Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell is JK Rowling's

Chapter 16: To fly or to fall

Ky's POV

"That's ludicrous." Mi sighed and turned to Luna as the carriage rattled on. Potter was still staring out the window; deep in thought…probably about writing to the pope about getting Chang's sainthood…Ginny, Ron and Neville were paying attention to the Luna-Mi conversation.

"I don't see how."

"Well for one thing Luna, there is no such thing as a werecat in the Wizarding world."

"That's because they have never been spotted because they only change on the Meridian Eclipse which occurs once every three hundred years."

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MERIDIAN ECLIPSE. Have you ever seen one?"

"Well, no…"

"Exactly!"

"Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"I agree with you wholeheartedly." Neville and Ginny raised their eyebrows in surprise at that, but I knew what was coming next. "I haven't seen a sphinx. But I know it exists. Because on page 72 of Fantastic beasts and where to find them, they have a recount on how Belzibar the Beast first encountered the Sphinx."

Luna, who was passively engaging in the conversation, had turned and looked out the window halfway through Mi's little tirade. Mi turned to me, chest puffed out,

"Is she ignoring me?"

"Yes. Yes, she is Mione'. What are you going to do about that? Go on."

I laughed at Ron as he prodded the Dragon. The carriage stopped and I stood, ignoring Potter like I had been for the past few hours. I heard him heave a sigh as I jumped off the carriage. Well, what did he expect, he practically called me a prostitute and then went all crazy control freak boyfriend. He sucked the fun out of it. Ahhhh and here was my favourite fun-sucker of them all,

"Sensei!" I beamed up at him, it had been ages! The last time I saw him was the day I got to Grimauld place. He didn't return my smile; this was a relief though. If he had, I would know for sure that it was an imposter.

"Follow me." I turned around to tell Mi that I was heading off with Sev, but she already left to do prefect duty. I looked at Harry and he smirked slightly; I'd tell Ginny before I told him. I turned to look for the redhead, but she and Luna had already left. Ha, I guess Potter will just have to tell Mi that he saw me leave with Sev because I wasn't going to tell him. I turned and waltzed after Sev.

"So, when did you get back to the castle?"

No answer.

"Do you know where Hagrid is?"

Nothing.

"Oh, you probably can't tell me. Do you know when he will be back?"

Nada.

"He is OK, right?"

Silence for a few moments, "I haven't heard otherwise."

"That's good. I found a a lot of old potion ingredients at Black manor. Some look dead useful. Sirius let me take them."

"You may play with handouts from dogs, but you shall not bring them into my lab. Is that clear?"

I shook my head…talk about stubborn. I smiled at Nick as he floated by, and he tipped his head to me. Of course, it fell off onto his shoulder. That made me giggle, I missed this place. I scratched the painting of the yin yang kitten that was near Nonno's office. It purred gratefully, its black and white fur distorting with the mouth movement. I waved at Sir Hawthorne, making a mental note to tell the fat lady that not so little Bo Peep was blushing up at him. As we got onto the moving staircase, I looked up at Sev, he was very pointedly ignoring me.

"So, I made a new friend."

A quick glance, he seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek. "A boy?"

"No. Not that it matters. Her name is Luna Lovegood."

"The strange Ravenclaw girl."

"She is not strange…well actually she is quite strange. I find it charming."

"Of course, you would." He turned and walked away.

"Where are you going?"

"I was told to escort you to the headmaster's office Miss Thornton." And with no further explanation he turned on his heel and waltzed off…. the only thing I comprehended was the Miss Thornton.

The door clanged open, and I was whipped into the air. It had only been hours, but I was happy to see the boys again.

"How are you feeling?"

I was surprised at the voice. It was Nessie. She pushed her way through and gave me a big hug. It's amazing what a few weeks can do, I thought, as I returned the warm hug from the last person that I ever thought to accept it from. She held me at arm's length, observing me,

"Are you feeling lightheaded? Has all the pain gone? Poppy says to go straight to her if you have the slightest bit of pain." She fiddled in her bag, "I brought some headache tonic just in case. Keep it on you; take it when you feel the headache coming on, don't wait till it becomes too severe."

She handed me the tiny bottle and my wand with the fondina.

Linus cleared his throat and Nessie backed away awkwardly. Wait…did they not work stuff out? I know it's only been a night since he woke up and I was out for most of it…but he did forgive her, right? She looked awkwardly at Linus, who didn't return the look. She gave a watery smile,

"I'll just be outside." She rushed to the door, "Oh, and all your things have been sent to the dorm. I instructed Kinky to lay your uniform out on the bed." She didn't turn around as she said this, her voice watery, and she closed the door to the office.

I turned to Linus, and he side stepped what I was going to say, "So Sirius has given Kinky instructions to stay at Hogwarts. So, you should be seeing her from time to time."

"Why is Nessie crying? Are you two not back together yet?"

Lenzo walked to the cupboard which Nonno kept the firewhisky, swiftly poured a shot and downed it in one motion. I looked at Linus who smiled down at me,

"What are wrackspurts?"

"Why haven't you sorted things out as yet?"

"I have. Everything's OK. You're better. I'm better. A bit stiff but nothing a good massage won't cure."

I looked at Lenzo, who busied himself with his second shot, avoiding my eyes.

