Chapter 5

An Excess of Phlegm

KIARA

Crighton and I approached the door of Dawson Manor, which sprung up as we approached. Crighton knocked three times, and after a few moments there was movement behind the door.

"Declare yourselves!" said a firm, strong voice which I recognised as Sian's. "I've got a wand and I'm not afraid to use it!"

Crighton chuckled softly and said, "Do not be alarmed, Sian. It is just I, your mother, and I bring you Kiara."

There were many clicks and unscrewing of bolts and the door opened. There stood Sian, just as tall as her mother and practically her mother's double, wearing a dark blue dressing-gown.

"Kiara, it's so good to see you! I take it by your late arrival, Ma, that things went better than you'd hoped?"

"Much better, thank you, Sian," said Crighton, ushering me over the threshold. "Beadu proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Kiara's doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nanna!"

I looked around and saw through the door behind Sian that led to the main house that Sian was not alone, despite the lateness of the hour. A young witch with a pale, heart-shaped face and mousy-brown hair was sitting at the table clutching a large mug between her hands.

"Hello, Professor," she said. "Wotcher, Kiara."

"Hi, Todd."

I thought she looked drawn, even ill, and there was something forced in her smile. Certainly her appearance was less colourful than usual without her customary shade of bubblegum-pink hair.

"I'd better be off," she said quickly, standing up and pulling her cloak around her shoulders. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Sian.

"Please don't leave on my account," said Crighton courteously. "I cannot stay, I have urgent matters to discuss with Rowena Scrimwazz."

"No, no, I need to get going," said Todd, not meeting Crighton's eyes. "Night - "

"Well, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Timon and Crazy-Head are coming - "

"No, really, Sian ... thanks anyway ... goodnight, everyone."

Todd hurried past Crighton and I into the driveway; a few paces beyond the gate, she turned on the spot and vanished into thin air. I noticed that Sian wore a worried expression.

"Well, Sian, Kiara, I shall see you both at Dragon Mort," said Crighton. "Take care of yourselves, now."

"We will, Ma," said Sian. "See you in September."

Sian kissed her mother's cheek, and as she pulled back I saw her look at her mother's burned hand, the worried expression back. Crighton smiled sadly at her, kissed her forehead and followed Todd, vanishing at precisely the same spot. Sian closed the door on the empty driveway and forced me into the house, closing the door on the hallway behind her. She then came up to me and examined me closely, scrutinising every inch of me through narrowed eyes.

"You need feeding up, my girl," she said shrewdly at last. "You're a bit thinner than you were when I last saw you, and there's not as much colour in your cheeks as I'd like there to be." She then unnarrowed her eyes and said in a softer tone, "I take it you're hungry, then?"

"Very," I said, suddenly realising just how hungry I was.

"Sit down and wait here. I'll go and knock something up for you."

As I sat down and looked around the still and silent room, a furry black cat with a squashed face jumped on to my knees and settled there, purring. I tickled Lucifer behind the ear, waiting for Sian to come back. After about five minutes, Sian came back with a tray that had a bow of tomato soup, some sliced bread a bottle of Butterbeer on it.

"So, I take it that you and your mother haven't been on holiday this year, then?" I asked her, after she had settled the tray down.

"No, we both agreed it was too dangerous, now that Zira's back in the open," said Sian. "And my parents both need me here to keep an eye on things, let's say. Everyone's in bed, of course, for we didn't know when you'd be arriving. Everyone's looking forward to see you; we've been looking forward to having you here for days."

Sian then sat down opposite me, watching me with approval as I gulped down hot soup.

"So, you persuaded this Beadu person to take the job?"

I nodded, my mouth so full of hot soup that I could not speak.

"She taught my father, you know," said Sian. "Stayed at Dragon Mort for ages, Ma told me. Started around the same time as Ma herself, in fact. Did you like her?"

My mouth now full of bread, I shrugged and gave a non-committal jerk of the head.

"I understand," said Sian, nodding wisely. "My father's told me about her. He says that she can be charming when she wants to be, but he's never liked her that much. The Ministry's littered with Beadu's favourites, she was always good at giving leg-ups, but she never had much time for my father - didn't seem to think he was enough of a high-flier. Well, that just shows you, even Beadu makes mistakes. I told Chris and Chrissie not to tell you in their letters, for I wanted to tell you in person - it's only just happens - but my father's been promoted!"

