With their arms burdened with the items on their list from Jayce's apothecary, Tevin, Draco, and Ophelia made their way towards Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.  The pile of bottles and boxes in both boys' arms were so high they had to rely on the taller Ophelia's guidance in which direction to walk, when to stop, or when to keep going. 

Under Ophelia's instruction, the boys were heading towards one of the outdoor tables in front of the parlor.  One moment, Tevin was staring straight at the boxes in front of his face, and another he was staring at a man that looked like a very disheveled, slightly crazier version of Draco's father from his new position on the ground.  What surprised him was that none of his baggage had fallen to the ground and it was in fact floating above him in the same formation that he'd been carrying it.  Tevin stared up at this very odd-looking man above him, undecided for a split second on what he should do. 

Draco, meanwhile, was struggling to look around his pile of boxes at the misfortune that had befallen his friend.  He turned and then unbalanced himself.  While he heard several spells muttered at once, he found himself in a similar situation as Tevin.  He was only luckier considering that Ophelia managed to grab hold of his arms to keep him from completely falling to the ground.  Draco looked around and noticed that his items and those that Ophelia had been carrying were also floating in the air. 

Finally, this less-than-pristine version of Lucius Malfoy began to speak in an oddly friendly yet eccentric way, his head tilting oddly as he spoke.  "Look at this!  I trip over you, and your little friend there trips over my daughter." 

Tevin stared at him in confusion.  He had no idea who this man was, nor who he claimed Draco had tripped over.  Draco was totally preoccupied with gazing at the very pale woman who stood over him.  She had hair so blonde it was white.  She offered a thin and pale hand to him.  Hesitantly, Draco accepted it, and was hauled to his feet. 

"Xeno," said this ghostly-colored woman to the man, "help the boy up."

He laughed boisterously as he shot out his hand towards Tevin.  "At your service, young man."  His voice only made Tevin stare longer at him.

Tevin said the first thing he could think of.  "Tevin Snape." 

With his hand still poised to help him up, his expression turned puzzled.  "Hmm?"

Tevin noticed out of the corner of his eye that Draco had been righted and was staring at the strange man with wide eyes.  He looked terrified for his friend's safety...or sanity.

"My name is Tevin Snape."

The man rolled his eyes and jerked his head to the left as he snorted.  "I'm Xenophilius Lovegood!" he announced, using his free hand to brush his long hair away from his features.  Tevin thought that it didn't really do much to make him look more presentable.  The man clearly grew tired of waiting for Tevin to take his hand and so he grabbed it and yanked the boy to his feet. 

Now that Tevin was standing he noticed that there was a girl peeking out from around what Tevin assumed to be Mr. Lovegood's wife.  This must have been the daughter he'd mentioned a moment ago.  She, like the woman whom she peered around, was pale-skinned, with long blonde hair.  In her hands was a cone of pinkish ice cream that she was slowly licking as she peered at him curiously.  Tevin looked at her, and their eyes met.  He offered a timid smile to her.  She tilted her head, then turned her attention back to her ice cream. 

During all of this, Tevin didn't notice that introductions were taking place.

"-my wife, Celene.  And hiding behind her mother, is my little Luna." 

Ophelia nodded and introduced herself in return.  "And this is Draco Malfoy."

"Oh!" Xenophilius exploded, in a voice that was a mixture of nervous and awed.  "You must be Lucius Malfoy's son.  With a face like that there can't be a mistake."

Draco's face crinkled in disapproval.  "What's wrong with my face?"

"Nothing, dear," said Celene Lovegood from beside her husband.  "He means that you look very much like your father, that's all."

This seemed to satisfy Draco, because he relaxed his features.  Neither boy noticed that Ophelia and Xenophilius had floated their packages to the table next to the one at which Luna sat licking her ice cream.  The adults continued to talk to each other, while Draco looked rather uncomfortably at Luna.  Tevin, however, was intrigued at her lack of response to Draco's last name.  It was as if to whom other people were related meant nothing to her.  Tevin looked at her eating her ice cream...then realized it may have simply been that she just was way too interested in the pink confection.  Either way, Tevin was curious and so he walked over to stand right beside her.

Without a word or glance in his direction, the long-haired blonde shifted over a little to make room for him.  Tevin sat down next to her.  Draco, not wanting to be standing there between the chatting adults and the two other people his age, flopped himself down across from the two. 

