Avenging Fire

The children had only been gone two weeks when an owl landed at the window of the kitchen and proceeded to peck at the glass. Familiar with the magical postal system, Helena opened the window and let the bird in. She untied the parchment from its leg and offered it a treat.

Dear Dr. Nyx:

Greetings.

It is my sincere hope that this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Your niece and nephew are fine and are settling in at Hogwarts. Your niece, Alexandria, however has been out of sorts these last few days with an accelerating case of homesickness and melancholy. It would be greatly beneficial if you could make a visit to see the child. If you are able, please come to Hogwarts at your earliest convenience. When you arrive, request to be brought to my office. From there, I will escort you to Slytherin house where Alexandria was sorted. Please consider yourself our guest. If you need to stay overnight, Hogwarts has a standing rental at The Three Broomsticks. The owl will wait for your response.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore,
Headmaster of Hogwarts

Helena set the parchment down on the table. Poor Alexandria. She had been worried that the girl might have some adjustment problems with starting school. There weren’t even any older cousins attending Hogwarts at this time, so they didn’t have a familiar face or two to take comfort in.

It had to be difficult for the both of them, what with losing their parents and then less than two years later having to leave their aunt’s home for a strange place, especially for Alex. Alexandria was a quiet, thoughtful child. When Steffen and Mary were killed, Alexandria had become withdrawn and it had taken quite an effort to prevent her from going into a shell. Christopher however coped with physical activity like riding his bicycle for hours at a time.

Helena was surprised to read that Alexandria was sorted into Slytherin. Steffen had been a Ravenclaw and Mary had been a pediatrician, both of them being very intelligent. If she had been asked to guess, she would have guessed Alexandria would have been sorted into Ravenclaw according to family tradition. Then again, the she was ambitious and had declared several times that she was going to be a ‘famous witch.’

On the other hand, Alexandria was not a ‘pure blood,’ but rather a ‘half blood,’ and Helena thought Slytherin was pretty much for pure bloods only. She wondered where Christopher had been sorted into. Well, she’d eventually find that out. The children had obviously been too wrapped up in their new school to have written her. Helena quickly wrote a response affirming that she would leave for Hogwarts tomorrow, tied it to the owl’s leg, and shooed it out the window.

Being a licensed psychologist with a full case load, she had to scramble to arrange for a colleague to take over her cases for a couple of days. Once that was done, she hung up the phone and began packing an overnight bag with a change of clothes. She looked at her disguise robes and wondered if she should arrive dressed as a witch. Undoubtedly it was unusual for a parent or guardian to pay a visit to Hogwarts this soon after the school year commenced and her arrival might raise some eyebrows, especially if she showed up looking decidedly non-magical.

Deciding on the cautious approach, she selected the black robe trimmed in violet and silver and hung its hanger over her bedroom door. She would drape it over her arm like a coat until she could get through the invisible wall of Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station.

At approximately 6:00 pm, she called her parents to tell them she would be going to Hogwarts in the morning and not to worry; there was nothing wrong except a little old fashioned homesickness on Alexandria’s part. After them, she called her witch solicitor aunt, Cynthia.

Cynthia had married Nigel Morrow, who was a non-magical craftsman of fine furniture. Because many of Nigel’s tools required electricity, Cynthia had agreed to live in the non-magical world when they were married. ‘Living Muggley’ she jokingly called it. After a few years though, Cynthia found she rather liked things like television, computers, and various other creature comforts. She commuted to her job at a wizarding law firm every day by aparating. She had placed a silencing spell around their entire house and every day before going to work, she would venture down into the basement that functioned as her husband’s workshop, kiss him goodbye on his wood shaving covered face, and ‘crack out’ as she put it.

Cynthia confirmed that the morning departure time of the Hogwarts Express was 6:00 am and told Helena to give the twins her love.

Once school was in session, Hogwarts Express still made once daily trips but it left rather early in the morning. It also ran as a straight shot with no stops on route. Because of that, the trip from London to the Hogsmeade station took just under four hours. If she missed the return trip that left at 8:00 pm, she would have to take Dumbledore up on his offer to stay at The Three Broomsticks overnight and leave the next morning.



