Chapter One: Elemental My Dear Part 1

A week had gone by faster than she'd thought and before she knew it she was getting ready to arrive at Hogwarts. Three luggage cases packed, a small stack of manga-she'd become quite a fan of Muggle Japanese comics- and an animal cage sat side by side next to the fireplace. She chuckled. Most wizards and witches would use the commonly powder to travel from their fire place to their destinations' fireplace; but not her.

As she tied her hair, the young woman went over the list of things that should be in her luggage. With one last knot she smiled, "ok. Apparently I have everything and there won't be any need for my return to this house until Christmas vacations."

"Once again," the animal laying inside the cage spoke. "Why do I have to be inside this thing?"

"Zephyr, the last time we use teleportation you ended up six hundred years in the past."

"Oh, true."

With a sigh and a last look around the young woman stood close to her things. She closed her hand over the oval shaped medallion sitting atop her chest and closed her eyes. Her lips softly whispering as if in a prayer, she spoke. "Hear my call winds of time; listen to the destination hidden in my mind. Through void of darkness and embrace of light, I summon thee the guardian of the key of time…" Her eyes opened no longer their normal color but a golden hue, "Teleport!"

Immediately she was enveloped in a bright blue light which expanded until her luggage and her pet were inside; and in the blink of an eye they were gone.

Dumbledore surveyed the arrival of the students of Hogwarts from the Astronomy Tower. Paid close attention to the faces of the students he knew by heart and at the same time watched as some of his professors scouted the castle's perimeter making sure nothing was wrong. With a sigh Dumbledore turns from the window. He was happy she'd decided to return and help, but he also knew it would be hard for her to be here.

"Stop worrying, Albus," Minerva's voice tried to reassure him. "Things have changed-well not much but they have. Potter will benefit from her, isn't that what counts?"

"Yes, you're right my dear." He replied nodding. "Hagrid was completely in cloud nine-as the Muggles say-when I told her about her aiding him."

"I can only imagine. Poor Hagrid, finding those creatures would've never been possible otherwise."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Yes.."

The potions master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry rapidly ran towards the lake as fast as his feet would allow him too. His long black cape flew behind him like a ghostly black figure following his every step. Wand raised and pointed at the spot on the lake were he'd seen the odd shape fall too, Snape waited silently for the intruder to surface.

It did not take long for the intruder to surface but it was not as he imagined it would be. No. The person came up coughing, kicking and uttering curses he never knew in his life. As he and the intruder neared closer-whoever he/she or it was had not taken notice of Snape's presence-Severus could see a small creature jump from behind and land right smack next to him.

"I thought you had calculated our destination!" it hissed not looking at Snape at all but at the young woman who was at the edge of the lake. "Can't you do anything right!"

Finally able to move every stand of hair out of her face the young woman sighed; but before she could say a word, her eyes locked with those of the confused warlock. She knew she looked a mess, wet from head to toe, hair tangled up, but thank goodness she only wore lip-gloss.

Severus kept his wand pointed at the woman, "Interesting manner to show yourself, who are you?"

She sighs, "Believe me THIS was not the place I had planned to 'land'" She stood now face to face with him. "You can put your wand down Professor, I mean you know harm."

Snape did not lower his wand, "You would excuse me if I do not believe you." He motioned with his head at the animal, "Now answer my question. Who are you?"

The animal purred, before leaping up and into the head of its mistress. "Come now mistress, we might have landed in turbulent waters, but it will do no harm to tell him our names."

The young woman nods, "I am Mss. Fanell, I am here as an aid to-"

"Hagrid," he finished for her. "Yes, Dumbledore did mention you would arrive tonight-" he gave her the once over look. "But not in such a manner."

She flushed, "Well, I...-"

Snape turned his back to her, "Follow me." He said in his usual mannerist way. The students just arrived, it will do you no good to bee seen…like this."

She glanced over her shoulder at her now submerged luggage, "Ohm-"

Snape stopped noting the girl had not moved one inch. "Are you not capable of casting a spell to dry-"

"I'm-I'm not a spell caster."

Snape stared at her as if she had some sort of deadly disease. "Just follow me," were his words before once again turning and heading towards the school.