"What flavor is that?" Tevin asked the girl. 

She stopped licking the ice cream and then stared at it as though she hadn't noticed she was even eating it.  She seemed to think for a moment before responding.  "Vanilla Radish Pudding, I think...with just a hint of some spices or something to make it sweet.  I don't know what they are, but...it's a nice enough taste."

"I doubt it!" mumbled Draco.   

Tevin stared at Luna and then his eyes went to the strange ice cream.  He would never have dared to try that flavor.  He thought only crazy witches or wizards ate the really bizarre flavors like Vanilla Radish Pudding!  Then, he had a terrifying thought.  ‘Am I sitting next to a crazy girl?' 

She seemed to read his mind.  "I know it's a strange choice, but you shouldn't judge until you try it."  She licked it again, and this time Tevin noticed that a tiny piece of strawberry went with it.  That must be the sweetener.  She then held out the cone towards him.  "Would you like to taste it?"

He really didn't, but he also didn't want to insult the girl.  She could become a new friend, even if she was a bit odd.  Besides, she did have a point about having an opinion on something before trying it.  It almost mirrored his view on Draco's prejudices with blood-purity in the Wizarding World.  He decided to try it, even if he thought he would end up sick from it.  Just as Tevin was reaching for the cone, he found himself clutching a spoon that had been materialized in his hand.  Then, as the children watched, Tevin found his arm carving out a spoonful of the ice cream from the portion in the cone.  He looked up at Ophelia, who shifted her eyes to Xenophilius, who spoke.  "You know better than to share food like that, Luna."

She grinned apologetically at her father before looking expectantly at Tevin.  Looking at the ice cream, he almost reluctantly opened his lips and put the spoon in his mouth.  He let it sit there for a moment so that he could get used to the strange taste.  Then, after it had practically melted in his mouth, he swallowed.  Luna was still looking at him, waiting for his verdict on it.  Without knowing he was doing it, Tevin found himself nodding.  "It's..."  He looked at her silvery-grey eyes shining in anticipation at him.  "It's not bad."

"Bet it's not good either," said Draco, making himself noticed again. 

"I didn't say that," Tevin defended.

"Doesn't mean you weren't thinking that."

Luna replied quietly to Draco.  "It doesn't mean he was thinking that, either."  Draco glared at her.  "He only said that it wasn't bad.  If that's as far as he wants to say then it's okay."  Then, she turned to Tevin.  "Most people either really like it or really hate it." 

Tevin awkwardly held the empty spoon, not knowing exactly where to put it.  "Is that...your favorite, then?" 

She nodded as she licked the ice cream again.  "I've always liked radishes.  I try anything with them in it.  They're actually a very pretty food."

Tevin looked down at the spoon that he decided to hold against his leg.  "I never noticed."

At that moment, Ophelia finally spoke to them.  "Are you boys going to get some ice cream or not?"

Draco seemed ecstatic to talk to someone other than this weird girl across from him.  He leaped up and walked right towards the window where he could order his ice cream.  Ophelia turned around and spoke to Tevin.  "What kind do you want, Tevin?"

Tevin looked at Ophelia and then back to Luna enjoying her ice cream.  "Can I get two flavors?" 

"If he does, I want two, too!" burst out Draco.

"Okay, you'll both get two," she said, rolling her eyes at Draco's competitiveness.  "What flavors do you want, Tevin?"

"Strawberry Pie and..."  He hesitated and then looked again at his empty spoon.  "And Vanilla Radish Pudding." 

When Tevin turned around to look at Luna he saw that she was shyly smiling at him.  He offered a small smile in return.  What they both missed was a glance shared between Xenophilius and Celene Lovegood. 

While they were gone, Severus had checked over the brews that Draco and Tevin had been working on for Madam Pomfrey.  He was helping the boys replace the ingredients they had to restock in the huge potions cupboard.  He decided that he would wait to tell them what he thought of their potions until after they had put everything away.  Ophelia had gone to the Spinner's End home to tend to several things.  At least, it was the excuse they always used whenever she really meant that she was going to go and have some tea with Remus Lupin.  Draco never knew. 

"Is that everything, boys?" he asked, from his place on the floor, while the two boys were both on the ladder.  Draco was in the middle of the ladder so that he could hand the ingredients to Tevin that needed to go on the higher shelves.  Tevin occupied the top few rungs, waiting for whatever Draco passed up to him from Severus. 

