Chapter 4

The Hound and the Phoenix

Tessra settled into the spacious office that Dumbledore had offered her. He seemed to linger for a few moments as she got to work. She twisted one of her rings as she waved her hand in the air producing what looked like a miniature waterfall.

"Elemental magic? Tessra…I'm surprised you are going to such lengths to help Ms. Lincolns; I didn't think the 27 would be so involved in such small affairs." Albus wondered, watching the woman at work.

"I didn't either Albus. However, MACUSA is heavily involved in this tournament. After that child wrote to me, so did the president. It seems, that she had written to him as well. You see this family…is very well connected. The president of the MACUSA is her godfather, and best friends with Michelin Lincolns. He wrote to me, begging me to step in. It perked my interest." Tessra said.

"So, I decided to offer help, I had a perfect candidate in mind actually. However, this child seems to know what she wants. And in all fairness, I agree with her as well. She wants a mentor she can trust, who she knows would die for her. Only family would die for each other." Tessra said knowledgably.

"This…member…of yours is Michelin Lincolns' sister? Correct me, if I'm wrong, but…I've known that family…years ago, and I have never heard of the man having a sister. As far as I am aware, he's the only child. And I've never heard of you recruiting a Lincolns into the coven." Albus mentioned as he watched Tessra twist another of her rings, she created a frame around the waterfall of mossy rocks appearing around it that glowed.

Tessra smiled at him.

"The Lincolns adopted this girl, when she was five…or six years old. I am only as aware of her origins as she is. They say she was born in England. Found as a lost child in America. She herself discovered this when she was just 14. Her adoptive grandmother somehow seemed to let it slip. The whole family has been too tight lipped about her birth parents. Her adoptive parents gave her nothing, but what I assume is a fake surname…Marks. She really believes it to be true, however I have my reservations." Replied Tessra.

"Wait…Marks…as in…Lyra Marks?" Dumbledore asked in surprise, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yes. Lyra Marks, my youngest." Replied Tessra with a slight tone of pride.

"Lyra Marks, is this girl's aunt?" Asked Albus in disbelief.

"She is."

"And she is…she is coming here? As her mentor?"

"That is the hope…once I can locate her! And you know something…I am not surprised at all by this mess. Lyra has always been late for everything…so I suppose it's become her MO. I really need to have strong words with her about it!" Tessra said shaking her head.

"Tessra…Lyra Marks is…uh…possibly the most accomplished…no…no…most over-accomplished person to have as a mentor. It will give this girl and extreme advantage. There will be no way in which we can make this competition fair!" Albus said sounding bothered.

"They aren't my rules Albus…Mr. Bagman did clearly say it could be anyone. This child is extremely lucky and extremely intelligent to have the possibility of getting someone like Lyra to even consider this. She has orchestrated this whole operation rather cunningly I'd say." Tessra replied slightly taken by this whole situation.

"Lady Jones?" came a silky voice from the waterfall. It seemed like Tessra had opened up some kind of portal using elemental magic.

"Erasmus? Any news?" Tessra asked.

"I have been tracking her my lady, across the continent…she has been sighted multiple times. Last seen, in the deep south, there was a rather unfortunate incident that she had to address…something to do with an inferius attack on a village. I have noted her location, would you like me to go retrieve her?" The man asked from across the sheet of water. Albus could see his face appear in the falling water. He recognized him, although, he was no longer the young fellow, he had met years ago.

"Yes Erasmus, that would be crucial. Please ask her to divert all her other appointments and come straight to Hogwarts. I will await her. And Erasmus…ask her to do so immediately."

"But lady Jones…you know what she's like. She is surely going to shove me away. Besides, I don't know if she'll be fit for travel…or at least the absurd way she chooses to!"

"I am aware Erasmus…I will handle her once she is here. Lyra will not decline your request if it has come from me. She is not at liberty to. You and I both know; she is not that stupid. We only have two days!"

"You are too easy on her Tessra. If this had been one of the others, you'd have…"

"That will be all, Erasmus." Tessra finished as the waterfall and rocks were vapourised into thin air.