It could not have been clearer that Sian had been bursting to say this. I swallowed a large amount of very hot soup and thought I felt my throat blistering.

"That's great!" I gasped.

"Thanks, Kiara. We're happy, too," beamed Sian. "Yes, Rowena Scrimwazz has set up several new offices in response to the present situation, and my father's heading the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. It's a big job, she's got ten people working for him now!"

"What exactly - ?"

"Well, you see, in all the panic about Zira, odd things have been cropping up for sale everywhere, things that are supposed to guard against Zira and the Love Destroyers. You can imagine the kind of thing - so-called protective potions that are really gravy with a bit of Bubotuber pus added, or instructions for defensive jinxes that actually make your ears fall off ... well, in the main the perpetrators are just people like Mona Fetch, who've never done an honest day's work in their lives and are taking advantage of how frightened everybody is, but every now and then something really nasty turns up. The other day my father confiscated a box of cursed Sneakoscopes that were almost certainly planted by a Love Destroyer. So you see, it's a very important job, and I tell him it's just silly to miss dealing with spark-plugs and toasters and all the other Muggle contraptions he's obsessed with." Sian ended her speech with a stern look, as if it had been me suggesting that it was natural to miss spark-plugs.

"Is Mr Dawson still at work?" I asked.

"Yes, he is. As a matter of fact, he's running a tiny bit late ... he said he'd be back around midnight ..."

She pulled out her phone and studied it closely for a few moments, worry crossing her features once more. After a few moments, she looked up at me, showing a vulnerable side of her I had not seen before.

"You know, Kiara," said Sian, trying to keep her voice under control, "I try and remain strong for my siblings, but as hard as I try, I can't hope feeling scared ... which is natural, of course ... I mean, everyone's worried and scared these days, aren't they? Everyone's in mortal peril ... it can't be just our family ... but I don't know how to check with anyone else. Oh!"

With a sudden exclamation, she picked up her phone, for it had just sent her a message from someone.

"He's coming!"

And sure enough, a moment later there was a knock on the front door. Sian jumped up, opened the door to the hallway and stood beside the front door; with one hand on the doorknob and her face pressed against the wood she called softly, "Dad, is that you?"

"Yes," came Mr Dawson's voice. "But I would say that even if I were a Love Destroyer, love. Ask the question!"

"Oh, honestly ..."

"Sian!"

"All right, all right ... what is your dearest ambition?"

"To find out how Muggle trains work."

Sian nodded and turned the doorknob, but apparently Mr Dawson was holding tight to it on the other side, because the door remained firmly shut.

"Sian! I've got to ask your question first!"

"Oh, Dad, must you really - "

"What do your mother and I like to call you?"

I saw how uncomfortable Sian looked, and I could almost hear the groan she made as she rolled her eyes and hissed, "Siany!" into the crack at the edge of the door.

"Correct," said Mr Dawson. "Now you can let me in."

Sian opened the door to reveal her father, a tall, quite-large, brown-haired wizard who wore a long and dusty travelling cloak.

"I still don't see why we have to go through that every time you come home," said Sian, who still looked uncomfortable as she helped her father out of his cloak. "I mean, a Love Destroyer might have forced the answer out of you before impersonating you!"

"I know, love, but it's Ministry procedure and I have to set an example. Something smells good - tomato soup?"

Mr Dawson turned hopefully in the direction of the kitchen.

"Kiara! We didn't expect you until morning!"

He hugged me and Mr Dawson dropped into the chair beside me as Sian dashed back to the kitchen to get another bowl of soup for her father.

"Thanks, Sian. It's been a rough night. Some idiot's started selling Metamorph-Medals. Just sling them around your neck and you'll be able to change your appearance at will. A hundred thousand disguises, all for ten Galleons!"

"And what really happens when you put them on?"

"Mostly you just turn a fairly unpleasant orange colour, but a couple of people have also sprouted tentacle-like warts all over their bodies. Asif St Mungo's didn't have enough to do already!"

"It sounds like the sort of thing Tanya and Geri would find funny," said Sian hesitantly. "Are you sure - ?"

"Of course I am!" said Mr Dawson. "Those girls wouldn't do anything like that now, not when people are desperate for protection!"

