Shape of Magic 12: A Slow Recovery

[center]<<<Taylor Rose>>>[/center]

Finally after another overnight stay in the hospital ward, Taylor was finally free. Though Madam Pomfrey made sure that Taylor was to return to her if her scar acted up. Which she was going to do, yeah she was used to ignoring pain… but cursed scars were a whole new thing for her and she wasn’t sure if she could just power through it like she could everything else.

Of course she’d inevitably try eventually, and wind up being dragged to Madam Pomphrey’s tender mercies but that was a Future Taylor’s problem.

Currently as she was slowly making her way down to the library with the intent to relax, she was currently checking on what remained of her Hives. Which was none, really, they either died when the curse hit her or they just stopped all together and starved to death.

Which was good, as her last order to them had been to await future instructions. That they died was a shame, but it showed that even when she died her swarm wouldn’t simply go out of control.

“You’re back!” Steve cried happily, still able to hear her through her power.

She was currently with Hagrid getting a check up, and she was being a sweetheart to the giant man.

“I am. How’ve things been going since I was out?” Taylor asked as she paused her walk to rub her still sore chest. “Oh, and don’t let it on that I’m up and walking, I plan to make an entrance.”

Her only complaint over having died? Why did the scar have to be between her boobs!? Maybe she could get Amy to move it somewhere less awkward?

Her wand waved, “Acio,” She whispered, pulling a book off of one of the shelves and into her hand. “Oh, actually since you’re there already and with Amy, could you let her know I’m in the library?” How the spider would actually do that was a mystery to her, but Steve had managed it before.

“Okay!” 

Smiling Taylor opened the book and started reading, granted Transfiguration: Famous and Infamous Moments in History was a rather dry read. The writer obviously more interested in recording or transcribing these moments more than making them engaging or interesting to the reader (the way it was written just sucked out the enthusiasm or interest) but Taylor powered through it with some difficulty. Besides, it didn’t change the fact that the feats were legitimately interesting, despite the very dry and verbose language used.

Hiding in the back of the library as she was, very few people saw her. Which was the point, really, as she waited for Amy and the others.

She saw them on their way back from Hagrid’s, watching through Steve’s eyes, absentmindedly she also decided to do a thorough sweep of Hogwarts. Well, as much as she could with how devastated her swarm was. Thankfully the bugs that managed to infiltrate the other Houses escaped the... Killing wave for the lack of a better term.

And though she didn’t plan on ever getting hit like that again, at least she had a possible defense. Not that she wanted to actually test said defense, especially if it always resulted in a cursed scar.

“Maybe Amy could move the scar to my shoulder blade?” She’d have to ask her, but seeing as Hera still had her iconic scar on her forehead so perhaps something about the nature of the curse prevented her from moving them?

If so then that made sense she supposed, it’d still annoy her though.

“Amy,” She rasped out, waving with her new walking stick, “Over here.”

That caught their attention as they all headed over to her, and when they all seated did they started blitzing her with questions. Though she did have to clear her throat and remind them they were in the library when they were starting to get a bit too loud.

“Fine,” Taylor said, “Just sore and irritated with my new scar,” She added dryly before looking at Hera, “Though I guess we’ve got more in common now? Hm?” She teased. “How are you guys doing?”

“Fine enough,” Ron said with a shrug, “Though Professor Moody is intense, still worlds better than Quirrell,” He admitted.

Hermoine nodded, though she seemed vaguely annoyed at the mention of her would-be killer (though technically… he was her killer wasn’t he?), “Professor Moody has scrapped Qurriell’s lesson plan entirely, as he should, and has been focusing on correcting any misinformation we’ve been taught. I actually hope he sticks around, though I heard something about a DADA curse on the position from the older students,” She rambled, “But what about you? How are you? Does your scar hurt? Shouldn’t you stay in the hospital longer? Oh! I made copies of all my notes for you!”

Taylor still wondered how she could talk so much without pausing for a breath, she didn’t know if it was a magical ability or pure talent.

“Thanks, Herms,” Taylor replied, “And yes, it does hurt. Everything hurts. Nothing I was given seemed to be able to make it stop, and Amy tried and failed too, but it’s been getting better over time.” Her voice was still weak, she knew.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Hera said, “I… don’t remember a lot of it myself. After a while the pain got too bad for me to really pay attention. Though some people are saying I jumped Quirrell and he started to burn…” She added, sounding like she really didn’t know how to feel about her essentially burning someone alive.

Taylor just smiled and reached over to pat Hera’s shoulder, “Sounds to me like you were being a hero,” She said, “But don’t worry, he’s not dead. At least, not judging by Moody’s comment. Sorry about scaring you guys, that wasn’t the intention.”

“Big Sis Taylor trying to protect the school,” Amy teased, trying to raise the mood, “Probably would’ve worked if he didn’t throw the Killing Curse at you.”

“I had hoped that Protego would have worked to protect me to some extent,” Taylor said with a deep frown, “It stops most other things I’ve thrown at it.” Her head shook, it didn’t matter.

Besides, maybe she could learn why Protego didn’t work when she went to DADA class next

“Dinner is soon, isn’t it?” She asked after a moment of silence, pushing herself to her feet with the same cane she’d signaled with, “I want to make a proper entrance.”

“Only you Tay, only you,” Amy said dryly with an amused smile, something that was echoed by the rest of their motley gang.

