Secrets and Truths

Chapter Eight

The Arrival


They arrived at the grassy field in front of the castle shortly after, in what could be considered, record time. All gasping for breath, they slowed their run to a brisk walk. Harry had noticed Althia fall behind and went to her.

“Are you alright?” He asked concerned.

“Yeah, just give me a moment to catch my breath.” She replied panting.

Siria and Banji had noticed that there wasn’t a carriage in site. They knew that this was a bad sign; they were late, very late.

“Come on, we can’t stop now. We’re almost there!” Banji demanded.

“Give her a minute would ya!” Harry spat back.

At his brass tone she just crossed her arms and gave him a dirty look. Siria took a moment to look at Althia. She was bent over with her hands resting on her knees. She was still panting, pale and shaking slightly. She knew they should give her this time but they had to go.

“Ali, we’re so close. Come on now, you can rest when we get inside. If we wait any longer they’ll form a search party, if they haven’t already.”

Pushing off her knees, she nodded in agreement and began walking. Harry gave the girls a look of disapproval then fell into step with her, leaving them behind. The twins let some distance get between them before following.

Minutes later they had finally reached the entrance doors and entered. As they walked they could hear the tell tale noise of the Great Hall. Harry had turned his head back toward Banji to apologize for snapping at her earlier but neither, she, or her sister were in site. ‘Where did they get off to?’ He was roused from his musings when he ran into something or rather someone. He fell backward, landing with an ‘umph’, to the stone floor with a thud. He looked up to see whom he had run into. His heart skipped a beat at the site.

“Mister Potter, I see you are wasting no time in your rule breaking. Perhaps you would like to remove yourself from the floor and explain your lateness?” Snape sneered.

He stood and brushed himself off. He spared a brief moment to glance at Althia before answering. She was looking at the floor and tenderly rubbing her forehead.

“Er, sorry Professor Snape, for running into you, I didn’t see you.”

“That would be apparent. You pay as much attention to your surroundings as you do in my class. But you are evading my question, why are you late? Why did you not arrive with the other students?”

“I…we” he pointed to Althia “walked.”

“Walked? Potter, surely you should know better than to something as idiotic as that. We are entering dark times, as you well know, and using caution is of the utmost importance. Something as foolish as walking to the school is inexcusable. Why would you choose to do such a thing?”

“Well, it’s like this…I…umm…I…”

Althia chose that moment to speak. Harry glanced at her and was grateful for the interruption. Looking at her he could tell she wasn’t well.

“It’s my fault sir. It was my idea to walk here. I…”

She didn’t get to finish her explanation. Harry saw her sway, her eyes rolling back and her lids fluttering closed. As her knees gave way he closed the distance between them and caught her before she could hit the floor. He lowered himself to the floor cradling her in his arms.

Snape had watched the events unfold without uttering a word. He could see the girl was a bit off but had not expected her to faint. He was about to comment when he was interrupted.

“Ah, Severus, there you are.” Professor McGonagall exclaimed.

She had in her tow, by the ear, one Banji Keir. Harry could see from the look on her face that she was extremely irritated by such treatment.

“I see you have found Mr. Potter and Miss Panes. I found Miss’ Keir just moments ago. This one decided to defy me instead of going to the Great Hall with her sister as was told.”

“Yes, Potter and I just ran into one another, literally. He was just about to explain his lateness when Miss Panes fainted. I am still awaiting the explanation.”

“Surely that can wait Severus, Miss Panes must be taken to the infirmary. Take her now and I will deal with Mister Potter, he is in my House after all.”

“Very well.”

Instead of levitating her he reached down and gently took her from Harry, surprising said boy. Never in a million years did he think Snape would come in that close a contact with a student. Snape cradled her limp form to his chest, spun on the spot and walked away briskly, robes flaring, without another word said. Harry was still lost in thought when he heard the clearing of McGonagall’s throat.

“Sorry Professor. I should explain. You see, well…”

“Harry, you do not have to explain anything to me.” She told him.

“Excuse me? But I thought…”

She had released Banji’s ear and the two began to laugh. Harry was dumbstruck. ‘What the blazes are they laughing about?’ He no more than had the thought when he saw McGonagall start to transform, not into a cat, but a girl. A girl with choppy pink hair and blue bangs.

“As I said Harry, you don’t have to explain. We were there as you well know.” Siria said laughing harder.

“BLOODY HELL, you’re a Metamorphmagus!”

“Shut up you dope, she doesn’t want the whole school knowing!” Banji scolded as she massaged her abused ear.

“Oh, sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Duh! It’s not something to bring up in casual conversation. Just think how it would have sounded… ‘Hi, my names Siria and I’m an Metamorphmagus, what’s your name?’

Harry couldn’t help but laugh then. “You’re right, I would have thought you were mental if you had. What about you Banji? Considering you’re her twin, are you an Metamorphmagus too?”

“Uh, no. This is what I look like normally. Take it or leave it, I care not!”

“I’ll take it.” He said shocking her. “Come on, let’s go. I’m starving and I don’t want to miss anymore of the feast. When Dumbledore excuses us for the night we can go to the infirmary to check on Althia.” He explained as he turned and walked away, the twins following.

