CHAPTER TEN

Disclaimer: J.K. ROWLING owns the Harry Potter world.

Author's note: Reviews are always welcome. Any suggestions or crticisms are open.

Saturday 19th October 1990

Seeing as it was Saturday, Felicity didn't have to report to the ministry for training till later in the afternoon. She hummed as she ate breakfast, her mum having gone to Sergey Manor to talk to Larissa. She wondered what to do. Her eyes travelled to one of the pictures on the frames and she grinned. It was of Darrell and Melinda with a group of orphans or poor witches and wizards in Britain. It was in Diagon Alley, though in a secluded area that people rarely visited. Darrell was head of the organization, but the Culbert children volunteered every now and then.

Felicity washed up everything and headed up to get ready. She hadn't visited the place in a while, so she thought she might today.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror-her dark brown hair and charmed glasses. She hesitated as a thought occurred. The Culbert daughters looked alike, extremely alike that it was hard for others to tell them apart except for friends or family. If she went out as Jasira, people would assume she was Sam or Lucy, they were nearly the same size and height, though Jasira had cut her hair so it was shorter than the others.

With a deep breath, she removed the glamour and smiled. She'd missed her appearance. Rich curly black hair replaced the brown, and when she removed her glasses, her eyes were their dark colour that contrasted well with her fair skin. She removed the freckles and tied her hair in a neat bun low down her head. When she was ready, dressed in casual grey robes she headed out the door before disappearing with a 'pop'.

Her feet touched the ground meters from the building and she straightened. No one paid her the slightest bit attention as she walked confidently towards the building and pushed open the door.

Her father had mixed the place with wizard and muggle things so that the children did not grow up biased. She didn't see anyone except for the receptionist, who smiled at her and said," Hello, Sam. I haven't seen you for a while, though it seems as though you've gotten slightly taller."

Jasira smiled back, mentally grinning that people still mistook her for her older sister-though in this situation she wasn't complaining- and said," Hello Tanya. Is dad here?"

Tanya didn't seem to notice that it was Jasira she was talking to, since the woman had purposely covered her forehead with her hair, since Sam's was smaller in size. She spoke in a low voice since her sister only spoke loudly when she was excited or angry.

"Yes, Mr Culbert is in his office, together with Lucy," answered Tanya.

Jasira nodded," Thanks. I'll catch you later."

Tanya replied in kind and Jasira went off in the direction of the office. She let her eyes wander about as she looked at the main reception, where it had been painted a cheerful blue with a cream carpet. Her father had painted the corridors blue and white, with small paintings like the kind they had at home. Darrell had a thing for paintings. She couldn't help chuckling at a quote that she had told her father to put up in the building when she was sixteen.

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.

It was a muggle quote that Jasira had seen in an app on her phone. She'd liked it because of the positivity, and Darrell had said he'd keep it on the main wall of each corridor. She heard small children laughing in one of the classroom doors that she passed, and took a round staircase, passing framed pictures of children beaming and moving around-all Wizarding children. She walked slowly and finally reached the dark coloured door that said:

Head of Building

Darrell Culbert

She knocked and entered, putting her face in and peeking. Seeing that it was only Lucy and Darrell she got in, closing the door behind her.

Darrell and Lucy looked at her in surprise," Jas! You've left your glamour behind," said Lucy, eyeing her face and hair.

"Well noticed," said Jasira dryly, sitting on one of the armchairs in the green painted room.

"Well, well, this is a surprise," said Darrell, speaking in Kiswahili as he too looked at his daughter.

"I haven't been here in a while so I thought I might visit. Tanya-er-thinks I'm Sam," said Jasira also in Kiswahili, turning slightly red.

Lucy rolled her eyes," Took advantage of our similarities did you?" she said, speaking English in a slight teasing tone, though she looked pleased that Jasira hadn't denied her relation to Sam.

"Lucy and I were just discussing the children here," said Darrell, switching to English as he gestured to the papers in his desk. Her father had no patience for quills and ink, nor parchments, and instead used paper and pen.