“AUNT HEL!”

Helena had just arrived at Hogwarts and was standing in the courtyard talking, or rather stammering, at a huge, bushy bearded man, asking him for directions to Headmaster Dumbledore’s office. As the man began to point her in the right direction, an exuberant Christopher ran up and hugged her.

“You made it! Hagrid, this is my aunt.”

“Pleased ta meet you, Christopher’s aunt! ‘Solways good ta meet the families of the students!” Hagrid enclosed one massive hand over Helena’s and shook it. Helena felt her shoulder joint almost rattle from the huge man’s handshake.

“I’ll leave you then in Mr. Nyx’s capable ‘ands. Got me some flesh eatin’ slugs ta deal with.” With that, Hagrid lumbered off through the courtyard.

“Did he just say ‘flesh eating slugs?!’” Helena asked as her nephew gallantly took the overnight bag from her.

“Uh huh! They’re real nasty too!” Christopher answered.

Ew! thought Helena.

Christopher led his aunt through the courtyard, chattering a mile a minute.

“I got sorted into Gryffindor and Alex got sorted into Slytherin! Slytherin, can you believe it?! She got into a fight with another girl the very first night. She’s got a bad temper, Aunt Hel. She got a warning and was told that if she got into another fight, she’d have to see Professor Snape. Nobody wants to see Professor Snape, believe me! You get sent to him, you’re cooked. Professor Snape is the head of Slytherin house. He’s kinda an asshole, Aunt Hel. Actually, he is an asshole. No kinda about it!”

“Language, Christopher!” Helena chided him.

“She was doing okay until the new Slytherins had their meet and greet where they had to introduce themselves to the rest of the house. Someone asked her about mum and dad and she said they were dead and that you were our guardian. Then they asked her about you and Alex told them you aren’t a witch but that dad was a wizard. Then some shithead pureblood called her ‘worthless half blood’ and Alex went crazy and gave him a black eye. He got taken to the infirmary. Then guess what! Alex had to go see Professor Snape. He chewed her out real good and gave her three days detention scrubbing cauldrons. Dumbledore finally wrote you because she’s been getting depressed and not eating very much. She just misses you and mum and dad. I do too.”

“Language!” Helena firmly restated.

Helena took in Christopher’s rambling discourse with weariness. She wished her brother and sister-in-law was still alive. It wasn’t fair that these two eleven year olds had to deal with the death of their parents, adjust to new surroundings, and fend off bullies all at the same time. Well, she’d obviously have to meet with some of Hogwarts staff and sort this bully business out.

Christopher took his aunt to Argus Filch and ran off to class, tossing the overnight bag down at her feet. The grizzled old caretaker eyed her with suspicion and malice.

“Is the headmaster expecting you?” he growled.

“Of course he is.” Helena snipped in response to Filch’s hostility. Filch moved his jaw with irritation.

“Right this way.” he grumbled.

Presently, they stood in front of a large stone gargoyle statue. “Pumpkin Puffs” Filch said and the statue jumped to the side suddenly causing Helena to gasp. Behind where the gargoyle stood was a moving staircase.

“Right up those stairs.” Filch pointed and skulked away.

Helena regarded the staircase that behaved like an escalator with interest and began her ascent up to the Headmaster’s office.





“Dr. Nyx, welcome! Please come in.”

She looked around, impressed with the Headmaster’s office. It looked like the perfect example of what a wizened old wizard’s office should look like, complete with a beautiful fiery red bird sitting on an ornate perch and preening. Dumbledore extended a hand to Helena then placed his other hand on top of hers. She felt at ease immediately. She didn’t sense any superior attitude emanating from him concerning his position as a wizard of high status over hers as a non-magical. He was genuinely warm and friendly.

“I’m Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.”

“I’m Helena Nyx, but I guess you already knew that.” Helena said with a laugh.

“Would you care to sit?” Dumbledore asked as he motioned to a comfortable looking arm chair in front of the desk.

They exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, everything from her trip into Hogwarts to her robes.

“We, the non-magicals in the family, wear them sometimes if we have to venture into the magical world for this or that. Sometimes it’s easier to try to blend in rather than risk a confrontation. I hope you don’t find it presumptuous.”

“Not at all, my dear. When I have to visit the Muggle world, I too dress according to custom.”

Helena smiled, imagining Dumbledore trying to blend in. With his long white beard, he’d make a good, aged hippie.

He poured them both a cup of tea, adjusted his half moon glasses, and got down to business.

“Alexandria is a very bright girl and shows a great deal of potential in many subjects already. Christopher is proving himself to be quite the initiative taker. He’s already made many friends in Gryffindor, including Harry Potter.”

Helena shook her head. She didn’t know who Dumbledore was talking about. The wizard continued.

“The problem, as I see it, is Alexandria is having a few problems adjusting, particularly to Slytherin. Frankly, I was surprised when she was sorted into that house. I thought for sure she would have been sorted into Ravenclaw, her father’s house. I remember your brother. He was an excellent student and a credit to Hogwarts. As for your niece, the Sorting Hat knows what it is doing.” Dumbledore motioned to a rather battered, pointed hat.

“She’s an introverted child, Headmaster.” Helena began. “She became more so when her parents were murdered. It may take her a little longer to adjust than other children, but you must consider the stress she and her brother have had to deal with. It was about two years ago when my brother and sister-in-law were killed, and now she finds herself in a strange place surrounded by people she doesn’t know and is being bullied from what I’ve learned.”

“Yes, I heard about what happened. Such a tragedy. That’s probably why your nephew has formed a friendship with Harry Potter. Harry’s parents were also…murdered.” Dumbledore swallowed hard, as if choking back bile.

The two were silent for a moment, meditating on the senselessness of it all. Helena redirected the conversation back to the subject of bullies.

“But back to this bully problem. Christopher told me that because he and Alexandria come from a mixed family, she might be the target of a prejudiced bully or group. Even though I’m not a witch, my brother and others in my family have taught me a thing or two about this world, and I want to emphasize, I will not tolerate my niece suffering at the hands of a bigot.” Helena’s tone was calm, respectful, and polite, but firm. Dumbledore smiled warmly at her.

“Yes, of course. I feel the same way as well. I believe that any prejudice on the part of the wizarding world, or the non-magic world,” Dumbledore said pointedly, “is a useless and destructive endeavor.”

“Then why was she sorted into a house famed for collecting pureblooded witches and wizards?” Helena asked.

“I suppose the Sorting Hat detected certain qualities in your niece that fit better in Slytherin.”

“Can she be moved to another house if the problem does not get resolved?”

“In the past, a change of house was done under certain circumstances. If the problem persists, we will move the girl, most likely to Ravenclaw.”

Helena began to relax a bit. Dumbledore did appear to genuinely care for Alex’s best interests.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to call the head of Slytherin to the office so that you can meet him and the three of us can confer about Alexandria.”

Dumbledore rose from behind the desk, walked over to the fireplace, gathered some powder from a hanging bowl, and pitched it into the fireplace. “Professor Snape?” After a few moments, a terse voice answered.

“Headmaster?” it asked, coolly.

“Miss Nyx’s aunt is here. Would you come to my office so we three can discuss the child’s situation together?”

“There are 10 minutes of my current class remaining.” the voice curtly responded.

“That’s fine, Professor. When the class is done, please come to the office. I’m sure I can spend a few more minutes charming this lovely woman.” Dumbledore winked at Helena.

She wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard the voice sigh with exasperation right before the fireplace flames returned to normal.

Dumbledore and Helena enjoyed another cup of tea and made small talk. It was exactly eleven and a half minutes after Dumbledore spoke into the fireplace when the flames turned green again and a tall, pale man stepped through.

