Chapter Four - Coira
Coira's POV
Past
"Daddy! Let's go see the faeries!" I spun in a circle, my arms out as I giggled. My father, fair of skin and sharp of ear, picked me up. A bobbing, hypnotic light danced in front of my face, and I reached out to touch it. "Daddy! I see one!"
My father spoke briefly in Gaelic to the little glow, and it slowly faded out. "You mustn't follow the Wisps. They will lead you somewhere you would not want to stay." I looked up at his face, questioningly. Purple eyes, like mine, glittered down at me. "The pixies play tricks on you, but the Wisps will lead you to Fey land, where you will have to stay forever."
My mother approached, taking me from my father's arms. "Is it a good idea to tell her such things, Aodh?" I rested my head on her shoulder, giggling as one of the tiny winged Fey swooped low to kiss my cheek.
"Sorcha, she should know both worlds. She is already immersed in them through us, and she can only gain from knowing." Later, Father disappeared to the Fey lands, returning with bittersweet news. "The Seelie Court gave me a choice, Coira." He answered my question after a few moments of silence. "I could choose you and leave the Court, or choose my land and leave you." He pressed a kiss to my forehead. Mother came from behind and enfolded us both in a hug.
Though my father had lost his official Court status, we remained close with the Fey of the land. Even on days when rain poured from the sky, I had but to open my window, and several faeries would fly in to seek shelter. Gale, my gryffin, was brought as a youngling by the same means. I fondly remember childhood days spent playing in wildflower fields with my father and mother, and nights practicing my crafts with the Disir. When the time came to go forth to Hogwarts, the Disir were the ones to comfort me. With their blessings, I was able to tell my parents goodbye and start on my journey.
It wasn't until I arrived that I finally realized how fortunate, yet secretive, I really was.
I sat in my bubble of silence as the noise of the Great Hall washed over me. Gale was perched on my lap, beak snatching bits of food from my hand when I would find a morsel he'd like. Every so often, I felt eyes on me, bearing a questioning weight, and I knew that it was the other half-Fey wizard, seated next to the Potter boy. My new Housemates passed their eyes over me some, but never asked questions. The silent House ghost, called The Grey Lady, as I heard other students call her, drifted past me in a melancholic way. The air shimmered slightly, and I was suddenly aware of a girl one year up sliding into the seat, previously vacant, next to me.
"Don't mind the nargles; they're just amused that most can't see them." The girl smiled dreamily, all grey eyes and blonde hair. "Oh, how silly of me. I am Luna Lovegood." She waved her hand at the shimmering, and muffled squeals of impish laughter rang in my ears. This girl, I mused, is not Fey, but she is quite knowledgeable about those that dwell unseen.
"How can you see them?" The question left me in a flat tone, unwilling to admit anything up-front. Luna smiled in that same dreamy way, her radish earrings swaying as she tilted her head, humming. "They are not of your world." Her smile widened slightly.
"My mother, Pandora Lovegood, was a Sylph, cast from the air. She taught my father and I about the unseen." She smiled serenely as several Ravenclaws tittered about 'Loony Lovegood'. In nary a moment, I grasped that the cruel jab is what they call her. "She died when I was 9, creating a spell that backfired. She was Sylph and witch before she passed."
"I am sorry." I didn't know if I was apologizing for her loss or the cruelty of our Housemates. She accepted with a smile and dismissive gesture. Laughing reached my ears, and I knew the others at my table were tittering about us. I turned my eyes to the nargles swirling in the air and spoke in Gaelic, suggesting impish schemes. The mass squealed in glee before dispersing to wreak havoc upon the ignorant and vain girls of my House.
Luna smiled, a glimmer of mirth dancing in her eyes, and simply said, "I think we are going to be wonderful friends."
A/N - Hello, everyone! I apologize for my inconsistency. I got a new puppy, and he requires a lot of supervision! He bites EVERYTHING. But he's adorable and sweet, so it's worth it to have him. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter! I'm sorry that it's short, but Coira needs to be kept a bit mysterious for a while longer. As I rewrite the books in my own way, the characters will develop further. I only ask that you bear with me, and please, drop a review to tell me what you thought! The next chapter, going by order of appearance, will feature Javier!
Ja ne, my lovelies!
A.T.