"What about them?" asked Jasira with interest.

"Well, some of them are almost of age, and we think it would be a good idea if they got jobs in the Wizarding World. Nothing posh of course, anything they might like," explained Lucy.

"Of course the Ministry doesn't allow them wands in case they use it wrongly," Darrell scowled before continuing," but we can't keep them here forever. Matthew found six more children yesterday and the place is filling up. Those who are already of age can get jobs here to help, and they'll get paid too, or if they're interested in pursuing a course, they can take something they're interested in."

"What about those who want to work in the Ministry? Be an Auror or something?" asked Jasira," they'll need OWLS and NEWTS for that, and they haven't sat in for any exam."

Darrell gave a small smile," Not many are willing to work in the Ministry due to its slight bias, but the few that do are willing to study and sit for the required exams in due time. As their head, I'll vouch for them."

Jasira nodded," It sounds good. What classes are they doing so far?"

"They're not doing everything taught in Hogwarts, since we don't have enough teachers who know everything, but they learn the basic potions, basic transfiguration, a bit of charm and defence. Just the core subjects," replied Darrell," there's a library if they want a bit of light reading and if any of them are interested in a subject they can ask one of the teachers."

"Extracurricular?" enquired Jasira.

Lucy grinned," Of course! You think we'd let kids study without a bit of fun? There're loads of games for them to play in, and if they want something from one of the shops they need only ask one of their teachers for permission."

"It's like a mini boarding school, though with less rules and lessons. How many children are there so far dad?" said Jasira.

"A total of 83 children, with 43 girls and 40 boys," stated Darrell.

Jasira whistled," That's a lot."

"We know," said Lucy, and a small frown crossed her face.

"What worries me is the problem this kids pose to Voldemort. We've added defence wards and more charms and protection spells, but Tom can harm them anytime he wants," said Darrell worriedly.

"Yeah, there was an almost attack last year but we got a tip in time and managed to fend them off. We don't think we'll be lucky a second time," said Lucy with a sigh.

"Well, what protection spells do you need?" questioned Jasira," In Africa I invented around three of them, but I think the one that'd take time to really take down is the expanded shield charm. Don't look at me like that, Lucy, it isn't easy coming up with suitable names for spells you know," she told her sister, who was grinning.

Darrell was looking keen as he said in Kiswahili," Continue."

"Well, the expanded shield charm is basically a charm that contains properties of Protego maxima and protego horribilis and protego totalum. You cast it three times in all the corners of the place to guard it fully. It's difficult, extremely difficult to get past this shield charm. I kept a lot of power in this spell, more than the others because it's the most effective. If the death eaters were to come and attack the building it will take them a maximum of a week and a half to get the shield down, and that's when they work together to defeat it," explained Jasira.

"Wow," said Lucy in awe.

"What about Voldemort? He's powerful, more powerful than ten death eaters put together," said Darrell.

"It will drain him, especially if he is foolish enough to try to defeat it alone. I mean it, the shield is too powerful to be defeated, and you'd need really powerful people to actually take it down-and that's when they try corner by corner," warned Jasira.

"What if you, Dumbledore and dad were to try and take it down?" asked Lucy curiously. Everyone knew how powerful Dumbledore was, and Jasira and Darrell had high magical levels as well.

Jasira grinned," Well, seeing as we all have high magical reserves, It'd take atleast five days or so."

Darrell couldn't help smiling at his daughter," Any other spells you invented?"

"I wouldn't call some of them inventions, since I just get ideas for better improvement, so I'd call it innovation," said Jasira modestly.

"Call them however you want it, sis, you're still powerful," said Lucy with a grin.

Jasira was about to respond when there was a knock and the door was thrust open, in walking a very irritated looking Matthew. He glanced at Jasira and said," Sam? What're-oh, it's you Jas."

Jasira raised an eyebrow," Nice to see you too, little brother."

Matthew ignored her and turned to Darrell," Dad, I swear if Bolton doesn't control his tongue he'll end up without one for two days."