"There's one more box by the floo," answered Tevin. 

"Don't move," he insisted, as he went to fetch it.  The last thing he needed was one or both of the boys to fall off the ladder and destroy several shelves of potions ingredients. 

As he walked into the parlor and approached the box, he saw something that surprised him.  "No, no, Minnie!" he shouted at the white, fluffy kneazle that was chomping away on a rather mildly-toxic-to-non-humans plant leaf.  He picked up the kneazle and then pried open her mouth.  The kneazle was reluctant to allow this sort of manhandling and twisted her head in any direction she could manage to escape his hold.  "Hold still you insane animal!" he snapped at her. 

He finally managed to look inside her mouth and saw that she had in fact been chewing on the leaves for at least several seconds before his arrival.  He groaned, then shouted for his son. 

The two boys came barreling into the room, thinking that they'd gotten the wrong replacement ingredients or something.  What they discovered was much worse. 

Severus shoved Minnie into his son's arms.  "You have to hurry and take her to the Care of Magical Creatures Professor."

Tevin nodded.  "Kettleburn." 

Severus nodded.  "Tell him that she ate some Baneberry leaves." 

Tevin looked worriedly at Minnie.  She didn't look well at all.  While he stared helplessly at her, he felt Draco pulling him along by his sleeve.  "Come on!" the blonde boy shouted, forcing him out the door.  Then, they both began to run through the halls of Hogwarts.

In record time, the boys were well on their way towards Kettleburn's office.  However, just as they were passing the grand entrance doors, Tevin made a quick dash out of them and outside.  Draco almost fell over at the sudden change in direction.  "Where're you going?  Kettleburn's office is that way!" he shouted, feebly pointing back into the castle. 

"Hagrid's better at this then him!" Tevin shouted back.  Impressively, the darker-haired boy's pace increased.  Draco had to struggle to even keep the same distance between them.  If only he had his broom with him, he'd be able to overtake his friend.  Then, Draco wondered why they didn't decide to fly the kneazle to help.  It would have been much faster. 

Before he realized it though, they had reached the primitive hut that belonged to the Gamekeeper of Hogwarts.  Hagrid.  Draco only met him once or twice, and each time he reminded him of an awkward teenager that couldn't do much of anything but trip over his own feet or stutter around girls he liked.  Draco could not understand that.  Thanks to his father, he never tripped over his own feet, and he never had an issue speaking clearly.  He would rather not say anything at all than open his mouth and stutter like a moron!  Hagrid also disgusted him because it seemed as though he'd never known what a comb or brush was for.  He had such a lack of civilization that Draco wondered how some people could possibly live with themselves in conditions like that. 

Tevin was furiously kicking on the door to the hut, as he held his pet in his arms.  Draco decided to stay off the porch as far as he could without looking like he was completely reluctant to enter the place once the door opened.  He knew he'd be dragged into the hut as soon as it opened, but if he could get one last gasp of fresh air before being forced in there, he'd take it. 

The door opened.  "Tevin!  What're you doin' ‘ere?"

"Minnie's sick!  She accidentally ate Baneberry!"  Tevin tried to shove the kneazle at Hagrid. 

"Tha's dangerous tha' is!" shouted Hagrid in alarm.  He threw the door wide open.  "Bring ‘er in, an' I'll see what I can do fer ‘er."  Tevin practically leaped into the hut.  It was at that moment that Hagrid noticed Draco.  "You comin'?"

With a sigh, Draco followed.  He stood as close to the door as possible.  In the center of the floor lay a huge and rather disgusting lump of flesh that was supposed to be a dog.  He remembered that he'd heard this thing's name was Fang.  Obviously Hagrid never saw what real dogs were supposed to look like.  His father's two dogs were graceful creatures.  They actually looked like dogs.  Well-groomed, well fed.  In other words healthy and aesthetically pleasing.  The complete opposite of this creature. 

Draco was brought out of his analysis by a monstrous sneeze!  In alarm, Draco looked up and saw that Hagrid was holding a gigantic handkerchief against his face and that his black beady eyes were watery.  "Sorry, Tevin.  Allergic ter cats an' such."