"So is that why you're late, Metamorph-Medals?"

"No, we got wind of a nasty Backfiring Jinx down in Cambridge, but luckily the Magical Law Enforcement Squad had sorted it out by the time we got there ..."

I stifled a yawn behind my hand.

"Bed," said an undeceived Sian at once. "Your room is all ready for you. And you'll be hearing no more bangs from Tanya and Geri."

"Why, where are they?"

"Oh, they're in Brickabon Alley, sleeping in their little flat above their joke shop as they're so busy," said Sian. "I must say, as much as I dislike practical jokes, I have to admit that they are doing well for themselves. Up you go, Kiara, your trunk's already up there."

"'Night, Sian, Mr Dawson," I said, pushing back my chair. Lucifer leapt lightly from my lap and slunk out of the room.

"'Night, Kiara," Mr Dawson and Sian both called after me as I climbed the stairs.

Upon entering the room, I saw a lamp burning brightly on my bedside table, turning the gold-coloured walls yellow. A fresh bunch of flowers containing honeysuckle and rosemary had been placed on a small table opposite the bedside table. On top of the wardrobe sat Harold, who hooted happily at me before taking off through the window; I knew he had been waiting to see me before going hunting. I shut the door behind me, changed into my pyjamas and got into my bed, falling asleep instantly.

Seconds later, or so it seemed to me, I was woken by what sounded like cannon-fire as the door burst open. Sitting bolt upright, I heard the rasp of the curtains being pulled back: the dazzling sunlight seemed to poke me hard in both eyes. Shielding them with one hand, I said dumbly, "Wuzzgoinon?"

"We didn't know you were here already!" said a loud and excited voice, and I received a sharp blow to the top of the head.

"Chrissie, don't hurt her!" said a boy's voice reproachfully.

Then another girl's voice shouted up the stairs. "Chrissie, what did you do?"

"Nothing," said Chrissie innocently, which Sian, of course, did not buy.

"Don't give me that, Chrissie. I always know when you - hang on, did you just wake Kiara up when I just told you not to?"

Silence followed this question, which Sian took for a yes, for we then heard her say, "Aww, Chrissie!"

"I'm sorry," said Chrissie, "I'm just excited Kiara's here, that's all."

"That doesn't mean you had to wake her up!" Sian yelled.

Once I had gotten used to the sunlight, I saw two figures standing there; they were Chrissie Dawson and Chris Rickers, my other two best friends, who were both grinning broadly at me.

"All right?" Chrissie asked me.

"Never been better," I said, rubbing the top of my head and slumping back on to my pillows. "You?"

"Not bad," said Chrissie, sitting on the edge of my bed. "When did you get here? As you heard, Sian's only just told us."

"About one o'clock this morning."

"And what of your grandmothers? Are they all right? How has it been with them?"

"They're fine, and they treated me with the same love and respect they have always given me," I said, as Chris sat down on a chair that he had brought with him. "Oh, and they asked me to give you their regards, by the way. How are you, Chris?"

"Oh, I'm fine," he said, who was scrutinising me as though I was sickening for something.

I thought I knew what was behind this and, as I had no wish to discuss Pumbaa's death or any other miserable subject at that moment, I said, "What's the time? Have I missed breakfast?"

"Don't worry about that, Sian's bringing you up a tray; she reckons you look underfed," said Chrissie, rolling her eyes. "So, what's been going on?"

"Nothing much, I've just been stuck at my grandmothers', haven't I?"

"Come off it!" said Chrissie. "You've been off with Ma!"

"It wasn't that exciting. She just wanted me to help her persuade this old teacher to come out of retirement. Her name's Arachne Beadu."

"Oh," said Chrissie, looking disappointed. "We thought - "

Chris flicked Chrissie's arm with his hand and nudged his head to the open door and Chrissie changed tack at top speed.

" - we thought it'd be something like that."

"You did?" I said, amused.

"Yeah ... yeah, now that Umber has left, obviously we need a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, don't we? So, er, what's she like?"

"She looks a bit like a giant spider and she used to be Head of Snake-Eyes," I said. "Something wrong, Chris?"

He was watching me as though expecting strange symptoms to manifest themselves at any moment. He rearranged his features hastily in an unconvincing smile.