Albus stood there listening closely to the exchange as Tessra now looked at him.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Lyra Marks coming to Hogwarts is not something I was prepared for Tessra…" He said looking at the distance in thought.

"You needn't worry about her…I will ask her to behave."

"Don't treat me like a fool Tessra. I am aware of what that woman is capable of...of what your coven is capable of…I don't want this to be a danger to…"

"A danger to? If it is the Potter boy you are worried about Albus, I would lay that to rest. The 27 have been interested in his…unfortunate circumstance, but we are not here to overthrow his life. Besides, if anything else, you should be thankful for the support you are about to receive after this year's Quidditch World Cup fiasco. Lyra Marks might be one of my most skilled members…but she is not dangerous to you, or your precious Dark Lord repellent. At least, not until I say so." Tessra responded scathingly. But her answer was not convincing enough for him, so she sighed and continued.

"She is a brilliant young witch, Albus. I am surprised by your reservations. Are you threatened she will replace your position here in England…I have heard the rumours…does the Daily Prophet really refer to her as the American Dumbledore?" Tessra jested merrily. Albus chuckled at her statement. He knew she was now trying to lighten the moment.

"I am sure she is more capable that I ever was, that name does not do her justice. And I have heard nothing but outstanding things about her. However, as brilliant as her résumé may be, she also sounds incredible volatile from what I just heard. The other mentors will surely not be as welcoming towards her as she might hope. This is not America, Tessra, people do not understand the true power that the 27 Coven possess…they will see her as a threat. Her fame might get her far in America…but here…she will not be accepted kindly."

Tessra laughed.

"I am not worried about that. Lyra may be very popular in America. But that is not on her own accord. She never asked for it. In fact, she still does her best to hide away from the media. The papers have been obsessed with her for a very long time. She may be arrogant because of the attention from time to time, rubbing it in senior members noses as well, but she is not stupid, Albus. Trust me, she knows how to hold her own. She has seen a fair share of failures and darkness in life. She is not as wild and extraordinary as they portray her to be. If anything, she is a shrew! She doesn't need anyone looking out for her." Tessra said amused by his worry for her member.

Which in some way was justified. Tessra knew where this was coming from. Most members of the 27 Coven were popular. They let their popularity go to their heads, and when they failed, which was inevitable in some cases, they could not manage the impact of this popularity turning against them. Tessra knew that Lyra was in most ways arrogant, but she had borne the brunt of failure many times as well. Her name had been dragged through the mud multiple times in the media, just as much as it was celebrated.

"Barty Crouch is not going to take this well…"

"Barty Crouch has let a 14-year-old participate in the tournament. He does not get a say in the way AIMS decides to protect its champion."

"I do hope you're right, Tessra."

"You need not worry about the red tape Albus. Ms. Lincolns in her innocence and desperation has managed to take care of that for us, by writing in to her Godfather. In fact, if I know Lyra, and I'd like to say I do. I have had the annoying, yet exceptional opportunity to see her grow into the woman that she is. She is going to be smitten by you…as you are her." Tessra said smiling.

She had a feeling this would be enough to convince him to give Lyra a chance. Hell, not like the woman needed one. Her stupid smirk had won over a continent. But Tessra understood his reservations, she knew him well. He was not a trusting man, even if he put on the façade of being one.

"She is rather charming when she wants to be…something I know you are as well." Tessra said looking knowingly at him. Dumbledore chuckled, bowing gratefully. He could not deny the fact that he had been intrigued to know more about Lyra Marks, ever since this conversation had begun.

"I hope you will grace us with your presence at dinner my lady…" said Albus bowing. Tessra considered his offer and nodded politely. Dumbledore then took her leave.

Not a single student from either of the schools decided not to show up for dinner that night. They had heard of the arrival of the famed leader of the 27 Coven, and they all wanted a first-hand view of the woman as she sat next to professor Dumbledore in deep discussion about something. At points, they'd share some light hearted nods and laughs as well. However, the entire hall was thrilled by her presence. They wondered if they'd get to see some magic out of her.

