"It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the news paper." -Jerry Seinfeld

Chapter 7

Back at Number Twelve a small group of order members had gathered together early for a meeting that was to take place later in the evening.

"Arthur, what is the Ministry doing about this?" Lupin was examining the Daily Prophet, which was resting on the scratched wooden table that rested in the stonewalled kitchen. The fire was blazing, yet they all felt as if cold ghostly fingers were tracing up and down their spines.

"As much as they can. After Fudge was demoted they've been trying to clean up his mess. I just hope this campaign business is over with soon." Arthur sighed.

They all gazed down at the huge picture plastered on the front page. It was a moving black and white photo of demolished manor house that had been set ablaze. The dark mark floated malevolently above it. Voldemort's insignia consisted of a skull with a large serpent protruding from the mouth like a tongue.

"I don't know how long this protection Dumbledore's been talking about will last or even work. He keeps insisting that it will, but fear is spreading. Families have started to move away from the area. Voldemort will have soon killed hundreds at the rate the Ministry's going. Hundreds. That's not including all these muggle deaths." Lupin sat back in his chair, leaning his head against the wall.

"They're supposed to have a new minister by Monday. Fudge is out of there for good." Tonks said.

"Here they come." Moody growled. His magical eye seemed to follow something as it moved on the floor above them. Arthur shoved the paper under his chair.

Harry, Ron, and the twins, accompanied by Ginny, strode through the door, all of them laughing merrily.

"That was brilliant!" Ron grinned broadly at Harry as they sat down in some empty chairs.

"Have the others come back yet?" Arthur asked, checking his watch.

"No. Evil, conniving chit. I'll bet five galleons she's put in Slytherin." Ron grumbled.

"No respect for authority. Arthur you'll need to teach that girl some manners before it's too late. Beat them into her if you have to."

"Oh, come off it Mad Eye. You had it coming from the way you jumped all over her like that." Tonks twirled a strand of curly blue hair around her finger.

"I'm really sorry about that. I'd forgotten those rooms were connected." Hermione said bashfully.

"I still don't think she should be trusted with any information. We don't know anything about her other than what her Ministry sent us. Which is next to nothing." Moody's eye whirled into the back of his head and gradually rested on the spot where the main entrance was.

"There they are. What is that?" Moody scowled fiercely, transforming his face into a fearsome mask. The room tensed.

"What's wrong?" Lupin was heading for the door before Moody spoke again.

"The stupid girl bought a pet. How do we know it's not a Death Eater? We need to keep her from bringing that thing into the house, quick!"

"No, he's not dying, he's perfectly fine! Aunt Molly, please. I think there's some kind of allusion on him." I'd been arguing with my aunt for the past forty-five minutes. Bill and Charlie had tactfully avoided commenting.

"Astrid that thing is ugly, dirty and vicious. He is not coming into the house!" Molly yelled. We were standing on the sidewalk while the boys gathered up the heavier purchases.

"You're not bringing that creature into the house. I'm sorry, but no and that's final.

"Fine!" I spat, starting down the street.

If he wasn't allowed in, I wasn't coming in. I'd find a hotel to sleep in tonight and look for a job in the morning. They could owl my things to me. My wings were beating so hard that I could hear a faint hum. I heard Bill and Charlie call out to me. I ignored them and kept walking. I didn't get any further before someone roughly grabbed me by the shoulder. I immediately turned my head and bit down hard on their fingers after a hard jerk didn't loosen his hold.

"AHH! Blimey woman!" He screamed.

The thing in my arms growled menacingly at whoever had grabbed me. He jumped out of my arms and landed in front of me, tail lashing.

"Back away from it, Dung! Don't touch her!" Remus, Arthur, Tonks, and the freaky guy with the eye had burst out of the house.

"Get away from it Astrid! It could be a Death Eater!" Not knowing what Remus was frantically shouting about I spun around. A tall black man with a large gold earring in one ear was approaching me with his wand out; I didn't stop to think.

I flung myself side ways into an alley and rolled to my feet, leaping over garbage cans, dodging spooked cats and ducking behind old crates. My shopping bag banged hard against my side as I sprinted away. I zigzagged, making sure he didn't have a clear shot at me. They only thing I had going for me was how fast I could move on my feet. I nearly ran into a couple of unsuspecting muggles as I tore around a corner.