"No, of course not! So, um, did Beadu seem like she'll be a good teacher?"

"Dunno," I said. "She can't be worse than Umber, can she?"

"I know someone who's worse than Umber," said a voice from the doorway. Chris and Chrissie's youngest sister slouched into the room, looking irritable. "Hi, Kiara."

"What's up with you?" Chrissie asked.

"It's him," said Merida, plonking herself down next to Chrissie on my bed. "He's driving me mad."

"What's he done now," said Chris sympathetically.

"It's the way he talks to me - you'd think I was about three!"

"I know," said Chris, dropping his voice. "He's so full of himself.

I was surprised to hear Chris talking about Mr Dawson like that and could not blame Chrissie for saying angrily, "Can't you two lay off him for five seconds?"

"Oh, that's right, defend him," snapped Chris. "We all know you can't get enough of him."

This seemed an odd comment to make about their father; starting to think I was missing something, I said, "Who are you - ?"

But my question was answered before I could finish it. Someone was stood in the open doorway again and I instinctively yanked the bedcovers up to my chin so hard that Chrissie and Merida slid off the bed to the floor.

A young man was stood in the doorway, a man who was so astoundingly handsome that the room seemed to have become strangely airless. He was tall and willowy with long black hair and appeared to emit a faint, golden glow. To complete this vision of perfection, he was carrying a heavily leaden breakfast tray.

"Kiara," he said in a throaty voice. "Eet 'as been too long!"

As he swept over the threshold towards me, Sian was revealed, bobbing along behind him, looking rather cross.

"There was no need to bring up the tray, I was just about to do it myself!"

"Eet was no trouble," said Ferdinand Desjardin, setting the tray across my knees and then swooping down to kiss me on each cheek: I felt the places where his mouth had touched me burn. "I 'ave been longing to see 'er. You remember my bruzzer, Simon? He never stops talking about Kiara Pride-Lander. He will be delighted to see you again."

"Oh ... is he here too?" I croaked.

"No, no, silly girl," said Ferdinand with a booming laugh, "I mean next summer when we - but do you not know?"

His great blue eyes widened and he looked reproachfully at Sian, who said, "We hadn't got round to telling her yet."

Ferdinand turned back to me, swinging his black sheet of hair so that it whipped Sian across the face.

"Sam and I are going to be married!"

"Oh," I said blankly. I could not help noticing how Chris, Sian and Merida were all determinedly avoiding each other's gaze. "Wow. Er - congratulations!"

He swooped down upon me and kissed me again.

"Sam is very busy at ze moment, working very 'ard, and I only work part-time at Fauntrotts for my Eenglish, so she brought me 'ere for a few days to get to know 'er family properly. I was so pleased to 'ear you would be coming - zere isn't much to do 'ere, unless you like cooking and music! Well, enjoy your breakfast, Kiara!"

With these words he turned gracefully and seemed to make no noise at all as he walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Sian made a noise that sounded like, "tchah!"

"Sian hates him," said Merida quietly.

"I do not hate him!" said Sian in a cross whisper. "I just think they've hurried into this engagement, that's all!"

"They've known each other for a year," said Chrissie, who looked oddly groggy and was staring at the closed door.

"Well, that's not very long! I know why it's happened, of course. It's all this uncertainty with Zira coming back, people think they might be dead tomorrow, so they're rushing all sorts of decisions they'd normally take time over. It was like this when Lord Voldemort was powerful, people eloping left, right and centre - "

"So what, Sian?" said Merida at once. "You and Kopa fell in love at Dragon Mort, and that only took nine months - "

"That may be, Merida," said Sian, "but in case you've forgotten, I'm still at school. And besides, we both agreed that we would wait and see what happens before we make any plans about marriage. And Kopa and I are made for each other. Whereas Sam and Ferdinand ... well ... What have they really got in common? She's a hard-working, down-to-earth sort of person, whereas he's - "

"A moron," said Merida, nodding. "But Sam's not that down-to-earth. She's a curse-breaker, isn't she, likes a bit of adventure, a bit of glamour ... I expect that's why she's gone for Phlegm."

"Stop calling him that, Merida," said Sian sharply, as Chris and I laughed. "Well, I'd better get on ... eat your eggs while they're warm, Kiara."

