Secrets and More Secrets

The bell brought my head up from grading papers. My students looked at me expectantly.

"Read chapter seven tonight and explain to me in a short essay the significance of the arm movement." I said, thanking God it was lunch, "That is all, but I am looking for quality. So it had better be good. Do not blow me off." and they got up and left.

I leaned back slowly while Denali glided down to land on my knee. I stroked his wing for a minute before I brought him up to my shoulder. It was almost completely healed and did not pain me. Not even with Denali and his weight. I still could not lift objects, but that was because of my broken rib. Although, it is not like I had very heavy things to lift.

I rose from my chair and grabbed my bag. I was actually not hungry, but I knew I had to eat food to get better. Not that I really cared, but I had been getting odd looks from my students this morning. My movements were slow and I would make funny faces sometimes. I really wanted a Vicodin right now.

I slung my bag onto my other shoulder. Denali made a small noise of protest. I reached up with my left hand and scratched his underside. He hooted appreciatively. I smiled to myself and headed for the Great Hall.

When I arrived, a hushed silence came over the crowd. I already knew they had been talking about me. They were all talking about me this morning when I came in the Great Hall limping. I heard the rumors. I saw the wheels working in their eyes. I was already tired of the nonsense and it had only been four hours or so. I really needed some painkillers.

"Henria!" someone called through the silence, "Come sit over here." he was a pudgy boy my age. I recall his last name as Longbottom.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but limped over there anyway. I saw a red-headed girl who looked like a Weasley and a black boy. I remember him from the train a few weeks ago. His name is Dean. The Great Hall was silent when I eased myself down on the bench.

"Hello Dean." I said politely, "And who might you two be?" I inquired with a glance. I placed my bag on the ground at my feet.

"I'm Ginny Weasley and this is Neville Longbottom." the Weasley introduced shortly.

"Nice to meet you." I nodded my head, "Since you all know who I am, I won't even bother. What do you need?" I said as I looked around at lunch.

I clicked my tongue and Denali pushed off my shoulder in search of Dee. I know she had not eaten since getting here, so I was to feed her some bread crumbs. She was also probably thirsty. Alaska is a pretty far away place for a bird to be flying from.

"Does he read your mind?" Dean asked as he watched my owl fly out the window.

"Sometimes." I replied while I started to put food on my plate, putting three pieces of toast off to the side. Just in case the two birds were extra hungry. "But I know that isn't what you wanted to talk to me about." I said as I started breaking the toast into small pieces.

"No." replied Neville, "We want to know what the Trio is up to."

"Why don't you ask them yourself?" I shot back tartly, "It's none of my business."

"You were with them for five days!" Ginny growled. I shot her a glare. This girl had balls. I guess growing up with six older brothers, she needed to.

"How would you know?" I growled back, "How do you keep in contact with them, Ginny? Owl? Muggle mail? Or do they apparate to you? I know they know what is going in the world because it wasn't by chance they accidentally stumbled upon me at Hogwarts!" the Great Hall was dead silent again. Goddamn nosy people!

"You speak too loud for your own good." Dean said ominously. I shot him an icy glare.

"And the lot of you have too many secrets." I growled, "Don't think I will play your games. I play my own games and they are much more fun." I said in a whisper, "You three are lucky that I won't leave this table until my birds have eaten, or I'd say a few choice words and leave to my class."

"Oh, we are so very lucky." Ginny's tone oozed sarcasm.

"Be careful Ginny. Your brother was terrified when I lost control and objects exploded. But you already knew that, didn't you?" I shot back nastily to her. Her face flushed crimson red in anger. I had hit a nerve. She was in contact with them the whole time they were here.

"You bitch!" she whispered fiercely.

"That doesn't work, but he told you that too, huh?" I whispered just as fiercely back. My temper was peaking. Ginny, Ronald, Hermione and Harry had been on top so long that they did not like people playing around in their business. That pissed me off because they did it to other people.

"No, but he did mention what does set you off." her smirk was very Draco like. I barely surpressed a retort.

"You talk like you know a lot." Neville threw in. I glanced his way.

"I know more than you. Albus was my uncle, he told me all about the war and what he was planning. He always knew I would be there to help you all." I said.

"You don't seem too thrilled you are here. Why don't you go back to where you came from?" Ginny said with a sneer.

"Nope, you are stuck with me for a very long time." I said with a smirk. Denali landed on my shoulder to make the three Gryffindors jump. Dee landed on my hand. I brought her up to my lips to gently kiss her head. She twittered softly and nuzzled my chin.

"You are wankers." Dean mumbled under his breath and Denali hooted angrily. Dean watched him warily over the rim of his coffee mug. I smiled into my cup of pumpkin juice.

I put down my cup and brought Dee to the plate of toast. She hopped down to the edge and started pecking at the crumbs. Denali posted himself on my shoulder to watch Ginny, Neville and Dean. They opted to ignore me while I ate my lunch.