"You know very well I am talking about Agnes."

This was no time for jokes. Linus didn't see how she was when he was sick. She never left his side but for a few minutes. She even ate her dinner there and only when Tonks or Mrs Weasley brought it to her. Sometimes Remus or Sirius would have to carry her up to her bed when they walked in to find her sleeping awkwardly in the chair. Of course, once she awoke, she would walk straight back to his side. She had even stopped brushing her hair for some time, something she only rectified when I pointed out that she would look a mess when Linus eventually came to.

Linus matched my serious countenance, "My relationship with Agnes is not up for discussion Ky. Now the old man went to go see that friend-"

"Do you love her?"

He halted mid-sentence and then continued, "-from France. She said she has to do some research on your case. She said she'll do so discreetly, ask some questions amongst her inner circle. I think-"

"Do you?"

"I think she will be able to help. She's quite-"

"You do, don't you."

"Stop it Ky." It wasn't Linus, it was Lenzo. He finally placed the shot glass down, "That's enough. This isn't our business."

"The hell it isn't. She's family!"

"No, she isn't!" Linus snapped at me; he took a deep breath. "I know…I know you and her have gotten close over this holiday."

"This has nothing to do about our relationship! This has to do with her. As a person. Linus you must see it, she's changed. If you could only see the way she is at headquarters. People depend on her-"

"That is enough Ky. Just drop it OK!"

His blue eyes blazed at me, but I stood my ground, "I have never been so disappointed in you before. Didn't you always tell me to err is human but to forgive is divine? Now you won't forgive her! You won't take her back!"

"SHE WON'T TAKE ME BACK." He shouted, and staggered slightly, clutching the desk. Lenzo rushed forward but Linus swatted his hand away. He steadied himself and I hadn't reacted because my heart had stopped. I completely forgot that Linus was still recovering. He hadn't passed out from mere exhaustion like I had, he was tortured…I rushed forward and hugged him. He patted my hair and I let go after a while.

"Are you OK?"

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course. Just tired. All that running around in the morning. Seemed kind of silly when you think of it. You could have just flooed here. Or disapparated with us. But then, I suppose it's the journey…. not the destination. I better get back…Lenzo will you bring her back?"

Lenzo nodded and Linus pecked me on the forehead, "Have a good term Ky."

He walked to the fireplace. I turned to Lenzo, he ruffled my hair as the green flames of Linus' exit dulled to red again, "Don't worry kiddo. They'll sort things out. Just give them time. You better get dressed, you're late for the feast. Take the floo to the common room, the Old Man set it up for you. I swear he worries just as much as Linus does. Apparently, his little princess should get all the rest she needs. I'm just going to write a note for Filius and then I'll be going."

He hugged me and sat down on Nonno's chair to pen his note.

I walked to the fireplace resolutely. I mechanically placed the floo powder, choosing not to say goodbye to Nessie. I didn't deserve it. Not at all. After I so royally screwed up her life.

I walked out of the fireplace into the deserted common room. This empty place didn't feel like home. I took the steps two at a time. I was dressed in a minute. I didn't miss this damned constraining skirt.

I bent to pull up my socks and swayed as the dizziness hit me. I blinked trying to rid myself of it, but everything got dimmer with each blink until I was doused in blackness.

The head of yellow shone brighter in the lit corridor. A gold gilded mirror lay in front of her, reflecting a head of black, long, dancing hair.

Agnes' slender figure swayed. She looked down…down…six floors…seven? The staircase criss-crossed as they moved, conveniently moving aside to make a perfect path for her on her way down…down…

Agnes McQueen smiled. A smile that could launch a thousand ships. Her ocean blue eyes serene, hypnotic, glazed, as she swayed and then took a step forward…. down…down.

I fell hard onto the floor. The pain shocking my eyes open. Nessie! I ran out the door, subconscious Ky keeping the pain at bay.

I concentrated on the vision. Clues. There are always clues. There must be something. I ignored the Fat Lady's shouts and turned left.

She had been on the sixth or seventh floor staircase in my vision. There were no portraits.

I closed my eyes and squinted at the image in my mind. There was a mirror! A gold gilded mirror…. black hair…a person? Wait! I remember that mirror! It was the secret passage on the sixth floor that leads to the library! That was the only secret passage that Mi had ever shown me! I raced down the steps and turned the corner and then I saw her.

I started running down the corridor; I could see Nessie on the steps. I could see the steps from above floating downwards and it looked like Nessie was patiently waiting like any normal person for the steps to reach…but I knew better.

"NESSIE!"

She didn't even turn around. Not even a flicker of recognition.

"AGNES!"

Nothing…I pushed myself faster as I saw her take a step forward, just one sack of flesh on bone that was her foot keeping her from falling. I saw the steps from above descending but not fast enough.

"NESSIE"

I just touched on the bottom steps and took them two at a time, praying that she wouldn't take the next step. I watched in horror as her left foot left the top step, and I flung myself forward.

I collided with her soft body and held her tightly around her waist…but I knew that I was too late, as I felt the air rush through my body and my feet leave the ground, our heads a raging mixture of yellow and black as the staircases rushed past us in a blur of brown.

A/N: What do you think happened? Drama, drama, drama – and it's just the first day of school! Also, sassy Severus is my favourite Severus!

Kalina