Darrell sighed," What did he do this time?"

"Yeah, did he cheek you, Matt? Or better yet, say you looked like a jumping dolphin in the sea who didn't know how to swim?" Lucy giggled at her brother's scowl.

"It's not funny. The little idiot doesn't know how to respect his peers and I'm getting tired of him laughing at the others," said Matthew, crossing his arms as his eyes darkened the way Jasira's did when she was angry.

"I think he cheeks you because you stand the cheek, Matt, do offense," said Jasira apologetically.

"You're too soft," said Lucy with a small snort.

"That's enough Lucy," said Darrell, seeing that Matthew was near enough to cursing his young sister.

Matthew whirled on Jasira," Al right then Jas, you go deal with him if you're capable then. We'll see how you like it."

"Oh, Jas can't because she's currently acting as Sam, and doing so will ruin her act," said Lucy slyly.

Jasira gave her a sister a dirty look and remarked," Hold your tongue, Lu, otherwise Regulus will find his wife without one when he gets home."

Lucy smiled sweetly at her as Darrell shook his head, muttering," I find it hard to believe you're all adults with the way you behave."

Jasira chuckled and stood up," Let's go Matt. They'll see me as Sam, not Jas, so I should be fine."

"Uh huh, and if Sam comes walking through the reception door?" said Matthew doubtfully.

Jasira stiffened," She won't."

Lucy and Darrell exchanged looks but let the two walk, with Darrell calling," Control your tempers, both of you, and don't be too hard on Bolton, Jas!"

Matthew led the way to one of the bright playrooms and pushed open the door. The noise almost deafened them. On seeing who it, the children immediately quieted down.

Matthew smiled at them, though it looked tired as he introduced Jasira," Kids, say hello to my sister, er, just call her Happy."

Jasira shot a look at Matthew which he promptly ignored as the kids looked at her curiously. Jasira looked uncomfortable though she put up a smile and said," Hi, it's nice to meet you."

A small girl with pigtails walked in front and said," My name's Emily, though everyone calls me Em. Are you our new teacher?"

Jasira looked taken aback at the blunt girl but shook her head," No, I'm not, though it's nice to meet you Em. I just came to visit."

Em looked disappointed," Oh, you're pretty."

Jasira looked baffled while some of the kids hid sniggers. Matthew coughed in his sleeve to hide a grin before saying," Right. Well, get back to what you were doing before. I'll be passing round to make sure nothing is out of order. Bolton, come here please."

Some of the kids scowled when a boy of around ten, blonde haired and brown eyes walked towards them confidently. He scowled at Matthew, but looked curiously at Jasira. The other kids went back to playing, though some were shooting Bolton smug looks.

Matthew led the boy into another room where there were small cushions and a library of muggle and Wizarding books. It was a small playroom to be alone for peace and quiet.

Matthew sat down on one of the cushions and motioned to Bolton to do the same. Jasira sat next to Matthew to get a better view of Bolton.

"Well?" the boy had a pleasant voice that was barely audible due to the rudeness of the tone and the hostile way he spoke.

Matthew pursed his lips," You know quite well why you're here."

"I want to know why she's here," said Bolton, jerking his head in Jasira's direction.

Jasira's face remained calm as he looked at the boy. He was around the same size as Rylan, though Rylan was about an inch taller. His face was rounder and he seemed sulky and moody. She wandlessly said the charm to see one's aura, and saw he had six layers. Quite average in magic then. She removed the charm before she spoke.

"What's your name?" she asked pleasantly.

Bolton looked at Matthew before saying," He just called me by my name. You can ask him."

"I want to hear it from you," said Jasira, raising an eyebrow.

Bolton opened his mouth to say something rude but caught the gleam in Matthew's eyes and instead said sulkily," Bolton. Lincoln Bolton. But don't call me Lincoln. It's a stupid name, though I reckon Happy's even stupider."

Jasira ignored the taunt about her name and instead said," What about Lin then? Is that better?"

