DISCLAIMER: Any recognizable works in this story is obviously not owned by me but the great J.K herself. I only own Clare O'Hare and maybe her marriage to Neville...sorry Hannah...not sorry Hannah.

Chapter 4

Early morning sun drifted into the room in fine beams of light through the half window of Clares room. Moving carefully and quietly so as not to wake anyone, Clare moved out from the bed and pulled her robes on. Maokai stirred in his sleep a bit when she moved him into her pouch.

It's ok go back to sleep I need to do something. He sleepily booped her hand then slid back into the warmth of the small purse as she slipped out the room. Even though the common room was empty it already had a small cozy fire burning to warm the night chilled room. Small bits of light filtered in from above the openings between the windows and the large wooden beams carved to look like roots. The first smells of breakfast began to creep its way inside as she left the common room and took off down the corridor. Soon out of the halls and down onto the grounds, Clare made way toward the owlery. The sky was light blue grey and pale, cool mist hung to the bottoms of trees, grass, and everything along the way. Up the many flights of stairs Clare looked out onto the still grounds of Hogwarts. The new days sun was just moments away from crowning the trees giving them a light pink and orange glow. A light breeze swept by clearing the air of the owlery's nastiness. Clare took a deep breath and pulled out a letter labeled 'To Jacob and Cecile Moon'. She stared at it melancholy like and rubbed the corners with her thumbs. She clicked quietly then a large owl flew down from the rafters and landed on the stone wall next to her. She hooted at the male bird, he was a bit too large for her as her hand was hardly big enough for his head. She scratched him all around the face and eyes.

"Good morning Bram." She greeted. He was a beautifully speckled short eared owl the Moon family had owned for a good many years. He fluffed himself happily and rubbed his head against hers. He was a good owl, loving to take the time to visit the family back and forth. "Take this to Jacob and Cecile please?"

Be glad to puppet. He hooted hopping over to Clare and taking the letter. He folded his wings about her face in a small hug before taking off. She leaned on the stone side watching him fly away, a dull tired feeling washing over her as he faded from view. For a while she stared blankly off into the distance then Maokai stirred from under her robes from where he had slithered out of the purse and up her arm to hide under the warmth on her shoulders. They shared a few quiet moments watching the sun rise, bathing the castle in its golden light. Maybe she thought she'd come out here more often letter or no just to watch the sun rise. The bright yellow lit up the castle like a beacon and everywhere around it warmed and brightened. It was touching in a way that caught in her throat and made her think of home.

This morning the dining hall was full and noisy. Fat, light fluffy clouds passed above while paper birds and airplanes zoomed about. Owls came swooping in bringing all sorts of goods and parcels. Seeing Susan, Clare hurried over to a seat that had been saved and started picking through the mornings goodies.

"Good morning," Susan beamed.

Clare rubbed her face roughly, "Mornin'."

Cedrick and Stebbins saw and waved from down the table to which a return was waved and a good morning mouthed. In a slight daze as tiredness washed over her, Clare sat staring blankly at the bit of food she had before barely shoving a morsel into her mouth.

"You gonna make it there mate." Fred asked a bit too cheery.

"I think I know what you need." Said George.

"A bit of a pick you up pick me up." Fred grinned. The two had become quite the friends with Clare which of course she appreciated but never quite knew when they would spring up. They had been seated with some other gryffindors of course and were still at their table but had turned around now and had their usually trickster-ish grins.

"I wouldn't do it." Warned a rather lanky looking gryffindor. He too was light skinned and had bright red hair. She knew he had to be Ron their younger brother. He had a mouth full of toast and what seemed like grits, "Unless of course you want to miss your class for quite literally-" he paused to swallow down his food, "Bouncing off the walls." The two twins immediately turned on Ron, chastising him for trying to ruin their fun. No harm no foul they said but it would really fix her sluggish morning they beamed. Clare shook her head and tried for her second attempt to eat.

A few moments passed as people about the table talked while Susan took the opportunity to poke Clare getting her back for all the times she had done so in classes to which she made grumpy protests to stop. Clare gave a slight start and turned around again to face the gryffindors table gears clicking in her head.

"You're Harry potter!" She exclaimed. Everyone sat at the table shocked for moment, the twins remarking how like a whip she was to which everyone had a giggle. "No I mean, I saw you." She continued. She was barely awake the first time she had turned around to notice him sitting there but she had recognized Ron from Fred and George telling her about him and just dismissed Harry completely even though he was just there.

"I'm sure you have!" Laughed Fred which sent the pair chortling on about seeing Harry here in the paper or here in a book and even better here at the table which had them rolling.

Clare shook her head, "At King's Cross." She nodded then, "With the Weasley's. I knew that's where I had seen you, so you live with them?" She asked wondering if Harry given the circumstances also knew what it was like to live with a foster family. Amidst the laughter he had sheepishly replied no, he stayed with his aunt and uncle and that the Weasley's had helped him on his first day.

Things quieted down a bit then with the twins quietly remarking every now and again at Harry how they were sure they had seen him somewhere. Lily caught Clare's attention for a moment to give her a smile, then she too continued about her morning routine. She had noticed Lavender giving her the stink eye just on the other side of Lily before going on to ignore her. Hmph, Clare thought to herself, she really didn't have to do that everytime she saw her. Maybe her face would freeze that way, which brought a slight smile to Clare's face. She realized she had been staring at the gryffindor table for a bit now with the dumb grin and noticed Jordan. He too had looked her way and he smiled and waved. Clare blushed pink and turned back around to her table and gripped the sides of her plate. Good grief she thought, how long had she sat staring and smiling like an idiot at him? Students at the table ahead of them gasped and scooted the bench back in surprise, it was from the Slytherin's table. It got Fred and George's attention as well as a few others. When Clare looked Professor Snape stood table side and seemed to be addressing everyone involved.