It was getting darker outside, which meant the house was growing darker, by the time Hagrid finally announced that he would be keeping Minnie with him for a night to watch her recovery closely.  Draco was getting anxious.  "Can we go yet?"  He knew that the evening meal at Hogwarts was about to commence, and there was no way he was going to miss it, even if he had to eat dinner in Tevin's house.  He didn't get to go to the Great Hall every time he was here.  Unless it was a holiday.  Those were just far too awesome not to attend in the Great Hall. 

Hagrid got up from his humungous chair and lit a very long match so that he could light his lamp.  He did after all have to escort the two boys back to the castle.  Hagrid was reaching over his bed for his huge lamp when he sneezed.  The sneeze made him lose his grip on the long match and then suddenly his bed was on fire!

Draco backed up in alarm towards the door, having no wish whatsoever to die in this person's hut.  Tevin, meanwhile, stared for just a moment, while Hagrid hurriedly put the fetched lantern on the table nearby.  Tevin grabbed the tea kettle from the potholder on the center of the table, opened the top and dumped the still semi-hot water onto the flames.  The fire was out, but now Hagrid's bed was soaked.  Everyone stared at it for a second, before Tevin held the now empty kettle back to the big man.  "Sorry, Hagrid," he mumbled. 

Draco, having no desire to stay in this chaos any longer than was necessary, began to walk back towards the castle without waiting for the other two.  They'd catch up to him if they wanted. 

Severus was sitting at the kitchen table when Draco and Tevin returned.  They walked in looking a bit tired.  "Did Professor Kettleburn help?"

Draco looked at Tevin, thinking his friend was stupid not to listen to his father when he told them where to go.  Tevin answered.  "No, but Hagrid did."

Severus looked at them firmly.  "I thought I told you to take her to the Care of Magical Creatures professor."

Tevin walked up to his father.  "I know, but Hagrid knows Minnie better.  I mean, he gave her to me and everything.  Kettleburn would just make her mad, even if he tried to help."  When Severus went to reply, Tevin continued.  "Besides, I trust Hagrid more."

Severus sighed before he looked at Draco, who shrugged.  "While you were both gone visiting, I decided to go over your potions you're supposed to give to Madam Pomfrey."  The two boys looked anxiously at him, holding their breath.  "And I have decided that they were brewed successfully enough to be used in the Infirmary Ward."  At that bit of news, they both smiled.  Not that they doubted they would be satisfactory, considering they've known more aout potions since the First Years for the last two years.

Tevin mouthed the words with his father from where he and Draco were sitting in the front of the classroom, just behind Severus's desk.  He loved to watch the first day of classes.  So many students made fools of themselves.  There were others that didn't even flinch when they were suddenly called on - whether they raised their hand or not didn't mean they were safe.  The students were anxious in his father's classroom, and Tevin really couldn't figure out why. 

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking.  As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is real magic.  I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses...I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death-" 

This was Draco's first time watching the first potions class that the First Year students ever had.  His grey eyes were sparkling in his excitement as he listened to Severus and watched the eleven-year-olds practically wet themselves in their seats.  However, when he heard that last phrase from the potions professor, he turned to his best friend.  When he spoke, it was a quiet whisper.  "Can he really do that?"

"Do what?"

"Stopper death!"

Both boys looked at Severus with narrowed eyes.  Tevin had never taken his father's memorized ‘speech to the First Years' literally before.  His brow furrowed as he looked back at Draco.  "I don't know." 

"If I could stopper death, I wouldn't tell anyone, just save the ones I wanted to live."

Tevin nudged Draco in the arm as he noticed his father had begun to patrol through the seated students.  It was his favorite part of the first class.  "Here's where we find out how many of them are stupid or not."

"Mister Spyeks," Severus called on the first quaking student, who looked at him with wide blue eyes.  "What would you get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"Um," the Ravenclaw boy stuttered, desperately trying to think of anything! 

Tevin leaned into Draco.  "It's Draught of Living Death," he whispered confidently.  Draco listened and waited for the answer.  But he either missed it, or Severus didn't give the answer yet.  Either way, he moved on to another student.  A girl this time. 

"Miss Pointe, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

"I don't know, professor," confessed the brown-haired Hufflepuff girl. 

Tevin rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Goat's stomach," he growled.  "I could do better than them."

Apparently, Severus heard the latter half of his son's comment.  He turned his head and gave him a look that clearly told the boy to behave and be quiet.  Tevin met his father's eyes and grinned.  Severus shook his head and continued to prowl for his third victim. 