"Watch out! Sorry!" I yelled, shoving them aside. I hoped they had enough sense to stay down. I crouched down behind a dumpster in a dark alley off the one I'd just come from. These streets were like one giant rat maze! Feeling relatively secure in the fact that I'd lost him I let myself catch my breath.

A deep rattling noise came from somewhere near my feet. I briefly patted myself on the back for deciding on wearing the combat boots. Rubbing up against my leg was that absolutely gorgeous cat I'd bought from that wretched woman.

I went to pick him up but he turned those eyes on me and moved away.

"Where ya goin' little fella? Come back here. Hey!" He'd padded down the wet, foul smelling alleyway. He turned back to look at me.

"Merrow." He continued on down, stopping every now and then to look back at me. I got the message.

"Might as well. Lead the way then." He came back to rub against me. I sighed and wrapped my arms around my middle, adjusting the awkward shopping bag that I'd somehow managed not to drop. We walked for a long time.

It was getting dark before we finally stopped. The warmth charm had faded away a long time ago and I knew my wings were limp and shriveled from the cold. The street lamps had come on an hour after I'd ran from the Death Eater. It'd been around seven when I'd started following the black cat. London summers were a lot darker and colder than summers in Oregon. It was July for Pete's sake! I wouldn't turn seventeen for another thirty-three days. August thirty-first was a horrible birthday. It was the day right before this new school started.

"Merrow?" I looked around and saw that black cat had led me to a familiar looking door. I opened it and found myself in that old, murky pub I'd come through earlier to reach Diagon Alley.

"Good evening. Can I help you?" Asked a friendly witch with long brown braids. She was balancing a tray on her hip as she collected glasses and plates from a nearby table.

"Yes, a room for the night please." I said quietly. I followed her up to the counter.

"Name?"

"Gingersnap." I said.

"Ginger Snap? Huh, that's a new one."

I gave her a tight smile. I hadn't meant to say that. My stomach growled, telling me it was way past time to eat. I paid for a room for the night and took the offered key. She directed me to my room and asked if I'd like anything to be sent up.

"Yes, a sandwich and a glass of water please." She nodded and went to help some other customers. If the Weasleys came looking for me I wouldn't be hard to find. A big blue fairy with an American accent? Oh, yeah I saw her…

Ten minutes later I climbed up the stairs and looked for room number one-fourteen, wolfing down what was left of my sandwich. I walked a little farther down the way and sure enough there it was, fifth door on the left.

"I guess we'll camp here for tonight black cat." I opened the door and wrinkled my nose. At least it had a window, I thought. It wasn't that bad, considering the price. My opinion of the room improved when I saw the huge comforter on the bed.

"It could be worse. We could have no blankets." I locked the door and washed my face in the small sink. I sunk down into a nearby chair and sighed. My feet were sore I leaned down to unlace my shoes and noticed the dirt caked up the backs of my legs from running.

"Gross." I thought for a second and grabbed my bag. Inside I had two robes and the books I'd bought earlier. I debated with my self before settling on a quick scrub.

By the time I was done scrubbing I was beat. I glanced blearily into the mirror and grunted. I was no longer blue. I fell into bed and pulled the comforter over my head. I was so tired. I'd worry about what to do in the morning. I barely registered black cat coming to snuggle by my side before dropping off to sleep.

"Merrow. Merrrow. Meerrrrooww."

"Ugh, no. Go away." I moaned.

"Merrow!" I felt sharp claws kneed into my back.

"Ah! Okay, I'm up. You win, happy now?" I stretched and rolled out of bed. I stumbled over to the sink and splashed some water on my face. Rubbing my eyes I squinted at my watch.

"What time is it?" I yawned. 7:12 A.M. My eyes felt puffy from sleep and my mouth tasted awful.

"I need a tooth brush. No, scratch that. I need coffee." I itched my head. My hair was chin length and moderately tame, but that didn't stop it from frizzing out. I had a big dent in the side from where I'd been laying on the pillow. I smiled lazily. I looked like some mad scientist.

