Three: Oroborus
Later that night, Aileen went to the Gryffindor tower. Being a teacher, she had access to all the common rooms in case of emergency (or, in this case, study sessions), but the portrait that guarded the tower didn't seem convinced.
"You're too young!"
"I don't give a damn, you stupid picture! I'm a teacher!"
Just then, Harry walked up, his arms full with books. "Professor! You came!"
"Of course I did, Harry. Now tell this…inanimate object…that I am a teacher and came to help you study!"
"She did," Harry said.
The portrait, though greatly offended, grumbled as she swung on her hinges to open the door to the Gryffindor common room.
Piles of books were everywhere, and there was little sight of students.
"Over here, Harry!"
"Oh, good! You brought Professor Kita!"
Voices came from behind the books. Upon further inspection, Aileen noticed there were actually a number of students crowded around one book on a table.
"Don't call me that. Call me Aileen right now."
"Okay." Reluctant to, the students gave in.
"What's the problem?" Aileen asked, finding a seat on a couch and sitting down.
"Professor Snape is having us create a Philosopher's Stone!"
Aileen's head suddenly snapped upright. "What?"
"He's having us make an imperfect Stone!"
"No, you idiot! He doesn't want an imperfect Stone!"
"In any case, Professor, we need your help." Aileen turned to see Hermione with a large book in her hands. "We have no idea what we're doing. And it's due by the end of the semester."
Aileen laughed. "Is that all you're concerned about? There isn't a way to do it. Sorry, but you're going to have to tell him that it's impossible. I know many who've tried and failed – numerous times. Now, is there anything else or did you drag me out here just so you could complain?" She looked at the dismayed faces, arching an eyebrow. One finally spoke up, remembering another area of study they needed help in.
"We wouldn't complain about an assignment, Professor. We just can't get it done alone. Could help on the homunculi assignment you gave us?"
Aileen smiled. "Now that is a subject I know and can help you on. Fascinating creatures, homunculi…"
Aileen proceeded to tell every bit of information she knew on homunculi, everything else she hadn't mentioned in class, and pretty soon it was getting late.
"…and, as I've said before, the seven homunculi are…?"
"Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Pride, Sloth, and Wrath," everyone recited. She had said their names so many times it was easy for them to remember the names of the seven homunculi.
"Isn't it funny how the only homunculi are named after the seven deadly sins?"
Aileen looked up. "Edward! How nice of you to finally join us."
"I finished my other homework."
"Have you heard about Professor Snape's assignment? The one about the Philosopher's Stone?" The words seemed to roll off of Aileen's tongue – taunting. "A curious assignment."
Silence hung in the air as the two stared at each other, neither backing down. "Do I know you?" Ed finally asked, confronting his suspicions.
"Not that I know of."
A few more minutes of silence went by before Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ed decided to turn in for the night.
"Aileen? We're going to bed."
"Oh? Night." Aileen waved to the four and turned back to the second-year student she was helping. She rearranged her skirts, crossing her ankles. She was barefoot again, her shoes discarded back in her room. But on the top of her foot was something that made all four gasp in surprise.
It was an Oroborus.