“It is not every day one comes back from the dead,” She replied easily, “And not only me.” Taylor gave an imperious sniff at that statement before continuing, “Dumbledore would do it too.”

“... You know, I actually can’t disagree with that.” Amusingly enough Hermione sounded irritated at that, probably because the Authority Figure actually had a sense of humor and was willing to play around and not be super serious all the time.

“Let me put my book away and I’ll meet you in the great hall at an unspecified time in the future,” Taylor said with a soft, though pained, smile. “Need to show confidence and act like it hasn’t affected me at all. Dying, I mean.”

“You’re… putting on a show to…” Hermione just trailed off as she tried to work through Taylor’s logic.

It was actually Ron that came in to explain things, “Hermione? Since Taylor’s been in the hospital Malfoy has been more insufferable. So, she probably has a point.” 

Hermione chewed on that bit of information before sighing, “I suppose… doesn’t mean I have to like it though…” She grumbled with a huff.

“It will also build my own reputation,” Taylor added, “Allowing me to exert more control over their hearts and minds even when I’m not around which in turn will slowly cause them to be better people. The rod of discipline works best when you fear and respect the wielder.”

It wasn’t even close to the full story, of course. She also wanted to do it for… herself. She wanted, needed, to fool herself into feeling unaffected.

The only one that didn’t buy her story was Amy, but then again Taylor knew Amy wouldn’t. Other than growing up together they bonded over trauma and helped each other out.

Amy helped Taylor realize that not all authorities' figures were disappointments, and Taylor helped Amy realize that… maybe her deal with Carol wasn’t really as bad as she recalled. She was pretty caught up in her own misery at that period of time so… Well the saying ‘Hindsight is a Bitch’ existed for a reason after all.

But Amy would never tell them. The mask was worn for a reason and she didn’t want her friends seeing how… weak she felt. “We’ll talk later, Ames,” She said with a smile, “Now get going, the effect will be better if you guys arrive without me.”

Amy nodded and gave her a look before nodding. “Fine. Come on, if Tay wants to be a stubborn ass let her,” She said as she got up.

The rest followed reluctantly, but eventually they left the library and headed to the Great Hall leaving Taylor alone. Well, mostly alone as Steve was happily playing with her hair.

Taylor sighed, slumping a bit before taking a shuddering breath and slipping the book back into its place with a cast of Wingardium Leviosa, the more advanced levitation charm infinitely better for delicate movements than Levioso ever could be.

It would be showtime soon, and so she began gathering what bugs she could (mostly butterflies really) before starting her walk.

Steve tapped her forehead questioning her if she was actually alright, and Taylor snorted at that. 

“I’m about as fine as can be expected.” Taylor admitted before she got up with a wince, leaning into her cane to keep herself upright, “Okay, let’s get this show on the road…”

Honestly, sometimes she felt like she never left her life as Skitter. Putting on a front to hide her feelings from everyone, even when she was a Ward she had to portray herself as something bigger than life. Even when she was cut in half, she refused to show any weakness… all the way to the end.

And even then she didn’t, not because of conscious thought on her part. But because she legitimately didn’t know who she was anymore. Was she Taylor, or the Administrator? Was she a bullied girl pushed to the edge, or a bloodthirsty warlord? Those questions warred within her until Contessa helped her not think about it anymore via bullet brain surgery.

She sighed again before standing straight. There would be time to vent and sort through her emotions later; she had a show to put on.

[center]<<<Amelia Carlson>>>[/center]

“Taylor’s too goddamn stubborn for her own good.” This was something she’d learned as they grew up together in the orphanage and bonded over trauma.

She also knew that ‘putting on a front’ was essentially Taylor’s security blanket, and though she’d come a long way from Skitter she still had a few carry overs behavior wise. At least her trust issues were mostly sorted out, now someone had to deliberately fuck up for her to not trust them instead of being default suspicious right from the start.

Or, rather, she distrusted everyone so much that she figured they’d notice her secrets eventually anyway so she didn’t bother hiding them.

What was worse? Was that she actually ‘needed’ to put on a front for the Slytherin house. She had actually managed to talk to some Slytherins, and she never realized the level of sway Taylor had in the house. Especially since she’d thoroughly humiliated and ‘humbled’ Malfoy.

Oh the upper years still didn’t like her, but she imagined they did respect power. And given that Taylor amassed a giant swarm of bugs when confronting Quirrell, she imagined they respected her quite a bit for that ‘flex’ of power.

Being shaken by a little thing like dying would make that respect crumble like a house made of leaves when the big bad wolf came through.

Still, she wondered what her entrance would actually be as she sat there and ate the offered food. Knowing Taylor it would be suitably dramatic and… probably nerdy as hell, really. She just hoped she didn’t do something stupid like walk in without the cane to help her stay upright or worse.

Even as she thought that, the door burst open; a swarm of butterflies silencing the conversation in the room as Taylor slowly walked in, cane thumping against the ground. “I regret to inform you,” She started, voice harsh and quiet, “that the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

Amy sighed. “Mark Twain? Really Taylor?” She thought fondly as the girl slowly made her way towards the Slytherin table.

“Did she just quote Mark Twain?” Hermione asked quietly, earning a nod from Amy.

“Daphne, Tracey?” Taylor started, “I thank you for visiting my bedside, though I wasn’t awake to appreciate it, the thought is welcome.”