He found one.  "Mister Donahue," he singled out to the red-faced, bright-eyed Hufflepuff boy sitting right in the front of the classroom.  "What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"I know that one!" Draco exclaimed excitedly.  Tevin grabbed his arm to quiet him, but it didn't matter.  His father was already responding to Draco.

"While that may make your father proud, Draco, this is not your class.  If you can't sit there quietly for it, you'll be sent back home.  Do you understand me?"  Draco's happy excitement vanished instantly.  His smile faded and he simmered down beside Tevin, mumbling a weak apology.  He refused to apologize for knowing something when others didn't. 

Severus turned back to the Hufflepuff boy.  "Well, Mister Donahue?"

The boy met his professor's gaze squarely.  "There is no difference, sir.  It's the same thing."

Severus nodded with approval.  "Ten points to Hufflepuff for studying before term began.  If any of the rest of you thought that you could manage your classes without opening your books, then you will be wasting your time."  He made his way back towards the front of the class.  "Now, I could assign the other two questions from moments ago to turn in at the start of next class," he trailed off as he gave his son a look that before he continued speaking, "or I could give you the answers." 

All at once the class unanimously exclaimed to learn the answers.  It was the answer he received every year since he began this ‘first class speech' approach.  This year, however, he was going to do it a little differently.  "Tevin," he said, "What would you get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Tevin's face lit with excitement.  It was the first time his father allowed him to be active in the class.  "Draught of Living Death," he answered clearly.  His father lifted one corner of his mouth.  It was a look Tevin knew well.  He was trying not to show that he was proud.  Tevin was surprised, however, when Severus addressed his other question to someone else. 

"Draco, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Draco looked stunned that he was being included in this.  Stunned, yet thrilled.  He smiled as he responded, his voice almost sounding like he was singing in his happiness.  "A goat's stomach."

"Very good."  Both boys looked at each other proudly.  Severus, meanwhile, continued speaking to his class.  "Are you willing to let yourselves be bested by these boys that are almost half your age?"  Everyone shook their heads in the negative.  "Then I suggest you brew the following potion successfully before the end of the period.  If you do, I may reconsider thinking of all of you as absolute dunderheads and dread the future of the Wizarding World." 

Some students dared to snicker at that comment, while the more studious immediately got out their cauldrons.  Severus waved his wand at his chalkboard and, after only a moment, writing filled the board.  "Instructions are there.  You have the remaining forty-five minutes."  As he walked back to his desk, he actually smiled at Draco and Tevin, who returned it wholeheartedly. 

"So can we take them now?" asked Tevin. 

Severus nodded.  "I've already put them in some crates here for you both.  They should be light enough for you to carry."

Draco and Tevin groaned, but only the blonde dared challenge it.  "We have to carry them?"

"Yes.  A little carrying never hurt anyone, boys."  He picked up his own crate. 

"Why can't we bring them along with magic?" whined Draco as he hauled his crate into his arms, making a much more dramatic spectacle than was necessary. 

"Because you shouldn't use magic for everything," Severus responded, as he led the way out of the suite and into the hallway, knowing that they would both follow him. 

"Father does," grumbled Draco. 

"Yeah," Tevin said, struggling to get a comfortable grip on his crate of potions.  "Even for closing doors."

Once they arrived at the Infirmary, Severus was kind enough to the boys to handle the potions business with Madam Pomfrey.  Tevin instantly saw the only occupant in a bed of the wing - Charlie Weasley.  He already had a visitor in a chair whose back was to them.  However, Tevin recognized the mousy brown hair. 

"Hi, Tevin," groaned Charlie from the bed, smiling at the two boys.  "And Draco," he added, after noticing the blonde.

Both boys offered smiles, though Tevin's was significantly wider than Draco's, as they approached Charlie.  "Are you okay?" Tevin asked. 

Charlie gave them a half-hearted grin and nodded.  "Just a few more potions and I should be fine."

"I did not say that, Mister Weasley," came the stern voice of Madam Pomfrey from her office door where she was still discussing potions with Snape. 

"Sorry, one more gross day of enduring gross potions."

Tevin frowned in disapproval at Charlie.  "They really aren't that terrible."

Charlie tilted his head challengingly at the boy.  "I bet your dad flavors yours for you."