Bolton opened his mouth to object before saying grudgingly," Not bad."

Matthew made a surprise sound from his throat but Jasira warned him with her eyes to not intervene.

Bolton crossed his arms before saying abruptly," You look like that Sergey Lady."

Jasira and Matthew exchanged looks and Matthew quickly said," What makes you say that? You've never even met Jasira."

Bolton looked bored as he answered," Pah! That's what you think. I've seen her in the Prophet often enough, and she looks exactly like Happy."

"Well, would you respect me if I were her, then?" asked Jasira curiously.

Bolton looked at her before saying rudely," No, because you aren't her. Lady Sergey's not in Britain, though they say she is, and you don't strike me as smart if you're related to the likes of him," he made a face at Matthew who was glaring at him.

Jasira felt a bit disgusted as she said sternly," Watch your tongue when you talk to him, Lin. I can't even fathom what he's done to warrant such dislike but it's not to be stood for. Remember, you're still a boy, and there's still a lot to learn before you start judging others."

Jasira saw that he was about to leave the room and sent a silent wandless sticking charm. Bolton turned red at her tone and said," I'm not going to stay here listening to you preach to me! Go and do that to the babies if you want, but I won't stand for it."

With that he made to get up, ignoring Matthew, who was looking too angry to speak. He cried in surprise when he found he couldn't move and glared at her. Matthew was looking surprised as well.

Jasira stared calmly at him and said," Sit."

Bolton didn't oblige. Jasira looked at him, annoyed and said with a slight edge to her tone," Sit down, Lin."

Reluctantly, the young boy sat, though with bad grace.

Jasira turned to Matthew and asked him to leave in Kiswahili. Bolton looked on with grudging curiosity as Matthew looked all too happy to leave. He shot the boy a scowl and closed the door softly.

When he left Jasira took a book and flicked open the pages. Once she was done she took another one, and kept on doing the same till Bolton said snappily," Aren't you going to say something?"

"What do you want me to say? Evidently anything I tell you will be met with a rude reply, and I've had enough of rude children for the day," said Jasira bluntly.

Bolton looked taken aback but said," Then let me go."

"Why?"

"Why not? You don't want to say anything to me and it's pointless me staying here if I'm not needed," said Bolton defiantly.

"No," said Jasira.

Bolton glared at her," Fine, stay here the whole morning then if you want!"

"I will, I'll stay the day if I want too," said Jasira, flashing him a cheeky smile before she continued flipping through the pages.

Bolton stared at her before he said at last," I'll miss afternoon school."

"You don't sound sorry," noticed Jasira.

Bolton scowled," I don't like them anyway. Stupid teachers and silly children."

Jasira snorted in a very unladylike way as she said," The only silly child I see here is you, dear Lin."

Bolton scowled harder as he muttered," Don't call me that."

Jasira took no notice and continued flipping through the pages. After about two minutes Bolton asked, his tone was harsh and demanding," What did you tell your brother?"

Jasira didn't answer.

Bolton waited before saying," Well?"

He looked taken aback at the small sight of iciness in the woman's eyes as Jasira said," Lin, I don't know much about you, nor do you know much about me, but here's the thing. I don't like being spoken to with such disrespect as the way you are speaking now. You need to learn how to be politer, and less rude. If you ask rudely, I ignore, you ask politely, I answer well, clear?"

Bolton looked sulky and Jasira repeated her order, this time firmly," Clear?"

He nodded and Jasira studied him carefully.

"When did you arrive here? At the building I mean?" she asked him.

Lin took his time answering, though his tone was noticeably politer than before as he said," February last year."

Jasira pursed her lips. He must be one of the children who had to live on the streets to fend for themselves.

"It seems a bit tactless of me, but may I ask what happened?" asked Jasira gently," I'd like to help you."

Bolton stared at her before looking away, and Jasira was sad to see tears in his eyes. He was silent as he stared at the brown floor, and it was a few minutes before he spoke. His voice was emotionless and flat that Jasira was reminded painfully of the time when she had lost Aidan.