Most students had already squeezed every last drop of information possible out of their AIMS counterparts about the 27 Coven. They listened in fascination as they all told them about their fifth-year visit to the Coven House which in itself sounded supremely amazing. They were also educated on how one could be a member of the 27 Coven.

Any movement from Tessra Jones, meant heads would instantly turn. She seemed unfazed by so many eyes on her.

As dinner drew closer to an end, Mr. Crouch spoke across the table with Tessra and asked upon her progress, she looked like she had something cutting to say to him, which made him sit back in his chair quietly through the rest of the meal.

Her sudden departure however, was noticed by the hall as many heads turned to witness her walking away hurried. Some brave souls, decided to follow. These included, Sarah, who wanted to know more about when Tessra would act upon her promise, Fred and George Weasley, who just wanted to witness some powerful magic, a few other students who weren't exactly convinced by what their AIMS counterparts had spoken of, and a few from the AIMS students who just wanted to watch for the heck of it.

They found her standing alone in a deserted corridor. She twisted her ring and formed a waterfall out of thin air. They stood behind her, with their eyes peeled to see that she was talking to a dark looking man through the stream that she had somehow magically turned into a screen like portal.

"Erasmus?"

"My Lady…I am at the location…however, I am not sure if this would be the right time to broach this topic." Said Erasmus. Tessra frowned. She asked him to go on.

"She's just helped save lives in Georgia…after a rather long day of fighting Inferi…it was a hostage situation, she managed to save two children. However, the…the man who controlled the Inferi jumped out of the window…to his death. He was also the father of these children. Some sort of revenge on their mother who had married their neighbour and taken the kids with her." Said Erasmus looking behind him.

Tessra could see through the screen as Lyra spoke to her team in the close distance. She enlarged the waterfall, so that she could witness the scene unfold behind her closely.

"Have you spoke to her?" Tessra asked.

"No ma'am…not yet."

Tessra noticed the burn marks on Lyra's hands, she knew that the woman had played with fire again. If Lyra kept this up, she was going to be in a world of trouble. However, what happened next melted away Tessra's anger.

A little girl, who seemed like the one Lyra had rescued, walked up to the towering witch with auburn hair. She pulled on the auror's burnt robes to draw the woman's attention, probably to thank her.

The child held up a burnt looking teddy bear up to her and said something. The towering woman, crouched down to speak to the small child gently, showing her the burns on her hands just like the bear. She then tore off a part of her robe and began wrapping it around the bear as a bandage, as if to console the child and tell her that she was now a brave leader as well. The child's endearing smile met the captain's charming one. The child hugged the captain as the woman gave into the child's tiny arms that tried to capture her frame.

"Good job Erasmus. Call me when you are done."

"Yes, my lady."

Tessra nodded and then vanished the large flowing waterfall into thin air. She then walked back to the office she had come from, leaving all the students, and a few members of the staff who had come to shoo away the students in awe of her magic.

A few hours passed as Erasmus waited for the aurors to begin their journey back to their offices. He wished to catch Lyra alone. But it seemed like they were all celebrating in a local tavern in the village. After all, fighting off inferi wasn't an easy task. The villagers were so pleased by their performance, that despite their extreme aversion towards MACUSA, they had made sure these aurors were well tended to for the night.

Erasmus waited in the dark with his beast by his side, his grim called Night was growling at each person that passed them by. Giving them a look meant to cause terror in their hearts, as they tried to walk away as quickly as they could without looking at him. Erasmus wasn't the most pleasant looking man either. But his skills were at par with the rest of his fellow members. In fact, he was one of the 6 members who had gained the capability to become a master of an element…water. Tessra valued him thoroughly, especially his tracking skills, which he also owed to his beast. Tessra relied heavily on Erasmus for it, especially in emergencies like this. Most of the members in the 27 feared Erasmus. In front of his face, they'd show him respect, but behind it, they'd call him nasty things like the 'Hound' or 'Death Dog'. Erasmus was not fazed by it. But he was not appreciative of it either, which is why he kept his distance. He knew however, his beast being the grim wasn't the only reason for the nicknames. It just so happened that wherever Erasmus went, a curse of death seemed to follow him. A curse that had bound itself to him after a very difficult mission for the coven and MACUSA. If ever Erasmus showed up somewhere, there would inevitably be a death. Like today for example, the criminal had jumped to his own death. Erasmus was thankful it wasn't the victims.