Mss. Fanell shook her head as she followed him through the small woods and inside the castle. She had not lied to him; she was no spell caster or better said a witch. She did have the blood but she was a mixture of another. Not Muggle, although she knew she had some of their blood in her.

As they passed the great hall she could hear the voices of the many students, even caught a glance of the new arrivals. She was so caught up in what she saw; she did not notice Snape had come to a halt. And as the cause and effect law work, she crashed against his back which ended with her on her behind, and a very not amused Snape glaring at her.

She immediately stood up, "so-sorry-"

"Keep walking straight ahead. Turn left. There will be a painting Dumbledore suggested. The password is red." That said he left her.

She watched his retreating form with saddened eyes. He has no idea who I am.

"Come mistress," the feline whispered. "You will catch your death in those wet clothing. What's more you are already late for the presentation of the other schools. Let us not waste more time."

With a nod and a last look Mss. Fanell followed his instructions.

Severus watched with much attention as each of the schools presented themselves. That is until Dumbledore too the stand and began his long speech. Warning everyone of the perils of trying to sneak into the Forbidden Forest at night, welcoming the schools and their students and so forth. Severus' attention however was not in the event taking place. His mind kept going back to the woman he'd met. Not a witch? He asked himself. Then what? His thoughts were interrupted by the loud cheers of the students when Hagrid was mentioned.

"Now, as all of you should have noticed by now," Albus continued. "There has been a class added to your schedules." He glanced over his shoulder at the empty seat next to Minerva's.

She met his troubled eyes.

"Hagrid will have an assistant to help him with this. However she-"

The door to the great hall opened. Every person in the room turned their head to see who it was. Slowly one step at a time the person revealed herself. Dressed in a knee length black skirt, wearing a red corset top shirt with long flowing sleeves, and an open V neck. She wore knee high black boot with a red rose at the top. Around her neck was a red lace choker with another black rose. Her hair was no longer tied in a ponytail, but now cascaded down her back; the tips almost touching the floor.

"I am, quite sorry to be late, Headmaster. But I landed in the wrong place."

He smiled, "That's quite alright Mss. Fanell. Please come join the rest of us."

She nods once and heads to the table.

"As I was saying, Hagrid will have an assistant. Mss. Starlight Fanell has gratefully accepted that job."

Star smiled at Minerva as she sat.

"Better late than never," McGonagall whispered.

"You see she will not only be teaching the Hogwarts students but also those students from our visiting schools."

As Dumbledore spoke the more Snape stared at Mss. Fanell. What makes her so special? If she is not w witch, then why bring here to help Hagrid? What's more, teach students from other schools?"

Dumbledore stood away from the stand and to the side. "The Ethereal Care for Animas Class is not a common one. This will entail a person that is able to communicate and is trusted by them." He glanced at the students then at the professors. "Mss. Fanell would you mind demonstrating what I am speaking about?"

Eyes wide, not expecting this, Mss. Fanell stood clumsily up and walked nervously towards him. She saw the twinkle in his eyes and sighed knowing she had no option. With a nod to him, Dumbledore raised his hand. From the top of the enchanted roof the night sky banished. In its place three round orbs floated to the center of the room between the tables.

"Those…Those-"Ron Weasley began to stammer loudly enough for everyone to hear him. "Those are Enigma eggs!"

Albus did not say a word merely stepped back and to his seat.

As he sat McGonagall looked at him, "Albus, do you think-"

"Trust me…"

The young woman took a deep breath. Enigma Eggs. It's ok. She'd dealt with them. She chanced a look at the professors but mostly at him. Then immediately looked away. Had he just grinned as if knowing she would fail?

Severus Snape was one to pay close attention to the things that interested him. Even more so when such a thing was presented to him in a gold platter, like Mss. Fanell. The girl didn't seem old or wise enough to deal with those eggs. Nothing aside from a good repelling spell could makes the hatchlings disappear. Then again… He thought to himself. Her failure would make for a fun entertaining evening.

The sudden sound of shattering glass caught his attention. The eggs were slowly opening. The shells of the eggs falling to the ground and breaking.

Let us see what suck a clumsy and pathetic girl can do?

TBC