The ‘Ice Queen’ of Slytherin and Tracy nodded, though Tracy did smile at Taylor and obviously wanted to say more but didn’t. Amy figured they’d talk in private later though.

“Malfoy, Nott, Blaise?” She continued, looking them over, “I am disappointed in you. You should have made sure the fool had actually finished the job before trying to undermine what I’d built. Now, I am going to eat before sleeping in my proper bed. If I find that any of you have done things to my stuff or my bed, you will suffer consequences.”

The three just sneered at her, though Blaise certainly seemed to be more aware of the minefield he had entered.

Her robes swished some as she sat down at their house table, butterflies all either flying out of the castle or landing on her to give her a shimmering cloak of multi-colored scales.

One of the butterflies landed on Blaise’s shoulder and he muttered something before it fluttered away. Others landed on people she seemed to ‘favor’, Amy among them, as Taylor silently ate.

The teachers looked considering, though two in particular seemed impressed by it. Moody she’d expected, but one of the ones she wasn’t familiar with (a taller and dark haired woman in red robes) was as well, even if most times she’d looked quite strict.

“Wonder who that is?” Amy wondered, probably a professor to a class she wasn’t taking.

The headmaster stood, wearing violently blue and silver robes that night, and clapped. “That was an impressive show of colors,” He announced, “But I think we have some points to give out for the events on Halloween and, since all three of those affected are now with us, I think now is a good time for it.”

That got everyone’s attention, eyes locking onto the eccentric man.

“For bravery and willingness to do what’s right regardless of the cost, I give Taylor Rose fifty points,” He started, getting cheers from the Slytherin students. That put them solidly ahead in terms of house points. If they won the Quidditch Cup they’d surely win in that department at the end of the year.

Dumbledore waited a few moments for the cheers, and groans, to die down. “For a desire to save her friend against all odds and opposition, I give Amelia Carlson thirty points… and for discovering lost Hogwarts history, I give her a further twenty points.” The cheer at that was even louder than the first. Slytherin was still leading, but not nearly by as much as after Taylor had been given points.

“And, finally, for acting when few others did to save their friend even as they experienced excruciating pain, subduing their attacker where I could not for fear of harming them…” He continued, the room becoming dead silent, “I award Harriet Potter sixty points.”

The cheers from Gryffindor exploded, and the other houses weren’t far off. While Amy listened, she couldn’t help but wonder why the House cup was so important. Maybe it was something she’d figure out later.

Shrugging she simply focused on eating while the rest of her House hooted and celebrated, even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff applauded while the Slytherins were all silent. Most of them no doubt fuming over being ‘cheated’ out of winning the Cup.

Which… fair enough, wasn’t exactly wrong. If not for the last minute points they would’ve won.

They weren’t behind by much, only twenty points separated them from Gryffindor, but it certainly hurt them and now everything was on the Quidditch teams to have a good showing. If Slytherin didn’t win that, they wouldn’t win the cup.

Personally, Amy did see the appeal of the game but… she’d attend the last game of the season to support Hera, if nothing else.

[hr][/hr]

The first class since Taylor was back proved… interesting. The class was quieter than usual, even more so than usual when it came to Professor Moody’s classroom. One could practically hear their own heart beating as the girl leaned back in her chair, eyes closed.

Professor Moody tramped around, his peg leg thumping with each step, and with a flick of his wand writing appeared on the chalkboard.

[center]Killing Curse
Cruciatus Curse

Imperius Curse[/center]

“I’ve been sitting on this lesson until Miss Rose joined us,” Professor Moody said, his eye rolling around wildly in his head and seeming to focus on random people and things in the class, “Now can anyone tell me what these curses are?”

Hermione’s hand shot up and Moody nodded, “Miss Granger?”

“They’re the Unforgivable curses,” She answered promptly, “Each of them carry a life sentence to Azkaban and are supposedly unblockable and unavoidable.”

“Yes, only occasionally, and only for one,” He corrected, “During the first wizarding war against You-Know-Who, aurors were permitted to use them against death eaters and it is perfectly legal, though I would not advise it, to use them on or against animals.” He paused for a moment before noting, “Excepting the Cruciatus Curse, that is illegal because of animal cruelty laws, not because it is an Unforgivable.”

“Huh, that’s an interesting fact,” Amy thought, but didn’t find herself disagreeing with it.

“Not that I think any of you could cast a single one of these successfully, which is why Dumbledore is fine with this lecture,” The professor explained, looking into their eyes as he spoke. “We shall start with the first. Tell me, what are the weaknesses of a gun?” He asked the class, “Any muggleborn? Half bloods?”

Seamus’s hand went up, “Uh… it can be stopped by armor I guess?”

Moody nodded, “Not a bad one, but another is that it can be stopped by even the most basic of shield charms,” He explained, “And is not always legal, just often.” On seeing the confused faces of several purebloods, including Ron, he pointed to Amy, “Do you know what a gun is?” He asked, “Can you explain for the rest of the class?”

“A gun is a weapon created by mundanes that fire bullets at the speed of sound,” Amy said, “Though in the past few decades mundane weaponry has advanced greatly allowing for greater destructive capabilities,” She explained.

She sure as hell wasn’t going to explain things like missiles, fuel-air bombs, atomic or nuclear weaponry.