"My mum, she was a half blood, but my dad was a muggle. Mum was a squib though, and we weren't that well off. But she loved me and took care of me. I had started to show signs of magic then but mum didn't want me to go to Hogwarts because she said the world isn't safe. We liked to go out in the park on Saturdays because it was so quiet and peaceful. Dad didn't know about magic since mum hadn't told him. She was scared he might run off and leave us.

"Then-then one Saturday, when we were getting ready to go to the park, with our picnic basket ready, mum and I heard a scream," his voice trembled as he continued," we ran downstairs, and-and we say dad being tortured by one of these masked men. There were around five of them. They tortured dad to the point where he couldn't understand himself or anyone else. Mum was screaming at them, yelling at them to stop. She tried to-tried to make me run away but they were guarding the door. Then one of them turned their wands on her and said the same spell. Mum was tortured in front of me, and I couldn't do anything because I was held back by one of them. I-I didn't know what to do and before I could do anything, they said something else. My dad-he stopped screaming," his voice was barely a whisper and Jasira found tears in her eyes.

Bolton carried on, though now he was crying and making no attempt to wipe away the tears," Then they turned on mum, and killed her too. I didn't even do anything to help them, and because she was a squib, she couldn't help herself either. The death eaters didn't leave though, they burned down the house," he looked up and there was rage shining n his eyes as he said fiercely," the house that had been set on fire last year? That was our house. That was my home with my family, and it was gone in an hour!"

Jasira got up to sit next to him. She tried to put her arm round him but he pushed her away furiously," No! I know your game. I know what you're trying and I won't be in it!"

His statement took her by surprise that she gaped at him," What game, Lin? What are we trying?"

But Bolton refused to answer and stared resolutely at the wall.

A frown crossed Jasira's face before she said tentatively," Lin, you don't mean to tell me you think we're as bad as them, do you?"

Bolton flinched but didn't look at her.

Jasira touched his arm gently and turned his face to look at her before saying earnestly," Lin, we had no idea what you were going through, really, we didn't. But you can't compare us to them, you know why? Because we care, we take in children who are homeless and penniless and we bring them here and take care of them. We teach them, clothe them, feed them. Children aren't meant to face the outside world alone, and our main goal is to help them."

She paused before saying quietly," Those Death eaters ruined my life. They killed my friends and my family. Innocent children were killed because of them. There is nothing, absolutely nothing I would like more than to see them punished for what they are doing. You can rest assured that everyone else including my brother feels the same."

"How do I know you're not lying?" asked Lin suspiciously, though Jasira was glad to see he was no longer crying.

She gave a small chuckle as she said," My dear boy, you have only to know that I am a Culbert t know the enmity between Voldemort and us."

Bolton gasped at the use of the name and Jasira forced herself not to roll her eyes.

She smiled at him though," Was that your only worry? That we would manipulate you into being one of us?"

Bolton hesitated before nodding.

"And Matthew?"

Bolton smiled at that," It was rather fun insulting him," he admitted.

Jasira laughed before saying sternly," Fun as it is, please behave yourself. Rudeness is not something I liked."

"Yeah, got that from the moment you spoke to me," muttered Lin, though he was smiling.

"Will you answer my question now? Which language was that?" he added.

"Oh, that was Kiswahili, and I just told him to leave us alone since you weren't likely to be sensible till he left," she said, eyeing him.

He turned red before saying," Al right, I'll be politer to him."

"And the other children?" asked Jasira, raising an eyebrow.

Bolton sighed," If I must."

Jasira figured that was good enough from him. She checked the time. Quarter past twelve.

"Class starts in fifteen minutes," she informed him before getting up," You need to be there on time, and I need to see my father."

She wandlessly removed the sticking charm.

"It's cool how you do that, that wandless magic. It's supposed to be very difficult," said Bolton, looking at her in slight awe," Do you think I might learn that?"

Jasira smiled," You'd need to know spells first before learning the theory behind it. Come on now, I'll take you to your dormitory before I leave."

