A/N: Oh lord, I'm SOOOO sorry this is WAY TOO late! I feel terrible! Especially since I only have one chapter to give to you guys. I have sports every night of the week til basically ten at night and the days that I do have off I mysteriously get in trouble with my mom. Please forgive me and I hope this chapter will begin to make up for my horrible-ness.

Chapter Five

Dumbledore's Gift


"Sozo Brochevska?" a third year boy asked tentively, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot in front of the couch we Marauders had claimed our first year. Lily was currently sitting on my left and James on my right and, as usual, I was sitting between them when they were in one of their stupid little rows. Remus was beside Lily reading a book and Sirius was on the other side of James asleep, head on the armrest, snoring quietly.

"Yes?" I said, prying my fingers out of my skin from the fists I'd made out of utter irritation. Why didn't I just leave? Well, let's just say it was a bit more complicated than that.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office," he said quietly, looking nervously at me, then at Lily and James, and then back to me.

"Thanks," I told him.

He nodded slightly and ran off.

Remus chuckled, looking up from his book. "You're such an intimidating person. You had the poor boy scared out of his wits."

"I am not intimidating!" I argued.

"Fine. You just make it hard for guys to be in your presence, let alone talk to you. Although I still think you're intimidating."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I demanded. "You, Sirius, and James talk to me and hang out with me all the time! And Brecc and Adrian get along with me too! And the guys on the Quidditch team! And the guys on my team!"

"Yeah, but Sirius, James, and I know you. Brecc, Adrian, and all the team members are used to you."

"I'm still not understanding what you're trying to get at here," I said, standing up. "Come with me to Dumbledore and explain." I held my hand out to him. He took my hand and stood up, leading me to the door.

"Where you going Moony?" James called, pausing his and Lily's dispute.

"We'll be right back," I told him before Remus could answer.

James nodded and continued their "conversation".

"So what's wrong with me then?" I asked Remus once we were in the hallways.

"Nothing is wrong with you," he said, swinging our arms a little bit. "And no one in their right minds would think there was. You're perfect."

I blushed. "Well, not perfect."

He gave me a sidelong look. "Okay. If you say so. My point is…Merlin, how do I put it? Do you know how girls act around Sirius and why?"

"Well, yeah. Everyone is always talking about him. He's practically one of the gods in their eyes, no flaws at all. But we know that that's not the truth, 'cause us Marauders are smart."

He smiled and rolled his eyes. "You can't possibly think that Sirius is the only one."

"Sure, Reg is—"

"M'kay. Let me be straightforward with you. Those two take after you, in more ways than one."

"No, they take after our dad—" I cut off abruptly. "Ah hell. Please don't tell him I said that Remus. He would die. So would I."

"You know I won't," he told me softly. "You can't help it that you guys resemble your parents. There's nothing you can do about it…except maybe Polyjuice potion," he added as an afterthought, making me laugh.

"Thanks Remy."

"Anytime Eridani."

"Licorice sticks," I told the guardian gargoyle Dumbledore's current favorite sweet. Personally I liked the lemon-heads better…but Dumbledore and I weren't the exact same, even if he was like my father. In fact, arguments over which candy was our favorite was an amusing discussion, he'd tell me.

"Good evening Miss Black. How are you faring today?"

I grinned at the gargoyle's gravelly voice. "Very well so, thank you. How about you, my dear guard?"

"Lovely, thank you for asking." He moved and let us through. I knocked on Dumbledore's door and we entered when we were told.

"Mr. Lupin," Dumbledore said, surprised. "I did not expect you tonight. Is anything wrong?"

"No sir," Remus said. "I was just giving Eridani some company. She was ready to murder someone because Lily and James—"

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop him. "Say no more. It is enough to drive the sanest person mad listening to those two being hopelessly in love."

"And considering she is most definitely not the sanest person alive…" Remus said.

"…it didn't take much," Dumbledore finished, his eyes twinkling.