"Merrow."

I grunted again and closed the door to the bathroom, taking my bag with me. Twenty minutes later I came out looking much better. I'd put some water in my hair so it'd calm down and thrown on one of my school robes.

"Alright. Lets go." I shoved my cash into my pocket and left everything else on the bed.

I tromped downstairs and took a seat at a booth. Black cat jumped up next to me. I scanned the menu in front of me and was appalled.

"Excuse me, Miss?" A different witch than the one I'd talked to the other night came over to me.

"Yes?"

"Can I have a cup of coffee and a plate of chicken for my cat here?"

"I'm not sure about the coffee, but I'll ask Tom." She said before leaving.

"Great. I hope they have coffee here. I thought I was going to die when all I saw was tea and whatever the others were." I looked over at black cat and frowned.

"We need to come up with a name for you cat." I slouched down in my seat and rubbed his head.

"What do you think about Blackie?" He sneezed.

"Okay how about Simon?" He lifted his nose in the air.

"Nope. Umm, Prince?" I asked jokingly. He purred.

"You've got to be kidding me." More purring.

"Silly cat." I scratched him under his chin. He made a swipe at my hand, instigating a wrestling match with my robe sleeves.

"Here you are then, one cup of coffee and a plate of chicken from last night. I hope that's alright?"

"Perfect, thank you."

"Just give Tom this before you leave. You can pay at the register." I nodded and drank my coffee. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. I sat there for a while, thinking. I could leave and go explore Diagon Alley, but then I wouldn't know if anyone showed up looking for me. Besides, Molly would probably go ballistic on me if she found out I'd gone out without an escort.

"No adventures today cat. We gonna kick it old school and hang. That cool with chew?" His Lordship cocked his furry little face to the side. I ruffled his fur, earning me a swat. He was sensitive about his hair I noticed.

"I'll give you the four-one-one on up in our new crib. You dig?" I smirked. I'd always hated how muggle boys talked sometimes. You couldn't understand a word they said. I sighed and pushed my half full mug away.

"Come on cat. I'll tell you what. Let's just run up stairs and grab our stuff. That way we can be ready to go if anyone shows up."

After having drunk my coffee I felt better. I always tried to avoid caffeine highs because I hated that low point afterwards, so I tried to drink half or less. It'd worked for me so far.

We moseyed on up and I straightened the bed. Making sure I had everything I went downstairs and turned in my key, signing out. My spot had been taken while I was up so picked another that would give me a good view of the people coming and going. Fortunately someone had just vacated their seat by the fire. I settled down, setting my bag close to me so it wouldn't get nicked. Prince curled up in my lap as if it belonged to him.

"Oof. Careful there cat. You're not exactly a box of feathers." My only responses was a slight twitch of his ears.

"Spoilt lump." I muttered. I pulled out the book I'd picked up on a whim yesterday. I opened it and was amused to see that it was a little charm book. I skimmed through it and smiled faintly. It seemed to be an odd collection of spells ranging from household charms to fairly easy transfiguration spells.

"Where were you when I had that zit on picture day?" I looked up from time to time, checking to make sure someone I knew didn't miss me on the way out. It was around eleven when I finished the book. My stomach roused me and I decided it was time to eat something.

"Alright cat. Move. Come on now. Up. Hey, what d'ya got there?" His Lordship had started to tug at something around my neck. It was a piece of string with a paper clip hanging on it. I've never felt so stupid in my life. Without much thought I pulled on it.

"Pigwigeon." The all too familiar feelings of a portkey swamped me. My stomach dropped and jumped as I was whooshed away.

I grunted, it was way to early for a roller coaster ride. Thankfully the distance was shorter so my landing was less violent. That doesn't mean landing smartly on my rearis a pleasant experience.

"Ugh!" I'd fallen on the stone floor of the kitchen. I looked up and saw a number of startled faces leaning over the table. Quite a few of them had their wands out.

"I've come in peace." I said raising my hands. I examined the area around me for a second. My bag had split open and my books, robe, and wand had tumbled out. His Lordship was sitting in my lap, scowling at me. Some feathers in his wings were sticking out at odd angles.

