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

Ma petite abeille - my little bee in French

Chapter 51: Last Lesson of the Holidays: My Power

I took the stairs three at a time, my head floating with excitement. I cannot believe Harry had done that for me, it was the most amazing gift, and I know just who was behind it.

I reached the landing and pushed the door open in one swoop, "I couldn't sleep a wink! I cannot believe you orchestrated-"

I stopped in the middle of the room, my eyes wide like saucers at the unfamiliar occupant in the grandiose bed.

Long black curls draped across milky white, slender shoulders that led up to a neck that stretched this way and the other as the lady yawned, completely unaware that the covers had slipped to her waist and I was now staring at her naked breasts. She rubbed the sleep from her jade green eyes and poked the bed next to her.

"Again? I'm not a machine, woman."

"Sirius, there is a child here for you."

A moment later Sirius' head stuck up from the mass of pillows, shock pushing the sleep from his grey eyes faster than any amount of caffeine. My body finally recovered, and I turned quickly for the door, "Wait Ky. Umm…where is my…Ky!" He grabbed my elbow, and I turned around, "What did you need? Is everything OK?"

Sirius leaned against his door frame, bare-chested with the bed sheet fastened at his waist. "Who is that woman?"

He looked back into his room and then at me quizzically, "Err…that's Kat. What happened-"

"Nothing happened. Don't worry, I just wanted to tell you about last night and to say…what about Alexia?"

"Alexia? What about her? I'm confused, Harry is OK right?"

"I am more than OK…At least I was…what's going on?"

Harry just exited the bathroom across from Sirius' room. He looked from me to sheet draped Sirius, his eyebrows fusing together in confusion.

"Oh, it's you Harry. Hello." The dark-haired woman walked out of Sirius' room…stark raving naked.

Harry quickly averted his eyes to the ceiling, his hand quickly going to the back of his neck, "Hey Kat…"

"Sirius, where is-"

"I can see your vagina." I turned and looked at Harry who was looking to the heavens, and then at Sirius who seemed to be beyond words. 'Kat' turned her green eyes on me, "Does my being nude make you uncomfortable child?"

OK, what is up with the 'child'? I am fifteen years old!

"No, it's just that I haven't met an actual prostitute-"

"OK we're going to go…away." Harry grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs, I glanced behind to find Sirius' door closing once more.

"Who was that?"

Harry turned on the last step, his eyebrows raised, "Were you even at the reception last night? He and Kat were-"

"OK who is this 'Kat' that you seem to know so well."

Harry took a step down, "Errr…I don't know her well. I was just introduced to her yesterday. Like everybody else. She's a new member of the Order. She's a friend of Remus'."

"She's a werewolf?"

"Well, I don't think all his friends are werewolves, but yeah, she is. And I don't think Sirius or Remus would be happy that you called her a prostitute." His voice dipped on the last word, but it was unnecessary, it was 5 am and I'm sure nobody else was up yet.

"Well excuse me for being surprised; I was expecting him to be with Alexia. I thought he liked her."

"Kingsley's niece? Err…actually…about Alexia, when you were with…Snape last night, I saw…err…Len-"

"Len and Alexia! But she's like thirty!"

"So? When did you become so interested in everyone's love life! Next you would try finding someone for Snape." He laughed loudly at that as if it was the most absurd thing ever.

"I am not obsessed with everybody's love life Harry! And what is so funny about Sev finding someone, huh? What is so hilarious about that? Doesn't he deserve it just as much, if not more, than Sirius does!"

Mentioning Sev made me think about last night and how he had to leave because Voldemort had called him. His whole outlook on life was so dark, so sad…I guess weddings made you think about things that would usually not cross your mind, like Sev having to be alone for the rest of his life.

"What's that supposed to mean…you think Snape deserves to be happy more than Sirius does?"

"What? No, I didn't say that-"

"Yes, you did."

"Fine, then I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that, I don't think the idea that Sev being alone forever is a laughing matter, Harry."

He took a step up and cupped my cheek, "Ky…what has gotten into you all of a sudden. Why are you so interested in Sirius finding someone and Snape finding someone-"

"I don't know!" I dropped down frustrated. Harry lowered himself on the step, his green eyes brimming with questions. "I…I know you don't like him. I know he doesn't give you much reason to…it's just the way he was talking last night Harry. I mean…he puts himself in danger every single time Voldemort calls…when Mr Weasley and Linus were hurt...Mrs Weasley and Nessie were by their bedside day in and day out and I would be there for him too but it's not the same."

"Ky, he's an adult, he knows what he's getting into."

I looked to my side, at Harry's passive face, "You don't even care at all, do you?"

"Ky, he hates me. And it's not exactly like he gets to play double agent because he's a saint; he was a death eater Ky. He is a death eater."