“In the past century you mean,” Moody corrected gruffly, “But yes, she is fundamentally correct. You may all consider it an evolution of the crossbow.” It was… a workable description, at least. “The killing curse has none of these weaknesses. It will go through any shield charm you raise, has no counter curse, and if it hits directly will always kill,” He explained, “There are only two known survivors of it, and both are in this class. One of them survived by pure chance and the other survived thanks to the curse expending almost all of its power on other life in front of her.”

“Huh, well that explains a lot.” She wasn’t even bothered by the correction, she wasn’t a military fanatic or history buff. She was surprised Moody knew, but the man was a paranoiac so he’d probably researched it.

“I know of exactly two reliable ways to survive it,” He continued, stalking around the room, “Either not being there when it’s cast, a difficult feat for it moves impossibly fast, or putting something in between you and the caster. This can be done with Transfiguration or simply by getting behind cover… I once blocked it by pulling another death eater in its way.”

Taylor nodded in understanding, and possibly approved of his tactics.

“The Cruciatus Curse is different,” He changed topics rather suddenly, “It can be blocked, and there are counter curses for it, but if it hits you… you’re likely to be as useless as you would be if the Killing Curse did, and that’s a far kinder fate in many cases.” He looked… sad about that.

Amy grimaced at that as phantom pains flared up.

“Longbottom?” He started, “I am going to be demonstrating it to the class and asking Carlson to describe what it felt like, if you wish to leave I will not force you to stay. You will receive full marks regardless.”

Neville’s face was pale, “I-I’m fine,” He said, his voice shaky but resolved.

Amy nodded and gave Neville a supportive pat on his shoulder, though she wasn’t sure if he even realized it or not.

“Good lad,” Moody complimented, “Two points to Gryffindor for your bravery. Carlson, please describe what it was like for the brief period you were under its spell.”

“It felt like my blood was on fire, every nerve in my body screaming at me all at the same time,” Amy said, “It’s a pain you’ll never forget and I’ve found myself hurting myself during the day and finding myself… comparing it to that.”

Neville shuddered beside her as Professor Moody nodded.

“I’ve been hit by it myself, for me it felt as though needles were being pressed into every square inch of my flesh,” He described, “Everyone feels it differently, but it’s guaranteed to be the worst pain you could ever imagine. You can’t go unconscious as long as it’s being cast, you can’t resist it, and you can never truly forget it.”

The man grimaced as he waved his wand, pulling a large fish tank from it with magic. Inside was… a very odd looking fish. “This is a sunfish,” He started, “It is an almost entirely useless animal with very few predators. It is made out of almost entirely cartilage and feels no physical pain regardless of what you do to it. Normally, I would use a bug for this demonstration, for much the same reason, but I’d rather not test if it works through them on Miss Rose today.”

Taylor winced in her seat.

“To cast this curse, you must truly and completely want to cause pain, to torture the subject you are casting it on,” He explained, “Again, if anyone wants to leave this class, you can.” His voice was gruff, but quite protective.

No one did, earning a nod from the grizzled man as he turned, pointed at the fish, and growled out, “Crucio!”

It flopped madly, writhing in clear and obvious suffering for a few moments before he cut the spell off.

“The Killing Curse works much the same,” He explained, “You must desire nothing more than to cause death, to specifically murder the target. There are very, very few uses for it otherwise. Even the desire to kill for mercy will rarely work unless the target is very close to death regardless. This fish, as it happens, is quite close to death after that torture…”

“Certainly explains why they’re considered Unforgivibles,” Hera muttered as she absentmindedly rubbed her scar.

He turned, ignoring Hera, and pointed his wand at the fish once more, “Avada Kedavra!” He cried out, a green beam connecting his wand with the fish for a moment before cutting out. It was noticeably more blue tinged than it had been when Quirrell had cast it though…

The fish floated to the top of the tank and just bobbed in the water.

“Now, the Imperious Curse is different to both of them, in more than one way,” He started, “Where the other two are designed to cause suffering, the Cruciatus directly and Killing indirectly, Imperious… causes you to feel better than anything else. A pure and absolute bliss and peace as your mind becomes disconnected to your actions.”

Amy shuddered, that sounded like some of the nastier Master powers she’d heard of. Heartbreaker being at the top of the list right next to the Simurgh.

“In this state, the caster can order you to do… whatever they want,” He said, “Many death eaters in the war were under its spell, and many claimed to have been under it after his power broke.” How much he believed those claims was… obviously quite low. “But that isn’t the only difference between it and the other two. It can be resisted, it gets easier to resist the longer you are under its spell, in fact.”

Amy certainly hoped to never fall victim to that spell, the thought of someone using her abilities without her restraint? Well, she could make Bonesaw look like a try-hard.

“But the one thing tying it together with the other two is how it is cast,” He explained, “You must, with all of your heart, believe you deserve to control the target’s actions. That you have every right to do it, that being not able to do it is a slight against you. It is also the only spell that, if you wish to test yourself against, I am willing to cast on you.”

Amy decided to opt out of this one, “Professor? I think I’d like to skip this one,” She said.

“I do not blame you,” He replied, “I was put under it during auror training, it’s valuable and teaches you what to be on the lookout for but…” His head shook, “I did not like being under the control of another.”

In fact, many of the students opted to skip this, only the more arrogant Slytherins or the craziest Gryffindors decided to follow through. 

And Taylor, because of course she would.