"So cute." I said ruffling his hair some more. He ducked and gave me a reproachful look. I chuckled and looked up to see several redheads blinking at me.

"Astrid! MUM! ASTRID'S BACK! WE'RE IN THE KITCHEN!" Ginny had hopped up and was bellowing up the stairs. I winced as I slowly got to my feet, rubbing my back.

"Where've you been?"

"Mum's been going nutters—"

"We thought you might have—"

"Why'd you run off?"

"A Death Eater could have—"

"You're in so much trouble!"

"Hey, you're not blue?"

"When did it wear off?"

"Where's that monster you bought?"

"Moody said it might be a Death Eater—"

"An animagus trying to sneak in—"

"ASTRID!" The Army's questions were drowned out as Molly swooped down on me in a bone-crushing hug. Over her head I saw my uncle and other adults flooding into the kitchen.

"Let go—please!" I gasped. Molly complied and held me at arm's length. Where previously her face had been one of motherly concern and worry it was now a furious mask.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING YOUNG LADY, RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! YOU COULD HAVE DIED!" I flinched at her shrill voice. I tried to speak but she shook an angry finger at me, gesturing as she let me have it.

"BEEN UP ALL NIGHT—NOT KNOWING IF YOU WERE SAFE—EVERYONE LOOKING—HOW COULD YOU DO THIS—HAD A PORTKEY—NO EXCUSE—WAITED TILL NOW TO COME BACK—GROUNDED FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER—!" I tuned her out soon after hearing my punishment, which I'd been patiently waiting for. I wondered how closely my dad was related to the Weasleys. We didn't have the same surname, but talk about lung power! I let her get a few more sentences in before cutting her off.

"It certainly wasn't my fault! Remus said something about a Death Eater and I turned around and there was this huge wizard with his wand out coming straight at me. What was I supposed—"

"That was an ORDER member! You should have at LEAST come back to the house after the fact! It was EXTREMELY irresponsible of you to keep us up ALL NIGHT looking for you!" I could tell she'd been really worried but the yelling was starting to get to me. I tried not to raise my voice but I lost control. The anger in her voice made me nervous, guilty; it made me feel like I'd done her a grievous wrong an was now considered an enemy. I couldn't let her believe that; I wasn't guilty. It soon became a real shouting match with everyone else not sure what to do.

"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I'M SORRY, BUT I'M NOT PERFECT! IT'S NOT LIKE I WENT AND TALKED TO VOLDEMORT! DON'T YELL AT ME WHEN I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING!" I slammed the table with my fists. My face was hot and I was trying to suppress my anger.

"IF YOU WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE AND GOTTEN RID OF THE CAT--IT'S ALL THAT WRETCHED ANIMALS FAULT!"

"LEAVE MY CAT OUT OF THIS! HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU CAN KEEP AN ANIMAL LIKE A HIPPOGRIFF IN THE HOUSE, AND NOT MY CAT!"

"THAT'S NOT A CAT! THAT THING IS A DISGRACE! IT'S NOT MY FAULT—"

"WELL IT SURE AS HELL AIN'T MINE EITHER!"

"Ladies, please!" A tall elderly man with twinkling eyes and a silvery white beard was standing inside the doorway. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Why did she have to be so difficult? I saw a chair and wished it were closer. I looked away to stare over the old guy before feeling someone slid the chair behind me.

"Thanks." I said tiredly. I didn't look around to see who did it. I just wanted to sit down for a minute and relax.

"Now, I do think this kitchen is becoming quite crowded with so many people. Perhaps we should all settle into the upstairs drawing room…?" He inquired gently. Everyone began filtering out of the kitchen and up the stairs into a room off the hall that I recognized. It was the one with moss-green carpet, high ceiling, and olive-green walls.

His Most-Royal-Self padded next to me. I've got to pick a name for him, I thought. I can't keep calling him cat and Prince was definitely not an option. I threw my stuff, which I'd quickly wrapped up in my spare robe, near an armchair. A stern looking witch with her hair gathered up into a tight bun transfigured a writing desk into a long table that easily took up a good majority of the room. Others were conjuring chairs, or summoning them from downstairs.