"Not very nice, but true," I got out.

"Ahem," Dumbledore coughed. "Now, about why I called you here…" he glanced at Remus.

"Oh. Right. Sorry," Remus said. "I didn't think…" he trailed off, looking at me.

"So you haven't told them," Dumbledore said.

"Told us what?" Remus asked.

"No," I said quietly. "I wasn't sure if I was allowed to."

"Do you trust them with your life?"

"Absolutely."

"Then you are free to tell them. Just not the secrets."

"Yes sir," I turned around in my seat to look at Remus. "Have you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?"

"There're rumors that there's a group called such…but I've only heard it mentioned discreetly at home when my mum talks to her parents late at night."

I nodded. "Well, it's a real organization. Professor Dumbledore here formed it in the recent years that Voldemort has become a bigger threat. Only the ones most loyal to the good cause, meaning the side that truly will give anything to see Voldemort fall, is admitted in. It doesn't matter your talents or magical abilities or whatever else. As long as your intentions are true…you're welcome."

"No matter your magical abilities…" Remus muttered to himself. "Does that mean… Does age matter?"

"No. But I like to keep children out of this, for more reasons than one," Dumbledore said, no sign of the previous humor. "Nor conditions, if you get my meaning, Mr. Lupin."

Remus nodded slowly. "And Eridani is part of the Order of the Phoenix?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "I asked her to join the Order in her second year, having a full year to examine her potential and intentions, even though I already knew what I would see."

"That's why I don't stay with you or the Potters or Lily. I'm constantly on the move, especially when school is out and no one is aware of where I'm at anyways," I explained. "But here at Hogwarts…it takes a little bit more secrecy."

"Why…?"

"Can I tell him?"

"It is your choice," Dumbledore said. "I trust you remember what I told you in the last time we met to discuss Order business?"

"Yes sir." I turned back to Remus. "I'm a spy for the Order, and I go in where it's necessary and seek ways to bring the target down. That's why I'll be gone for months at a time, that's another reason why some students suspect I'm an Auror."

"You aren't, are you?"

"Well…"

"You are?" Remus asked in disbelief. "Eridani, this whole spy and Auror business is too dangerous! Especially for you!"

"No—"

"Yes, it is!" Remus said, getting agitated. "All it takes is for them to use magic one time, and they can do anything. Even worse, if Voldemort finds out about your ability…" he trailed off, not needing to explain to any of us that that would be it for our side.

"If you don't mind me interrupting," Dumbledore said, "there is a way that her missions will be much safer for her. I have perfected it after many years."

Remus raised an eyebrow at me, and I in turn looked at Dumbledore, puzzled.

"You have?" Remus and I asked at the same time.

He smiled slightly. "We aren't curious at all, are we?" he asked lightly. He entwined his fingers together, getting his thoughts together, and then he slipped a ring off his right index finger and gazed at it. "I have found a way to allow you to use magic, Eridani."

I gaped at him, eyes wide. "How is that possible?"

He stopped fiddling with the ring and placed it in front of me on his desk. "This is the key, my dear."

Looking at the ring, I could sense that it was a magical object. It was a silver ring that had a red magnificent phoenix carved intricately into the center of the beautiful ring. The phoenix's wings were spread, as if it were about to take flight. I looked behind Dumbledore's desk and gazed at Fawks, comparing the two. They were exactly alike. But upon closer inspection of the ring, I found elaborate writing etched in the band that said Eridani Virginis Black. The first letter of each name was darkened so my initials stood out.

I was utterly speechless, captivated by the pure beauty of it, and the obvious hard work that Dumbledore had done to complete this. It meant a lot to me.

Dumbledore was smiling. "Do you like it?"

"I-I love it! Thank you so much!" I said, throwing my arms around him.

"How will that allow her to do magic?" Remus asked, who had observed it over my shoulder.

