I guess I should say, that I'm not J.K Rowling and all her characters an places belong to her. I only own my OCs :) I would really love some feedback if you are reading this, so give me some love will you?

Chapter 1

Where the feeling of being lost grows strong

Professor Dumbledore's office was certainly something like Valerian had never seen before. High on the walls, numerous portraits were hanging, all staring at her and her father with varying expressions of curiosity and malice. All around the room scattered on every surface different kind of machines were twirling and whirling, making little noises and puffing smoke of every imaginable colour every now and then. This was all well and wondrous, but the thing that captured her attention and held it, was the beautiful big bird watching her with bright black eyes full of understanding and wit.

Glancing at her father and the others, assuring herself that they were engaged in conversation and not paying her any mind, she slowly approached the phoenix. The lynx had noticed the bird too, and her ears were perked up attentively, golden eyes staring hungrily at the red and gold coloured creature. Signalling to her furry companion not to follow her, Valerian got closer to the animal humming softly at the same time to show, that she was not a threat of any kind.

"You are a beautiful thing to look at now aren't you" she cooed to it after getting close enough to carefully pet its head with one finger. The phoenix singed her as an answer and pressed its elegant head against her hand, shutting its eyes and enjoying the attention it was getting.

Off in her own little world, busy admiring the beautiful bird in front of her, Val didn't notice, that the others had stopped talking and were looking at her rather expectantly. All her father had done lately was talk and talk and then probably talk even more, so it was unusual for them to be done so fast. It wasn't easy to arrange something like a fay attending to human school and a lot of preparations had been made beforehand.

"Val." Her father cleared his throat a bit uncomfortably at her behaviour.

"We have sorted out everything there is for now, so if you have something to say before I take my leave, now would be the time." he said.

"Can I come with you?" Val asked, knowing already what his answer would be, but still she couldn't resist the temptation to try one last time, just in case.

"Valerian we have discussed this already a hundred times." Launfal was getting impatient with her and it showed on his face. It was never a good thing to upset her father, who was known to be a strong headed and quick-tempered man. You never knew what would happen, if he got angry enough. Even the little things could sometimes set him off, and lately, they had all been kind of on the edge.

"I'm sorry father I didn't mean to upset you..." she hurriedly said regret thick in her voice, watching her father from under her eyelashes, with an adorable pout. Yes, she knew exactly how to use that to her advantage at times like these.

"It's just that I'm going to miss you and Vidar so much. " After seeing Launfal's expression softening instantly at her little act, Val smiled in relief and came over to give her father a goodbye hug and a small peck on the cheek.

"Kayn will look after me don't worry." she assured him, stepping back to give the adults some more room to say their parting words. Scratching her cat around its soft, silky ears she watched as her father gave her one last apologetic smile and then disappeared through the door.

Dumbledore watched carefully at Valerians expressions as her father took his leave from his office, and saw how the beautiful warm smile gracing her lips at her fathers presence disappeared the second the door clicked shut behind him. What was left was a mask, almost completely void of all emotion, those indigo blue eyes that were sparkling just moments ago, were now dark and wary. The difference was so striking, that it almost didn't even feel like the same person. It was certainly something to be concerned over, and he would have to keep close tabs on the girl, at least for the first couple of weeks.

"Come on now Miss Nightshade, its time we get you settled." he exclaimed scratching the bridge of his big nose, deciding that now was not the time for a heart to heart chat with his new pupil.

"This bright woman here is our Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, she will be taking you to meet your head of the house, and together they will have you settled in your dorms in no time. I'm sure you were explained about the customs of our school before, when you were sorted, so I'm not going to keep you up any longer at this hour. If you have any questions at all, you can address any of your teachers or the head of your house.

We thought it best to give you some time to rest tomorrow, so you will be joining the other students at diner. Minerva here has your schedule and your things are already waiting at you in your room." When he believed he had covered all the necessary details for the time being, he gave a nod to the woman at his side, smiled encouragingly to the young fay in his office and turned to fiddle with some parchments on his table signalling that the conversation was over for now.

Professor McGonagall ushered the girl quickly out of the office to the stone stairs, and led the way through the silent castle. All the while thinking, if Albus really knew what he was getting all of them into this time. She didn't really agree that the school was a proper place for one of the sidhe. Such a thing knew only trouble.

After what seemed like ages, but in reality was no more than one hour, Valerian was finally in her new room lying on her back on top of the bedspread, staring intently at the ceiling, not really seeing anything at all. Kayn was lying partially on her legs, feeling soft, warm and familiar. She was so glad that father had insisted that the lynx would come with her. It was the only familiar thing in this strange place, and it was comforting to know, that she had at least one friend here to keep her company.

Even thou normally wild animals were not allowed in the school, sidhe familiars weren't really like other animals. Kayn was a good example to that rule; she did look like a lynx at first sight, but had been around the fay so long, that their magic had had time to make an effect on her. She was a lot bigger than a normal lynx would have been, and her fur was almost completely white, with only faint silver grey makings. Her frame was somewhat more slender, more agile and her eyes were ice blue and sparkling with intent. Looking at her, it was almost impossible to picture the small, ordinary cub she had once been.

Listening to the soft purr, that slowly filled the dark room, it didn't take long at all, for her to drift of to sleep. She slept restlessly, dashing and turning every few minutes. Whimpering quietly and clutching the soft fur of her companion securely in her tiny hands. It wasn't the first time when in her sleep her mind was filled with images of her mother, and it was not the first time either, when she woke up cowered in cold sweat, panting and shivering in terror, dried tears staining her cheeks.