"So. This is the silly little twit who've we've been searching for?" A tall, gaunt, greasy haired man asked nastily. I ignored him, staring fixedly at Dumbledore. He was obviously the one in charge of everything; thus the only one I was worried about pleasing.

"Everyone, this is Miss Vanderhorn. She will be starting her sixth year at Hogwarts this year. Her father passed away last June. I'm sorry for your loss. Many good men and women have been lost to us recently and I have no doubt there will be more before this war is over." Dumbledore said sadly.

Aren't you just a bright little ray of sunshine, I thought sarcastically.

"Now, I think the issue here Miss Vanderhorn," I glanced away from Dumbledore to survey the room. A rosy-cheeked witch was looking hard at me and talking quickly to the stern witch. I spotted the tall black wizard from earlier and my eyebrows shot up.

"Yes, I see you've meet Kingsley Shacklebolt, an Auror who works for the Ministry of Magic. He and several others are members of a group I'm sure Nymphadora," Dumbledore inclined his head toward Tonks who grimaced and scowled at Dumbledore. "Tonks informed you about."

I was surprised to see a number of disapproving looks directed at her from the others in the room. They evidently thought I shouldn't to know what The Order of the Phoenix was or who was in it. Yes, I was the unknown element, not to be trusted.

"Where's the animal? Dumbledore, we shouldn't—"

"I am quite aware of what is safe Alastor. Minerva, if you would please."

The stern witch approached my chair slowly; she was still peering at me intently over her spectacles but she soon directed her gaze to the winged creature who was hiding behind my legs. It hissed quietly, swiping at her before backing up slowly and rubbing it's nose against me. I felt oddly protective of it and went to gather it up in my arms. A firm hand on my shoulder stopped me. Arthur shook his head and gave me a reassuring pat. I frowned and turned back to the woman.

She looked closely at the kitten for few seconds and with a faint pop a tabby cat with spectacle markings around its eyes was where the witch had been.

The tabby began circling the now uncertain kitten. The tabby got a little too close and the kitten flapped its wings nervously, it turned those dark blue eyes on me. Intelligence lurked there, but he now seemed a little frightened.

Where was the spitfire I'd seen take on Kingsley earlier? This Royal stuff was going strait to his head.

"All right that's enough, you're scaring him." Not listening, the professor cornered Prince, causing him to meow piteously.

"I said stop." My voice was like ice as I glared down at the tabby. I picked up His Lordship, keeping a careful eye on the transformed professor. I pulled him against me and kissed the top of his head. He purred and hid his face in my robe. He was more like a little kid than a kitten; he was heavy enough!

I saw one of the male wizards roll his eyes and mutter something about 'women and small animals'. I gave him a look that did not thank him for the comment.

"Albus, that's not a cat." Minerva said. She was back to normal and had pulled out her wand. The other Order members followed suit and drew their wands. I set Prince down in my seat and stood. I was furious.

"What in the hell do you obscene clay-brained eunuches think your doing? Of course he's not a normal cat. He has wings doesn't he?"

"Wings, Miss Vanderhorn?" Dumbledore asked, his tone light and curious.

"Yeah." I was sure of it now; there was some sort of allusion charm on the cat.

"Would you care to describe what you see for us?"

I described Prince and saw looks of dawning comprehension on a few faces. Others seemed perplexed.

"Merlin's beard. It can't be." A small wizard whispered. "Dark creatures, very dark. Demonic like. I thought they'd all died out. How did this slip of a girl get her hands on one?"

Where did this guy get off calling me small? I was five foot eight and probably weighed twice as much as he did. He reminded me of a shaved bird, practically nothing but skin and bone.

"My cat is not evil!"

"Miss Vanderhorn, you will speak only when spoken to." The greasy haired man said sneeringly.

"Who died and made you dictator?" I snapped. I was becoming increasingly agitated with all their suspicious looks. These zealots were going to take my cat away. I hadn't had a pet since I was nine but spiders don't really count. By the time I wasold enough to want a petI was lucky if I could toucha dog before it snapped at me. Insects and plants were a lot more tolerante.

"Miss Vanderhorn, as your Headmaster I feel an obligation to inform you that both Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall are professors at Hogwarts." His eyes were twinkling merrily as he said this.