"That's Selene." Clare said squinting trying to get a better look.

"The deaf girl?" Asked Stebbins turning back to his meal.

Clare waved him off studying what happened, "She's not deaf Stebbins."

"Merlin's beard mate you can't just say someone is deaf!" Said Fred giving him a downward look.

"That's just rude mate." Added George.

Selene had what seemed to be drink spilled everywhere and judging by a smiling dark haired girl it hadn't been Selene who did it. The girl crossed her arms and had a rather smug look to her face as Selene strode out of the hall. Susan poked her in the side once more drawing her attention back to the group. She offered to help smuggle food back to their house so the girls loaded their plates and set off to the end of the dining hall.

Once out of sight Susan eyed Clare for a moment, "Thought I was going to miss you again this morning since you weren't in your room." She started. Clare explained she had a letter to send this morning so that was why she had been awake so early. Then Susan's face changed into a wide grin that was very unsettling to Clare who knocked on their door holding her gaze.

"Thought I might miss you eyeing Jordan as well." She beamed and rolled on the balls of her feet as if she had figured out some sort of dark secret.

"Wh-what? No!" Clare stammered turning a bit pink, "Jordans nice and all and I like him. Just not… like like…. Oh come on! I just happened to be looking at him that's all." Clare dismissed trying to ignore the fact the 'I knew it look' still wasn't coming off of Susan's face. Following Clare, Susan looked a bit surprise as she had turned to the pantry door. Clare motioned for her to follow.

Susan tilted her head to the side, "Not here? Where are you hiding it then?" Clare shook her head and held a finger to her mouth. They didn't have to be overly sneaky as most of the house was gone to breakfast. They came up to Clare's door and stopped.

Clare placed her hand on it's handle then asked, "You promise not to tell?"

Susan's eye went big at the prospect of a secret and nodded vigorously.

"Mmmmmkay." Clare drawled squinting at her friend before they entered. Once the door closed she called out to the room with a slight whistle and everyone ran from their hiding places.

"Oh!" Susan exclaimed trying not to dump her plate onto the floor. Animals darted excitedly about chittering and barking ensued as they hungrily awaited to be fed.

"They can have your plate." Clare said pointing at the two bunnies hopping and sniffing around Susan's shoes. "That's Merry there the tan one and Berry is the grey."

Susan squealed as she petted the bunnies while they nibbled on their fruit. Clare handed her small bits of toast with jam and nuts to let her fed them to Lulu. Clare mumbled something about 'this is Jasper' as the little dog ran back and forth from eating and covering her face with kisses. Susan gave a slight start when she saw a snake slide out from Clare's sleeve.

"This is Maokai." She said. She gave a nervous glance over to Susan, "Do you know what Botis snakes are?"

Susan shook her head, "Uhm no but it's just uh." She started eyeing him. He was very thick and when Clare stretched him out, she saw just how long he was. "I just wasn't expecting him to come out of your clothes is all." She said trying to look less shocked. "Do ...do you really keep him in there? All day?"

"Well mostly yeah? He does tend to stay up in my hair and around my neck or shoulders most of the time. And I also have a pouch see?" Clare lifted a fold of her robe where a small purse like satchel was slung over her shoulder. "Sometimes I carry him in here."

Susan's eyes widened again, "No? Really!" Her face lit up a bit, "So that's why all the hair huh?" She asked gesturing about her head.

Clare laughed loud, "It does make it easy to hide him yes." Tension diffused quickly and even more so when Maokai played cute and curled up on himself and yawned. To Clare's delight Susan thought he was adorable and booped him on the head. Maokai hadn't eaten very much and soon snuggled into both girls laps.

"Where do you keep them," Susan asked confounded, "Obviously here but I checked for you here earlier and didn't see them."

"Well they're not dumb. They know how to hide and do it on their own. We talked before actually coming to Hogwarts about having to leave them behind." Clare scratched Jasper on the head and ears. "As you can imagine that didn't go over well so we tried thinking of how to bring them all. I thought because of our letters I could only bring one. I've had Merry and Berry the longest but only just so. After I got them Doris and Lo had been trying to get someone to buy Maokai but no one wanted just an egg. I worked for them for a summer and they just gave him to me." Susan was watching and listening carefully her face shown her complete focus.

"That next year when it was closer to winter I found Jasper." Clare's eyes started to mist as she gently stroked a now snoozing Jasper. "His family was bad." She paused remembering. "He was just a tiny little pup then but they wanted him to be well trained right THEN. They were very upset when he chewed or messed in the house. I passed by their place often enough and when it got colder he just wanted to come inside." Susan now started tearing up and watched briefly the little black terrier sleep. "I passed by one evening to see this man kick him off the back steps and yell at him. Yell at him for wanting to come inside. I waited then, of course I couldn't just leave him. Despite Mrs. Moon being upset and feeling as though I should give him back, eventually Mr. Moon convinced her I could keep him." Clare sniffled a bit and rubbed Jasper's face softly. "The best part is I don't even think he remembers being there." Both girls grinned then and Susan placed her hand on the back of Clare's.

"Well I'm glad you got him."