Looking careworn, she left the room. Chrissie still seemed slightly punch-drunk; she was shaking her head experimentally like a dog trying to rid its ears of water.

"Don't you get used to him if he's staying in the same house?" I asked.

"Well, you do," said Chrissie, "but if he jumps out at you unexpectedly, like then ..."

"It's pathetic," said Chris furiously. Striding away from Chrissie as far as he could go and turning to force her with a disapproving expression.

"You don't really want him around for ever?" Chris asked Chrissie incredulously. When she merely shrugged, he said, "Well, Sian's going to put a stop to it if she can, I can bet you anything."

"How's she going to manage that?" I asked.

"She keeps trying to get Todd around for dinner. I think she's hoping Sam will fall for anyone else, really. I'd like it to be Meers, though. I'd much rather have him in our family."

"It'd be nice if someone in our family married Todd, too. She's pretty cool," said Merida.

"Yeah, that'll happen," said Chrissie sarcastically. "Listen, no bloke in his right mind's going to fancy Todd, not when there's someone like Ferdinand around. I know Todd's not a man, but you know what I mean. All right, Todd's OK-looking when she's not doing stupid things to her hair and nose, but - "

"She's a damn sight nicer than Phlegm," said Chris from the corner.

"And she's more intelligent, she's an Auror!" said Merida.

"Ferdinand's not stupid, he was good enough to enter the Triwizard Tournament," I said.

"Not you as well!" said Merida bitterly.

"I suppose you like the way Phlegm purrs "Kiara", do you?" said Chris scornfully.

"No," I said, wishing I hadn't spoken, "I was just saying Phlegm - I mean, Ferdinand - "

"I'd much rather have Todd in the family, even if she doesn't marry Sam," said Merida. "At least she's a laugh."

"She hasn't been much of a laugh lately," said Chrissie. "Every time I see her she looks more like Old Moany."

"That's not fair," snapped Chris. "She hasn't got over what happened ... you know ... I mean, he was her cousin!"

My heart sank. We had arrived at Pumbaa. I picked up a fork and began shovelling scrambled eggs into my mouth, hoping to deflect any information to join in this part of the conversation.

"Todd and Pumbaa barely knew each other!" said Chrissie. "Pumbaa wasn't involved in most of her life, and before that their families never met - "

"That's not the point," said Merida. "She thinks it was her fault he died!"

"How does that work out?" I asked, in spite of myself.

"Well, she was fighting Katalina Outsider, wasn't she? I think she feels that if only she had finished her off, Katalina couldn't have killed Pumbaa."

"That's stupid," said Chrissie.

"It's survivor's guilt," said Merida. "I know Meers has tried to talk her round, but she's still really down. She's actually having trouble with her Metamorphosing!"

"With her - ?"

"She can't change her appearance like she used to," explained Merida. "Sian thinks her powers must have been effected by shock, or something."

"I didn't know that could happen," I said.

"Nor did I, or Sian, for that matter," said Merida, "but I suppose if you're really depressed ..."

The door opened again and Sian popped her head in.

"Merida," she whispered, "come downstairs and help me with lunch."

"I'm talking to this lot!" said Merry, outraged.

"Now!" said Sian, and withdrew.

"She only wants me there so she doesn't have to be alone with Phlegm!" said Merry crossly. She swung her long brown hair around in a very good imitation of Ferdinand and pranced across the room with her arms held aloft like a ballerina.

"You lot had better come down quickly too," she said as she left.

I took advantage of the temporary silence to eat more breakfast. Chris was observing me closely, and Chrissie, who was now helping herself to my toast, was still gazing dreamily at the door.

"So, Tanya and Geri are sleeping above their joke shop now?" I said.

"Yeah," said Chrissie, "but they left some of their prototypes in their room, so if you go up there, be careful what you touch."

"Sian says the shop's going well," I said. "Said Tanya and Geri are doing well for themselves."

"That's an understatement," said Chrissie. "They're raking in the Galleons! I can't wait to see the place. We haven't been to Brickabon Alley yet, because Sian says Dad's got to be there for extra security and he's been really busy at work, but it sounds excellent."

"And what about Perdy?" I asked; the third-eldest Fang sister had fallen out with the rest of her family and the Dawsons. "Is she talking to your mum, dad and her sisters again?"

"Nope," said Chrissie.