He checked his watch and sighed, he supposed this was enough time to let the woman settle in. She had obviously had a long day. However, Erasmus wasn't a bloody messenger. Sure, he hunted on Tessra's request, but he just wanted to go back to his schedule of raiding tombs as a curse breaker.

Erasmus walked into the tavern as an instant silence fell upon the previous deafening and loud ruckus. People watched him walk into the door with his grim by his side and look around. However, he left as soon as he entered. She wasn't in there. How could she had disappeared without him noticing. From what he had checked, there was no other exit. Unless she had disapparated, which was unlikely, she wouldn't just leave like that, would she?

However, Night, had other plans, he began sniffing at the ground. Erasmus could only helplessly follow his beast as he led him back to the crime scene. As Erasmus approached the now eerie looking two-storied building in the middle of a deserted field. He came upon her silhouette. She was sitting there, drinking from a bottle of fire whiskey that she had probably taken from the tavern. A lit cigarette was carelessly held between her fingers in same hand. Her other hand stroked her Phoenix that lay asleep with its neck on her lap.

"I was wondering what you're doing here, Hound?" She asked her back to him. She took another swig from the half empty bottle.

"Don't call me that!" Erasmus snarled, as he approached her carefully. She did not even turn to acknowledge him.

The 27 were a rather pompous lot. With skills like that, you couldn't blame them. Erasmus, had never liked her very much to begin with. He was not in support of Tessra putting a 17-year-old through the trials of the coven's initiation. However, Lyra Marks had been Tessra's treasured find, and Lyra had proved to the nay-sayers as to why she had been the right pick.

"Why not…isn't that what they all call you?" She retorted as he sat down next to her. She took a long drag from her cigarette that smelt…very much not like a cigarette, but definitely like there was something mixed in.

"You are back to your old vices I see…Tessra will not be happy with the return of your addictions!" snapped Erasmus.

The woman finally looked at him, to shoot him a seething glare. He smirked at her. He then took the bottle from her hand and drank from it.

"Holy Merlin, Marks!" He snapped almost spitting the liquid out. She scoffed.

"When did you get so weak, Dog?" She asked him, pulling the bottle back.

"It's like swallowing fire!" He spat back at her.

"It is called Fire Whiskey for a fucking reason!" She replied taking another sip.

"How has it not burnt your insides yet?"

"Why aren't you with the rest in the tavern?" He added drinking from the bottle he detached from his beast. Night sat silently between him and Lyra.

She did not reply, just stared at the house and placed a hand on Night and began scratching him behind the ear. Instantly, Night's tail began wagging.

"I prefer being here with my own thoughts."

"You did well today…"

She scoffed at what he said.

"A man died today…a man who should have been sent to prison."

"You're upset it won't reflect on your count?" He asked sarcastically, a smirk played on his lips.

She shot him another glare. Her blue eyes filled with a fiery look that Erasmus had seen very often. The look that had changed Erasmus's mind about her, to a certain degree.

"You think so poorly of me." She said pretending to be hurt by his words. She looked away with a small smirk on her face.

"It is your actions that reflect poorly on you, Lyra…" He replied gently.

"My actions…? I just saved those children today!" She snapped angrily.

"I meant…"

"I know what you meant! I know what the you and the others think of me. That I have wings larger than the skies I am meant to fly in!"

"You do. But…"

"But what…"

"But you refuse to let anyone clip them. That's what makes you so threatening. They don't despise you because of who you are or of how well you do your job...or for your stupid mug in the Bugle on a weekly basis. But of what you are. They are not scared of you. They are jealous of you." Erasmus said. She rolled her eyes.