"Yeah." Clare smiled, "He calls me mom you know. So does Merry and Berry but Lulu was different. She has a family she just chose to stay with me after I helped her. She fell from a tree see and I nursed her back to health."

Susan thought for a moment, "How'd you know. Animals don't talk anyhows."

Clare felt a twinge but knew Susan didn't mean any harm. "They do, talk that is." She trailed off looking down at her hands. Gears slowly turned in Susan's head as she tried to process what was said.

"I talk to them." Clare continued. "Some are not as intelligent as you know maybe owls or things like that but all animals can talk … just not many people can hear them or...listen… What is it?"

Clare eyed Susan carefully seeing her try her best to make sense of things.

"So ….ok. And you talk to them?" Susan asked slowly chewing on the words before saying them.

Clare nodded. She had a very serious look to her face yet still encouraging.

"And they talk….So you like speak dog and squirrel and..." Susan trailed off slowly coming to another conclusion. Clare quickly cut her off however and sort of laughed it off, "Well it's not quite like that I don't bark or anything. It was more like that when I was really little. And it's not like you know how we talk. Ha ha I knew a cat once I actually meowed to when we talked but you know that was when I was little." Clare digressed.

"Oh!" Susan gave a little head bob. She smiled and booped Lulu then gave her a little 'meow'. Inwardly Clare sighed, she had nearly forgotten how taboo snakes were and didn't want Susan to have any other feelings other than she liked them all. Slipping Jasper easily off her lap the girls gathered their things and made way back out to the dining hall.

Susan attempted to poke Clare again but then acted innocent as Clare caught her before hand. It was but a few short steps down the hall before the two had a full on poke war between them. Light but quick footfalls ahead got Clare's attention then she noticed Selene's figure down the hall a bit. Swapping a quick glance to Susan she picked up the pace and called out, "Selene? Selene wait up." Selene stopped then turned to see two girls walking up towards her so she tilted her head and smiled softly in welcome.

"Hey so uhm I saw about this morning uhm everything good?" Clare asked. Selene was obviously cleaned up now but Clare wanted to make sure she could help if so needed.

"Saw you rather in a hurry there at breakfast." Susan interjected, "I'm Susan by the way. Susan Bones."

Selene flushed then gave a small shrug. She gestured with her hands but stopped instead opted to give the most reassuring smile she could. Susan and Claire just looked between one another while Selene's face looked a bit strained at the failed attempt at communication. She lifted one hand, gesturing for them to wait as she dug out her wand. Nice to meet you. I'm Connelly she wrote in fiery letters in response to Susan.

Susan's face shown silent awe at the spell and a smile cracked it's way across her face. Clare looked between Selene and the glowing words then back at her slightly confused. She gave a small crooked smile and laced her fingers together, "So yes? You're good?"

Yes. Sorry. Selene again spelled into the air. Thank you for asking.

Clare nodded and grinned bigger, "Well great then. We are headed to DADA class so see you laters?" She asked hopeful.

"Ooo yes you could join us any time you like." Beamed Susan.

At that moment a pale light haired boy was passing them in the hall. He was obviously another first year and wore slytherin robes like Selene, "Are you coming Connelly?" He asked strolling by without really waiting for an answer.

Selene repositioned her bag on her shoulder and smiled more genuinely at the two Hufflepuffs. She nodded and gave a small wave before turning and heading off towards her next class.

Defence Against the Dark Arts was to be another most practical course of study for them, to which Clare understood many students were most excited to take. The door to the classroom looked thick and ancient, it was swung inward and some of the class was already full of students. Susan and Clare opted into taking a seat almost near the back and quickly scrunched their faces.

"Ugh, what's that smell!" Susan asked fanning her face. Clare pointed to the various braids about the room hand covering her nose.

"I think… it's garlic?" She grimaced.

There was very little air moving through the classroom since the windows were shut. Looking closer at them the bright morning sun shone, but was muted slightly by hundreds of newspapers. Small figures and words moved about on the outstretched thin sheets of news that had been stuck here and there all over the windows. Susan gave a quizative look to which Clare shrugged and shook her head. A fire was lit near the back of the room behind where their professor's desk was and large ornate chandeliers hung on both sides of the room that looked like weathered iron or maybe pewter. Long wax stalactites hung from them some precariously close to looking as tho they would fall off at any time. There were a few animals in glass terrariums and cages as well as a giant sculpture. Trying to look more in detail at the sculpture Clare saw it wasn't man made, it was a skeleton. A dragon's skeleton! Wow! The small room had steps leading down into it and then steps leading back up to the back where a tall, trembling man stood.

"H-hello s-s-students. Do come i-in." He greeted in a small voice. He clasped his hands together under his chin then motioned weakly for the last bit of students to take their seats.

"My n-name is Professor Q-Quirrell." He squeaked. A student coughed and his eyes darted to the open door. He loosened his collar from around his neck and continued, "There are a g-great many d-d-dangerous things out there my students. Heh heh heh." He laughed nervously. "A few in the very least you will hope-h-hopefully come to learn about in this class."

The professor seemed much to timid to be a teacher in the ways of fighting off magical baddies both creature and human alike. He continued muttering and stuttering his way through the first bit of class with his not so motivational speech. Most all witches and wizards started small he explained and how much smaller could they get than to start with bowtruckles. Clare had read about them in her magical beasts book as well as a few others and even though they were small bowtruckles could do damage in the right types of situations. Professor Quirrell just so happened to have a bowtruckle in one of his terrariums and offered for a student to volunteer to get him out and pass him about the class. Many of the students for sure were a bit wary of touching most anything magical when it came down to it and for good reason. Most had probably had parents to warn them of this danger or that danger and apparently that with hogwarts especially, things were not quite what they seemed.