"But she knows your mum and dad were right all along now about Zira being back - "

"Ma says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right," said Chris. "That's what Sian told me."

"Sounds like the sort of mental thing Ma would say," said Chrissie.

"She's going to be giving Sian and me private lessons this year," I said conversationally.

Chrissie choked on her piece of toast and Chris raised his eyebrows in shock.

"You kept that quiet!" said Chrissie.

"I only just remembered," I said honestly. "She told me last night in your broom shed."

"Blimey ... private lessons with Ma!" said Chrissie, looking impressed. "I wonder why she's ...?"

Her voice trailed away. I saw her and Chris exchange looks. I laid down my knife and fork, my heart beating rather fast considering that all I was doing was sitting in bed. Crighton had said to do it ... why not now? I fixed my eyes on my fork, which was gleaming in the sunlight streaming on to my lap, and said, "I don't know exactly why she's giving us lessons, but I think it must be because of the prophecy."

Neither Chris nor Chrissie spoke. I had the impression that both had frozen. I continued, still speaking to my fork, "You know, the one they were trying to steal at the Ministry."

"Nobody knows what it said, though," said Chris quickly. "It got smashed."

"Although the Squabbler says - " began Chrissie, but Chris said, "Shh!"

"The Squabbler's got it right," I said, looking up at them both with great effort: Chris seemed frightened and Chrissie amazed. "That glass ball that smashed wasn't the only record of the prophecy. I heard the whole thing in your mum's office, she was the one the prophecy was made to, so she could tell me. From what it said," I took a deep breath, "it looks like I'm the one who's got to finish off Zira ... at least, it said neither can live while the other survives."

The three of us gazed at each other in silence for a moment. Then Chris dashed across the room and engulfed me in a strong hug. Once again, I saw colours and images flash vividly behind my closed eyelids. I inhaled his scent of pine and fresh berries, and felt his worry and concern. Honestly, the way he was acting, you'd have thought I was going to drop dead at any moment, wouldn't you? But I understood that this was his way of comforting me, as well as himself, and I did not push it away; in fact, I relished in it.

We pulled away after a few moments, but that did not stop him from looking at me concernedly, which was so strong I was overwhelmed slightly. He also cupped my face softly in his strong hands.

"Chris ..." I said softly. "Wh - why did you - ?"

"I know, I know ... it's just ... oh, Kiara ..."

He sat down on the edge of my bed, not letting go of my face as he did.

"We wondered, after we got back from the Ministry ... obviously, we didn't want to say anything to you, but from what Narissa Malty said about the prophecy, how it was about you and She-You-Know, well, we thought it might be something like this ... and Sian knew, of course, but she told us to hear it from you ... oh, Kiara ..." He stared at me, then whispered, "Are you scared?"

"Not as much as I was," I said. "When I first heard it, I was ... but now, it seems as though I always knew I'd have to face her in the end ..."

"When Ma told us she was collecting you in person, we thought she might be telling you something, or showing you something, to do with the prophecy," said Chrissie eagerly. "And we were kind of right, weren't we? She wouldn't be giving you lessons if she thought you were a goner, wouldn't waste her time - she must think you've got a chance! Though, why Sian has to have private lessons with you, too, I have no idea ..."

"I don't think any of us do, Chrissie," said Chris, "except for Sian, and most of what Ma tells her, Sian keeps to herself, anyway. I'm just wondering what Ma's going to teach the two of you, Kiara. Really advanced defensive magic, probably ... powerful counter-curses ... anti-jinxes ..."

I did not really listen. A warmth then spread through me that had nothing to do with the sunlight; a tight obstruction in my chest seemed to be dissolving. I thought that Chris and Chrissie were more shocked than they were letting on, but the fact that they were still there on either side of me, speaking bracing words of comfort, not shrinking from me as though I were contaminated or dangerous, was worth more to me than I could ever tell them. (Of course, I know I haven't mentioned Sian here, but I think it's pretty obvious where she would stand here, isn't it?)

" ... and evasive enchantments generally," concluded Chris. "Well, at least you know one lesson you and Sian'll be having this year, that's one more than Chrissie and me. I wonder when our O.W.L. results will come?"

"Can't be long now, it's been a month," said Chrissie.