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Severus kept his fast pace until he had reached the infirmary. Not once had the girl stirred. In fact the only sign of life she had shown, besides breathing, was when she had nuzzled closer to him. The action had caught him by surprise but he had allowed it. He had encountered no one in the hall and was grateful. He, the evil Potions Professor, could not be seen in such a predicament. He had an image to uphold after all.

He entered the infirmary and headed for the nearest unoccupied bed. ‘What a pity, the new term has but just started and already we have two ill students.’ He mused to himself. He laid her gently upon the bed, sparing just a moment to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. He spared a quick glance at the boy two beds down before calling for Poppy. She had remained in the infirmary to keep watch over her patient. Hearing his call she went to meet him.

“Ah Severus, here to check on young Mr.…Oh my, who is this?”

“This Madam is Miss Panes, our new transfer student. She fainted only moments ago. Reasons for which I do not know.”

“You probably scared the poor dear. Now move aside so I can run my tests.”

He stood aside allowing her entrance to her newest patient. She gave her wand a wave running her preliminary tests. A short time later she had her results. Snape still stood, awaiting the results.

“Well, she is not ill. She’s simply exhausted, physically and magically. And the tests show that she hasn’t obtained enough nutrition intake today. I must say I don’t know what she could have done to use up so much energy from her magical core. As you well know the students are not allowed to use magic outside of the school.” She explained.

“Of course I know; I am a Professor after all. I will inform the Headmaster of her condition and return later this evening to check on the boys condition.”

“Very well. With rest, both will make a quick recovery. Of course they should both limit themselves for the next few days, not over exert themselves with magic use or physical activity.” She informed him as she covered Althia with a blanket and spelled her into pajamas.

“I will inform the Headmaster and the other Professors of that as well.” He said as he made his leave.

Poppy uttered a ‘thank you’ to him as she went to check the boy.


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The trio had reached the doors of the Great Hall when Harry came to an abrupt stop.

“What is it Harry, why have you stopped?” Siria asked

“I just had a thought…”

“Well are you going to tell us already or just keep it to yourself!” Banji demanded.

“Huh? Oh yeah. It’s like this…we need to get in there but I’m not sure how to go about it.”

“Harry” Siria said “wouldn’t using the door be an excellent idea?”

“Yeah Harry, that’s what people do, even Muggle’s know how, you just turn the knob and…”

“I know how to work a door Banji, that’s not what I meant. Once we open the door all eyes will be on us so to speak. I’m not sure how to explain our tardiness… I didn’t think of that before. I don’t know what to do.”

Siria just mouthed an ‘oh’ as she nodded her head in understanding while Banji rolled her eyes and shook her head. She looked to her sister giving her a mischievous smile before turning to Harry.

“I know exactly what to do.”

Siria, unlike Harry knew what exactly meant. But before he could utter a ‘what’ or she could stop her, she had pushed past them going to the doors, pushing them open. Seeing her enter they both knew they had no choice but to follow.

“She’s crazy, your sister, you know that?” Harry whispered.

“No, not crazy Harry…fearless. This is nothing compared to things she’s done before.” Siria whispered back.

Just as Harry had feared the Great Hall became silent upon their entry.
Everyone had stopped their idle chitchat to look at the new occupants of the room. They continued forward until they were only feet from the head table. Not wanting to but knowing it must be done he looked up to meet Dumbledore’s gaze. He paused merely seconds before attempting to address him but it was Dumbledore who arose and spoke first.

“Ah Harry, how good of you to escort our guests to the feast. I appreciate your meeting them upon their late arrival and allowing me to be here for opening speeches and the sorting. Ten points are awarded to Gryffindor for showing courtesy to fellow students. Now why don’t you join your classmates and enjoy what time is left of the feast. Miss’ Keir please come forward, I believe introductions are in order.” He said, all the while his eyes twinkling madly.

Harry turned and walked to meet his classmates. All the while trying to take in what had just happened. ‘Dumbledore just completely covered for me…why?’ Hearing him speak once more Harry turned his attention back to the present.

“As I now have your attentions, I would like to introduce you to two of our three new students. The other will be joining us tomorrow morning I am sure. Without further delay I would like you to meet Miss’ Siria and Banji Keir, exchange students from America. They will be joining us temporarily until completion of repairs being done to their school. Because it is temporary they will not be sorted but will be allowed access to all houses. I am most confident you will welcome them.”

He had taken his seat once again before speaking to the girls.

“I wish to personally welcome you to our school ladies, I hope you enjoy your stay. You may sit with any house of your choosing.”

They thanked him for his hospitality and warm welcome and, of course, went to join Harry at the Gryffindor table.

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Althia woke a short while later to dimly lit surroundings. She was temporarily disoriented before realizing she must be in the infirmary. ‘But how did I get here? The last thing I remember was talking to… then everything goes blank…Oh…I must have passed out, well isn’t that embarrassing!’ Someone shifting in their bed roused her from her thoughts. She looked to where the sound had come from and was shocked, to say the least, at whom the occupant was.

“Draco?”


***************************TBC********************