“No doubt planning to use this as another ‘flex’ on her house if she can resist it.” It never failed to amuse Amy just how far Taylor was willing to go to establish dominance over an unruly group.

Most of the students clearly couldn’t resist it, doing embarrassing but not dangerous things under the curse. Though she was surprised that Malfoy had such a good singing voice, as he sang a rendition of I’m A Little Teapot along with the associated dance.

Neville, surprisingly enough, also participated… and did about as poorly in resisting it as Malfoy. Moody had him do cartwheels and an acrobatics routine.

Then it was Hera’s turn and… she aborted her task, hugging random students and trying to eat their hair, halfway through doing it.

“Mmm, impressive Miss Potter,” Professor Moody said with a nod.

Then he cast it on Taylor and tried to make her do something only for her to twitch and shake her head, while the butterflies that were resting in her hair took off in an elaborate aerial dance. Her face was still passive, eyes half lidded as she breathed slowly. It was clearly affecting her, but it was hard to tell if she was letting it or trying to resist before Moody released the curse.

“Very impressive, Miss Rose,” The professor said with a gruff chuckle, “I’ve seen dozens of people under this curse, but this is the first time I’ve seen a reaction quite like this,” He added.

Taylor shrugged, “The exact order helped,” She admitted, “You ordered me to dance, so I had my butterflies do it. I wasn’t resisting much just… I needed a bit of relaxation. I can try to resist properly, if you’d like?” She offered, “You said it gets easier the more it’s used on you, so it can’t hurt to try again…”

Professor Moody just chuckled, “Perhaps, but you’ll have to get the headmaster’s agreement” He said, earning a shrug from Taylor as she walked away… though Amy couldn’t help but note the disappointment on her face.

“She’ll never change,” Amy thought with a faint smile.

“Potter,” The professor started after everyone that wanted to try had, “Could you explain to the class how you resisted?”

Hera looked a bit sheepish as she said, “It just… felt wrong,” She explained, “There’s always something making me feel a bit bad, but that just took everything away. And then I just asked… why I should do what you were telling me to do and there wasn’t really an answer.”

Professor Moody nodded, “Interesting,” He said, “And a good method, Merlin knows I have enough aches and pains it would work for me, and has in the past. Now, if no one has any questions I think this would be a good time to end the class. It’s a bit early, but I’ve given you enough to think on and have traumatized you enough. It’s a nice day outside, enjoy it until your next class starts.”

Amy glanced around and saw no one else seemed to be eager to ask any more questions, if anything everyone seemed either disturbed, thoughtful, or a blend of the two. Eventually everyone was dismissed and, despite being in rival houses, no one really sniped at each other.

Frankly, it was a refreshing change of pace. Pity it wouldn’t last too long.

Still Amy caught up to Taylor quickly enough, “You okay?” She asked, “You seemed disappointed earlier,” She added.

“I was kind of hoping Professor Moody would use the curse again,” Taylor admitted quietly.

“But why-” She stopped and considered Hera’s and the Professor’s exchange, “Oh, Taylor… have you told anyone?” She asked quietly, knowing Taylor would prefer to keep it private.

“You, right now,” Taylor answered, just as silently, eyes looking dark and distant. “When my swarm has members die, I feel it, you know. It’s nothing major, just losing access to them. It felt odd at first, but I got used to it after the first month. Even when a lot of them die, it’s not a big deal…” She twitched, “But when half of them die, all at once, and I can no longer tell reality from fiction… I saw Golden Morning, Ames. I remembered exactly what it was like to be Khepri again and I swear I thought I was becoming her again…”

Amy just listened silently, not really knowing what to say to Taylor, but she knew she had to try, “That was a lifetime ago. You’re not becoming her again. I don’t think you can become her again.” And Amy had no interest in making her become that again.

“Ames, I felt people right after it happened,” She whispered, clear and obvious fear in her voice, body shaking from something other than physical weakness, “I felt you, Dumbledore, the teachers, the students…” She shuddered as she took a deep breath, obviously trying to center herself. “The physical pain is secondary, I’ve felt worse, but… I’ve never felt so peaceful. I would have tried to resist the second cast, and I’d never let anyone make me hurt you, but… it felt nice. Better than any massage, anyway.”

Taylor leaned on her, resting her head on Amy’s shoulder, “I don’t want anyone to worry, but if I can’t rely on you, who can I rely on?” She asked.

“We’ll figure it out, Taylor,” Amy said, “I won’t let you go back to that, and you won’t go back either. We’ll figure it out,” She promised.

“... Thanks Ames,” Taylor whispered, hugging her tightly, “I really do feel like you’re my sister, at this point.”

“We essentially grew up together, and on top of that there is all the trauma-bonding,” Amy commented, “The only way we’d be closer is if we were lovers or something.”

That made Taylor laugh, half cackling as she hugged a little tighter, “Thanks, Ames… I needed that.”

“Mmm, yeah. I suppose smug blondes with no filter would be more your speed anyway,” Amy commented dryly.

“Oh, no,” She replied, shaking her head, “She was more… Like Hera, or Hermione… or Susan, actually.”

“Really? You ain’t going to say ‘Enabler’ huh?” Amy teased with a smile, “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes,” She replied, “I got with Grue after he was turned into a fridge. He got better.”

“Tay, we trauma-bonded,” Amy reminded her, “We had a talk about Grue, and how you, with the benefit of hindsight, latched on to him more as a coping mechanism for how fucked everything got.”

