Nearly every time Kieran turned around there was Ms. Fairwater, the Ministry worker that had spirited them away that day. Ms. Fairwater did not stress enough the importance of keeping Magic hidden from Muggles, and that Kieran's little 'outbursts' would not be tolerated. Kieran couldn't help it, in fact, she didn't want to. Magic felt wonderful, and although it never happened quite as she envisioned it, to her it felt exilarating - But she would play her cards, convincing Fairwater that of corse it was always an accident, even when it wasn't.

In her 'Muggle School' years she attended a small nearby building that doubled as a library with a handful of children. It was located on the reservation, which was the protected 'Tribe Lands' that her father's people came from. Kieran grew frustrated being slower than other students, and she wished desperately she could show them that she held qualities in much 'cooler' aspects than being able to multiply silly little figures. Many times she did create mischief, and was therefore cast out by her fellow students. At one point they even began to pick on her, but that was quickly resolved when she pushed a boy into a river – another accident, of corse.

Since then the children on the reservation feared her, and the bitterness only grew in her heart. She began to steal things, things that the others didn't deserve, or so she thought. Then when she was called out on it, she would blame others, turning them against one another. Kieran felt a thrill doing mischievous things, but only to those who had hurt her, those who 'deserved' it. Though, Kieran was clever, and when it came down to the people she wanted to be closer with, like the creatures of the magical world, despite how tricksy they were, she would patiently get into their good graces just to have a further glimpse into the world beyond her own.

After some time Kieran had made friends with Gnomes, a Mooncalf, and easily enough, Fairies, and eventually she found herself more at home in the forest, sketching out their delicate wings, and scraping her knees in the mud. But soon her life would change with one visit from her least favorite adult, a Yumbo, and a letter, sealed with wax.

Out of breath and hair knotted with ferns, the eleven year old with her sun-kissed skin, and abundance of freckles stood at the entrance of the little cabin. stood just opposite her, her posture as astute as ever, and with her a small, dark skinned person was being embraced by her mother. Arietty's gaze of one hazel eye and one brown quickly locked onto Kieran and she let go, standing gingerly. Fairwater turned with her uncomfortably pinchy lips in a smile, that faded quickly at the young girl's appearance; Kieran was covered in forest, her fingernails caked in soil, and her knees a mixture of scraps and mud- and just there in her hand, now dusted in soil, a book on fairy tales..

"Ah, glad you could join us – I have something for you." Fairwater chirped, shuffling through her paperwork she pulled out an envelope of yellowed parchment. Kieran never trusted Fairwater - though the memory of that time in the courtroom was just a miserable little blur, the frustration over Fairwater and her mannerisms never ceased to annoy Kieran, and the secret motives behind them. Flipping over the envelope in her hand revealed green writing that stated "The little cabin in the woods." along with her name. Her eyes scanned over it twice, making sure she had read it properly.

"Hello, who's this?" Kieran asked pointedly, more interested in the non-human person now picking through her latest crafts, then the letter that sealed her fate.

"Wasimbu." the Yambo answered gruffly, his African accent thick.

"This is Wasimbu. He's a Yumbo that's been serving our family since our great ancestor Seraphis." Arriety clarified.

"Your..invitation – Open it." Fairwater urged, but Kieran was transfixed on the Elf, her heavy-browed eyes the size of saucers.

"- You mean the 'Dragon Rider'!? I thought that was a fairytale. You actually KNEW Seraphis? What was he like? Did he really ride Dragons?" Kieran lost her composure entirely, but the Elf didn't seem bothered, in fact there was a slight twinkle in his dark eyes as he looked at the young Kieran.

"it true, but even betta, he 'make' Dragons - Make first Amphithere, like family coat of arms." the Elf pulled out a ancient looking copper pendant of the Nathair crest, the same one her mother had, but never wore.

"Woah…" Kieran was left speechless, but her mind raced with questions. Finally she looked at the envelope in her hands "Did you say invitation?"

"Yes, please open it" Fairwater pushed. Eyeballing them suspiciously, Kieran wasted no more time and ripped open the wax seal pulling out two pieces of paper. As Kieran read in her slow pace, Fairwater nodded and sighed satisfactory "Hogwarts is a school for young Witches and Wizards, there you will learn how to control your magic and expand its possibilities" Fairwater explained.