Clare having had no such raising had found nearly every opportunity she could to dive head first into the magical world she had known for so very little. Clare got up after counting only a few seconds then strode with a purpose over to the terrarium, trying but not really succeeding in hiding her excitement. Bowtruckles the professor went on had a keen sense of the environment around them as well as the other living things occupying them. A bowtruckle would know immediately if someone meant to do them or their tree harm and would not let them near. Gently opening the glass top, Clare flattened her hand down the side of the glass and eased it slowly down watching the tiny creature carefully.

"Hello." She whispered barely audible. Taking a light breath she blew gently on the small bowtruckle and wiggled her fingers against the dirt and glass. She locked eyes with the tiny truckle and continued to ease her hand to it. "I'm not gonna hurt you." The little creature extended its twig like arms and legs, making quiet chirping noises. Clare gave tiny clicks back and picked it up. Unaware until now the class had been quiet watching to see if Clare could in fact get it out. Holding it easy like in her hands she turned and the class cheered in her success.

"W-w-well done. Y-yes." Professor Quirrell clapped into the palm of his hand and nodded his approval. Clare could tell now the little bowtruckle was a nephite and that 'she' was just a bit scared to be let go off as she wouldn't leave Clare's hand. So instead she walked about the room till everyone had seen the small creature. Quirrell's lecture was nearly done and Clare went to place it back into it's terrarium. Susan looked positively miserable once back at their table.

"I have an idea maybe that can help if you don't mind taking notes for me to borrow." Said Clare leaning over to Susan. In between bouts of rubbing her face Susan replied with anything just make the stink go away. Taking out a piece of paper and box of colored pencils Clare drew and colored all on the paper then folded it first once, then twice, and eventually it turned into an odd shaped honeycomb.

Susan leaned over Clare's shoulder giving it a weird look. "Really?" She asked scepticism heavy in her voice. Clare held up a finger, indicating her to wait then pulled on two of the corners. The paper shifted slightly then suddenly popped into the shape of a flower. Susan eyed Clare and she responded with a second finger implying she needed to wait again. Holding the paper flower just under the desk Clare circled her wand around the paper petals and whispered 'Odori floruma'. Light purple and blue mist drifted out of the end of her wand and rested on the paper then after tucking her wand away.

Clare set the flower on the desk with a grin. "Go ahead." She whispered, "Give it a whiff."

As she was told Susan leaned her face near the desk and took small sniff and to her surprise she no longer smelled the stench of garlic. Instead her nose was filled with the soft scents of flowers and her eyes lit up. "Amazing!" She squeed quietly grabbing Clare's arm and bouncing a little.

And just like that for the rest of the class they took turns fanning their faces with the paper flower and getting reprieve from the muggy, garlicy stench of the classroom.

"Right w-well that concludes the lesson for today." Professor Quirrell had turned and wrote something on the board. "You'll all have a g-good bit of reading to do." He started, his voice getting drowned out by students rustling their things hurriedly packing them away. "A-and you'll have a small quiz on Thursday oh.. oh dear." By now he had lost the entire class and when he waved them all for dismiss they made haste for the door out. Chairs scrapped and a cluster of sounds erupted as students clamored for the door all of which seemed to startle and unnerve the professor.

Handfuls of students grouped together and huddled around the stone windows gulping the air and trying to clear their lungs. Selene bumped into them again as classes rotated to the next period. The hall was busy yet stuffed as small groups of students huddled around the open breezeway, one of them was even hanging half out for some reason. She saw Clare and Susan in the group and walked over touching Clare's arm gently to get her attention then she lifted an eyebrow questioningly and gestured at the window then the group.

Susan fanned at her face taking large breaths of air and pointed with begrudged look back towards the classroom.

"Horrid." Was all she managed to puff out.

Clare nodded in agreement, "Smells like month old stale garlic bread in there." She blanched taking another large breath, "A touch warm to boot."

Rodger, another first year hufflepuff made a quip about how sissy they were all being even though he himself looked a little green behind the gills.

"I'm not real sure as to what sort of aromatics he's used to but I can think much better smelling things to hang literally everywhere." Clare fanned her robes out vigorously and mumbled about the stench leaking into her clothes.

Selene spared a quick glance at the room she would be in later that day. She hoped it wouldn't be so bad by the time she got there, but if it was as bad as they seemed to think, she definitely wasn't looking forward to it. Wand conveniently tucked in the bottom of her bag, Selene had no hope of getting to it easy. Schooling her features to look concerned she looked back to the girls and signed. She put one hand palm up then placed one on Clares forearm, hopefully they would understand her expression at least.

Susan had flipped her head upside down and was trying to shake as much garlic smell out of her hair as she could. Clare nodded a bit in response, "It's not like we're choking but…"

"Might as well have been." Complained Susan from under her hair.

Clare giggled and patted her on the back. "Oh!" Clare started, remembering something that helped them. Reaching into the very top of her pack she pulled out her small intricately folded flower. Selene considered it, her head tilted slightly as Clare handed it to her.

"Try that you can stick it on your robes if like or fan it every now and then maybe it might help." Said Clare. "Its wisteria one of my favorites."

