning would be more accurate." Dumbledore said, with an amused look in his eyes. He also nodded to Chen, Good morning to you too… Chen was it? You are Rans cat if I am not mistaken."

"Charmed." said Chen upside down, "Ow, watch where you a putting that elbow."

The two untangled themselves and stood up. They regarded Dumbledore with a wary stare, weighing up the pros and cons of making a run for it.

"No need to be high strung, I can understand a bit of youthful high spirits. In my school days, I would think nothing of breaking rules in the name of fun." Dumbledore said. "But I must ask… what did you intend to do if you had found something here?"

Hailey and Chen looked at each other, before shrugging in unison. "To be honest we didn't really think that far ahead." Hailey said.

"We were mostly just doing it for the hell of it." Chen said, "Although we were pretty curious too I guess."

"Ah yes, 'because I can'. For for no other reason have more mountains been climbed and dragons fought. I suppose the talented must find things to occupy their time. Although I must ask, why do your talents lie in breaking and entering?"

Hailey pointed at Chen.

Dumbledore looked pointedly at Chen.

"I'm a cat, I don't believe in property, unless it's mine." said Chen, shrugging again.

"Of course you don't." Dumbledore deadpanned.

Dumbledore refocused on Hailey. "Nevertheless, I have been meaning to have a word with you Hailey. And while I wasn't expecting it to be about twelve past two at night in an ostensibly forbidden passage, I suppose this is a good time as any."

Hailey cocked her head.

"You see, I have heard some… interesting observations from your teachers about you. Various little thoughts and complaints about your behaviour and oddities."

Haileys eyes become glassy, and she started contemplating escape again.

"Hailey, do you mind smiling for me?"

Hailey gave a very forced closed mouth smile.

"With your teeth please." Dumbledore said.

"As amusing as this exchange is, I feel I must intervene."

"Yukari!" Hailey called, and glomped Yukari.

"Honestly, Pavlov would have a field day with you." said Yukari, shaking her head, and patting the excitable eleven year old.

"Lady Yukari, what a pleasant surprise." said Dumbledore, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh nothing much, just here to prevent Hailey from ramming her foot in her mouth." Yukari said.

"Owo~" Hailey said, sounding vaguely hurt.

"I see." Dumbledore said. I don't suppose you are willing to explain Haileys strange… behaviour in her stead?"

"If I must." said Yukari, putting Hailey down, and opening a gap. "I think this is enough adventuring for one night Hailey. Go to bed."

"Yes Yukari-sama." said Hailey, looking kinda sad to being sent away.

"Good girl," said Yukari, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Good night Hailey."

"Good night Yukari." said Hailey, looking a little happier, before walking through the gap.

"You too Chen." said Yukari.

"I'm still in this scene?" Chen said.

"Chen." Yukari said warningly.

"I'm going, I'm going." said Chen, holding up her hands defensively.

But before she departed, she turned to Dumbledore. "By the way, how did you know we were down here?"

"You tripeed every single silent alarm on the way down here." Dumbledore said.

"Wizards have silent alarms?" Chen asked incredulously.

"No. That's why they are so useful." Dumbledore said slyly.

"Huh." said Chen thoughtfully, continuing her walk to the gap, "Well played."

The Gap closed behind her.

"Now that we are alone, I suspect you have some choice words." Yukari said, "Let's hear them shall we?"

"Do you mind telling me what happened to Hailey? I imagine you know." Dumbledore said calmly.

"What? No blame? No wild accusations?" Yukari said, her hand to her mouth in mock shock. "No conflict based on preconceptions?"

"I try not to have them. They only get in the way." Dumbledore said calmly, "You didn't answer my question."

"No I didn't." Yukari said. "I think you will find I am not one to willingly volunteer information. I much prefer people figure things out for themselves."

"Then I don't suppose If I say my musing out loud, you might tell me how close they are to truth?" Dumbledore said.

"Of course. That is if you are willing to take my worlds at face value." Yukari said, "Let it be said few do."

Dumbledore thought about it. "Hailey is no longer human is she?"

"Correct." Yukari said.

"Has she become something like you?"

"If by 'like me' you mean a youkai, then yes. Like me." Yukari said, with a sardonic edge. "But that's the problem with blanket terms isn't it, they can be oh so misleading."

"I don't suppose you will tell me what she is exactly?" Dumbledore asked.

"You don't suppose correctly." Yukari said, examining her nails. "Will this take much longer?"

"I suppose I have one more." Dumbledore said. "What is it that you intend with Hailey?"

Yukari gave a long hard look at Dumbledore before giving a sinister giggle. "I really don't see why it's any business of yours."

"I am only-" Dumbledore started, but Yukari silenced him with a wave.

"I like you Professor, so I am going to make this abundantly clear." Yukari said, her Smile cruel, her voice icy. "Hailey is mine. I own her, heart and soul. I am letting you borrow her, to play student at this dinky little school of yours, because it may provide me with some entertainment. But make no mistake, should I get bored, or something upset me, I will leave, and I will be taking my sweet little Hailey home with me, and there is not anything you, or anyone else could do to stop me. And I will not suffer any attempt to have her taken away from me. As long as you remember this, we will get along fine. Am I clear?"