Draco shook his head, having endured Severus's potions before, but Tevin beat him to vocalizing the protest.  "No, he doesn't.  Putting flavors in potions makes them useless.  It's better to just swallow them as fast as possible."

Charlie shook his head, giving up the battle of potion tasting.  Tevin smirked at winning the discussion. 

While this small debate had occurred, Draco's focus was on the girl sitting at Charlie's bedside.  He stared at her with unrestrained curiosity.  Finally, he marched up to her and waited until she looked at him.  When she did, he noticed that her eyes shined in...something.  Maybe she was uncomfortable for some reason.  "I saw you before," he stated, as though trying to puzzle it out himself.  "When we got hurt...with the...potion thing."

She nodded at Draco but said nothing.

"You never told us who you are.  That's a bit rude, isn't it?"  His gaze hardened on her.

Her expression turned stricken.  "Calm down, Malfoy," Charlie said in a patient voice.  "This is...Tonks."  He almost said her first name, but remembered he promised to not do so.  He had no desire to see if her threat to hex him for it was meant.  She did, however, glare at him heatedly. 

Draco's eyes hardened even more as he looked at her with realization.  "Tonks," he spat.  "Nymphadora Tonks?"  When she stiffened, he knew he was right. 

Charlie and Tevin watched without knowing why Draco's tone had suddenly turned to stone.  "You know each other?" Charlie asked.

Tonks went to respond but Draco spoke up first.  "I know of her but never met before.  She was disowned with her filthy mother from my mother's family." 

"Don't you-"

"Why?" asked Tevin in surprised horror.

Draco didn't take his eyes off Tonks.  "Her mum married a muggle and disgraced her family!"  Then, he whirled on Tevin.  "That's what happens when you betray your bloodline, Snape!  Your family disowns you!" 

"That's awful!" cried his friend. 

"Wouldn't you disown someone that betrayed you?  I know I would!"  Draco turned his cold eyes back to Tonks, who was rigid in her chair.  "She deserved it, anyways.  Marrying a muggle like that!"  He flicked his attention to her necktie.  "Thank Merlin you aren't in Slytherin.  I wouldn't want to be in the same house as a bloodtraitor." 

Tevin watched as Tonks began to shake in anger and saw that her hair and eyes slowly began to turn scarlet.  Then, he saw Charlie's gaze shift to his hands in his lap.  He realized that what Draco was saying was making both of the older students uncomfortable.  "Draco," he began, but it was no use.  Draco simply kept talking, whose face by now was crinkled in distaste.

"No wonder you ended up in Hufflepuff!  A pathetic house for a pathetic excuse for a-"

"Draco Malfoy," interrupted Severus.  "I hope you didn't plan to finish that sentence."

Draco's eyes darted to Snape for an instant and then they glared at the now red-haired, red-eyed Tonks.  "No."  Severus looked at him like he didn't believe him. 

"Nevertheless, I think it's time for you to be going home to your parents."  Severus didn't fail to notice Tonks's eyes drifting to him in gratitude, a soft shine to them, despite their angry red hue. 

"But I'm supposed to stay the night!" he protested. 

"And you would be if you hadn't thought to insult everyone you meet.  There is a time to use such tactics, but that time was certainly not now.  When you understand that, perhaps I will reconsider allowing you to stay."  Severus allowed himself to smirk at the blonde boy.  "I thought your father would have taught you better manners."

Draco bristled for a second before his expression softened.  His father was certainly a weakness to him.  While he instilled the importance of blood purity in his son, he also encouraged the idea of choosing your battles.  Draco looked at Tevin and found himself embarrassed that his friend was looking at him with the same fire that shot from Charlie and Tonks.  For a moment, Draco understood what it meant to be disliked...and he did not care for the feeling. 

Without another word, Draco turned away from everyone and walked to Madam Pomfrey's office and knocked on the door.  She turned to him and raised her eyebrows in a silent question.  He took it as permission to speak.  "Can I use your floo?"

"Of course, Mister Malfoy," she said, taking the container of floo powder from the mantelpiece to bring it to his level. 

Draco couldn't bring himself to speak, so he settled for a curt nod.  He reached into the container and took a handful of floo powder.  He spoke his destination clearly and didn't look back into the Infirmary as he stepped into the green flames.  When he arrived home, Draco thought it was one of the first times he'd ever had to run from something, to retreat, to back down. 