He stood in front of the fireplace, looking put-upon and greatly inconvenienced. Helena eyed him and thought he looked vaguely familiar, but shrugged it off. The man was tall like her brother, lanky, with shoulder length black hair. His face looked like he would greatly benefit from two solid days of sleep and then a nice holiday in the tropics. He wasn’t traditionally attractive but he wasn’t exactly ugly either. ‘Unique’ would be the word Helena would use to describe his appearance. He scowled at her and frowned at Dumbledore. The Headmaster seemed entirely oblivious to the foul tempered wizard’s demeanor.

“Professor Snape, this is Dr. Helena Nyx, Alexandria Nyx’s aunt and legal guardian. I invited her to visit Hogwarts so that she could reassure the child and so that we three could meet and discuss Miss Nyx’s behavior. Doctor, this is Professor Severus Snape, head of Slytherin house and Potions Master.”

Professor Snape inclined his head towards Helena in a formal greeting.

“Doctor.”

“Professor.”

“Please sit down, Severus.” Dumbledore said to Snape.

Snape walked over to an empty chair and gracefully sat, like he was settling onto a throne. He managed to look sullenly pained and annoyed concurrently as he waited for either Dumbledore or Helena to begin. He didn’t see why either of them was making this much of an issue over Alexandria’s behavior. He had dealt with the matter to his satisfaction. He gave three days of detention scrubbing cauldrons to Alexandria, who upon hearing her sentence, looked as though the world was coming to an end. As for the bully, he devised a particularly horrid detention. He doubted the boy would even sneeze in Alexandria’s direction again after that.

If there was one thing Severus Snape could not abide, it was bullies. Although he couldn’t (and wouldn’t) ever repeat it to Alexandria, but Snape himself had been the victim of a group of bullies so he had a particular empathy for the introverted little girl. James Potter and his band of marauding pricks had made his life miserable when he was a student at Hogwarts. It didn’t matter to him if the bully or bullies were from his own house, punishments flowed. But not deducted points of course.

“Professor, Dr. Nyx would like to discuss Alexandria’s adjustment problems with you.” Dumbledore began. “As you’ve been made aware, she and her brother have recently lost both parents and Dr. Nyx became their legal guardian. Dr. Nyx feels that this, coupled with finding herself in a strange place away from home, may be at the root of Alexandria’s behavioral problems.”

“The matter has been resolved to my satisfaction.” Snape replied, coolly.

“Yes, I heard about her detention…” Helena began before Snape cut her off.

“I suppose you wish to object to the specifics of her detention.” he snarled. “I do not mollycoddle the students, Doctor, and my detentions are designed in such a way to discourage the student from wanting to repeat the experience.”

Helena regarded the Potions Master. Snape obviously was a difficult man. That’s fine, she thought. She knew how to handle difficult people. She did it every day.

“No, her detention was appropriate however I would like to inquire as to the bully. What punishment was given to him? What measures have you taken to ensure the bullying stops?” she asked Snape, adopting her even toned ‘shrink voice.’

“I had the boy serve his detention with Hagrid, shoveling manure out Hogwarts’ stables by hand and without the use of magic. He was suitably repulsed and reticent to even look in Miss Nyx’s direction afterwards. Many of the beasts produce excrement that is quite offensive. I trust that meets with your approval, Doctor.”

The air in Dumbledore’s office seemed to drop several degrees because the Potions professor was nearly breathing icicles.

“As to the ‘measures’ being taken to discourage further incidences, the mere prospect of serving one of my detentions is adequate motivation.”

Snape flashed his dark eyes at Helena and she was reminded of a black bird of prey.

“That sounds reasonable to me, Professor.” Dumbledore interjected, noticing that Snape was doing ‘his thing’ with Helena, which was attempting to intimidate her. He doubted Helena would be cowed or offended, but he didn’t want to take any chances. “Doctor?”

“Yes. Fine.” Helena answered in her shrink voice and smiled at Snape. “Thank you, Professor.” Snape inclined his head politely, but hissed at her with his eyes.

“Professor Snape, Dr. Nyx will be spending the day here. Unusual situation I know, but one I feel is needed. Will you permit Dr. Nyx access into Slytherin?”

“Of. Course. The. Password. Is. ‘Partial. Parcel.’” Snape answered, accentuating each word slowly to express his disdain.

