Honesty

The four Slys came home from the Room of Requirement, and Sev asked Valerie and Andrew, "Do you want to spend a little more time with me or are you in a hurry to study?"

"Not at all, Prince," she replied. "This year the grades we get are not so important. Sixth year is much less demanding than OWLs."

"Then wait for me a moment, I'll go to the bedroom to find something and we'll do something more interesting."

(Thus, apart from knowing their characteristics, I already introduce them to Druid Magic.) He came down with the book of the 'Celtic Horoscope' and sat down with them at the table. Valerie had done it in his corner with her back to the Lake, Andrew next to her, and Deborah in the spot next to his. (They've vacated my favorite, where Lauren sits at night, where Deborah and I did yesterday. Of course, this is a very special place to me, and Lily may never get to know it, only my people from home.)

Sev showed them the book and spoke briefly about the rituals, not yet revealing the powers they conferred. Deborah let him do the talking. (She trusts my judgment to unlock the secrets to some extent.) He also told them that as soon as they learned Occlumency he would take them to perform a ritual.

"We will also do joint ones, the four of us, and each couple separately. Deborah, I really want to do it just with you."

"And me, Prince."

(Poor girl, we haven't stopped by the Infirmary and her lips must be hurting. I've overgone a lot, but she makes me very horny. Just seeing them and remembering it makes me like a motorcycle again.)

Valerie and Andrew were very interested. Then he told them about the lunar calendar and personal characteristics. "It may seem silly, but I assure you that it is not."

"No, of course it's not," Deborah said. "It's all right for me."

"Well, not all anymore."

"You're right, Prince, since yesterday, not everything anymore."

"Wow…" Valerie said. "If you, so skeptical, believe in it, you must be right. I would like to know mine."

"I can leave you the book if you promise not to look at the pages that are marked," Sev said. "It's my characteristics and Lily's and they're written down, it's very personal."

"You don't need to leave it to us, Prince, we'll look at it now, as long as we don't coincide. When is your birthday?"

"The ninth of January, but the trees are repeated at various times of the year, mine also reappears in summer. Tell me your dates and I'll look at it. I will not study your characteristics if you do not give me permission." (They haven't told us anything about the Mirror.)

"Well, Prince, what a nonsense," Valerie told him. "It will serve to get to know each other better, so we will be more prepared for the joint ritual."

(I was expecting this response from her. She is a very open person, in that she doesn't seem like Sly at all.)

"What do you say, Andrew?" Valerie asked.

"First I'll read them and I'll tell you what I want," Andrew replied.

"Okay, so I'll tell you the problematic dates, to see if we coincide." Sev looked for his page in the book, "Mine are from January 2nd to 11th and from July 5th to 14th."

"No, we don't coincide on those," Andrew said.

"Okay, I'll look at Lily's," he searched for her page. "From January 25th to February 3rd and from July 26th to August 4th."

"Neither. I am from October 7th," Valerie said.

"Great. Do you want me to find it for you?"

"Sure, do it."

Sev searched. (The Rowan. The Sensitivity. Wow…) Sev handed her the book. "Read and tell us what you want."

"Everything, I want you to know me," Valerie replied.

"Great."

Valerie began to read, "The sensibility. Is that my main feature?"

"Yeah. Mine is the mystery," said Sev.

"Wow, yes, so it's right."

"Yours too."

"Mine is the nobility," Deborah said.

(Great, Deborah is starting to open up to her friends.)

"Well, it hits you too, completely," Valerie told her, who continued reading. "Now comes a description of the species, right?"

"Yes, and its uses and meaning, it is also interesting," Sev said.

Valerie read the species description. "Let's see, let's see, the characteristics. I am a person full of charms and cheerful."

"Of course you are," Andrew said.

"Yeah, I think so too" Sev agreed.

"And me," Deborah said.

"Thanks guys. I'm having a good time," Valerie said. "I give without expectations and I like to attract attention."

"Of course, both," said Andrew.

"Yes, you're very generous," Deborah said. "It's a feature of mine too."