“Oh, I know, it’s just that I’m pretty sure I’m straight,” She replied with a shrug, “We’ll see if that changes when puberty really starts though.”

“Man, puberty is a bitch…” Amy grumbled, as if going through it once wasn’t bad enough.

“... Hey Ames,” Taylor started, “Could you turn off period cramps?” She asked, slowly looking at her, “Would you do it for me if you could? If you do, I might actually just kiss you. Or do anything else you want, really. Up to and including drowning someone in bugs.”

“... You make a tempting offer,” Amy admitted, “And, if anything, I have too much practice. Do you know how much damage a flying brick can do on her period? The answer is a lot.” That was probably the only ‘selfish’ use of her power she ever did.

“Actually, I wonder how Carol made that one lawsuit go away…” She wondered absentmindedly.

Taylor laughed again, “I’d appreciate it,~” She said with a wide grin.

“If only because the thought of you making the bugs act out your period-inspired aggression is horrifying.” Amy said dryly with a smile, “Fucking power… I would kill to be able to work on myself though…” There were sooo many things she wanted to try!

“Your Transfiguration results say you’ll probably be able to manage it eventually,” She replied before standing fully up, “Well, I have Charms next, you?”

“Herbology,” Amy said, giving her a smile, “You think you’ll be fine? I’m sure Professor Flitwick will give you a pass if you need to get some more rest.”

“Yeah, I’ll do fine. I like Flitwick, he’s nice and doesn’t stress too much,” She replied, “I prefer Sprout, but her class is a little… stressful sometimes.”

“I mean, who doesn’t? Well besides those silly blood purists.” It was obvious that the diminutive professor was only half human, “But if you’re sure. Let me just give you one last check,” Amy said before she touched Taylor’s exposed skin.

Taylor was… a bit screwed up inside, with the aftereffects of a heart attack still present, but most of the weakness she showed was just… from a lot of physical death in her body. Her muscles looked like she’d been bedridden for months instead of just around a week and a half.

And the curse mark was certainly… something.

“Mmm, I can’t do a lot,” Amy admitted, “Though, at dinner, eat extra then I can fix up a lot of muscle atrophy and of the damage caused by the heart attack.” She still couldn’t wrap her head around the sheer amount of muscle atrophy, how the actual hell did that even happen!?

“Yes Ma’am,” Taylor demurred, “and… thanks, Ames. For being there.”

“Always, who else would keep you from doing stupidly reckless stuff?” Amy said with a smile, “Anyway I can at least give you a boost,” She added.

“I’d appreciate it,” She replied, “Maybe it’ll help keep me from falling asleep in class, mm?”

“That’s the point,” Amy said, “Don’t think I can’t see all that exhaustion now.”

“Only when you’re touching me,” Taylor said with a wink. She was clearly going to continue speaking when Hagrid tromped over to them.

“Sorry to interrupt,” He started, “But you girls are not easy to find,” Hagrid panted a bit, “Right, I’ve been asked ta escort ya ta Hogsmeade, if you’re willin ta meet that couple you were tol’ about.”

Amy blinked, “I’d actually forgotten about that…” She mumbled, “I’m willing. How about you Taylor?”

“If they can’t handle me at my worst, they don’t deserve to handle me at my best,” Taylor replied whimsically, “I’m up for it.”

Amy just rolled her eyes at her melodramatic friend, “You are a menace,” She said.

“So you’ve told me. Multiple times actually,” Taylor quipped.

“And I will continue to do so until it sticks,” Amy snarked before looking at the amused Hagrid, “Lead the way.”

“A’right,” He replied with a nod, “Jus’ follow me.”

[hr][/hr]

Hogsmeade was interesting, in that it was an independent magical village compared to Diagon Alley which was right in the middle of London. And, while she was definitely interested in visiting the chocolate shop, and just wandering around exploring, they were brought there for a reason so she decided to focus more on that.

Besides, she was sure Taylor was already well on her way to mapping the entire village and already found secret ways to get to it. And if not she could always ask the Weasley twins, they seemed the sort that would smuggle chocolate and other sweet treats back into the school.

And joke shop items, if the sign on Zonko’s was any indication.

“They’re just ‘ere in The Three Broomsticks pub,” Hagrid said, “I’ll jus’ wait here outside for ya if you need me.”

“Thanks Hagrid,” Taylor said, “I’ll come by sometime soon for some tea and rock cakes.”

The man nodded, smiling at her before pushing them into the building.

It wasn’t hard to spot the couple that was interested in the two of them. In fact, they were the only clear and obvious couple in the building at the time. Of the two, the husband was much more normal looking; a man in a nice and rugged travel cloak atop a suit that wouldn’t look out of place in a corporate boardroom.

The wife, on the other hand, looked… odd. Her hair was a deep, blood red and her eyes looked like the Bells of Ireland flower, her skin had the most perfect complexion she’d ever seen. Naturally, every male adult and teen (and a lot of the females too) in the entire building seemed to not be able to take their eyes off her.

“I guess that’s them,” Taylor commented after shaking off her own daze, “Though if that woman’s human I’ll eat my hat.”