“Sorry for the bother. This should be the one and only time I’ll have to do this. She and her brother are very resilient children. I suspect she’ll adjust very quickly after my visit.” Helena spoke in Snape’s direction. “I’ll be leaving right after their curfew.”

“Well! That’s that then!” Dumbledore declared, clapping his hands together and rubbing them as if he had solved all of the world’s problems singlehandedly. “We won’t take any more of your time, Professor, thank you. Dr. Nyx, the children are still in classes for the next few hours. I would very much like to take you on a tour of Hogwarts.”

“I would like that, thank you. And please, it’s Helena. When people address me as ‘Doctor,’ I feel as though I’m at the clinic or a conference.” Helena stood and both men followed suit.

Snape gracefully glided over to the fireplace and flooed himself out as fast as he possibly could. As Helena watched him go, she suddenly realized why he seemed familiar to her. It took watching the graceful way he walked away for her to make the connection. He was the man she crashed into that day in Diagon Alley when she and the children were shopping for school supplies. At least she knew now that his snarkiness wasn’t personal because of Alexandria. He was just aloof and unfriendly to everyone.

Helena chuckled to herself.

Like some say in America, ‘check out Ms. Thang!’ she thought.




Dumbledore proudly showed off Hogwarts to Helena and took her to watch Quidditch practice. Helena was concerned to see students tearing through the air on brooms at breakneck speeds. Steffen had been a speed demon on his broom too, making their mother’s hair stand on end.

“I don’t know which is worse, Steffen, the broom or that motorcycle!” their mother would huff.

Dumbledore seemed to sense her apprehension.

“For a student to be accepted on a Quidditch team, they must first demonstrate a high degree of broom riding competence. Spells are thrown to soften the blow should a student fall during a match.”

She supposed she’d better start preparing herself now for the time Christopher will undoubtedly express his desire to try out for the team.

After Quidditch practice was over, Dumbledore escorted Helena to Slytherin house so she could be there when Alexandria arrived. The wizard explained that after classes were over, the students were required to do homework in their common rooms or living quarters until dinner. After dinner, the students had free time until bed. If she wished, she could return to his office during Alexandria’s homework time.

Helena thanked Dumbledore but declined saying that she’d maybe stretch out on Alexandria’s bed and take a short little nap. She also stated that she would eat dinner with Christopher at the Gryffindor table since he'd feel slighted if she didn’t spend any time with him during the visit. Also, she didn’t want to embarrass Alexandria in front of her housemates by having her ‘Muggle’ aunt sitting next to her at a table full of Slytherins. Dumbledore beamed at Helena.

“Such an understanding woman you are, Helena. I shall see you at dinner then.”




Helena sat in front of the Slytherin house fireplace waiting for Alexandria to return from classes. A few students regarded her curiously but none approached her or talked to her. Most likely from shyness or apprehension as to why there was a strange woman in their house. Besides, if she was here, then that meant Professor Snape knew about it and was allowing it. To get cheeky with the stranger would be inviting Snape’s wrath and no student with his or her sanity intact wanted to raise the Potions Master’s hackles, so the students kept their distance.

When Alexandria entered the common room, her eyes lit up when she saw her aunt sitting and waiting for her. She practically ran and jumped into her arms.

“Aunt Hel!” she squealed as she hugged her aunt tightly.

When a few of the Slytherins in the common room smirked, Helena narrowed an eye at them. They suddenly became very interested in the floor and their books. Alexandria began to sniff, signaling she was about to start crying.

“Shh shh, sweetie. Let’s go to your room.” Helena gently said as she pried Alexandria out of her arms.

Alexandria nodded and led her aunt to the room she shared with another girl. Fortunately, her roommate was elsewhere and the two were alone. Alexandria began to cry.

“I hate it here, Aunt Hel! I wanna go home! I don’t want to be a witch anymore!” she sobbed, tears pouring from her sky blue eyes.

