The Storm

After break on Monday, Siria parted with Hermione and Ron. While the two went down to the dungeons, she went up to Professor Chaudhary's classroom. It was at least as large as the Potion's classroom, but held maybe a dozen students. Each readied materials at their own table, meters away from each other.

"Potter-Black," Professor Chaudhary greeted her with a warm smile. She smiled back at him. "You must be quite the Potions expert," he said while he led her to a table. "Professor Snape's only approved one other student for independent study Potions, though I suppose most students don't apply if there's a teacher for it, or else parents are reluctant to approve it."

"I'm certainly something," Siria said and placed her bag on te chair. "Are there any rules?"

"It's mostly just the things Professor Snape listed, but I do need to see you researching or otherwise engaging with the subject," he said. "If you need to go to the library, you do need a pass, which I'll use to log you out of the class, then Madam Pince will log you into the library when you arrive and out when you leave." Siria nodded. "Let me know if you have any questions, though I'm no Potions expert."

"Thank you," she said and Siria pulled out Most Testing Potions a Guide to the Common O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. Potions. She flipped through to the Erumpent Potion. Then she pulled out One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi to go over each material.

Fifteen minutes before the end of the period, Siria bottled the bubbling green Potion. She put one bottle to the side, to be graded by Snape later, and then packed the others in her bag. Siria cleaned up her table. She brought the bottle to Professor Chaudhary.

"That looks lovely," Professor Chaudhary told her as he reached to accept the bottle.

"It's an Erumpent Potion," she said and Professor Chaudhary retracted his hand.

"I'll ask for Professor Snape to come for it. That's rather explosive, you know."

"Fair," Siria smiled. "Where should I leave it?" She asked and he led her to station for bottles, where she placed her Potion.

"How did you first lesson go?" Professor Chaudhary asked. "Are you a good teacher?" Siria smiled much larger than she meant to. "That good? Maybe you could teach me some day."

"Not in Potions, I—" Siria bit back the "I'm lousy at it" and raised her head a little taller, "I'm better at Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"See you Thursday, Potter-Black."

"Thank you, Professor Chaudhary."

Later that week, with her fellow fifth year Gryffindors, Siria headed down to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid beamed down at Siria, with a cow carcass over his shoulder. He didn't have any new cuts, but his bruises looked worse. "Got anymore o' yer balm?" Hagrid asked. "Darn handy, that stuff."

"Yeah," Siria rummaged through her pockets and handed him another container of the same size. "I'll bring you a bigger container this weekend," she said. "I'll have to brew you a batch."

"Look at yer, Siria the Potions Master," Hagrid smiled. Siria smiled in reply, though she felt far from a Potions anything.

"Alright, we're goin' into the forest," Hagrid told the class once the Slytherins arrived. "Bit more sheltered and they prefer the dark," he said as he led them toward the Forbidden Forest. [B5, 443]

"What prefers the dark?" Malfoy asked, panic in his voice (B5, 443). Siria almost felt guilty for her and Ron's grins. Malfoy's last visit to the Forest resulted in a runin with Voldemort, not that he knew that. Hagrid explained he saved a trip to the Forest for their fifth year, to show them something rare. He told them that he might have the only trained herd in Britain. [B5, 443]

After about ten minutes, they arrived in place where the trees were so close, no snow made it through to the ground. Hagrid dropped the cow on the ground and stepped away. He told to them to gather around then called for the creatures. It was like no call Siria had ever heard. Hagrid's call was a shrieking cry. Everyone waited in silence. [B5, 444]

Minutes passed with students looking around, waiting. "Oh!" Siria smiled, knowing she'd finally have an answer. She looked to Neville, who was frozen in terror. "It's just the horse things," Siria told him. He gave a single, silent, short nod. His eyes were fixed on the blank, white shing eyes of the reptilian-horse like being that pulled the carriages. [B5, 444-445]

At first, most of the other students wondered why Hagrid didn't call again. Hagrid pointed out that more were coming. Someone asked what they were. For answer, Hagrid pointed to the cow carcass, which was ripped in two by the creatures. [B5, 445]

"Thestrals," Hagrid introduced the creatures with pride. Hermione gave a small "oh!" of understanding. Hagrid started to explain that Hogwarts had a whole fleet, when Parvati interrupted to say that Professor Trelawney said they're very unlucky. Hagrid explained that they weren't unlucky, but are actually really clever. [B5, 446]

When Hagrid asked if anyone knew why someone people could see them and others could not, Hermione rose her hand, to no one's surprise (B5, 446). "The only people who can see thestrals are people who have seen death," Hermione answered (B4, 446). Siria glanced around again, there were at least five people who saw the thestrals. She wondered if any of them had seen the Death Eater eaten by FiendFyre, as she had.

