*Good God* Luis couldn't believe his eyes. They were together. Side by side. Sinclair was sitting beside Shinrei. Too close. Too damn close for comfort.

Hell. Who was he to care about what Gryffindors did with their private lives? Much less more-perfect-than-thou Gryffindors, especially a Head Boy aspirant and his exotic little ninja maiden.

He had not one, but TWO, gorgeous girls flanking him. Both Slytherin by virtue of Sorting. A blonde and a brunette. And he had barely been at Hogwarts for three hours.

"So, tell me, ladies," he said, grinning at Sarah and Katia in turn, "what have I missed at dear old Hogwarts, aside from spending three years with beauties such as yourselves?"

Katia began the story of Anders Grimalkin's turbulent tenure, including the fire demon and the presumed attack on Nimue, then finished, rather sadly, with his acquittal. "He isn't here at dinner," she observed.

If Sarah had been seated next to Katia she would have happily trod on her foot when she started in on Anders Grimalkin. Anders had been one of her pet targets all year, yet she obviously was pretty far out of the loop.

"Of course, you mustn't take too much of what Katia says to heart, Luis. She only knows what she's read in the papers or rumours that she's managed to overhear. I was there when news of the attack was received.

I was the one sent by Sirius Black to find Professors Snape and Dumbledore and was there when Snape brought Nimue back from the woods and talked with Madame Pomfrey about that fact she's survived the Killing Curse. Plus I was part of the investigation to discover what happened and who the wizard was who had attacked them."

Never mind that Snape had kicked Fiona, Drake, Nathan and herself out of the Hospital Wing - she had still been there. Had Sarah been a few years younger would certainly have stuck her tongue out at Katia at this point!

**********

Jon was torn - obviously Shinrei was distressed about her predicament but if she needed a place to spend the summer maybe ....

"Look, Shinrei I hope you don't think I am being too forward or anything but I may have a solution. Well an idea actually. My older sister, Melanie, has gotten very keen on Japanese horticulture since she and her husband went to Japan last year. Now she wants to redesign their garden. Her husband is a muggle - very nice and understanding and he's very happy for her to do it."

Lord, how to put it, "well I wrote her about you .. I hope you don't mind." Jon was slightly blushing, "and she wrote back today saying that if you were staying in England could I talk you into coming to visit her? I think she might, if she knew you needed somewhere to stay, be happy to have stay with her. Her husband is off on a business trip and she'd welcome the company especially someone who might be able to help her carry out the plan."

He didn't dare look at her as he made the next suggestion, "If you did then perhaps sometimes we might practice Quidditch together. Our house isn't all that far away and I am terribly rusty having had a year off from playing here."

He looked at her again, fingers crossed that she wouldn't be insulted by the idea.

It took half a second for the weight of his words to pierce through the anxiety in her brain. Shinrei's head suddenly snapped up from its dejected bow. Her dark brown eyes were suddenly blazing as she turned to look at him.

She was very surprised to see Jon red in the face and not looking at her. "Are you saying," she said carefully, "that I now have a place to stay for the summer?"

"I have my own garden back in Japan, if that is your sister's concern. I have a very strong affinity with plants as they are part of my training as a medicine woman." She said these words so enthusiastically, so un-Shinrei-like, that several questioning, curious heads at the Gryffindor table turned in the direction of her excited voice.

"So where does your sister live, Sinclair-san? Of course, I would be very willing to train in Quidditch with you. Perhaps we could both play for the Gryffindor team next term."

"Well yes I am," Jon was now beaming ear-to-ear. "though I'll need to write my sister naturally. I'll do that tonight! I expect she'll be over-joyed to have someone spend the summer with her who really knows about such matters. They live near ******" Jon gave the name of a town in Western Scotland.

"Knowing Melanie, she will insist on paying you properly for your help with the garden. I trust that won't be too embarrassing for you but she even pays me when I've helped her during the holidays with work around the house and the estate."

It was evident that Jon's sister lived quite comfortably as indeed did Jon's own parents whose home as in a remote enough location that Jon and any wizarding friends who might visit could practice Quidditch without fear of being seen by local muggles.

"I expect if my grades are good enough and my parents allow me to rejoin the team that I'll have to be in the trials again in September. Still a few of the team will be graduating this year so there will be places available. What position do you play?"

"I believe I could really use a bit of financial compensation for my books and things next semester, so you should not worry about my reaction to being paid," Shinrei said reassuringly, an enthusiastic smile lighting up her normally sombre face. "It would be my honour to spend the summer with your sister."

"As for my Quidditch position, everyone back at Kossawa said that I have the makings of a Keeper. My ninjutsu background has given me an extensive training on defence...so I suppose Keeper would be it."