Amy wasn’t doing much better than Taylor had been, if she were honest. “Yeah… I agree,” She replied, “Wonder if she’s doing it on purpose…”

“Perhaps it’s something she can’t help?” Taylor said, “Pretty sure I read something about an Allure somewhere…”

“I can’t, dear,” She said, her voice… oddly musical, though the accent was certainly odd. It was almost a combination of Welsh and French. Beautiful, extremely so, but odd. “I am Aifric Holman nee Ceannéidigh. Are you two… Amelia Carlson and Taylor rose?” She gently asked.

Amy had always questioned her sexuality, and this woman was not helping her in the slightest.

She imagined Taylor was having similar thoughts herself, much to her amusement. “That’s us,” Amy said as she smacked Taylor, who had slipped into a daze again, “The dumbfounded one is Taylor. And please, call me Amy.”

“Mm, I liked the name Amelia…” She replied before shrugging, even that movement looked elegant from her, “But if that is your wish, I shall adhere to it.”

“Thank you,” Amy said, “I prefer Amelia being limited to formal situations.”

The man, who must have been her husband, snorted into his drink, “Ow,” He coughed, hitting his chest to get fluid out of the wrong pipe, “You’ll have better luck than me trying to get her to not be formal.” His grin said it wasn’t entirely serious as a statement. “I’m Chuck Holman,” He said, standing and slowly walking over, hand out for a shake.

“I suppose you two are the ones interested in Taylor and I?” Amy said seeing as Taylor… honestly Amy felt she was a lost cause at the moment.

She was so going to tease her over that later, but that was for later as she shook Chuck’s hand.

“Don’t mind Taylor… I think your wife has dumbfounded her,” Amy said.

“She does that,” He replied with a smirk, “It gets much easier to ignore over time, I assure you. The first time it hit me I was, uh…” Aifric snickered.

“A lovestruck puppy wouldn’t be an inaccurate statement,” She said with a smirk, finger teasing his nose.

Amy nodded, “Well Taylor did go through a rough time so I don’t think I’ll hold it against her… much,” She said with a smile.

“I’m half veela,” She said, “On my mother’s side, of course. My father’s side is… why we need to adopt. He’s a sidhe, a type of fairy, and we… can not safely have children with humans,” Aifric explained, “It results in what your kind called changelings, sickly and mentally damaged children that almost never lived past three years of age, even with modern muggle and wizarding medicines.”

Amy blinked, “I’m sorry if this sounds insensitive but… out of all the magical beings that could exist… fae was the one I was hoping wouldn’t be a thing,” She said with an apologetic shrug.

She frowned slightly before saying, “Some of the stories are exaggerated or mistaken, changelings were usually the result of loving relationships, not kidnapping as an example…” She trailed off for a moment, “But other stories were not, I’m afraid. My ancestors were often not kind rulers.”

“Ah, I’m sorry then,” Amy said, “Muggleborn.”

Chuck laughed, “If that type of statement was enough to earn her ire, I’d never have been able to marry her,” He said, “If there was a harder woman to anger, I’ve never heard of them.”

Amy nodded before she looked at Taylor, “Dammit…” She grumbled before she touched her and gave her a jolt causing her to jump slightly.

“What happened!? Where am I?” Amy just covered her face and groaned.

Aifric snickered again, “Are those bugs crawling all over me yours?” She asked, brushing herself off gently. “I thought I felt a bit of magic in them.”

“What?” Taylor blinked, “Oh! I’m so sorry!” She said as she pulled them back and sent them out of the building.

“Pretty sure the Headmaster mentioned our magical abilities,” Amy said as she made sure Taylor was fine.

“He hadn’t,” Chuck replied, “Though Aifric did predict something about you being magical.”

“Well, to put it simply?” Taylor said, “I control all the bugs. And Ames here can play with your biology like playdoh with a touch.”

Aifric nodded. “Well, I suspect my own innate talent was affecting you through your bugs,” She said, “Did you catch my name, at least?”

“Well, that explains a bit, though the heart attack and temporarily dying didn’t help either,” Amy said after making sure Taylor didn’t hurt herself, “And it’s… Ceannéidigh I believe? I’m not sure if I pronounced that right though…”

“That was my Maiden name,” She replied, “Aifric is my first name and, well, my proper last name is Holman.” She leaned on Chuck, nuzzling into his neck lovingly.

“Oh, misheard then,” Amy said.

“It’s fine,” She replied, waving it off, “Have you had lunch yet?” She asked, “We are in a pub, after all.”

“No actually, we just got out of Defense,” Amy said, “And if you don’t mind. And I could get a start on fixing Taylor’s muscle atrophy.”

“Moody the new teacher?” Chuck asked, “Good man, humble, hates killing,” He said with a soft and almost nostalgic looking smile as he waved down a waitress, “Half the cells in Azkaban are filled cause of him.”

“He’s brilliant,” Taylor said with a smile, “My first lesson with him was great.”

“He was explaining the Unforgivables,” Amy added, “An… uncomfortable lesson, but informative.”

“Never had the pleasure,” He replied with very clear sarcasm, “I wasn’t exactly… active during that mess. My father is a muggle, you see, and I was never the most skilled in combat magic, so I tried to stay low.”

“I think a lot of people would call you lucky in that regard,” Taylor commented.

“And others a coward,” He replied with a shrug, “Didn’t help that my first actions on coming back involved trying to get people fair trials and sort out inheritances for people… which is actually when I met Aifric, as a matter of fact.”

