A/N: Sorry it took so long, but here it is. It's been so busy, albeit not unpleasantly so, that I have not had the chance to write this until know. I also had to mull over how the intricate details of the plot in later chapters will match up with these earlier ones. The feat is more difficult than it seems. Oh, well, read on [If you haven't already konked out on your keyboard while reading this preamble

Chapter 3

Her Awakening

Leda felt a numbing pain on her right side. She opened her eyes. Everything was oddly blurry.

She instantly sensed that she was not in her room. She panicked.

Opening her eyes frantically, she found herself in unfamiliar territory. Her cheek was against the cold, hard, unwelcoming floor, and she could see a pair of feet walking towards her and coming to a stop.

"What are you doing here?" asked a voice directly above her. It was a charming one, with a hint of arrogance, and was that of a boy.

Standing up like a disoriented drunk, she was face to face with a handsome boy of about her age. He had dark wavy hair that framed his face in a flattering way, and dark green eyes.

He was exceedingly attractive, although his scrutiny did make her a bit nervous. After all, she had had little human contact, besides her mother, and was unaccustomed to the penetrating gazes of inquisitive boys. Add the fact that she had no plausible response, she was speechless.

Gathering whatever remained of her cognitive abilities, she frantically observed her surroundings, eager for some sort of clue that would tell her where she was. A long corridor was in view, with several doors on the walls. Nothing.

She looked at the boy again, who was raising his eyebrows, waiting for a response. He wore an old-fashioned set of robes. There was a crest on the right side of his chest. Slytherin.

Comprehension dawned on her face, but it quickly contorted to concentration as she thought of an excuse to give to the boy. She could think of none.

"I said, what- are- you- doing- here?" he repeated slowly, somewhat agitated at the lack of response.

"I must see Professor Dumbledore," she blurted out. Of all the people in the past that she had heard of, Professor Dumbledore's name seemed to be the one that stuck out the most, considering the book she had found a couple of hours or so.

"Why?" he asked, narrowing his eyes while giving her a questioning look.

"Um….." she started, but was interrupted when a hand patted her back.

"My dear niece, so nice to see you!!" said the cheerful male voice behind her. She turned abruptly, and was met with the sight of a twinkling-blue-eyed, red-haired man, possibly in his 30s or 40s, and was instantly reminded of her mother's old pictures from her school days. The man in front of her was Albus Dumbledore.

Under normal circumstances, Leda would shrink away from any strangers, but the man's amiable appearance and expression, and the fact that he saved her in just the nick of time from inventing an excuse all contributed to the fact that she was very happy to see him.

Leda decided to play along. "Uncle!!!" she exclaimed, and proceeded to give the man a small hug. He reciprocated with a paternal-like kindness, lightly patting her back until she reverted to a normal stance.

Turning to Tom, Dumbledore said, "It's good to see this young man has been taking care of you, isn't it, my dear?"

"Oh, yes, he was about to give me directions to your office when you came," she stated, giving Tom a pointed doe-eyed look.

"Sir, it was no trouble at all," he replied with a hint of a smile, "I'm simply glad to know she is all right, considering the odd condition I found her in. May I inquire as to the young lady's name?"

"Leda," she stated, somewhat irritated at his tone. Somehow, Dumbledore's sixth sense seemed to have caught on.

"Well, Tom, you must return to your duties while I must take this young lady to sort out her papers. She will be joining the student body quite soon."

"Good night, sir. Miss." he said, nodding respectively as he addressed them, and headed towards the other direction.

Looking at the retreating form of Tom, Dumbledore said kindheartedly, "Let's get you to my office."