"Good thing it's summer then." I retorted, refusing to back down.

"I suppose you teach…potions? And maybe transfiguration?" The woman gave me an appraising look before nodding. The hook nosed fellow with the amazingly greasy hair narrowed his eyes at me.

"How d'you know?" Tonks asked. She seemed impressed. I smirked at her.

They were educated guesses really. Leaning over a cauldron all day would give you greasy hair. He was pale enough that it was likely he worked inside all day hovering over bubbling cauldrons. The woman had transfigured this huge table out of a puny writing desk; the fact she could transfigure herself into a tabby cat gave it away though.

"I was going to make you guess. Well?" She said impatiently. Imerely shrugged.

Tonks groaned dramatically. "Ron's right, you are evil."

I clicked my teeth together, bitting the air. She started, for the first time noticing that I had pointed canines. I noticed her alarm and closed my mouth immediately.I hated it when Icaught people staring atmy teeth. It made me uncomfortable.

Her offhand comment about me being evil ignited something amongst the Order members. I heard the bony little wizard talking.

"Catergys. Their called catergyses." The other wizards and witches had caught on by now and they were eyeing my warily.

"She's holding a catergys?"

"Only the darkest of witches and wizards could even approach..."

"Dark, evil things…"

"I've heard stories that would make your toes curl…" The wizards and witches around the room had broken into frenzied conversations by now and were talking animatedly amongst themselves.

"…Put it out of its misery…"

"We should have her questioned...We don't have any reason to believe she's not a practitioner..."

"…Be easier for everyone if someone just killed it…"

"Only a dark witch would be able to…"

"…Definitely dark magic. Wouldn't surprise me. Has a shifty look about her…"

I scowled darkly at heatedly conversing adults. These fanatics were so immersed in their own vision of what was right and what was wrong, that they failed to accept anything else. You were either with them all the way or not at all. I was astounded at their narrow mindedness. The world was not black and white, no one person was ever completely correct. I was the gray one here, the unknown element that had just showed signs of being evil. In there eyes that was evidence enough that I was somehow connected to the dark arts and in turn connected to Voldemort.

I snorted in disbelief. At almost seventeen, I knew I had more wisdom in my big toe than this lot put together. It was pathetic to see them pull out all these 'facts' they suddenly knew about me out of their asses. I heard someone claim they'd seen me rubbing my left arm. I laughed openly at that one, my expression scornful as I yanked up the sleeve of my robe. Bare skin met their eyes.

My potions professor was watching me carefully, along with an austere, regal witch wearing a green shawl. I shook my head, utterly disgusted with what was supposed to be Britain's only hope, the Dark Lord's supposed conquerors.

Before I could open my mouth and tell these bumbling idiots exactly what I thought of them, Molly shooed all of us out of the room as it became increasingly taunt with distrust. Dumbledore was calmly addressing everyone in the room as we left. Several looks of distaste followed me out. The Army had followed me out and I saw their unsure expressions and even a distrustful one from Ron.

I hurried upstairs. No one called out to stop me. I clenched my jaw, my anger vying with a frustrated helplessness. When I reached my room I shut the door quietly behind me and walked over to my bed. I wasn't evil, was I? I touched my teeth. They weren't real fangs. I set the big kitten on my pillows. It was biting its tongue as it slept. I smoothed its hair and gave it a small smile.

Maybe they were right. Maybe I was an untrustworthy, evil. Dad had said as much when he got riled up. I felt something digging into my side and sat up. I remembered my books and panicked for a moment. If the Dark Arts book was found in my possession…I went to the door and bolted it shut. I turned up the gas lamps that provided light for the room and went back to the bed, throwingback the blanket; the books were right where I'd left them.

"I don't think going down stairs is a good idea. I'm hungry." I walked over to the trunk and unlocked one of the compartments. I hadn't brought much but some of my friends had given my tins of cookies and the like. I pulled out one of these and crawled back onto the bed, hoping to take my mind off of the recent turn of events.

"I only have a few weeks to finish these. Better get crackin'."

(A/N)

OMG I've been up all night. Hope schools going well for all y'all

Tired, the author