Dee finished and I filled a cup with water so she could drink and bathe her head. Denali dropped down to the table and started pecking at the toast. Dee fluttered to my shoulder and nestled in the crook of my neck, covered by my hair. Her soft feathers tickled the tender skin, but I did not mind.

"How do you ignore all that and go about your business?" a voice asked me from behind. Ginny's head snapped to attention and she physically bristled like she was about to attack.

"Why do you sneak upon people all the time?" I retorted.

"Ah, touchè." Draco said with a smirk, "See you in Transfiguration." and I heard him walk away.

"Down, Weasley." I murmured while watching Denali drink his fill of water.

"Excuse me?" she snapped.

"I said, calm down." I flicked my eyes towards her face, "The most epic battle will come yet. Don't need to waste any time on petty arguments."

Ginny had a look of calm across her face. She was clearly thinking about what I had just said. Her features went blank. She clearly thought that what I said was not true or was unfair because before I could move, she grabbed her pumpkin juice and threw it in my face. The cup bounced off of my nose and hit the floor. Denali unfolded his wings, ready to take off. I held out my hand to stop the attack.

"Fuck off." she whispered dangerously.

I waved my hand in front of my face and all the liquid vanished. I reached for my bag and Denali flew to my shoulder. I cleared my throat. Everyone waited with bated breathe to witness what I would do next. I tell you, my blood was pounding in my head with anger. I really wanted to strike her in the face. But I forced my blood pressure to lower itself.

"Have an excellent day in classes, Ginny." I looked over at Neville and Dean, "See you in Transfiguration." and I headed out of the Great Hall to my room for some birdie and me time.

September and the beginning of October flew by with Mark and Kadie writing to me regularly. Draco and I co-existed together, silently, mutually making the agreement not to bump heads with one another. I think he was afraid I would go and take a run around the Black Lake again. Although, I did run around it routinely. A slow pace as to not interrupt the healing of my rib, which was doing nicely. I hardly felt any pain, except during the splitting cold nights.

I was completely healed by the last week of October. No more headaches or nausea from my concussion and white jagged scars on my shoulder instead of red streaks. My side would twinge if I moved too quickly or the wrong way. But I felt good. Running once around the lake helped me keep my focus on why I was here along with Kadie, Mark and my father.

I found the end of October at Hogwarts to be mildly chilly. Almost like Alaska in September. The students started layering themselves up. Red, runny noses were a common sight in the hallways. I was comfortable, still dressing in layers. My slacks for teaching and skirts for classes. Although, I did find myself wanting to wear a sweater more often then not.

I blinked my eyes to stop daydreaming about my life. I was thankful when I realized I was in class, taking notes. I had already finished writing and was staring at a wall. I glanced at the window to find Dee and Denali perched outside, watching me. Denali had been following me to classes lately. Well, ever since that one weekend.

I winked at the two overprotective birds and brought my eyes down. I re-read my notes to verify they were correct. I guess I was really trying to look busy. I did not feel like answering any questions Minerva might throw at me.

"Miss Sownbinder, may I speak to you after class?" I raised my eyes at her sharp voice. Her teacher voice.

"Of course, Professor." I responded with cordial politeness. I do not like being called to the principals office.

We had not spoken since she visited me in the Hospital Wing. Minerva did not call on me in class. She took what I said to heart about only being able to talk to me when she could explain herself to me. My heart quickened about learning the truth finally.

The sound of the bell to end class made me jump. Draco gave me a look as he gathered his books and paper. I just stared at him blankly and stayed still. I refused to go tot he front of the classroom. I was going to talk to her my way.

"Henria," Minerva began. She realized I was not moving so she got up, "I apologize for what happened. I never knew the secret would unfold that way." she said softly as she approached my desk. I stared at her coolly before I answered.

"The staff was in on it, weren't they?" I asked belligerently. After her slow nod of affirm, my blood boiled.

I got to my feet quickly, knocking over my chair. I slapped my hand down on my desk and pushed my book off my desk. The hard cover made a sharp snap when it hit the floor. Minerva stared at me with helpless eyes.

"Did you not plan ahead?" I roared at her defeated stance, "When did this plan seem sane to you?" I took a breathe and pushed my hair out of my face.

"I was suppose to be the one to tell you! You weren't suppose to harbor people who were on the run, Henria!" she spoke sharply to keep her composer, "Especially ones who did not get along with your roommate. Same questions apply to you same as me."

"Like hell they do!" I swore, "I did it to sacrifice my little free time for this bloody war. I did it so this madness would end soon and maybe we call could be free from chaos and ruin. You did all this for your own selfish reasons of what, I do not know. My life has been torn apart from everything that is happening here because I'm most unfortunate to have strong roots here."

"Do not assume!" she snarled at me, "My reasons were for the greater good. Albus was thinking of having you teach here when he time came. I felt the time was right." I gathered my papers and my book from the floor quietly. I slung my bag over my shoulder.

"You were wrong." I whispered and left.

My pace was fierce as I briskly walked to my classroom to prepare for my next lesson.