"Don't expect me to apologize for doing my job!"

"No one expects that of the great Lyra Marks" He chuckled darkly. Lyra scoffed as she drank deeply from the bottle.

"Why are you being nice to me today, Dog?" She asked suspiciously.

Erasmus gritted his teeth when she called him that. She was the only one who called him those nasty things to his face. It thoroughly confused and angered him. He hated people doing it behind his back. But she did it like it meant nothing. He knew she only did it to get a rise out of him. She said and did a lot of things just to get a rise out of most people. However, Erasmus did not know whether to appreciate her unintelligent attempt at what she assumed was some sort of consolation for him, at his expense, or berate her for not being the ideal member of the 27 Coven. She was easily 20 years younger than him, still, she had accomplished so much more than him. But that didn't give her the right to be the little asshole that she was. However, Erasmus knew, she was just this way to protect herself. This woman, did not trust anyone, and from what Erasmus had heard, she had been burnt in her past, that's what made her like this.

"I am here on a mission from Lady Jones." He replied.

"What mission?" She asked, suddenly extremely interested in what he had to say.

"I…am not at liberty to say…all I was asked to tell you was to divert your attentions for the year towards a long and arduous task that awaits you." Erasmus began as the woman listened to him.

"Your arrival is awaited urgently at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by tomorrow morning. Don't be LATE!" He said as he stood. His companion looked up at him wagging his tail.

"Wait…what do you mean at Hogwarts…that's…that's a school…in…"

But before she could cross examine him. He was gone along with his grim. Using his elemental ring of water, he and the large black dog had turned into mist that blew away with the wind.

Lyra stared at the spot where he had stood.

"Burst. Wake up!" She said pushing the phoenix on her lap awake. The bird looked at her, snapping her beak at Lyra's fingers at the rude interruption of its slumber. Lyra looked at her apologetically.

They then began making her way back to the village, the phoenix flying beside her master.

Tessra entered the great hall, having left dinner early last night, had a hankering for some sustenance. She settled into a seat next to Dumbledore who gave her a painful look. She wondered why that was, she raised a polished eyebrow at him.

"Barty Crouch was told of who exactly is going to be Ms. Lincolns mentor…and as you can tell the entire staff seems to have discovered it as well."

"He was caught in a rather anger outburst directed at Mr. Bagman yesterday, after he heard about it. He believes…AIMS is bending the rules in their favour, using unnecessary force. He seems to have written to the Minster of Magic in London about it." Dumbledore went on as Tessra scoffed.

"And he thinks that the Minster of Magic is going to be able to do something about it? My…I thought he looked intelligent." Tessra commented.

"It has been two days Tessra…he's surely going to…"

"Dumbledore! Lady Jones!" Mr Crouch greeted them urgently, as he walked up to them. He looked like he was here to discuss something extremely serious. An official envelope in his hand. He handed it to Tessra to read.

"I'm sorry Lady Jones, it's been two days. But you have failed to produce a mentor for the AIMS champion. I have an official letter from the ministry stating…"

"The day is not done Mr. Crouch!" Tessra retorted.

"Come now Lady Jones. Let's not beat around the bush! You and I both know…someone like her is not going to show! Why would she…she has better things to do."

"Mr. Crouch, You leave my members and their tasks to me. And I am not the one trying to sabotage America's chances of winning this tournament. Imagine, if I wrote a similar letter to MACUSA's president?!" Tessra snapped at him calmly.

"As you earlier pointed out, MACUSA has a rather strong warlock to fight in our defence as well! I assure you he will not step back from this." She added threateningly. Tessra did not like bullies, especially, small weak little men who thought they could try to wiggle their fingers at her.

Tessra raised angrily from her seat. Dumbledore, worried about an altercation in front of the entire student body and staff, stood alongside Tessra. He could feel the power of her magic radiating from her.

However, before Tessra could say anything. There was a wave of awe that rang straight through the student population. The three turned to see what had just happened.