“It’s ok, pumpkin.” Helena said, using her pet name for Alexandria. “We can get through this together. Now, what’s going on? I heard about the fights you’ve been getting into. You never fought like that before. Not even with Christopher.” Helena said as she adopted a gently disapproving maternal tone.

“I had to, Aunt Hel! Some of the kids here aren’t very nice. They were calling me names. They called mum and dad names. They called you names.” Alexandria protested.

“That’s no reason to hit. Hitting doesn’t solve anything.” Helena chided.

“Yes it did” Alexandria sniffed. “It gave Vincent Crabbe a black eye and shut him up!”

Helena forced a smirk away. Never let it be said that Nyx women are doormats.

“But you got three days worth of detention from what I understand. You’ve got to learn to brush off nasty people and their nasty sentiments. There will always be people like that. You know what they say? Opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one and everybody thinks everyone else’s stink.” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Aunt Hel!” Alexandria loudly whispered, shocked at her aunt’s language. Normally Helena didn’t curse in front of the children and fussed at them if they did.

“It’s true, Alex. I’m not saying that mean words don’t hurt because they can. What I’m saying is if you realize that some people say mean things only to try and hurt you, you can recognize them for what they are and not let it affect you.”

“Yes but they called dad a ‘mudblood’ because of Granddad and Grandmum.” Alexandria sniffed.

“You know, when your dad first started school here, he had a few problems like what you’ve been having; people calling him names and what not. But your dad knew he was loved and after a while, he stopped letting people get to him. By the time he graduated, he had so many friends, he didn’t know what to do with them all! You know that we all love you, right?”

Alexandria nodded, her sniffles becoming less frequent.

“I know it’s no fun, pumpkin. But this is just a fact of life that we all have to deal with. All of us. We all will have things said to us that hurt. The trick is, to not let it drag us down.”

“What kind of things have you had said to you, Aunt Hel?”

Helena smiled, remembering. She was an awkward child; clumsy and shy. Even Steffen had teased her quite a bit when they were children.

“Well, your father used to call me ‘Creepzilla’ and ‘Dork-a-saurus Rex.’ I was clumsy too and the kids at my school teased me about it and called me ‘Wrecking Ball Nyx.’ Of course I wasn’t innocent either. When we were children, I used to hide your father’s wand when I was angry with him. So well in fact that he couldn’t even Accio to get it back. I called him ‘Shrimp-O the Wee Wizard’ because he was rather little until he was 15 or so.”

Alexandria began to smile and then laugh. She couldn’t help it. Dork-a-saurus Rex? Shrimp-O the Wee Wizard? Wand hiding?

“It’s ok to laugh. I think it’s funny now too. Whatever those kids say to you may hurt now, but in a few years, it won’t even matter to you anymore. I mean, look at how close your father and I were. When he and I were around you and Christopher’s age though, everyone thought for sure that we’d end up killing each other, but we didn’t. So, I say we get a head start now and say ‘who cares’ to what those bullies think. Yes?”

Alexandria nodded, still smiling.

“Come on, let’s say it together.”

“WHO CARES?!” they shouted together.

After some catching up about how Alexandria’s studies were going and if she was doing all of her assignments, she agreed to do her homework in the common room so her aunt could stretch out a bit on her bed.

Alexandria returned to the common room, her head high and proud. When the Slytherins who had been targeting her sneered, she cocked her chin at them and smugly began to study. After a few minutes when they realized they weren’t going to get a rise out of her, they wandered off in search of someone else to torment.

Helena had only intended to rest a bit but the next thing she knew, Alexandria was standing over her, patting and shaking one of her shoulders. She must have crashed hard. She hadn’t slept well last night and was up before dawn and had been going at top speed ever since.

“Aunt Hel? Wake up! We’ve got to go to dinner in the Great Hall now.”

Helena sat up and touched her forehead. She shouldn’t have done that. Sometimes taking a nap is worse than going without one.

“Oooo Alex. Your aunt must be getting old and tired. I feel like I could sleep for a year. Listen sweetie, I’m going to eat at the Gryffindor table so I can spend time with Christopher too. Dumbledore mentioned that after dinner is your free time so I thought you, Christopher, and I could take a walk or just sit and catch up.”