Kieran gapped at Fairwater for a short time, and then her Mother. Staring at the letter with disbelief - this could be some cruel joke, she thought. "You'll get to meet kids like you, start fresh..Maybe.. make some friends?" Her mother noted softly. Kieran's heart began to leap from her chest with anticipation, and a smile crept on her face, growing from one ear to the next. Her head swarmed with thoughts – She could perform magic, without getting in trouble? She would have the chance to learn it, to master it?

"When am I going?!"

As September neared Kieran became more and more restless, she had dreams about young Witches and Wizards with their pointed hats, laughing at her for not being able to produce simple charms – But, by the end of of the dreams she had become the most powerful Witch, and they worshipped and adored her, everyone wanted to be her friend, even the teachers, and then she would laugh wickedly and ride off into the sunset on her an amphithere's back, and wake up more restless than the night before.

Wasimbu, the African House Elf gave Kieran a fragment of Seraphis's journal, all written in a strange language she had never seen, and yet understood perfectly- It was the language of the 'Nathair', Wasimbu told her, but when she spoke it with her mom, Arietty didn't understand, frantic, she told Kieran to never speak that way again. The journal told of his findings of a sea serpent that had become trapped in a lake, it killed every fishermen for fear they would take all of its food, and was then persuaded by Seraphis to let him help her. The Water Serpent became loyal to him after that, and was even willing to help in his experiments to combine a great serpent like herself with a Dragon; Ending in the creation of the Amphitere, a winged serpent. He also told of a scale he was given by the Amphitere, which he used to produce a wand. The Journal also mentioned that the sea serpent spoke differently than a basilisk, and that if he listened hard enough he could even understand the harsh grumbles of Dragons.

Fairwater came by more often, explaining to Kieran rules, and how the Wizarding world functioned. Kieran listened patiently, thinking if she slipped up even once they might recall the invitation, and leave Kieran to her own accord. Kieran asked about Hogwarts and was explained, very briefly, the four houses, the current Professors with their silly names, and the classes – Kieran's heart soared at the idea of them all, each sounded a million times more fascinating than boring, complicated math and the very inaccurate American History.

Kieran awoke to the bustling of her mother "Kieran! Up! Get ready!" Arietty barked, fussing with her frizzy curls, and a large hole now torn into her skirt. Kieran groaned and sat up, her own hair was dark like the damp soil, much longer, and much more unkempt. It had been years since Arietty finally gave up on brushing the girl's hair, and just the sight of scissors resulted in a burnt hand. Simply slipping on her oversized rain boots Kieran shuffled to the bedroom door and glared through the sleep induced blur.

"Wh'ur 'er we goin?" she mumbled, rubbing the gunk from her eyes in attempts of seeing better.

" got tied up, and she wasn't able to get your school supplies finished. They are sending over someone to escort us now so we may finish it ourselves." She said, the anxiety was something Kieran never missed in her voice.

"You mean we can.. apparate? To where?" Kieran buzzed, barely containing the excitement in her voice. Wasimbu was patching an already overly-patched sheet with the wiggle of his fingers.

"Diagon Alley.." Arietty said, almost regretfully. Kieran had been informed about the arrangement, though many details were left out, she knew that 'evil' wizards lingered in the shadows, and for some reason they had motive to hurt them. Kieran knew there was more she wasn't being told, but didn't ask, for doing so always resulted in a distressed mother, and an irritable Kieran. "You remember what I told you?" Arietty asked firmly.

"To be cautious?"

"Do not stray far from me, do not turn down a dark alley, do not take anything strange from anyone, or go with them anywhere." Arietty added, her dual colored eyes looking at Kieran accusingly. "-and if you need anything, Wasimbu can be there in a snap, no matter how far."

"Alright, alright. You got it." Kieran groaned.

Just outside their door they could hear the familiar crackle of someone apparting, Kieran didn't waste time to open the door and was greeted by a man in a black robe, with his matching pointed hat. Once they had made sure no bear, or wild 'thing' might come into their house they disapparated from the property to same portkey they used before. After some nauseating flying through the air, which Kieran's excitement only worsened, they arrived in front of a dark alley, in a city she had never seen, outside of pictures.

The man was stubbornly quiet and directed them into the darkness "I thought you told me not to follow strangers into dark alleys?" Kieran chuckled. Arietty however did seem unnerved, but obeyed the Ministry worker. Pulling out his wand, Kieran marveled at the sleek dark wood finish and watched as with a complex wave of his hand the wall of mossy brick began to open. They made their way inside quickly and continued down the near pitch dark alley, despite the daylight "Must be a charm" her mother commented. One right turn, and two left through the darkness, the light began to flood in and the silence was washed away by the busy alley, Diagon Alley.