(Great, Deborah is opening up and she already recognizes that she is giving.)

"Of course, you both are, and you're cheerful too, Deborah," Sev said.

"Of course you are," Valerie said. "You had a blast yesterday."

"Indeed," Andrew agreed.

Deborah smiled sheepishly. (How much good Valerie does for Deborah, and now they are finally connecting. They are going to become inseparable friends, I am so glad. They will end up forming that squad that she dreamed of.)

"I love life and emotions and I am very perceptive," Valerie continued. "On target."

"Of course," Andrew said.

"How lucky," Sev said.

"Yes, I know how to enjoy life, but in exchange, I am also a very suffering person," Valerie admitted.

"Oh…"

Valerie continued, "I don't rest, I like even complications. Also hits, you know, suffering."

"Yes, sometimes too much," Andrew commented.

"You have to make an effort to change that, Valerie," Sev told her. "We are on the brink of a war, we have to resist."

"You're right, but know that with what happened this afternoon, all the unease about what happened yesterday has passed," she said. "Good emotions have prevailed and I always let myself be carried away by them. You have healed me."

"How glad I am. You me too," Sev said. (How much good we do to each other.)

Valerie continued, "I am both dependent and independent." She laughed. "I don't understand that."

"I do," said Andrew. "You are very dependent in the relationship you have with me and in your affections, like your family and friends, and independent in other areas, such as studies, combat, or your hobbies such as Quidditch or singing."

"Well, you're right, Andrew. You know me better than myself."

"Because he doesn't take his eyes off you, Valerie. He adores you," Sev said.

"Let's not talk about me yet, Prince," Andrew said.

"Andrew, you have to express what you feel, learn from Valerie."

"You're right, Prince," he replied, and to her, "I adore you, Valerie."

"And I you," she told him, and they kissed.

(How good we do to each other. We already look like Gryffs.)

"I want to too, Deborah," Sev said.

They kissed too, they stared at each other. "Do your lips hurt?" he asked her in a low voice.

She bonded to answer, "Yes, but I love it. I remember all the time what we've done and I'm still horny."

"Me too."

"Do I continue?" Valerie asked. "You are dazzled."

They unbonded.

"Continue, continue."

"I have good taste and I am an artistic person," Valerie read.

"Indeed!" Sev exclaimed.

"That should be your main feature," Andrew said.

"It already is," answered Valerie. "You can't be an artist without good taste and sensitivity."

"Good taste is also one of mine," Sev said. "Extraordinary good taste."

"Of course, that's why you're also an artist. And you have it for everything, not only for that. Also for women."

(She just paid Deborah a compliment. And she's not embarrassed anymore, she smirks, okay… Well, I'll pay Valerie one.) "Andrew has it too," Sev said.

"Of course," Valerie said. "Otherwise he wouldn't like me."

"Don't steal my girlfriend, Prince, I had a hard time finding her," Andrew said.

The four laughed.

(Andrew no longer complains that we talk about him and jokes. I'm sure he'll read to us all his features too.)

"Don't worry, I would never do it," Sev said.

"I don't trust a hair. I'm going to have to tie her short," Andrew replied.

They laughed again. (He knows Valerie likes me too, and I like her, of course. But he's not jealous at all, he's humorous. And Valerie loves this little fight over her, she likes being the center of attention, one of her characteristics.)

"Well, let's continue, we're going around the bush," Valerie said. "Passionate, emotional, good company."

"On target," Andrew said.

(In that he knows her well. Valerie is worth a lot, it hasn't turned out any unfavorable characteristics yet.)

She continued, "I stand firm against the blows of life and I am optimistic. That does not hit me too well, I already tell you that I suffer a lot."

"Well, enhance that characteristic," Sev told her. "Make yourself stronger, more independent."

"Sure, you are right. I am supportive, and although I forgive, as I am very sensitive, I do not forget," Valerie continued reading, "That is not true, I forgive and forget. I don't enquist myself, I let myself flow."