Dinner in the Main Hall at the Gryffindor table proved to be an exercise in multi-tasking. Helena found herself bombarded from all sides by the younger Gryffindor children’s curious and incessant questions.

“How old are you anyway? You look too young to be a doctor.”

“You’re a Muggle, aren’t you? What kind of car do you drive?”

“You’re a psychologist? What am I thinking then?”

“Don’t be daft! She doesn’t read minds. She helps people with problems up here.” a bushy chestnut haired girl declared as she tapped her head. “You know, people like you.”

A collective snicker arose from the table. The boy who asked her to read his mind blushed. The girl turned to Helena. “I’m Hermione Granger. Both my parents are Muggle too. They’re dentists.”

“I’m Ron. Ron Weasley. My dad, he loves Muggles.” a red headed boy interjected his mouth full of food.

“That’s Harry Potter.” Christopher said, pointing at a bespectacled boy sitting next to Ron. The boy smiled shyly and nodded his head.

“Well, I’m pleased to meet all of you.” Helena said and tried to swallow a spoonful of soup.

“What do you think of the ceiling?” Hermione asked. “It’s enchanted, you know. This week it’s ‘Starry Sky’. Last week it was ‘Harvest Moon’.

“It’s beautiful, Hermione.”

The children continued to pepper Helena with questions, Hermione chastising them periodically, saying Helena would starve to death at this rate. Christopher beamed with pride at showing off all his new friends to his aunt. It was obvious Christopher was adjusting beautifully to Hogwarts. Helena frowned as she considered how difficult of a time Alexandria was having. Hopefully things would get better now. Helena still had misgivings about letting the girl remain in Slytherin house. It just wasn’t a good fit in her opinion. Still, she had to trust Dumbledore. After all, she wasn’t magical and not the best suited to make decisions concerning Alexandria’s magical education.

She also had doubts concerning the head of Slytherin house, Severus Snape. He just wasn’t very…gentle. Alexandria needed gentleness. The death of her parents affected her differently than Christopher. While Christopher coped by reaching out and voicing his thoughts, Alexandria became quiet. She certainly didn’t need a cold, snarky man like Snape making her withdraw further. Any further problems and Helena would insist that they transfer Alexandria to another house.

After dinner was over, Helena and the children walked the grounds and finally settled on an empty bench to talk.

“Now that we’re alone, I want to talk to you both about a few things. First, I do not want to be called out here for something like this again. I’m not angry at all, but if either one of you are having problems, I want you to write me first. Don’t make me find out about it from your Headmaster, alright? Secondly, if you need anything, anything at all, tell me and I’ll see to it that you get it. Study hard and winter break will be here before you know it! I was thinking that we’ll spend the day after Christmas with Cynthia and Nigel. We’ll spend Christmas day with your Granddad Ian and Grandmum Kaye.”

Ian, Helena and Steffen’s father, had developed cancer years ago but had recovered. His wife, Kaye, cared for him with the help of Cynthia and Nigel. Steffen had been away at Wizarding University and Helena was away as well, earning her doctorate in psychology. They had offered to leave their respective universities but Ian had forbidden it.

“I’ll be just fine, you two. You stay right where you are. I’m being fussed over constantly and it’s starting to drive me mad. I don’t need you two adding to it.” Ian decreed.

“Okay, Aunt Hel, don’t worry about us.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Hel.” Alexandria said looking embarrassed that she was causing her aunt all this trouble.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, sweetie. Things are going to get better. They always do, right?”

“Right!” both children answered in unison.

Helena escorted Christopher to Gryffindor House, hugged him, said goodnight and goodbye then did the same with Alexandria at the entrance to Slytherin house.

After the children were safely in their respective houses Helena left Hogwarts, taking a carriage to Hogsmeade and checking into Hogwarts’ standing rented room over The Three Broomsticks.

In the morning, she caught the early train out of Hogsmeade, heading back to King’s Crossing Station, and then home.

Hopefully things would be quiet until winter break.