Selene took the small flower carefully and raised it closer to her face to take a cautious sniff. It smelled lovely! She gave a rather large genuine smile of thanks then a hand on her arm surprised her and caused her to stiffen. It was just her friend, "Come on Connelly! I don't fancy listening to a lecture about tardiness from Professor McGonagall." The girl said, gently pulling on Selene's arm. Selene smiled again to the girls and waved the flower as she was gently pulled away. Clare waved and poked Susan in the rib causing her to jump up. Susan waved goodbye enthusiastically and retorted with a poke back at Clare.

Potions class started off with a dreadful quiz. Clare had done her reading and felt confident in her answers however the practical part after the quiz she felt much less confident about. The written part was worth more points but she fared horribly on chopping and slicing her ingredients. Oliver had taken her offer and now sat between herself and Susan. Once class picked up again he gave them pointers where he could. He had relaxed much better this class, to the point of getting points taken from both houses. He had flipped to a page and made a joke about this particular ingredient that got a rather good laugh out of Susan. Snape was quick to reprimand the group along with taking points from them. He threatened detention if another outburst occurred.

Clare frowned deeply. She wanted very much to like this class and no doubt would like listening and learning all she could but Professor Snape was making that very hard. It was only their second day and already she felt as if she had heard of enough of Snape's insults to her other classmates. They were given a massive amount of homework due Friday and a rather venomous warning that come weeks end if they fared as poorly then as they had today he had half a mind to save them all the misery and fail everyone.

Clare again broke off from the group once entering the dining hall and found her way to her dorm. She laid out on her bed and huffed, screaming into her pillow. Maokai lay curled up next to her letting her take out her frustrations. It was only when she received rather worried looks from her other pets did she feel the need to calm down a bit.

Momma? Jasper asked timidly. The very top of his little black head peeked up from the foot of her bed. His black eyes looked up at her like deep water pools as he threatened to cry.

"Aww…baby I'm sorry." She motioned for him to come. He jumped up onto the bed then crawled to her tail tucked. She petted him softly then hugged him close. "I'm not mad at you dear." She said comforting him. He did not like for people to yell. Clare apologized and explained best she could there was a mean man picking on people and she just didn't like it. She promised not to let it bother her too bad from now on and spent the rest of her lunch playing with them all in her room.

Clare met back up with her group and went back down the hall, a few more doors over from their DADA class. History of Magic was their next class. The classroom was very ordinary which seemed like a trick what with everything magical inside the school. Mr. and Mrs. Moon had told her that a Professor Binns taught this class and he was a ghost. Clare enjoyed some of the other ghosts about the grounds and felt like having one for a teacher would be amazing. Taking a seat near the front Susan made a face, "Are you sure you want to sit up front… I hear this class is a dreadful bore?"

"Are you kidding? Regular history boring sure but magical history?" Clare's eyes took on a sparkel. "I bet all sorts of cool stuff happens." Susan shrugged mumbling something like nothing fun since Merlin. Right as class started a deep and rather bored sounding voice rose throughout the room. Suddenly as if out of thin air Professor Binns faded into existence causing Clare's mouth to lay open in awe. He didn't call roll, nor he didn't so much as give any acknowledgment they were there in the classroom. Instead he gave a dull briefing on the class, then began his lecture. The first thing he mentioned was a goblin rebellion which just so happend to head up right next door in Hogsmeade. His voice drolled on in an uninteresting manner and before long no one in the class was listening, some were even asleep. No one that is, except Clare, who watched and listened with wide eyed fascination. It was just like one of her old story books she used to would read when she was a little girl. Hanging on to every drab word, every uninflected tone Clare sat with baited breath waiting to hear about this goblin warrior or that witch or wizard that quelled an uprising here. She took notes every now and again on points like dates or names that might of been important and tabbed her pages where they coincided with the book. With a start Susan shot up from where she had leaned back in her chair, unaware she had fallen asleep. She looked around quickly and rubbed her stiff neck.

"Don't worry." Clare whispered, "He doesn't notice. Not like anyone else isn't sleeping or thinking about it." She scribbled another little note on a date he had said '1752- Great Britain,mismanaged, Minister for Magic, Albert Boot resigned and was replaced by Basil Flack.'

"Not to mention I raised my hand to ask about a particular event and he continued on as if I wasn't here. I took the note down extra just in case." Clare indicated where then turned her attention back to the professor.

"Ugh." Susan groaned, "Honestly you've been awake… coherent this whole time?" She sounded genuinely amazed then she shook her head, "How do you do it." All along the edges of Clare's note taking paper were tiny scribbles of goblins with swords or wands and other just as tiny images of pointy hat stick figures battling each other. Aside from her fun doodles and scribbles however were page after page of notes on the lecture, packed with dates and names enough to make even a ravenclaw's head spin.

"I doubt there'll be any real need for all of that ...don't you think?" Susan asked looking at Clare's notes. Professor Binns finally stopped talking and just as easily as he had faded in, he faded right back out. Clare started to pack her things but did so in an exaggerated manner to warn the other students class was over.

"I mean…. You're just being thorough right?" Concern taking a bit more of a role in Susan's voice. Clare shrugged and hefted her pack up and slide out from the desk. "Uh… maybe borrow those? Clare?" She squeaked following her out of the class.

Clare and the other first year puffs marched their way down to the green houses for their Herbology class. All the first years would have a full class together at least once in the week. They were met on the grounds by Slytherin then were followed shortly by Ravenclaw and lastly Gryffindor. Clare attempted to greet each house but most everyone seemed content to stick to their own groups especially once Slytherin and Gryffindor got in close proximity.