Kieran hadn't ever seen this many people at once, not that she could remember, each and everyone was clothed in costumes, Witches costumes – but they were authentic, she thought, and knew then she wanted one of her own. They stepped into the bustling alley, to her right and left were funny little shops filled with the most unusual things. "Your list." The man said simply, his voice was quite deeper than she imagined it would be. Kieran pulled out the list that had been folded over so many times in her hand the ink had begun to fade.

had crossed off several smaller things she had managed to find, mostly second-hand, but still firmly loved by Kieran all the same – as all her stuff had been. "Robes." He grunted, and Kieran wondered if perhaps the man was incapable of more than two words at a time. He nudged towards a shop with a strange name that Kieran couldn't pronounce. With her mother's hand firmly lodged onto her shoulder they pushed against the flow of the crowd towards the shop.

Inside was exactly what Kieran had been wanting, Witch's robes. A shop assistant didn't hesitate to make her way over to the new customers and smiled largely. "Hello there, here for your Hogwarts robes I'm assuming?" she asked, her eyes scanning over the wild-looking Kieran. "Just stand there, I'll be with you in a moment." Kieran stood on the small circle platform like the others being measured and jumped slightly as a measuring tape began to wrap around her, all by itself.

Quickly and efficiently the measuring stopped, and just moments later Kieran received her robes, they were long and black, open in the front with long draping cuffs and a long pointed hood. Kieran refused to take it off and wore it out of the shop. Playing with cuffs, her hands out to the side she imagined what it would be like to fly on a broom like the ones she saw in the windows, she twirled around and around as she was guided by the Ministry worker to get her wand,her mom trailing a step behind.

Kieran fumbled and collided into someone, a sharp gasp and a tug from her mother made her blink rapidly and look up. Standing just in front of her was an old woman who had long silver hair, and youthful elegance to her. She wore emerald formfitting robes, far more formal than Kieran had ever seen, her lithe fingers were covered in silver rings, like snakes, that slithered across her knuckles, as well as a matching necklace that hissed into her ear. Kieran was restrained by her mother in a viper-like grip.

"Well, well." The woman began, her brow quirked with amusement. "So this is my Great Niece? What on earth have you done to her hair?"

Kieran glared for a moment "My hair's fine, lady." she turned to her Mother "You know this christmas tree?"

"You will watch your tongue." the woman snapped, and without Kieran's consent her mouth was sealed shut. "Better. You should speak to your Elders with respect." She hummed smugly, but in her expression there was something almost akin to angst - not for any reason Kieran could place.

"What are you doing here, Esmerelda" Arietty asked coldly. The Ministry worker had just barely managed to realize what had happened and came stomping over to them "Busy, do not stop-"

"I am speaking to my family, now run along." Kierans Great Aunt commanded.

"Official Ministry business, M'am, can't do that." He defended firmly.

Esmerelda glared at him for a moment, and Kieran wondered if silently the woman was hexing him. Her cold emerald eyes landed back on Kieran and then Arietty "Where have you been? I've been so worried." She said, but there was no concern to her voice in the slightest.

"Oh now you care?" Arietty scoffed. "You have no business in my life, or MY Daughters. Good day." She snapped, not hiding the venom in her voice. The woman sneered slightly, but as the Ministry worker fumbled with something in his pocket the coy smile returned to her face and she bowed curtly, her icy gaze trailed over Kieran for a moment "I have something for you, you don't want it?" she asked Kieran.

Kieran shifted uncomfortably, and her mouth became unsealed, but she had nothing to say as her Great Aunt pulled out a long black box from seemingly nowhere. When she slid the lid open Kieran didn't need to ask to realize what it was, and despite herself, her eyes went wide, exposing how much she did in fact want it.

"This wand has been in the family for generations, though, it hasn't connected to anyone in nearly five hundred years, we always keep it close, so that the newest member of the family may attract it." Esmerelda said softly, each word was filled with a seducing poison, and Kieran allowed herself to be put under its spell.

"That is not yours to give!" Arietty snapped quickly.

"It's the Nathair families - It is just as much mine as it is yours." She hissed in return, then turning back to Kieran her voice became soft once more "- But now, it could be yours." She jested. Kierans stomach fluttered with nervous excitement, the wand was of ebony wood, its handle carved with a winged serpent-like body that's mouth opened at the handle, swallowing a dark crystal that glittered in the early evening sun- then it hit her "That's Seraphis's wand."