No sooner did Hagrid award Hermione ten points for her correct answer, Umbridge gave her "hem, hem." As it was Hagrid's first time hearing, he consulted the closest thestral with concern. She coughed again. Hagrid greeted her in his usual friendly manner. For some reason, Umbridge spoke very slowly, almost as if breaking down the pronunciation of her words to help someone with their pronounciation, except hers sounded rude and not at all helpful. [B5, 446-447]

Hagrid either did not notice or chose not to acknowledge it. He informed her the class was doing thestrals. She pretended not to hear him. Hagrid repeated "thestrals" and flapped his arms as he described them. Umbridge noted, aloud, as she wrote on her clipboard "has to restore to crude sign language." [B5, 447]

Though Umbridge told Hagrid to continue, she interrupted him with leading questions. "You are aware that thestrals are classified, by the Ministry of Magic, as dangerous?" (B5, 447) and "Are you suggesting you know better than the Ministry?" when Hagrid answered that they were not dangerous.

"A dog er bite ya if yer bait it," Hagrid told her. Umbridge gave a little "hm." In her ridiculous slow tone and with her miming, she announced that she would ask the students questions. [B5, 447-449].

Hagrid did his best to persist through the lesson. Unlike with Umbridge's other inspections, she not only arrived late, but left early. Shortly after asking Neville who he saw die, she headed back to the castle. The rest of the class followed half an hour later. [B, 449]

Hermione argued that, for Hagrid, thestrals were quite good. "I suppose most teachers would wait until after our O.W.L., but they're quite interesting," Hermione said. Siria thought of Hagrid's Sunday return, when only a handful of Gryffindors greeted him warmly. The worst part was a small part of Siria knew Grubbly-Plank had a more sensible lesson plan. [B5, 442, 450].

Hufflepuff beat Ravenclaw in their match. To no one's surprise, it resulted in another breakup between Cedric and Cho Chang. Bianca Storm gave the prefects a lecture on keeping their relationships out of everyone's else's business. "And then she snapped that I shouldn't be snogging Olive in the library!" Ron huffed as he pulled Neville's Herbology essay from Siria.

"To be fair, you probably shouldn't be snogging in the library," Siria said. "Unless you want the Madam to throw you out again."

"I's worth it," Ron said. "When you get another girlfriend— or boyfriend, you'll understand again." Siria chuckled under her breath.

"Siria," called Neville. He leaned over his knees in the armchair to peer at her better. "I know you said I could copy, but I don't understand what this means," he confessed. Siria rose out of her arm chair in the common room, only to immediately lose it to Colin and Dennis Creevey. The brothers looked up at her with matching smiles. Siria narrowed her eyes, but said nothing and went to Neville's side.

"Ignore that bit," Siria told Neville. "It's about how changing color on animals, is why. That'll be next year." She put her arm along the back of his chair and read over him. "The thing about Vanishing Spells is they're not like Disillusionment or Invisibility Charms because it's there, but as something else."

"Like a Switching Spell?" Neville asked.

"It's more like when you boil water and all the water evaporates," Siria said. "All the pieces are there, but you can't see them anymore." She eyed down her paper then his. "You can keep that part in, but you'll want to look at Transfiguration Today, for the next part."

"I'm surprised it's permitted material," Neville confessed as he pulled an issue off the table and into his lap. "There's some really advanced stuff in here, like people turning into hedgehogs."

"The Ministry's not really interested in Animagi," said Siria. She caught Ron's eye. He tapped his empty wrist and Siria looked to her watch. "Neville, if you got anymore questions, ask Hermione when comes back down— or Colin, really," Siria said and swept her bag onto her shoulder. "See you!"

Siria hurried out of the common room before anyone could ask her anything. She leapt down the stairs to the second floor, where she slowed to a casual walk. With another glance over her shoulder, she slipped into Myrtle's bathroom. Her heart missed a beat.

In almost any other circumstance, Siria would have found the person glaring at her to be endearing. The adorable figure, shorter than Lily Moon, looked ready to fight Siria. Her long dark braids continued to sway from her quick turn around to face the door.

"Storm," Siria greeted. She forced a smiled and glanced over Storm's head, to Malfoy who mimed shaking a wand at Siria. He mouthed "Duel! Duel! Duel!" Malfoy froze, as if turned to stone, when Storm's head turned, ever so slightly, in his direction.

"I can't believe you're butting into people's duels," Siria said. "Shouldn't you be studying for your N.E.W.T.s?"

"You expect me to believe you and Malfoy sneak out to Myrtle's toilet every few weeks to duel?" Storm asked. Her eyes narrowed at Siria. Siria scratched at the back of her head and looked to Malfoy.

"You—" Storm began as Siria did. Storm cocked her head up at Siria.

"I was going to say you caught us," Siria said. "We meet here to snog." Malfoy rubbed his forehead as if to rub out the creases of disbelief.

"Potter-Black, you expect me to believe that the two of you sneak around to…" a tinge colored her cheeks. Siria bit her lip and rocked on the balls of her feet.

"Surely you can see why— so close after my break up with Moon," Siria said. "Storm, you know how some of the girls gossip."

"Then prove it," Storm said. She crossed her arms and smirked at Siria. Siria stiffened for half a breath. "If you sneak down here to snog, you must be close. What do you call each other?"

"What?" Malfoy asked, his face so pink they may as well confess. "That's awfully private," he tried to cover.

"Maybe I ought to tell Umbridge to board it up then," Storm said.