The greenhouses were large some were simple and thin. Some where made of wood while others of glass all lining the east side progressively becoming thicker and sturdier the more to the west they went. Sharp trills mingled with deep growls came from within some of the houses, and smells! Merlin there were so many smells! Professor Sprout their head of house waddled out to greet them swathed in thick linens smudged and stained to no recognizable degree.

"Hello darlings! Good to see you all again, well, well fed?" She inquired then stood up straighter adding maybe another inch or two to her height. "Good let's get started!"

She ushered them into one of the lightly built greenhouses which was notably warmer and wetter once inside. She pointed over to the far side and told them to grab a pair of gloves and aprons and various other garments then had them gather round to listen to instructions. They all listened dutifully and nodded the affirmative whenever she asked. Growing, sewing, trimming, keeping she stated was risky business but only if you took the risks. Gear and protective wear was always, always, always a must and she indeed repeated it three times every time. Mush and fuss out of the way they paired off easy enough and began to diagram things they saw, smelt, and felt of. Even though it was warmer than could be pleasant and muggy enough for dew to form on most everything not a one student complained. Clare found herself wiping her face frequently with her arms which mussed and flattened her hair here and there while small curls clung to the sides of her face. Professor Sprout rattled off a few questions about this or that plant and what they did or didn't do and whenever someone answered correctly she praised them considerably. Professor Sprout gave off the air of a very experienced mother, often snatching a student's hand away from something harmful one moment and then be quick to waggle a finger or give a disapproving look when needed. Here in the greenhouses nothing seemed to escape her view nor did a question arise she couldn't help with.

That was until a boy by the name of Crabbe got injured by a thorny type plant. Large thorns had stuck in his palm causing him to wail loudly. Some in the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw ranks gave a snicker while a few others had whispered 'Ew look at how they are all sticking out' or 'Whoa that's a lot of blood'. She sent him off with a boy named Goyle to the nurse but that was the only hitch. Their day's lesson was to pick three plants and diagram them as well as for after class their homework was a 13 inch essay about those very three. Clare made a group with Susan and Justin they chose wormwood, stinging nettle, and bouncing bulb was the plants they had to write about. At the end of herbology Sprout bid them all goodbye and they made the trek back up to the castle. Clare grinned and giggled the whole time poking Susan and her housemates, "One more class then flying." She sang at them. "One more class then flying!"

Charms class flew by with Clare trying very hard to pay attention. Charms was a fun class and she liked Professor Flitwick enough however sitting through a lecture and quiz was downright unnerving when all she could think about was flying lessons. Throughout their practicing incantations and focusing lessons Clare caught herself throwing wistful glances out the windows. The air was crisp and the sky bright, truly it had no business looking like such a lovely day. The professor moved about the room checking wand movements praising and giving advice where needed. More light reading was given and the students warned to study hard for their written test on the spell that would be the next day. In a flurry Clare gathered her things and made way out of the class and halls to outside on the practice fields. She had incited the whole lot of first years to the point they managed to make it to the grounds before their professor or the ravenclaw first years.

"Well don't dottle about then take your brooms just there and place them on the ground next to you." Instructed Madam Hooch. She had her hands fisted and resting on either side of her hips.

When she spoke it was short, precise, and demanding, along with her keen piercing gaze that could rival even McGonagall's. Her eyes were as golden as the sun and were a peculiar shape.

Doing as they were told each student found their brooms and formed up placing their brooms on the ground at their feet. Clare exchanged looks between her friends Susan and Oliver who stood on either side of her.

"Exciting no?" She exclaimed whispering. Susan did her best to match her friend's enthusiasm while Oliver gave a half grin. He was not as excited about being on a broom himself but was more than willing to give anything a go at least once.

"Right, now. Pay attention." The professor's voice carried clearly into the yard. "We will first be learning how to command then mount our brooms. Nothing more am I clear?" The first years all nodded the affirmative then she continued, "You must mean it. Hold you hand over the broom like so. You must feel it. Be forceful, command the broom 'UP' on my mark. Ready? Begin." And with the sharp retort of her whistle each student held their hands up and over the brooms and attempted to make them rise.

Giddy with too much excitement when Clare commanded her broom flew up to her hand then past it nearly knocking her upside the head. She giggled nervously when Madam Hooch gave her a piercing gaze then she adjusted herself and tried again much calmer this time. Susan and many others were managing to wiggle their brooms about and were getting frustrated. Oliver too already not too keen about being up in the air found his voice raising trying to force his broom up into his hand. For a brief moment Clare stilled herself, sighed then looked down at her broom. With a stern look and meaningful force she commanded 'up' to her broom and with ease it shot up and met her hand.

"That's more like it there you go O'Hare well done." Madam Hooch congratulated then encouraged the rest to do the same. Before too long even Oliver had his broom up then they waited for further instructions.

"The proper way to mount ones broom is thusly-" Madam Hooch began. Clare once again stopped listening much too caught up in ready to fly to pay attention. The sun was bright and warm despite the coolness of the season, and the wind was only slightly breezy, the day couldn't have been more perfect for flying. Eagerly waiting the command to mount her broom Clare bounced in place, broom vibrating in her hand.