If something like marrying anyone who wasn't pureblood such a shameful thing, why did he feel that announcing his disowned cousin's family betrayal was the wrong thing to do?  As he looked up into his father's face where the older man sat in his favorite armchair in the sitting room, Draco realized that he had no answer to his own question, and knew that he could never ask his father about it. 

And for the first time, Draco Malfoy felt very much alone.

He studied his own wand as he held it and gently turned it in his hands.  The wand occasionally swelled in certain places along the shaft, giving it an almost delicate appearance.  But this wand was anything but delicate.  It was a powerful wand.  It was the Elder Wand, and it was his to master. 

As he continued to turn the wand gently in his hands his mind wandered elsewhere.  For a moment, Albus Dumbledore found himself thinking about Harry Potter.  He was still lost, missing...and had never been found.  He knew the boy would sooner or later make an appearance.  If anything, they would all know for sure where he'd been all this time once the owls delivered his letter.  Maybe it was better that Harry was out of sight of the Wizarding World.  If he were anonymous, it could possibly even mean a better form of protection. 

He heard a small keening sound from his familiar.  Fawkes, his phoenix, angled his bright head ceilingward before sadly whining.  Then, he majestically burst into flames.  Usually Fawkes didn't like to have an audience - not even Albus himself - when it was time to burn.  However, perhaps it could not be avoided this time.  Dumbledore turned his attention to his phoenix to watch one of the many marvels left in their world - the rebirth of a phoenix. 

He found himself staring for a very long time at the ashes, waiting for the newborn bird to peek its naked head from the pile.  The last time he'd seen his phoenix reborn was years ago.  Could it have been almost ten years ago?  That seemed like an awfully long time.  He watched as Fawkes slowly grew to his full height and his brightly colored feathers began to grow from his skin.  It was a very slow process which Albus did not remember taking this long the last time he saw Fawkes on a burning day.  Then Dumbledore's mind assulated him with a memory. 

He looked down on her with eyes sparkling in barely contained laughter.  "Well, Miss Fay, did you forget to use the floo since being a student?"

Ophelia smiled at Dumbledore, noticing that Severus stood behind Dumbledore, smiling softly.  "I suppose I did."

Severus stepped around Dumbledore and went to Ophelia, knowing he had a part to play now.  He held out his hand, which she took to steady herself as she got to her feet.  She did not wish to let his hand go, to make sure that the older wizard saw the contact, but when they turned their attention to Dumbledore, they saw that he was not even looking at them.  He was hunched over a perch, staring at the ashes, which were slowly stirring. 

"Oh, Fawkes," he sighed.  "You could not wait until I returned until you set aflame?"  He looked to his former students.  "It was very near his burning day.  It came just a little earlier.  He's never exactly on time.  Untamable these phoenixes."  He walked around the other side of his desk shaking his head, setting his wand down on the corner.  He did not need it, not with these two.  He trusted them. 

"Now," he began.  "What can I do for you, Ophelia?"  He suddenly noticed that Severus still stood beside his visitor.

Dumbledore began to theorize as his gaze still looked upon his growing phoenix.  It took several more minutes before Fawkes turned to him and trilled in satisfaction.  It was then that Dumbledore knew that the phoenix was finished with his rebirthing process. 

He stood from his chair and walked around his desk to where Fawkes stood on his perch.  He was starting to suspect something...something he knew deep down was important.  "I'm sorry, Fawkes," he said, running his hand along the feathers on the bird's head.  He raised his wand and leveled it at the phoenix, who looked at him as though with complete trust.  "Incendio," the wizard said forcefully. 

Fawkes made no sound as he burst into flames. 

Dumbledore waited for a moment for the rebirthing process to happen.  In a matter of seconds rather than minutes, the ashes shifted and the head of a baby phoenix emerged.  In a fraction of time it took Fawkes to emerge earlier he was sprouting feathers and thrilling.  Fawkes hopped up onto his perch and extended his wings in a stretch. 

This experiment confirmed it in his mind.  All those years ago, when Ophelia Fay first feel through his fireplace, when Fawkes was just finishing his emergence from his ashes, when he returned to his office with Severus Snape at his side.  It was not his natural burning day. 

Someone had set Fawkes on fire that day, and Dumbledore was determined to find out who did so and why.