12 Tuesday

Noelle hovered midair on her broomstick. The others were practicing fast laps around the towers, but she'd had to slow down and take a breather. The wind was strong and most who were less experienced on their brooms were having trouble. The students who doubled as Quidditch players were doing well on their own.

Reaching up behind her head to tie her hair back, Noelle balanced on the broom. Once it was out of her face she put one hand over the other back down and took off once again, falling into formation behind Ronald Weasley and picking up the pace.

As they took a sharp turn and she had to adjust her weight, she felt a twinge of pain in her arm. It was all bandaged up from the day before when she'd had her run-in with the venomous tentacula. Madame Pomfrey had eyed her up and down disapprovingly, tutting about as she'd gathered wrappings. Now, as she strained it, a little bit of fresh blood seeped through.

"Great, I've opened it up again." She rolled her eyes and pushed on, planning to fix it herself later.

Madame Hooch blew her whistle and everyone turned their brooms as they went around the tower, tilting downwards to land. As Noelle neared the ground she tilted up slightly to slow her fall, sticking her feet down for the landing. Luckily, it was a smooth landing. Despite her success with the plant the day before, she didn't want any further issues in class.

"No one falling on their face today. What a relief."

Noelle pulled her broom out from under herself and stood up straight, looking around. Madame Hooch blew her whistle again for everyone's attention.

"Man, she sure loves that whistle…" A younger male voice said next to her ear. Noelle turned but no one was speaking.

Madame Hooch folded her arms. "Very good students. Those of you who don't own your brooms, take your broomsticks and lay them in a pile here and I will see you all next week."

Professor Snape walked up and down the line of students, hands behind his back and head held high so he could look down his nose at each person. "Today, we will be learning about Inferi. An inferius is a dead body, reanimated. They are created through the art of Necromancy." While Snape faced the other direction, Noelle edged back behind the line, stepping back into in next to Paul. It always felt more comforting to be near someone she knew.

"Years ago, a dark wizard known as Gellert Grindelwald sought to create an army of these creatures, seeking out a magical force strong enough to do such." He paused, narrowing his eyes in Noelle's direction before continuing. So her moving had not gone unnoticed. "He who shall not be named has also been known to have created an army of these creatures in the First Wizarding War… An Inferius appears to be skeletal, closely resembling what the muggles know as 'zombies'. They may have some individual differences based lightly on the human used to create them originally. If ever faced with an inferius one should-"

Snape stopped as the door to Classroom 3C opened, revealing Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. He turned to face them. "Afternoon Headmaster, did you need me for something?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and nodded. "I would speak with you a moment Severus."

The professor went out into the hall and shut the door behind him. Once the door shut, the students immediately began discussing what the professors could be meeting about.

"Is someone in trouble?"

"Maybe there's been trouble on the grounds again."

"He looked so serious! Could Umbridge be back?"

"Umbridge got taken by the centaurs, how likely is that?"

Just as quickly as they had begun talking, everyone went silent when the door opened again. Noelle felt her heart quicken and then stop as all three professors' eyes landed on her. Severus made his way over and grabbed her arm tightly, leading her to the door.

"The headmaster wishes to speak with you Lestrange."

"Severus, release her, she's not in trouble." Dumbledore scolded.

Snape released her and she went out into the hall, feeling her limbs tremble with anticipation. She'd never spoken to Dumbledore personally before. She wondered what he could want with her.

Trying not to feel everyones' eyes on her, she watched the door close behind her. "S-sir?"

Dumbledore turned and McGonagall followed his lead. "Let's take a walk shall we Noelle?"

She nodded rapidly and walked at his side, avoiding eye contact. She was surprised he even knew her name. Though, maybe he did due to her status as Bellatrix's daughter. The thought made her even more wary.

"You said I'm not in trouble sir? Then, pardon my asking, what is this about?"

Dumbledore chuckled which put her a little more at ease, but McGonagall, who always seemed so serious, retained her stony demeanor. "Forgive me Albus, but this is no laughing matter!"

Dumbledore put a hand on her shoulder briefly, still smiling before returning his attention to Noelle. "We've been watching you Ms. Lestrange and I believe there has been something bothering you since your return to Hogwarts this year, am I right?" Noelle wondered what he could mean. Did he mean Voldemort? He didn't wait for her to answer. "Perhaps, voices speaking nearby but no clear direction as to from whom they originate?"

How did he know about that? She'd heard he was amazing but this was insane. "H-how did you know sir? Is there something wrong with me?"

He chuckled again and ignored McGonagall's disapproving stare. "No. In fact, quite the opposite. We believe you have a gift. A form of legilimency." At her look of confusion he continued. "Legilimency is the ability to magicially navigate a persons mind and figure out what you see there. In fact, your ability, though late in blooming, seems somewhat advanced in that you're already hearing thoughts. Is that correct?"

"Yes sir. At least, I believe so. I really didn't know what it was till now."

He nodded and looked to McGonagall who spoke up. "We have found a witch willing to guide you and help you become comfortable with this rare ability. You will have a lesson with her each Saturday until it is determined that you no longer need them."

"An owl will be sent to you with more details. For now you may return to your dorm as I see your classes for the day are over." Dumbledore smiled kindly.

Still slightly overwhelmed, but feeling more at ease knowing at least one of her concerns had a logical answer to it, and that she would receive help for it. "Thank you. I look forwards to it. Who will be teaching me?"

"A witch named Queenie Goldstein."