(Then she will forgive Jack, Andrew will too, and they will influence Deborah. Very well, disagrees are not convenient for us, we must be united.) "Yeah, I think so too" Sev said.

"Of course," Andrew said. "Your generosity prevails."

"I neither forgive nor forget," Deborah said.

(Wow... She's dared with one of her worst traits, and just yesterday she didn't want me to tell anyone about it.)

"Well, that's not good, honey," Valerie told her. "You should try to change it."

"Yes, Deborah, Valerie is right, you hurt yourself," Andrew told her.

(I won't tell her anything, I don't want to censor her, I accept her as she is. I let them influence her.)

"That's it. Is there more on turning the page?" Valerie asked.

"No, it's the next tree," Sev replied.

"Oh, what a pity, I was having a blast. It get almost everything right, you were right. It's your turn, Andrew," passing him the book.

"No, let them read theirs first," he said.

(Andrew is much less open, and Deborah is not going to want to.)

"I do read them to you," Sev told them.

Valerie handed him the book, he opened it to his page.

"The main one I have already told you, is the mystery."

"And it hit you right," Valerie told him. "You are a box of surprises."

"I'll read you first the ones that I think it gets right and then the ones that doesn't."

"Okay, whatever you want."

"Extraordinary good taste, I love everything beautiful, I have a lot of dignity, I am sober and sophisticated," Sev began.

"Full," Valerie said.

"Yeah, I think so too," Andrew said.

"Although you skipped the sober thing yesterday."

"Of course, for the first time in my life," Sev said.

"And you've kept skipping it today," laughing. "You're going to have to cross it out."

Sev laughed too, embarrassed. (How naughty she is, and so open, seems Huffle, she loves to talk about it.) "In rather fragile health."

"Not at all," Valerie said, admired. "You're like a bull."

(Indeed, she likes me.) "Yes, because I try to take care of myself, but at the minimum I fall. Before I was very skinny, and now, with the Time-Turner, I'm suffering again."

"Well, look after yourself, health comes first."

"Temperamental and demanding," Sev went on.

"You don't seem temperamental to me."

"Yes, I am, a lot. You haven't seen me angry."

"Yeah, it's true, I haven't seen you angry, and I hope I won't have to," Valerie said.

"I hope so too. I take great care of those closest to me."

"Of course you do," Andrew said.

"Yes you do," Deborah said.

(Wow, yesterday she didn't tell me anything, but of course, yesterday she still wasn't that close to me and today she is, and she knows that I take care of her, she also takes care of me. Later I'll tell her that I saw her in the mirror.) "Very ambitious, hardworking and resourceful, I have talent and a fascinating intelligence."

"It's you," Valerie said.

"Of course," Andrew said.

"Sure," Deborah said.

"Unsatisfied lover," Sev said.

"Oh…" Valerie said. "You can cross that one out now."

"No, that should be my main feature," Sev said. "I love so much that I'm never satisfied."

"I understand what you mean."

(Because she knows I can't be with Lily.) "I have many friends and enemies."

"Indeed, hundreds of each," Valerie agreed.

"Of course," Andrew said.

"I am very reliable, reserved and loyal to my friends," Sev continued.

"Well, you're skipping the reserved thing too."

"Yes, more and more, but I prefer it. It is better to be open and show what you feel. But for the secrets of others I am, I am reliable and loyal. I'm going now with the ones that don't hit me. Capricious."

"No, you're not at all," Valerie said.

"Of course not," Deborah said.

"Stubborn and selfish," Sev went on.

"You're not either," Valerie said.

"Not at all," Deborah said.

"Modest," Sev read.

"Yes, you are modest," Valerie said. "You are very modest."

"Of course," Andrew said.

"No, I'm not. That's what I appear to be, but deep down I know my worth," Sev admitted.

"Oh…," Valerie said. "Well, even more merit, being able not to show it. You are an exceptional leader."

(Same thing Deborah told me yesterday.)

"That's it, that's all. Are you up to it, Deborah?" Sev asked.

"Of course," Deborah replied.