"When are you coming back?" asked Bolton.

Jasira shrugged," I'm not sure when, soon I hope."

"Well, how did it go with him?" asked Lucy when Jasira entered.

Matthew was there as well, and both he and Darrell paused to hear her reply.

"You took your time," noted Matthew," what did you two discuss in forty-five minutes?"

Jasira sank into the nearest armchair before looking straight at Darrell and saying," Dad, how many children do we have here who think we're as bad as Voldemort?"

Darrell looked taken aback as Lucy said, sounding shocked," Jas! You don't mean to say Bolton thinks we're the same as Voldemort? How can he compare us to that monster?"

Lucy looked angry as she spoke and Jasira said," It's not his fault he thinks that. He lost his parents and house thanks to the death eaters, and he thought that when he got here we'd want to make him be one of us. I'm not exactly sure I understood his reason, but I think I managed to reassure him a bit."

"And what about me? Why does he never like me?" asked Matthew curiously.

Jasira smiled," He said it was fun annoying you."

Matthew spluttered as Darrell chuckled, but they all turned serious as Lucy said worriedly," I hope he's the only child who thinks that. It'd be awful if there were others who thought we were manipulating them."

Matthew shook his head," Not likely, all the children are responding well now as far as I know."

"Let's hope it stays that way," said Jasira with a sigh.

They spent a while talking before Jasira got up," I've got to go."

Matthew looked disappointed," I thought you didn't have training today?"

"I don't but I'm working on something and I'm not finished," explained Jasira.

Darrell called to her," Send me the notes as soon as you can, Jas!"

Jasira looked at her father in amusement," Dad, we live in the same house. I can give them to you when you get home."

Darrell rolled his eyes as Lucy and Matthew sniggered," By the time I get home you're always cooped up in your room or otherwise busy outside. I only ever see you during breakfast or on Sundays."

Jasira smiled cheekily before exiting the room.

When she got to the main room there was a distinguished looking wizard sitting patiently in the chair. Tanya was nowhere to be seen. Jasira looked at him curiously before making her way outside.

The man gave a great gasp that made Jasira look alarmed as she turned towards him. He was eyeing her as though she was something precious or rare.

"Why, Lady Sergey! It's been years since we've seen each other. I had no idea you were back in England," he exclaimed, hurrying towards her and bowing.

Jasira stared at him before saying," No, no, I'm afraid you've got it all wrong. I'm Sam, Jasira's older sister."

The man looked at her in confusion before saying in an embarrassed voice," My apologies, my apologies, Mrs Ferris. I seem to have forgotten the likeness between the two of you. You do look so much alike."

Jasira smiled politely though she was feeling inwardly guilty," You're not the first one to make the mistake," she said lightly.

The wizard still seemed embarrassed, which made Jasira feel uncomfortable for fooling him and she hurriedly said," I've got to go. It was nice seeing you once more."

The wizard was about to say something when Tanya appeared, holding a set of parchments. She looked surprised but waved when Jasira called goodbye. The witch's conscience was starting to bother her as she walked rapidly to the apparition point. She felt guilty for pretending to be Sam in front of that man. Who was he? She'd have to ask Darrell his name later on.

Jasira apparated back home at the back of the house. She hesitated as she stood by the door before shaking her head and taking a step forward. It had been a while since she was a winged horse. She missed flying, and perhaps now was the time to let her thoughts go for a while.

Jasira looked round quickly to make sure there was no one about before disapparating to a secluded area near Sergey Manor. She could see the high roof of the second floor before she started running. She was glad there were not many trees as her feet ran lightly along the ground. Jasira's eyes spotted a rock and her eyes gleamed.

Good. The perfect turning point.

As she neared it, a beautiful grey winged horse took her position. She ran speedily, her pace increasing until she neared the rock before jumping and opening her wings as she soared into the sky. She let the wind guide her direction as she flew higher and higher in the sky until she could see the trees of the manor way below.

Author's 'not really note': ...I always thought...wouldn't you be an animagus if you had the chance?