I stood up quickly, how could he be so narrow minded, Sev was risking his life for us all. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back down, "Look…let's not talk about all of this. We've done really well so far - not bringing Snape up in our relationship, and I know it's a topic we would never agree on, so let's just drop it. Stop worrying about everybody's future; everything is going to be just fine."

I let him pull me into his arms but couldn't fight the niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach that Harry had never been more wrong in his life.

-x-x-x-

"Come in."

I walked through the door and let out a calming breath. I knew it was silly to worry, odd though it was for Nonno to request my presence in his office at lunchtime, it did not have to mean that Len was lying bleeding somewhere. Or Linus was comatose again. When did I become such a worry wart? It was despicable, I was the carefree type, the type that mocks, yet desperately relies on, those on-edge types like Mi…when did I lose control of my type!

"Kyrianna?"

"Oh. Sorry Nonno." I walked towards the desk and stopped when I saw that my usual place was occupied.

"This is Gabrielle Sabre. I believe you met her great grandchildren over the winter break."

I took the seat next to Gabrielle Sabre, observing the grey-haired lady in my usual spot. She was a relic. So wrinkled you'd think someone had been giving her a bath and completely forgotten she was in the tub. Her eyes were so tiny I didn't think she could see. Was she blind?

"I am very much in control of my vision young lady; now would you mind backing of. Personal space, dearie." I laughed, liking her already. She had spunk.

"Kyrianna, Madame Sabre is here to help with your visions. She is the foremost in the field of divination and we are absolutely privileged for her to sacrifice her time to help us." I looked quizzically at Nonno, it's been ages since I've had visions, "I know, there has been some time since you have had a vision, but I would like to take a pre-emptive course. Much of our actions of late have been reactive. Well, I will leave you ladies to talk, I will be back shortly."

I waited till Nonno left and sat down and turned to her, "OK, so you lot are supposed to be French. But none of you have the accents."

She laughed delicately, there was something very royal about the way this lady carried herself, "Well it's been ever so long since I have had the privilege of being French ma petite. My great grandchildren are citizens of the world, or at least that is what my grandson likes to call them."

"That sounds a bit like you aren't allowed back in France, like you're refugees or something."

She tittered delicately, "Ahhh, the overactive imagination of youth. No, we are not in exile. My grandson's business requires us to be on the move. Joining the Order has brought the most stability my great grandchildren have had since their birth."

Well, that sad fact still doesn't excuse Silvain from being an A-grade twat. "Why did you join the Order?" Everyone had their reason; most were recruits from the original Order but even those recruits had lost someone to Voldemort the last time around, which persuaded them to join.

"Is it not possible to fight the dark just because it is the right thing to do?"

"Possible. But not probable. Everyone is fighting for something."

"And some of us are fighting for nothing at all." She turned and stared out the window in thought, "My son. I lost a son."

"I am very sorry." I bit my lip, cursing my inquisitive nature.

"Don't feel bad. Our sort aren't the kind to second guess ourselves. You ask these questions because you want to ensure that the people you care for are surrounded by trustworthy folk. You remind me a lot of him actually. He liked questions. Mon petite abeille. That's what I used to call him, buzzing around…annoying his brother."

For once I kept my mouth shut and left her with her thoughts, waiting patiently to come back to the subject at hand.

"But we are not here to speak about my life, no matter how glamorous it may be." She laughed, half sarcastically, "Albus tells me you're a conundrum. The man, bless his soul, genius he is but matters of the clairvoyant fly right over his head. Those guesses of his do tend to work out though…maybe you inherited the eye from his side after all."

"Is that how it works?"

"Not all the time, but most of the time. It's like being musically gifted, one can only know if they pick up the instrument."

"So, a lot of people could have this…psychic ability, but not know because…nothing triggered a vision."

"Well… no. It's still a rarity but that is why they are so very few true seers. From what Albus said your visions are triggered by emotional connections. You've only ever had visions of someone who you are attached to and therefore more attuned to their psyche. What is truly astounding about your case though, and why I have taken such time researching it, is that seers usually have one formidable point of clarity. There are those who can see the future, and those who can observe memories of a past that does not belong to them. Their sight may manifest solely in dreams, and others who know how to call upon their power and control it. The power itself can range from strictly visual, or auditory as well. You have shown the ability to observe visions of both the past and future in great detail, and claircognizance. This was the extrasensory perception you were feeling at your brother's pain. You felt what he felt in real time."

I thought back to when Linus was injured. I couldn't see what happened to him, but I was feeling it. "Wait…so what does this mean. I'm like some abnormal-"

"No." She placed her hand on my own, "Special."

"I don't want to be special. I don't want to know things and not be able to do anything about it."