"My Little Dragon," Siria blurted. She clapped her hands to her face and hoped it looked like embarrassment at sharing and not humiliation at her desperation.

"And you?" Storm asked Malfoy. Siria peered through her fingers at them.

"Kitten," Malfoy lied with more pride than Siria could manage at this point.

Storm swept her braids around. She placed her hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow at Siria. Her silent examination was maddening. Siria dropped her hands from her face to stand with her hands loosely in her pockets. She gazed through her bangs at Storm, who moved her glare to Malfoy.

"While I'll note your poor quick thinking, I happen to know you're not here to snog," Storm told them. Siria rushed her hands into a "come on!" at Malfoy, then snapped them back into her pockets. He mouthed "not me!" when Storm flickered her gaze back to Siria. "Sure, you might casually engage in romantic things here, but it's not your main goal. You don't spend an hour in a secret or invisible room for privacy."

"I mean, we do," Siria confessed honestly to that part. The only true thing she had said since stepping in. She sighed.

"Alright, Storm. We aren't together, but we do sort of duel," Siria said. "What? Do you want in?"

"Quite frankly," Storm snapped, "yes."

"What?" Siria asked. She leaned down, as though being closer to Storm would change the answer. Storm stuck her hand out, to stop Siria.

"I have my N.E.W.T. this year and I need at least an E in Defense Against the Dark Arts," Storm said.

"Oh?" Siria asked. She stood back up and looked to Malfoy. "I mean," she shrugged.

"Other," Malfoy mouthed at her. "Other!"

"Okay. I do need you to sign a contract, of sorts, to not say anything to Umbridge," Siria said.

"Fine," said Storm. "But, I've a lot of catching up to do, so, if you can do a few private lessons— you don't have another match until February, so Quidditch shouldn't be a problem. I'll speak with Johnson," and she left them.

"My little dragon?" Malfoy repeated in a hiss. "What in Merlin's name did you call Moon?" Siria scoffed.

"Kitten? What part of me is remotely cat like?" Siria snapped back. "Paddy would've been better."

"Patty? Like Patricia?" Malfoy asked. The two sighed.

"Sorry," Myrtle whispered as she floated down from the ceiling. "I missed you when I left to find you," Myrtle told Siria.

"It isn't your fault," Siria said. "We need a better lie than 'dueling'."

"Because 'snogging' was so much more believable," Malfoy shook his head as he stomped down the stairs of the room.

"It's because it's so unbelievable that it is believable," Siria defended. "No one's going to think we'd lie that poorly."

"We apparently do lie that poorly," Malfoy put his bag down. Siria let hers fall off her shoulder as she whipped her wand out. "We drastically overreacted. She just wanted to join."

"Who would expect that from the Headgirl?"

"Who would expect the Headboy would help start it?"

"It's over, at least" Siria said. She smirked as Malfoy raised his wand. They bowed.

December brought more snow, unflyable conditions, and an avalanche of homework (B5, 451). Prefect duties increased, but Cedric and Storm tag-teamed to get D.A. evenings off for them. "But every last one of you better have your homework done," Storm told the D.A. members. They spent a half hour every lesson checking everyone's homework as Storm got her one-on-one time with Siria.

Astoria Greengrass crab walked along the wall, to Siria. "Astoria!" Siria heard Daphne hiss. Siria scanned around to see Astoria behind her. She raised a hand as Storm lowered her wand. "Sorry," Astoria said to Storm. "Hermione said you're rattling things," Astoria whispered. "She didn't want to draw attention, but she said it'll be bad if someone else notices. Can you tell me something about how to turn a teapot into a tortoise?"

"Uh…" Siria paused, "you have to think about what the tortoise should look like and not what the teapot does?" Siria said with less certainty than she should have. "Picture how the shell should look, the way the skin should feel, like when you turn a snail into a teapot."

"Oh!" Astoria announced in a clear voice that carried. "That makes a lot of sense," she beamed at Siria.

"Good, but don't sneak up on people dueling," Siria said. "I appreciate the warning," she whispered then raised her voice so others would hear. "If I dodge a spell and don't know you're there, it'll hit you."

"You could fix it fine," Astoria assured her and skipped back to Daphne's side. Millicent covered her grin at Daphne combing Astoria's hair with her fingers.

"You're well liked," Storm noted. She put her wand away. Siria slid her wand into her jacket pocket and nodded. They approached each other.

"You're respected," Siria said. Storm winced a smile.

"I am feared, and there's a difference," Storm said. She glanced through the Room and her fellow D.A. members. Siria rubbed the back of her neck.

"I mean—"

"You do that often," Storm noted. "It's a tell that you're not sure. You should fix that," she said and walked away. Siria mouthed, wordlessly, at the air Storm had filled. Each of their conversations ended on Storm's terms and Siria let them.

WHEE!

"Okay," Siria called to the Room. "I've got something special planned for the next lesson. It'll be the last one before break—" she let the boos pass, "— so I expect you all to be on your feet and ready to go. I'm confident you've got it in the bag."

"What is it?" Susan Bones asked.

"Something from Hagrid?" Hannah Abbott asked.

"You'll just have to see."