Dumbledore looked into Yukari's eyes, there was humor in there, but there was no joke to be found.

He sighs. "Very much so."

"Good. I knew you were a clever man." said Yukari said, her usual playful tones returning. A gap opened up behind her. "Now if you excuse me, I have other business to attend to."

But as she turned her back, and stepped into the gap she said. "It is sweet that you are worrying about her, but I wouldn't waste your breath. Unlike some people I can take care of those who are precious to me."

The Gap closed and she vanished.

Dumbledore felt a tension he wasn't aware he was holding relax somewhat.

He stared to where not long ago, Hailey was standing. He remembered how happy she was to see Yukari, the tenderness and affection Yukari showed to the young Potter. He looked to where Yukari stood, her eyes, her cheshire grin, her deceptive nature.

He sighed, massaging his head, and spoke to the heavens. "Can you hear me, Lily, James? I do not know what to do with your daughter. How do I not fail her as well?"

Hailey stepped out into her room, with Chen following behind.

Quickly she disrobed and got into her pajamas.

But as she was about to get into bed, she found a note on one of her four posters.

Hailey.

Can we talk?

I got some questions.

Sophie.

P.s Don't leave your private correspondence on the desk where anyone can read it.

P.p.s What kind of Pen name is Border collie?

"Huh… well at least she's honest." said Chen, looking over her shoulder.

"Yeah, real cool of her." Hailey said Sarcastically.

Bonus:

Dear Dirty Secret

I have been waiting to hear from you for ages. I was starting to wonder if Nicholae had gotten lost.

Nice that you like the new toys. I found them in this shop in Diagon Alley, the man said they were extra durable, I guess not durable enough huh? *winky face*

School is like what Miss Books does when she teaches you how to read and write, only you have to do it all day. And more stuff other than that. And there are hundreds of things you are not allowed to do. Sounds awful right? It really sucks. Be glad you don't have to go.

But don't worry, it will take more than this school to smother me! I refuse to be smothered!

Not a lot is happening around here right now either, school is very confining, but I did fight a giant three headed dog tonight. It sat on me, twice! And I'm still kinda mad about it! I enclosed some of its hairs I found on my cloak.

Definitely coming for Christmas, it's always the highlight of my year, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Miss you too, can't wait to see you again.

Border Collie *small picture of dog in glasses, hat, and forehead scar*

*attached note*

Gardener

Don't worry, it wasn't too hard to read, kinda.

I kinda figured those toys wouldn't last, but you never know with Dirty Secret. Does she still have the first one I got her, you know the dog one?

On the subject, do you have any idea what to get her for christmas this year? My options are kinda limited at school and it's never too early to start planning.

No need to thank me, I love being her friend, she's a real sweetheart outside of her episodes. And I'm glad that I met her. And you for that matter.

Love you both, The Mistress too when she hasn't got a stick up her but. Don't tell her I said that though.

Remilia looked up from the note, her brow creased in irritation. "She does realise I am the one who receives these right?"

"Difficult to say with Hailey." Sakuya said diplomatically.

Remila sighed, and stood up. "Regardless, I must give Flan her letter. Please give Meiling her note as well."

"I can do that for you if you are busy-" Sakuya said, but Remilia cut her off.

"No need, I am never too busy to spend time with my sister."

Sorry this took so long, first it was the end of semester, then it was settling in back at home, then it was my inspiration running away with me and starting another story. And having to sign up to centrelink, and go back to my job at the pub. All to eventually bring you a chapter that I technically finished months ago, but hadn't got around to editing. Sorry.

But yeah, new story here, check it out, The Path of a Magician, spin off of the Boundary Effect, you will probably need to read that first, but it's a good story especially if you like touhou and or Mass Effect, so no loss there. So go have a look if you like.

But regarding what I said about centrelink, its an Australian welfare system, and I have had to sign up as a job seeker. The extra income is welcome, but I have to apply to so many jobs each month, and am obligated to accept them, until I have a stable income. This is gonna be real rough on me, as I live in a small town, so I'd kinda like to get out of the system as soon as possible.

So I am wondering, how good is my writing? I mean, is it patron good?

Just to clarify, I am not holding my writing for ransom, I like writing way too much, and it already takes up a majority of my free time. But it would be nice to be able to justify the amount of time I spend on it, and the more money I earn the less time I have to spend on job search.

Honest opinions please. I'm not asking if you like my writing, I'm asking if it's worth spending money on. I'm not going to hold it against you if you say no. (PMs though, please, I'd rather the reviews being about the chapter rather than my financial situation)

But enough real talk, regarding the chapter.

Haileys dungeon delving yields disappointing results, I figured that considering that the Mirror wasn't installed until after christmas, that this was not pre prepared. Where is the stone right now? Who knows, not here though.

And honestly, apart from the dog, I doubt there is much here that will slow Hailey down anyway.

But this chapter was important though, because it's to remind people, that while Yukari does care for Hailey, she is still a youkai, and has no interest in any of the events in the wizarding world, she cares not how events play out, only that events stay interesting.

It's important to remember this, as it will give her future actions, or inactions context.