"But that's it, ma petite abeille. If you learn how to control this power, you can do something about it."

"But that's just it. I can't control them, they just happen. And they only work with regard to people I am attached to and…I want to help but I don't think…if I saw something happen to Linus or Len or Harry and I wasn't able to do anything about it…that I could never get over."

I barely dealt with the fact that I saw Cedric die and couldn't do a damn thing! If I saw that happen to Linus, or Len, or Harry, or Sev…I think I would go mental.

"I understand." She squeezed my hand, "I am sorry, I was just excited. In all my years of practice, I have never come across someone like you. But, you shouldn't have to have that kind of responsibility, especially at your age. I just got carried away, please forgive an old woman. Anyway, Albus requested I help you stop these visions. Not control them."

I didn't like the way she said it…it was as if I was a child. A child that couldn't handle this responsibility…

What if this is what I could offer to the Order. What if I learn to stop it and something happened to Linus or Len or Sev or Harry. Something I could have prevented…

"How do we go about controlling-"

"No ma petite. No. Forget I said anything. It is best not to live with-"

"But what if I was born with these powers for a reason. What if the whole grand scheme in defeating Voldemort needs me to be able to see-"

"Absolutely not." I stood and turned to the door. Nonno looked at Gabrielle sternly and she lowered her eyes, "I thought we discussed stopping these visions."

"But Nonno, we'll have the ability to know-"

"And do you think Voldemort would take kindly to us having such an ability in our arsenal. You might as well paint an X on your back. This is something not up for discussion Kyrianna, I would not have you put yourself through that. And let us not forget the side effects of these visions. This is why they must stop and why I brought Ga-"

"But Nonno-"

"NO!" I took a step back at the thunder in his voice, the first time ever being shouted at by him. He took a step forward, his blue eyes sad, "Kyrianna, we must not draw attention to your ability. Voldemort holds this branch of magic in more regard than you know…and nobody should have that kind of responsibility. And most importantly, the effect it has on your body, on your mind. It is too much."

I nodded my head, wanting nothing more than to run away from this room, "I…I have Charms now…may I leave?"

"Here." I looked to my left, I had completely forgotten that Gabrielle was still here, "I haven't figured just how to stop the visions yet, or if it's even possible, but that should help prevent the small ones. Your psyche forms a strong emotional connection with those you love, and when someone who has this connection to you is in danger, it seems to trigger your sight. This potion will numb that link, I don't know if you've been feeling more emotional lately? When my sight was fully awoken, my emotions were a rollercoaster, but it's just your power trying to link itself to as many people as it can. It's something you do without even knowing. Take a spoon of this, twice a day."

I took the little red bottle and nodded, not taking much of what she said in and left the room with my head down, for once leaving Nonno's office feeling worse than when I had entered.

-x-x-x-

"He's right."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Of course you would side with Dumbledore, Hermione. If Ky gets control of this ability, she can see anything! Anywhere! Anytime! There would never be able to get one on us, we'd have a counterattack before they even thought of the attack. It's brilliant."

"No, it isn't. Have you forgotten about what those visions do to her?"

I turned and looked at Harry as he voiced his support for Mi from the armchair by the fireplace in the Common Room, eyebrows raised, "We could come up with a way of stopping the bleeding and headaches."

"And the responsibility of knowing everything that's going to happen in advance, what's the cure for that?"

"I'm not afraid of that! And neither are you, you have a swim around Voldemort's head like a Sunday dip in the pool."

"And if someone gave me a potion to stop that, I would take it. Not like I'm not trying. That reminds me…I have to go see Snape."

Occlumency lessons were not going well for Harry, and I think it had a lot to do with his relationship with his teacher. He pecked me on the forehead, "Take your meds."

Mi and I stood and walked to our dorm, "You know your grandfather is right. He just wants to keep you safe. I thought you might have to learn occlumency to help with these visions, but nobody is actually getting into your head because of your weird natural defence against cognitive magic. Actually, you're the one getting into other people's heads…connecting with their inner psyche…this is why I hated divination! It's such an…unsure branch of magic."

"Believe me, I would be more than happy if these visions came with an instruction manual…but looks like I won't need it anyway. What's the use of having this ability if I'm never going to use it? Just imagine Mi…it can keep everyone safe."

"But yourself. Ky, there is a reason why people don't have these multiple vision options. I mean, can you imagine the stress that would put on your mind over time. I think its best you put a stop to it now, while you can. Godric knows what damage you've already done."

I jumped into bed. Everybody's opinions lying heavy on my mind. I looked at the little red bottle on my bedside table…who knew something so inconsequential in size could have such a profound effect on all our outcomes.

A/N: A little bit more about Ky's ability, and the introduction of a few new characters to the story. What do we think about Sirius' love interest?

Kalina