"Again on my mark. Ready? Begin." Madam Hooch blew her whistle once more and they began their attempt to mount their brooms. This broom handle was thick, much larger than the one she used at the Moons'. Gripping it tight Clare leaned ever so slightly on her broom and it gave with her weight then she swung a leg over and leaned forward. It was a practiced ease she had come to know after almost a year of flying around the orchards. Leaning more towards the nose, she dipped her height back down to where her feet could touch the ground then leaned back in a rather relaxed manner till the next step. Madam Hooch had cocked her head to the side and looked both pleased and curiously amused, "Well done indeed O'Hare two points for Hufflepuff." She gave a few brisk claps of approval and moved to one of the first year Ravenclaws who could not get their broom down to the height to mount it. Susan took her third wobbly attempt and mounted her broom but kept her eyes fixed to a spot on the ground. A few others followed suit with Roger Malone being one of the first few after Clare to get onto his broom.

"S'not so bad." He chimed in, "It's real easy like." He leaned back on his broom and took a lazy one handed grip and went to elbow Wayne but instead skirted his broom over to him knocking them both off.

"Now now that's not the way." Chided the professor picking both boys up and dusting them off. Using the long flaps of her sleeves she batted Roger over the head once and ushered him back to where his broom lay on the ground. He turned a bit red to which the girls giggled at him and Wayne gave him a punch to the arm.

Lastly was Oliver who had mounted his broom again finding it was the keeping on it part that was most difficult. Before too long Madam Hooch circled the group and nodded her head in approval, she then stood in the middle of them all and gave one final instruction.

"Be aware, once airborne your broom will become much more dangerous." She gave a sideways glance about the group. "Keep your balance steady and your grip tight. No one, and I do mean no one, is to take their brooms above 10 feet am I clear?"

"Yes Madam Hooch." They replied.

"Good. Take it slow and do watch where you fly, these brooms have been here for years I will not have you crashing into each other and damaging them. On my mark! Ready? Go!" Again she signaled with a sharp retort of her whistle and they were off.

Taking Madam Hooch's advice and not wanting to be rammed by someone not knowing what they were doing Clare leaned back pulling the nose of her broom up and with grace she glided backwards away from the group. It was like on cue two students had leaned forward in front of where Clare had been and they collided with each other. Laughter and struggle alike sounded from the group as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff took turns careening towards each other or zooming off in the wrong direction. Just like at the orchards Clare leaned in on her broom and took off, flying close to the ground. She raced about the yard teeth showing in a full on smile tasting the air as it whipped about her.

Fassster Maokai goaded tightening his coils about her waist and shoulders.

Just then someone cut across in front of Clare and veered off to the left missing her by just a few inches. It was Roger who had turned to give her a smug grin, "Make a bet you can't catch me!" He called.

Clare gave him a quick dirty look then shot after him. He gave a start and his eyes went big before he sped off trying to keep her in his wake. A few feet closer they raced about the yard, whizzing this way and that, over to this wall then the next with Clare ever gaining. Some of the other students whooped and hollered while the two raced before Madam Hooch blew her whistle sharp and shrill.

"That's enough of that bring it back in!" She demanded. "Practice flight only! This isn't quidditch, I've half a mind to ground both of you for a month!" Madam Hooch wasn't pleased at all and warned them not go racing off like that again. Clare glided over to where a group of girls had settled to which they cheered her for her great flying.

"It's theses old brooms." They heard Roger saying, "Would have smoked her on my broom back home. Of course we can't bring ours." He continued. The small group of boys nodded agreeing with 'sure' and 'of course'. Clare eyed him from where their group floated. She pulled the lid down on her eye and stuck her tongue out at him.

She spent the last bit of class congratulating Oliver on how well he did as well as flying by Susan every chance she got to poke her in the side then zoom away giggling. Madam Hooch ended the lesson by letting them know on the weekends they could practice all they wanted to after they passed a flying test at the end of the month. It would give peace of mind to the teachers and if failed there were more than plenty of opportunities to retake it as the year went on. In a daze they all went to dinner which was spent by many first years boasting this or that about how well class went to older years. Justin Finch-Fletchly had sat on the other side of their house table and gave special congratulations to Clare.

"I don't think I've seen anybody learn to fly that fast." He said beaming. "Maybe you'll make hufflepuff's quidditch team. Not maybe for sure!"

Clare blushed a bit, "Aww thanks Justin. But really I've been flying for awhile."

"It really isn't so bad once you get the hang of it." Said Susan taking a long drink from her goblet, "Although I doubt I'll ever go as fast as you."

Cedrick and others from the hufflepuff team asked further about how their lessons went and agreed that perhaps after their tests they would stop in to check on how well the first years would practice.

"So you're a natural then." Said Fred. The sudden appearance of the Twins made Clare spew some of her drink in surprise. Susan gave a laugh and snort but quickly covered her mouth at the snort and turned red.

"A real flying ace then mate?" Asked George.

"I don't know about an Ace persay." Clare started.

Setting her goblet down Susan drawled, "Oh pleeaaaase." She rolled her eyes, "You would have totally caught Roger if Madam Hooch hadn't of stopped you two. Old broom my foot." She finished mumbling to herself.

"Oi what's this then?" Roger had heard his name from across the table. "You saying I can't outfly a girl?" He had a bit of a puffed up chest seeming to take offense to the supposed threat, after all he couldn't be showed up at the dinner table. "I'll fly circles around you O'Hare." He ran a hand through his hair. Maybe he thought that made him look more cool in the current situation personally Clare thought he was silly.

"Don't be ridiculous." Susan scoffed, "You tell him Clare."