"Wow! With a Keeper like you we could be unstoppable!" Jon was getting quite enthusiastic about the idea. Now if only his grades would be good enough to convince his parents he could play again.

"Look, as soon as you've finished eating, we can go straight to the Owlery and send a note to Melanie. Maybe she can come up to Hogsmeade this coming Saturday to meet you so things can be settled before the end of term. I am sure she'd want to speak with Dumbledore as well to assure him that she'd make sure you would be taken care of."

"Well...when you have grown up thinking Quaffles were opponents whose necks you need to break then you will be quite a decent Keeper to begin with," Shinrei replied, thinking about the philosophy the Kossawa teachers had instilled in her about Quidditch and being Keeper.

"We can use my owl Makura to send your letter, Sinclair-san," she added. "He had nothing to do ever since we arrived here and I believe he needs to be familiar with his new surroundings."

"Great!" replied Jon and after Shinrei had finished eating the two Gryffindors headed for the Owlery to send the letter.

**********

Chewing thoughtfully upon some of the sumptuous supper, Mahou furrowed her brows, thinking on what to do... "Can I really sleep up there tonight, Headmaster?" she asked, setting down her fork. Her excitement boiled over and she climbed to her knees on the seat, her hands on the table, her body leaning over. "Can I really? You mean it?" She grinned, leaping off the seat with a whoop. "Oh, yes, I would like ta visit Gryffindor Tower tonight, Sir, yes!!" She danced over to Dumbledore and shook both his hands, resisting the urge to pull the obviously old man to his feet and make him dance with her.

"Yes, of course. Why not? Your parents have agreed and it will be an excellent way for you to see something of our routines. Much more useful than walking around a deserted castle before we lock it up for summer holidays."

"Mahou," Paula said sharply. "Sit and eat your dinner." She smiled at Dumbledore.

"Ah, Ma," Mahou said with another grin at Albus, "Headmaster Dumbledore doesna mind! I can dance and sing since I'm so happy!" Mahou pulled a set of ancient-looking pipes from her jacket and played a happy tune as she danced, looking much like a satyr in the process.

The music could be heard in the Great Hall, too...

Professor Dumbledore certainly didn't mind and he was beaming his approval. He loved music and dance and while music did not form part of the curriculum at Hogwarts he was always happy to accommodate students who were interested.

"Delightful, delightful. I do look forward to hearing more. One of our teaching assistants is gifted with the psaltery, and has hoped to have someone to play with that would compliment such an ancient instrument."

Yes it was going to be an interesting year, perhaps one filled with a little more light, music and laughter than this one.

"Now all we need do is wait for Miss Hawkwood to join us. Please, please continue."

Oblivious to any tales Katia might be spreading about her to Luis Verga, Nimue returned to the Great Hall following the completion of the Alchemy exam.

Professor Dumbledore had left a message with one of the older students, who was part of a group electing to study in the Great Hall in order to do some inter-House brainstorming, that Nimue should be sent to the side chamber where Professor Dumbledore was eating supper with the Amberstones.

She knocked at the door and Dumbledore bade her enter.

Mahou heard the door and spun around, cramming the pipes back into her jacket.. She came eye-to-eye with a girl. Shrieking, Mahou covered her ears and ran to her hat, panic swelling in her brain. -Someone saw me-, she thought. -Someone saw my ears! Great impression.. you're a freak! Half a itch.. half an elf.. Half a Muggle.. is there no where you belong, Mahou Amberstone?-

Tucking her ears in, though she knew it was too late, Mahou turned to Nimue, her eyes glassy with tears. She nodded at being addressed, hoping that the trip would be quick and without talking. Nimue seemed nice and all.. but she had seen Mahou's ears.. she knew Mahou was.. different. What was Mahou to do?

"Ah, yes - good evening Miss Hawkwood. All went well I trust?" asked the Headmaster.

"It did, sir." she replied.

"Excellent - may I present you to our guests. Miss Elizabeth - or rather more properly Lady Elizabeth Nimue Hawkwood. Though I know she is much happier with just addressed as Miss Hawkwood at school."

"Yes, sir." Nimue blushed slightly.

"I should like to introduce you to Paula and Weatherlite Amberstone and their daughter, Mahou. Mahou has just been sorted to Gryffindor and will be joining your Fourth Year class in September. She is to stay overnight and then having a tour of the castle in the morning.

However, since you have examinations in the morning and afternoon perhaps you could show her around Gryffindor Tower now. Then if she likes she can spend the night there rather than in the Guest Tower."

He smiled at Mahou - "How does that sound?"