"Yes, it is." Esmerelda grinned viciously, another advantage given "-and it calls to you."

"How were you notified of their arrival?" The Ministry worker interrupted. Esmerelda glared at him and shrugged innocently "I was just.. in the neighborhood – Now, Kieran.. what do you say?"

Kieran finally pried her eyes away just long enough to give her mother a pleading look "I need a wand anyways, right?" she asked, her voice soft. Arietty looked mournfully at her daughter and nodded, biting her lip. Kierans face twisted into a victorious, uncontrollable smile and she snapped her hand out to it quickly, but gently. The moment her fingers embraced the ancient wood, tingles erupted down her right arm and buzzed through her body. She was overwhelmed by a warm feeling, one of power and control, and at that moment a very blinding light came from the tip of the wand, coiling through its cracks and making her vision go white – There in the emptiness she could hear a voice like a snakes, though it's hisses formed words just as she had spoke before, but it was not anything she could make out - and just like that it was over.

"It's a match." Her Great Aunt boasted triumphantly. "Your Grandfather would have been so very proud, and so would Seraphis." She grinned, and for a single moment Kieran could have swore she saw warmth in the womans aged face.

"Now I think it's time you go – You gave your little present, and now we have things to do." Arietty put her hands firmly on Kieran's shoulder once again, but the girl could only focus on the tinkling of her hand, like electricity.

"You cannot keep me from seeing my Niece" She said coldly, making the box vanish with the folding of her thin fingers. Then her icy gaze scanned over the satisfied Kieran, and she grinned "Until next time, dear Kieran." Then, she was gone, not even the audible crackle on her disaperation to be heard.

That afternoon when they arrived home, Kieran went straight to the room and sprawled onto the bed in her long robe, admiring her wand "No magic!" Arietty barked, frustrated. Kieran groaned slightly, not wanting to wait, but remembering to be on her best behavior she obeyed, and dreamed about the day when she could create another blast of light, just as she had done before – or rather, the wand had done.

"There must be something you can do?" she could hear her mother fret.

"She has no prior convictions, there is simply nothing to be done. But as always we will be on close watch. We have revealed many a person's past and our judgments are thorough. She will be going to Hogwarts, and there she will be even more guarded – Do not worry." She could hear the man say, he seemed just as frustrated over the situation as her mother.

"That woman arranged me meeting Thesper." Arietty added mournfully, and Kieran sat up quickly having recognized the name. She could see the Ministry worker nod firmly "We will keep that in mind." He commented. With the loud pop of the air the man disaperated and Kieran could hear her mother's frustrated mutters and groans and decided that answers were in order. Pulling open the door she let it fall the rest of the way and stood in the frame "Mom, what that all about?" she asked "Why didn't you tell me I had a Great Aunt? Why don't you want her to see me?"

Arietty dreaded these types of questions and sank into their little patched sofa, the springs in it creaked as she moved her hands to her temples and rubbed vigorously. Kieran sat beside her, her wand firmly in her grip as she adjusted her new robe to lie out prettily. No longer able to ignore the questions and Kierans stone gaze Arietty sighed loudly "Esmerelda – my Aunt, is not a very good person, after my Da', your Grandfather, and her brother was…died, she had become a monster. She is one of the several reasons I left Scotland, she was no good for us."

"Who is Thesper?" Kieran asked quickly. Arietty tensed, her jaw tightened and she looked at Kieran with utter dread.

"He is… your father." She said simply. Kieran went wide eyed, her breath escaped her and she sank back into their sofa. Kieran had known that whoever belonged to the name 'Thesper' was a bad person, an evil person that had hurt her mom, and who although she didn't know, hated with all her heart for having done something like that. Arietty fidgeted nervously and began to fill the silence "He.. disappeared, and that is why the Ministry protects us. He was involved with bad people, and –" she looked away "I feared that Esmerelda had also become involved, though I had no evidence."

"I hate them too." Kieran said quickly, and she meant it. She looked at her new wand spitefully, but then remembered it wasn't even her 'Great Aunts' to give, but her Grandfathers. "I don't want to see that lady, I don't like her."

"Okay.." Arietty said simply, thanking 'whoever' silently, because if Kieran had wished it, she knew nothing would hold her back from getting her way- for that -and that Kieran accepted the information so easily. Then taking Kieran into her embrace she sighed, and let the past settle where it belonged.