"Hang on," I said, as another part of the previous night's conversation came back to me. "I think Crighton said our O.W.L. results will be arriving today."

At these words, Chris let go of me, jumped up and marched to the door.

"Where are you going?" Chrissie asked him.

Chris turned to face Chrissie at the door and said, "To tell Sian, of course. You know she's going to freak out when she hears this." Then he turned and left.

When I arrived downstairs in the kitchen ten minutes later, fully dressed and carrying my breakfast tray, it was to find Sian in a state of great agitation, pacing nervously in front of the windows and glancing out of them; Chris and Keziah were sat at the table, watching her progress - as were my parents, who looked healthier, but by no means any less happier than when we last saw each other, who stood up and walked over to greet me. I handed my tray to Chrissie so I could hug them.

"Hello, Kiara," said Mum, whose hug was just as warm as her words.

"Hi, Mum. Daddy," I said, turning to hug him once Mum had let go of me. After my father had let me go, I said, grinning broadly at both of them, "Why didn't you two come and wake me?"

"Well, we didn't know you were here, Kiara," my father said. "Besides, your mother and I were up quite late this morning, for we were spending some time together in - "

"Er, I don't need to know what you two were doing, do I?" I asked, looking and feeling uncomfortable by this conversation.

"No, you do not, Kiara," said Mum, shooting a sharp look at my father. She then turned back to me and said, "So, what were you and Crighton doing last night, dear?"

"We went to bring back an old friend and colleague of Crighton's back to Dragon Mort," I said. "Her name's Arachne Beadu."

Both my parents were surprised by this news.

"Well, that's a name we haven't heard in a few years," said Mum. "How did you find her, Kiara?"

I hesitated, then said, "To be honest, Mum ... I'm not sure whether I like her or not ..."

My father nodded in understanding. "Yes, she can have that effect on people. Don't worry, Kiara. You'll find she can be quite pleasant when you get to know her. Just be sure to give her a piece of your mind if she tells you that you should be in Snake-Eyes."

"Daddy!" I said, shocked he would tell me this; but then I caught the teasing look in his eyes, and I shook my head mockingly and said, "Very funny." My father and mother shared a smirk as I silently chuckled. I then turned to Sian, who was still pacing nervously, and I said, "So, no mail come yet I take it, Sian?"

"Hmm?" said Sian distractedly, pausing in her pacing and turning to look at me. "Oh, no, no. Nothing yet. I'd have noticed if there was, wouldn't I? It's barely nine, there's still time ... and yet I can't help wondering ..." She resumed her pacing, and began speaking furiously: "I know I messed up Ancient Runes, for I definitely made one serious mistranslation. And the Defence Against the Dark Arts practical was no good at all. I thought Transfiguration went all right at the time, but looking back - "

"Sian, will you shut up, you're not the only one here who's nervous!" barked Chrissie. "And when you've got your eleven "Outstanding" O.W.L.s ..."

"Don't, don't, don't!" said Sian, flapping her hands hysterically. "I know I've failed everything!"

"No, you haven't. I'm sure you've done well," said Keziah reassuringly, but Sian ignored her, moaning piteously.

"What happens if we fail?" I asked the room at large, but it was again Sian who answered.

"We discuss our options with our Head of House, I asked Professor Darbus at the end of last term."

My stomach squirmed. I remember wishing I had eaten less breakfast.

"At Beauxbatons," said Ferdinand complacently, "we 'ad a different way of doing things. I think eet was better. We sat our examinations after six years of study, not five, and then - "

Ferdinand's words were drowned in a scream. Sian was peering through one of the high kitchen windows. Five black specks were clearly visible in the sky, growing larger all the time.

"They're definitely owls," said Chris hoarsely, he and Chrissie hurrying to join Sian at the window.

"And there are five of them," I said, hastening to Chris' other side.

"One for each of us," whispered Keziah, standing on Chrissie's other side.

"Oh no," Sian whispered, terrified. "Oh no ... oh no ... oh no ..."

She gripped the counter so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

The owls were flying directly at Dawson Manor, five handsome tawnies, each of which, it became clearer as they flew lower towards the back of the house, was carrying a large square envelope.

"Oh no!" squealed Sian, as she opened the kitchen window with trembling hands. One, two, three, four, five, the owls soared through it and landed on the table in a neat line. All five of them lifted their right legs.