"Please.." Mahou whispered to Nimue, "Miss Hawkwood.. donnae tell.. please.. donnae tell anyone wha' I be. I beg o' ye." A single tear plipped to the floor, her fists clenching. "If anyone knew.. anyone.. no one would want ta be me friend. No one.. I only be half an elf.. half a witch.. half a

Muggle.." She looked up into Nimue's eyes, her own slanted, vivid, lime-green eyes allowed tears to flow down her cheeks. "Donnae tell.."

However, Nimue was half in tears herself but from happiness which was probably evident to Weatherlite and Paula more than to the currently rather upset Mahou.

She didn't exactly know what to say to the other girl, about this accidental revelation.

The slight feline cast of Nimue's own eyes, flecked as they were with green and gold, as well as her bearing gave a subtle hint that the Hawkwood line, founded as it has been by the union between Merlin and the Lady Nimue, daughter of Dionas whom ancient texts revealed as a hunter of high lineage and the 'godson' of Diana, might have on occasion over the centuries renewed their links with those of the

Otherworld through marriage. Whatever, the family was very discreet about such matters.

"Miss Amberstone...Mahou please do not be concerned. Of course, I would not tell. You must however call me Nimue - all my friends do and I do hope that we shall be friends."

She wondered if she would have time to take Mahou to the forest the next day. However, she had the impression from the look on Professor Dumbledore's face, as he appeared to follow her thinking, that such jaunts might well best be left to when they returned in the autumn.

"Mahou, if you are ready I'll show you to Gryffindor Tower. The bed right next to mine that is vacant and it's very high in the castle so you can see for ever such a distance from the windows."

"Thank ye," Mahou breathed, finally allowing herself to smile. "An' syne ye gave me yer permission, I shall call ye Nimue. Though.. if we get ta be really guid friends, will I be able ta call ye Nim?" The look in the girl's eyes was beyond hopeful.

As to the bed predicament, Mahou grinned widely. "Ah! A view! Wha' abou' th' forest? Ma told me loads o' stories from when she would sneak inta th' forest at night. Can we go inta th' forest? Is it still forbidden? I bet there're loads o' spirits in there ta talk ta!" Mahou grabbed Nim's hands, her own very pale and slender, almost like they would break. But her grip was rather strong. "Are we allowed? I'm sure th' trees ha'e stories ta tell! Th' streams an' th' rocks! Th' birds an' th' other animals!" She jumped up and down a little, her excitement bubbling over. "An' tis best ta talk ta them at night! Ever done tha'?" She suddenly became silent. "Er.. I'm sorry.. I nae had a friend b'fore..." She smiled shyly. "Forgive me, Nimue?"

Rocking back and forth on her heels, Mahou clasped her hands behind her back. "I be ready ta go b'fore ye mentioned it."

Dumbledore smiled at the torrent of questions that Mahou had for Nimue. At the mention of Paula having told Mahou 'loads' of stories about sneaking off to the forest at night, the Headmaster looked at Paula and raised his eyebrow then gave a little cough to interrupt Mahou and Nimue.

"As always, the forest does remain 'out of bounds' for students which is why it is named the 'Forbidden Forest' though it's fringes is a popular place for young people to walk. There has been known to be creatures within it that are inimical towards anything not of their own kind. So caution should be exercised."

Nimue nodded at the Headmaster acknowledging his concern.

She smiled at Mahou, "I am sure we will be friends, Mahou."

Paula was, indeed, blushing. Her face turned light pink, then red, then a violent shade of maroon to rival even Lockhart's most vibrant robes. "Oh, well," she stammered, fidgeting like she did when she was a student at Hogwarts, "I.. well.. er.. that is to say.." She shrugged, laughing nervously.

"Whoops," Mahou muttered. She turned to Dumbledore, a pleading look in her eyes. "Headmaster," she implored, her voice full of aching, "ye donnae ken how long I ha'e been waitin' ta see th' inside o' this forest! Th' unicorns, centaurs.. everything! I mean.. back in Ireland, b'fore I came here, I had loads o' friends who be Faeries. I mounted a unicorn once! But tha' could be more than anyone could e'er hope fer!" She folded her hand in a praying position, her strange eyes clouded with hope. "Could I no' be escorted by.. by Hagrid! Ma says he be th' gamekeeper! Could he take me an' Nimue just a wee way in? Jus' ta see wha' we might be able ta see? We wouldna go far."

She furrowed her brows, giving him an expression of extreme pleading that a puppy would be envious of.

Dumbledore smiled at Paula, and then with Mahou's pleading he raised his hands in mock defeat.

"Now I did say that small journeys within the fringes was quite acceptable during the day. As for deeper exploration, I am sure that Hagrid would welcome your Company. He now is our Care of Magical Creatures teacher - an option I am sure that you will want to sign up for. The main thing is that you don't place yourself in any unnecessary danger."

He couldn't help but glance at Nimue when he said this and she quite naturally blushed.