"It's quite simple," Dumbledore said. "I found a way to fuel a good portion of my magic into it. So long as she wears it and I am alive, she will be able to do simple spells, and with hard, devoted practice, she will be able to do any spells that I am able to."

"How did you do it?" I asked in awe.

"I'd rather not get into that. It took me five years to figure it out," Dumbledore said, wincing. "Alas, I am extremely pleased with the outcome."

"Thank you so much professor," I said. "This is like a dream come true for me. It's–it's life-changing."

"It will also provide you some protection on your missions, especially your solo ones. It will ease this old man's mind and those of the rest of the Order, knowing that you aren't completely vulnerable."

"Will I need a wand?" I asked, slipping the ring on my left middle finger.

"Absolutely. Even if it would work without one, well, that wouldn't seem right, now would it?"

"No."

"Lucky I have one here that I think just might choose you." Dumbledore handed me a dark, six inch, oak wand with patterns that seemed to move on their own. I couldn't even make out what they were, just that they were captivating to watch. And when I picked it up…I got this really warm feeling and I was filled with happiness.

"Where did you get this?"

"Ollivanders, of course," Dumbledore exclaimed. "Where else do you get fine wands such as this?"

"What I meant was how did you pick this one?"

"Mr. Lupin can answer that, can't you, my boy?" Dumbledore turned his eyes to look at Remus, who was nodding.

"You let the ring choose, didn't you?"

"Yes. And I'd say that it still approves of this one here."

"Try a spell Eridani. Let's see how it works," Remus said excitedly.

"Mind you a small one," Dumbledore cautioned. "Try Lumos."

I nodded apprehensively. It wasn't that I doubted Dumbledore…it was that I doubted myself.

"Lumos," I said, holding the wand like I'd imagine one of the Marauders or Lily would. Immediately light flared from the wand tip, so bright in the dimming office that it hurt my eyes.

"Merlin's beard!" Remus exclaimed. "It really works!"

Dumbledore nodded in approval. "How does it feel, Eridani?"

"Powerful," I said automatically. "Right. Comfortable. It's just…it's just amazing, professor."

"Remember this Eridani, because it's very important." He looked into my eyes to get the meaning across. "No matter what you do, never remove the ring from your finger. Without it, you will not be able to produce even the simplest of all spells, and I have a feeling with the reputation you're about to get, that will bring forth dire consequences. Now that you have it, it will be most dangerous to be without it. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"I knew you would. Now go enjoy the rest of the evening. Practice your magic, and only tell those you trust with your life about the ring and anything else."

"Thank you again professor."

"Good night Mr. Lupin. Good night Eridani. Take care."


A/N: Now don't you guys worry…just because she gets magic doesn't make her a witch. Even though Dumbledore said she'd be able to do all the spells he can with practice, Eridani/Sozo will never accomplish that. She will only ever get up to, at best, is Protego, the spell for blocking. But that's the only defensive/offensive spell she'll be able to use. And, of course, you may find that she doesn't like magic as much as everyone else seems to. So don't worry. She's still a squib.

Yes, there was a LOT of new information that you may have NEVER been able to guess…but, she's special and a valuable asset to their cause. And, I know that you may be thinking "If she was a spy, how come she's never heard of or seen Flynn Rider?" Well, she's never met Voldemort, either. All the Death Eaters that have ever seen her are either dead or behind bars. But, yes, she is wanted by the Death Eaters and Voldemort, and they have a vague picture of what she looks like. So that's probably what Flynn meant when he said, "…I don't want you. The Dark Lord, however, does." So we shall wait and see what happens.

And my thanks you's to:

Great Ice Dragon: Your review made me smile! Thank you so much! And yes, I had thought about doing something like that, the whole Flynn and Rapunzel singing bit. ;) And yes, her nightly transformations are based on Rapunzel's appearance. Haha and don't worry, I have those moments too!

Alrighty! So, hope you enjoyed, and hope you'll like the following one!

Nike