(You'll see how she reads them all.) He searched for her page and handed her the book.

She began to read, "My main characteristic is nobility."

"Of course," Valerie said.

"I am spiteful, honest and practical."

(She has skipped faithful. Good.)

"Honest and practical you are," Valerie told her. "You should change the spiteful thing, it hurts you."

"I'll try."

(Let's see if she says 'faithful'.)

"It says that I am faithful, but yesterday I stopped being it," Deborah admitted.

(Take that! She is honest to the core.)

"And are you happy?" Valerie asked her, laughing.

(What a gossip she is, I love it, these two are going to have some good girly secrets talks, you'll see.)

"A lot," Deborah also laughed. "The memory of my Patronus has changed three times in less than twenty-four hours."

(Wow… of course she's honest. And she starts laughing with them too, tomorrow when we go to the fir tree we're going to have a great time.)

"How glad I am, Deborah," Valerie said. "It's a very good sign that the memory of your Patronus has changed. That means that your present is better than your past, that life is getting better for you, mine is constantly changing."

"Absolutely right," Andrew said. "Mine does too."

(Wow, I never thought of that and they're right. Mine didn't change for years, until good things started to happen to me. And how wise and sane they both are, what a good influence.)

"I am very sensible and I solve problems and obstacles well," Deborah continued.

"Of course," Andrew said. "If we had listened to you yesterday we would have avoided the serious incident."

"Right," Valerie was suffering.

"Valerie," Sev said patiently. "Don't think about it anymore, it's over. Go ahead, Deborah."

"It says that I keep my feelings to myself, but not since yesterday," Deborah said.

"Wonderful," Valerie said. "Yesterday your life changed."

"Of course, I have been born again."

(Destined to change lives for the better.)

"I have a good memory and I am very reliable, that's why I can't stand disloyalty," Deborah continued reading.

"All great qualities."

"Of course, if you are reliable, it is acceptable that you demand the same from others," Andrew said. "A good trait Sly."

"Pleasant figure, good taste in clothing, and modest demands," Deborah said.

"Yes," Valerie said. "You have a very good figure and you are in very good shape. And the rest is also true."

(She knows it well, they share a bedroom. I can't wait to see her naked. Tonight… I'm like a motorcycle.)

"I tend not to forget mistakes. I don't tend, I never forget them. You know, spiteful."

"Change that, honey."

"I like to command but not obey, and make decisions for others," Deborah went on.

"It's you, Deborah," Andrew said.

"Of course," Valerie said.

"Today Prince made me happy for something else," Deborah said.

(She still hasn't told them she's second in instruction, she hasn't had time.)

"Oh really? What for?" Valerie asked.

"I am his second in the instruction of the Army."

"Wow… Deborah! How glad I am, you deserved it."

"Of course you did," Andrew said.

"And it wasn't because he got involved with me," Deborah said.

"We already know not," Valerie said. "He would never do something like that. It's because you deserve it."

"A very good decision, Prince," Andrew said.

"I'm glad to have your approval," Sev said. "Maybe I'll demote her when Alice learns Occlumency. Between now and then, I'll think about it."

"The commander of the seventh year?" Valerie asked.

"Yes, she is the best warrior of the contingent. She's even better than me."

"Wow…" Andrew said. "But that doesn't mean she has to be a good second, it has nothing to do with it. It is best someone close to you, who knows you well and knows how to keep her cool and be down to earth, and Deborah is perfect for that."

"Of course she is," Sev agreed.

"And not only that. Also that they have leadership skills to replace you when you are not present and is not afraid to warn you of your mistakes, as you told us yesterday. And Deborah has all of those qualities. It is very difficult to find them all together in one person."

(Also, Alice and Frank are going to have a lot of work next year, as they will be in charge of instructing the graduates who continue to come and the Aurors.)"Of course, then I'll keep her. I will not demote her, decided."

"Thank you, Prince," Deborah hugged him.

"Poor, I had already given you a scare."

"Well, yes, I was very excited."

(How cute she is, she is lovely.) "Come on, keep going," Sev told her.