A phoenix had just flown into the great hall, its scarlet and gold feathers shimmering and glistening in the October sun that was pouring in through the magical ceiling. The large avian soared high through the hall, surveying the place, with its steely dark eyes.

"She's marvellous!" Whispered Dumbledore watching the phoenix in wonder, fly over the hall, sending out calls as she flapped her wings.

Tessra noticed Burst, a smile played on her face. Seeing that phoenix decreased her surging temper and released a sense of relief through her heart. Erasmus had got through to her!

Tessra raised her hand, inviting the phoenix to her. The bird swooped down towards her, brushed its wing against Tessra's hand before flying away, the doors to the hall shut behind it. Tessra's eyes stayed glued to the doors, expecting the owner of the beast to walk in any minute. But there was no one there. Minutes passed, but no one walked in.

"Lady Jones…perhaps…it's time we discussed other options." Athena offered defeatedly from her left.

Tessra curled her hands into fists. She was at a loss for words.

"Thank you, Athena! Finally, someone with enough sense to put some logic on the table…" said Mr. Crouch with a triumphant look on his face.

Tessra sighed. Perhaps, they were right. She had clearly not taken Erasmus seriously. She had disregarded a direct order. But for some reason, sent her beast to scout and see if the urgency was real. Something, told Tessra to wait. Call it an instinct, but Tessra's eyes never left those large doors.

"Lady Jones?" called Mr. Crouch, now a little aggravated by the fact that the Americans were trying to take over a tournament that he was supposed to be in-charge off!

The doors to the Great Hall flew open as the phoenix flew back in. The crests on the AIMS students changed like they had two days ago.

Tessra's face held a look of relief, she closed her eyes. And when she opened them, she saw the woman walk into the hall. The students seemed too excited to keep calm. Loud chatter engulfed the halls as students from all schools, stood to watch one of the most popular witches in the world walk through the hall. Her phoenix flew through the hall before landing next to Tessra, whose eyes were stuck to the bird's master.

Lyra Marks was a tall woman, with auburn hair and an enviable figure. Her shoulder length waves flapped behind her as she walked with long and disciplined strides, like some military general. Dark aviators framed her exceptionally angled face. She carried a white cloak with gold trimmings in her hand, the traditional cloak of the 27 Coven. She had a white vest on which held the sigil of the 27 Coven embroidered into it in gold. Under which she wore a white shirt with sleeves folded till her elbows, and the first few buttons open which exposed parts of the tattoo she had over her left breast. The shirt was tucked neatly into her dark pants, which were tucked into a pair of black leather boots. Over her pants sat her leather wand holster that extended from her black leather belt.

The woman walked through the hall ignoring all the students that stared at her, and the many who bowed lowly for her, all while trying to capture a glimpse of her. She didn't climb up on the platform as the staff and others at the teacher's table looked at her from a height. Many would been intimidated by the powerful people at the table, but not her.

She took off her aviators and her bright blue eyes tore straight into Tessra with a defiant look.

"Doesn't your Dog have better things to do than to track my scent?" She spat at the leader of the 27 Coven in the most exasperated tone she could manage.

Tessra stopped herself from smiling. She had no idea the sense of relief upon seeing Lyra Marks would be so huge. In fact, it was so immense, she was willing to let go of the jibe against Erasmus.

Tessra walked around the table and jumped off the platform to grab Lyra's hand into hers and shove it into the air.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you…the AIMS Tri-wizard champion's mentor and a member of the 27 Coven, Lyra Marks!" Tessra announced to the hall. The hall burst into cheers as the AIMS students clapped as loudly as possible.

Lyra looked affronted by the announcement. But continued smirking charmingly as if she was prepared for it.

"What the literal fuck are you playing at?" She muttered murderously through her smile and clenched teeth.

"Just keep smiling that stupid smile of yours…you will soon see why." Tessra whispered back similarly.

"You best hope this makes sense…I just left three open missions for this crap…"

"Trust me. You'd regret it if you hadn't come here."

"I think I'm already regretting the opposite."