I moved forwards. The letter addressed to me was tied to the leg of the owl in the middle. I untied it with trembling fingers. To my left, Chris was untying his results swiftly, and next to him, Chrissie was fumbling with hers; to my right, both Sian and Keziah's hands were shaking, but Sian's shook so much that she made her whole owl tremble.

Nobody in the kitchen spoke. At last, I managed to detach the envelope. I slit it open quickly and unfolded the parchment inside.

ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

KIARA NALA PRIDE-LANDER HAS ACHIEVED:

Astronomy: A

Care of Magical Creatures: E

Charms: E

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Divination: P

Herbology: E

History of Magic: D

Muggle Studies: A

Potions: E

Transfiguration: E

I read the parchment through several times, my breathing becoming easier with each reading. It was all right: I had always known that I would fail Divination, and I had no chance of passing History of Magic, given that I had collapsed halfway through the examination, but I had passed everything else! I ran my finger down the grades ... I had passed well in Transfiguration and Herbology, I had even Exceeded Expectations at Potions! And best of all, I had achieved "Outstanding" in Defence Against the Dark Arts!

Around me, Chris, Chrissie and Keziah were discussing their grades.

"I got an "O" in Potions, a few "E"s here and there, two "A"s and one "P"," said Keziah brightly. "What about you, Chris?"

"I got an "O" in Arithmancy, many "E"s, and I got a "D" in History of Magic. Chrissie?"

"I got two "A"s and seven "E"s," said Chrissie. "And don't even ask me what my Divination result was!"

"That's more O.W.L.s than Tanya and Geri got put together," Sian said quietly, her back to me, speaking for the first time since she had noticed the owls. "Well done, Chrissie."

"And what about you, Sian?" Chris asked her. "How did you do?"

"I - not bad," Sian said in a small voice.

"Oh, come off it," said Chrissie, striding over to her and whipping her results out of her hand. "Yep - ten "Outstandings" and one "Exceeds Expectations" in Defence Against the Dark Arts." She looked at her, half-amused, half-exasperated. "You're actually disappointed, aren't you?"

Sian shook her head, but I laughed.

"Well, our father's not going to let your results go, Sian. That's for sure," Chris teased. Sian glared at him, but said nothing.

"And why shouldn't he?" boomed my father's voice behind me; I hadn't realised that he and my mother were behind me until that moment. "It only means he's proud of you." My father's gaze then turned to me. "And how did you do, Kiara?"

Instead of answering, I passed my results to my mother, who took them, read them quickly and, once satisfied, she handed them to my father, who read through them slowly, his face conveying surprise at some of the things he saw. I watched apprehensively, waiting for the moment he would raised his head. What would he say? How would he react? Then, at last, he raised his head. His face was expressionless for a few moments. Then, a grin spread across his face and he swept me in his arms, holding me tight.

"Eight O.W.L.s!" my father yelled triumphantly. "And one of them just happens to be an "O" for Defence Against the Dark Arts!" My father then held me at arm's length, he and my mother both smiling warmly at me. "Well done, honey! Your mother and I are so proud of you!"

"Indeed we are," said Mum, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

"Thanks, you guys," I said to them. I then turned to Chris and Chrissie, who were both smiling warmly at me.

"Well, we always knew you'd pass that one with flying colours, Kiara!" said Chris.

"Yeah, and we're all N.E.W.T. students now!" grinned Chrissie. "Are there any sausages left? I'm a little hungry and I want to eat to celebrate!"

I looked back down at my results. They were as good as I could have hoped for. I felt just one tiny twinge of regret ... this was the end of my ambition to become an Auror (of course, this was before I knew who would be teaching Potions that year, but we'll get to that). I had not secured the required Potions grade. I had known all along that I wouldn't, but I still felt a sinking in my stomach as I looked at the small black "E".

It was odd, really, seeing that it had been a Love Destroyer in disguise who had first told me I would make a good Auror, but somehow the idea had taken hold of me, and I couldn't really think of anything else I would like to be. Moreover, it had seemed the right destiny for me since I had heard the prophecy a month ago ... neither can live while the other survives ... wouldn't I be living up to the prophecy, and giving myself the best chance of survival, if I joined those highly trained wizards whose job it was to find and kill Zira?