"Cheerful and with a good sense of humor."

(She already does not say that it is wrong.)

"Another thing you changed yesterday," Valerie told her.

"Well yes."

"Well, very well done."

"It says that I am an honest and faithful couple, with a noble and generous mentality," Deborah continued. "It doesn't get the faithful thing right anymore, but the generous one is more and more."

"A nice change too," Valerie said, satisfied. "Better to be generous than faithful. There is plenty of love to share."

(I really like Valerie. I'm going to pass her the notes about Moon Magic.)

"Yours, just for me," Andrew told her.

"If it pleases me," Valerie replied. "If I find another worthwhile one you'll have to share me."

Sev and Deborah laughed. (Take that! What a cut! And I'm sure Valerie is thinking of me.)

"Are you finished, Deborah?" Sev asked.

"Yeah."

"It's your turn, Andrew, now you don't get rid of it. Pass him the book, Deborah, let him look for his page. You know, Andrew, learn from us, be honest and read it all to us."

"Well, well… we'll see," Andrew said, who searched and began, "My tree is the ash tree. My main feature ambition."

"Oh! Sly to the core," Sev exclaimed.

"Of course."

"When is your birthday?"

"Today," Andrew replied.

"What are you saying?"

"What you are hearing."

"Congratulations! Seventeen. The most important birthday of your life," Sev said, excited.

"Of course. And you have given me very good gifts, unexpected, the best."

"How glad I am, Andrew."

"I'll read the information of the tree." Andrew read and then started with the features, "I am exceptionally attractive, vivacious and impulsive."

"On target," Valerie said.

(True, he is not very handsome but he is very attractive, he has a good physique and an interesting face, just like me.)

"Demanding, I don't care about criticism, ambitious," the older boy went on.

"Spot on," Valerie said.

"You should change that you don't care about criticism. You have to let yourself be advised," Sev said.

"Yes you're right. I am too sure of myself," Andrew admitted.

"Being sure of oneself is fine, but several minds always think better than one."

"Intelligent, full of talents."

"Right," Valerie said.

(She admires him a lot too. They are a perfect match.)

"I like to play with destiny, I can be selfish," Andrew continued. "Also correct. Very reliable and trustworthy."

"The three of us, you, Deborah and I, share that characteristic," Sev said.

"Of course, Slys to the core. Faithful," stressing the word, addressing Valerie, "and prudent lover."

"Well, it don't get the prudent thing right," Valerie said.

"Yeah, not prudent, but faithful yes."

"It's your characteristic, not mine."

"We'll talk alone later," Andrew warned.

"Well, well… don't fight," Sev said laughing.

"Sometimes my brain controls my heart, but I take my relationships very seriously."

"Of course you do," Valerie said. "Me too."

"I have great magnetism and power to ward off the negative energies that surround me," Andrew went on.

"With me you do it constantly."

(He comforted her of the constant suffering. They complement each other, they are perfect for each other. I will not interfere.)

"I am good at being in positions of recognition, at doing great things for others."

"You're doing it for me," Sev said.

"I am very proud to belong to your escort, it makes me feel important," the older boy said. "When the six of us walk around the school, everyone recognizes us and greets us."

(Ambitious. Maybe next year I'll make them commanders too, we'll need another couple.) "Maybe next year I'll make you commanders. Would you like?"

"I'm looking forward to it, Prince," Andrew replied with absolute conviction.

"Of course," Valerie said, very sure of herself too.

"The last. I am faithful to the causes and I can become a recognized artist or politician."

"Of course," Sev said. "True to your convictions, determined to fight. And if you want to be an artist, go ahead and learn to play an instrument and we'll do it next year, so you can share something else with Valerie."

"I will, Prince, I'll think about it," said Andrew. "I've read it all to you, huh? I have reciprocated your trust."

"Thank you very much Andrew. For me it was worth it, because you were the one I knew the least."

"Yeah, for me too," Deborah said.

"For me it has been worth it too," Andrew said. "And you were right, it gets everything right for me."