Clare looking a bit sheepish spoke a little down to her plate, "Well I don't have to tell him anything." A little pink came to her cheeks and she pulled a lock of her hair down to twist on it softly. The small group of boys gave a laugh while Justin turned to her and shrugged.

"I think you can outfly him." He said nodding in agreement with Susan.

"Of course she can." Susan added holding her head high.

"I don't think you have to worry about him much. It's that Potter you need to watch for." Said Fred getting up to leave.

"Yeah our champ Harry has his flying lessons tomorrow." Added George, the two gave a light pat to Clare on the back and turned to take their seats at the gryffindor table, "Wonder if the 'Boy Who Lived' will make a fame to flying too ey?"

"The Wonder Boy!"

"Ha ha yeah Freddy. 'The WONDER Boy'!" They sat at their table then and joked at Harry, who tried ducking more into the table to hide, saying he was 'the wondrous wonder boy' and the 'wonder boy magnificent'.

Susan soon started up a conversation about how long their first assignment was in herbology to which Clare gave a sigh, happy to be out of the attention. A dark brown fluffy owl came swooping down to their table and nestled itself on the edge. Trying but failing to carefully walk across the table the poor thing knocked over a few goblets and stepped on a plate or two before finally hopping over to Clare. It dropped a small scruffy looking letter down for her and screeched in goodbye.

"Oh uh thank you." She said before he flew away. Using this as an excuse she left the table food in hand and invited Susan to come with her when she was finished.

Opening the letter in the quiet of her room Clare saw it was from Hagrid. He invited her and all her friends down to the hut this saturday for a bit of tea if of course her studies permitted. She wrote a short reply at her desk saying how she'd love to come and have an excuse to bring her pets out for a visit. She quickly folded and sealed it then in her stealthy manner hide everyone inside her robes then headed out. Outside near the shrubbery Clare set Merry and Berry down while Lulu scurried out from her sleeves. She set her purse down behind the foliage which held a curled up Maokai.

"Just stay here for a bit. I'm going to mail this and be right back ok?" She took her robes off, for extra measure laid it over her purse covering it and Jasper laid over the flap keeping it closed.

She ran off down the hill and followed the wethered path leading back up to the owlery and quickly sent an owl. A rather ruffled and scrawny tawny owl wasn't put out and agreed to take the letter to Hagrid which Clare thanked and petted generously.

Susan had met her out at the yard and also seemed to have brought friends. Uh oh Clare thought to herself with a slight frown. She quickly got rid of it however and smiled at the group made up of Justin, Wayne, and Hanna. Clare mentioned she was headed to the side of the lake if they wanted to come to which they agreed. She took the time to go back to the bushes and let everyone know there was a slight change in plan to which unfortunately Maokai would have to stay in the bag. The small gathering spent a nice time playing by the lake with each other and Clares pets. No real drama or questions arose with them although Hanna seemed jealous of Clare and came across a little snobbish. Things wound down and they headed back to their house where many had gathered here and there for studying or lazing about on pillows and couches. Clare smuggled her pets back to her room but agreed to stay out in the common with Susan and Justin for a bit of studying together. The girls compared drawings of plants and had a good laugh at Justin's drawings then helped one another complete the task of the 13 inch essay. Night had fallen and everyone said their good nights. Trying to fit in a little extra studying and homework, Clare had laid her books and parchment out all over her bed. Maokai rested atop her pillow in a ball quietly watching her til the light in the room had dimmed. Yawning Clare changed and pulled on her jammies then put out the dying candle light and climbed into bed. Maokai hardly bothered to shift away and Clare gave a small frown then booped him on the snoot. He curled into himself more, Clare could tell he was pouting.

Hey...what's the matter? Taking him by the tail she started to carefully unwind him. He gave a loud huff through his nose and reluctantly came unknotted. Slipping him half way under the quilt she pulled on his long back attempting to pull him closer.

He turned to face her directly, nose a few inches from her face. I do not like hiding. He held her gaze which made her frown more.

Maokai she started Remember us talking back at the Moons' place? There was lots of room for you to slither around in and all we couldn't do was talk in front of them, right? He responded flicking his tongue at her. It's just different here. Susan knows about you and seems to be ok with you but it's just not the thing everyone needs to know. Hanna seemed even put out that I had as many pets as I did.

I am fierce he said pouting more laying his head down on the pillow. Not ssscared of girl. Clare sighed snuggling up close to him stroking his head between his eyes. Dim starlight shown on his scales painting him in the thinnest of silver outlines where the white of his scales were.

Well I am. Not scared of her or anybody really but scared they'll tell me you have to go away. I'm not sure why people are only partial to fuzzy creatures or what they consider 'cute and cuddly' you're plenty cuddly Clare booped his snoot attempting a smile. She got teary eyed and sniffed What if they don't like you huh? And send you home or worse? What am I supposed to do then? I don't want anybody taking you or Jasper or any of you away from me. I don't like having to hide you all the time either or keep you stuffed in a purse all day it just...has to be that way sometimes. I'll do my best to keep you from having to be cooped up I promise. Clare rubbed her face against the smooth scales of Maokai's face. So yes I am scared... please don't be upset with me small little tears formed in her eyes and finally Maokai slid under the covers and lay over her face laying on hers.

No ssscare. I will be in pocket or robess or anywhere to sssstay with you.

I'll make sure we all get outside time and who knows maybe with the right people around you can be out more, ok?

He curled his body around her arm and waist then rubbed and burrowed his face into her hair. Goodnight she whispered pulling the quilt up to her chin.