“Meh, who cares what others think?” Amy said with a shrug, “And, honestly, I think what you tried to do was for the best, I imagine if you got Sirius a fair trial he’d think the world of you.”

“He never got a trial,” Chuck replied forlornly as menus were put down for Amy and Taylor, “Not that it would have helped much, he confessed to killing the Potters under veritasium… but that’s just short of meaningless, he likely said it out of guilt of a mistake rather than anything else, at least that’s what I’d assume by the information that’s come out since.”

Amy nodded, she’d assumed as much when she heard Peter getting interrogated by the Headmaster. Guilt was a hell of a thing, after all.

“So you’re a… lawyer?” Taylor asked, sounding amused, “Seems a bit… I’m sorry, it’s just that with magic and everything ‘lawyer’ seems really mundane.”

“Heh, you’d think so,” He said, “But you’d be wrong, if anything the involvement of magic just makes everything strange. The stories I could tell you of cases that were utter nightmares in the most amusing ways.” He smirked before continuing, “Of course, I’m also one of the few wizards that knows both wizarding law and muggle law, which is what got me into the inheritance business with Aifric’s family. You see, one of her great uncles died and didn’t leave a will.”

Aifric shuddered, “We do not die often, but when it happens the family infighting can rival some nation’s civil wars in how vicious it can become,” She said, leaning back as Taylor ordered… perhaps one of the greasiest and unhealthiest looking burgers Amy’d ever seen.

At least it had egg on it, that was… something.

Absent-mindedly, Amy tweaked Taylor’s digestive system to work faster, so she could work with it faster.

“But it ended well, no one died, and everyone I care about got what they wanted,” She continued where she left off, “Indeed, one of them got more than they’d wanted. My grandfather and grandmother, on my father’s side naturally, didn’t want anything from the inheritance but… muggle law said they should get something. So my lovely husband managed to… bend a few things and got them a small plot in the garden instead of, well, the one percent of the wealth that they were entitled to.”

“That’s nice,” Amy said as she ordered some fish and chips along with a butterbeer.

“It was an interesting legal challenge,” Chuck replied, “My father’s business contacts helped quite a lot with it, my mother was the witch and my father wanted me to inherit the family business so he demanded I still at least go through muggle schooling.” He smiled gently, looking at his wife lovingly, “A good decision, all things considered.”

“I’m actually planning on keeping up with my education as well,” Taylor said, “But, then again, I cheat, perfect multitasking is the best superpower,” She quipped.

Aifric chuckled, “Oh, yes, Chuck purchased you both gifts,” She said with a wide smile, “He asked me to transport and pick them out for him so I can give them to you without incurring any debt. They were going to be your Christmas gifts, but… we thought you could use some happiness after what happened.”

“That’s thoughtful,” Amy said with a smile, “You didn’t have to, but thanks.”

Aifric smiled, “Perhaps, but we wanted to,” She said, reaching into a handbag hanging off her seat, “Now, what do you two think of magic?” She asked, pushing her arm far deeper into it than should be possible.

“I mean disregarding recent circumstances I find magic fascinating,” Taylor admitted, “I’m especially enjoying charms and transfiguration,” She added before coughing, “Though… Amy is much better at the second than I am.”

Amy nodded, “Same. Only its potions and transfiguration.” She said, “Still confused about some stuff, but I figure that’s more related to culture clash than anything.”

The redheaded woman nodded and pulled out a pair of silver ear-cuffs to hand to Taylor and a necklace made of gold and bronze for Amy. “The ear cuffs shall grant you something ever so simple, but quite useful. They allow you to easily tune out noise you don’t want to hear. The necklace is… somewhat more flashy in effect, allowing the wearer to, once per moon’s cycle, transport themselves to somewhere they feel is safe.” Then she frowned and said, “I’m… unsure if that will work while inside Hogwarts, however.”

“This is amazing…” Taylor said as she looked at her gift before looking up, “I don’t really know what to say,” She admitted.

“It’s still very thoughtful and amazing.” Amy said as she looked at the necklace, “Though… would I have to set a destination? Or does it just pick one from my memory?” She asked curiously.

“What you feel is most safe for you,” She replied, “It relies purely on your emotions and instincts, you can not consciously choose it. Powerful, but fickle and limited. Full moon to full moon or new moon to new moon, depending on the time of day you use it. At night, it is the full moon, at day it would rely on the new moon.”

“They were… not easy to acquire,” Chuck noted, “And by that, I mean their crafters charged out the butt for them, greedy sidhe they are…” He grumbled.

“Well, it’d be rude not to accept them if you went through all that trouble.” Amy said as she put the necklace on and looked at it thoughtfully.

It was… beautiful, and fit perfectly with her Gryffindor colors, set with what looked like small rubies and imperial topaz. It also felt magical and she could… almost taste how to use it. She just had to push her magic into it like she would her wand.

“Strange,” She thought, but didn’t question it, instead she turned to help Taylor get hers on.

The girl was absolutely useless with jewelry and make up.

Taylor… visibly relaxed as the magic took hold, “Oh wow…” She whispered, “It’s so easy to use and…” Her head shook. “It is so much easier to focus, I didn’t even realize how distracted I was. I can multitask everything, but trying to figure out threats from things that just… aren’t is a bit harder. And, bonus, it’ll help me sleep.”

“Huh, curious,” Amy said, “Don’t forget you can block out Malfoy’s senseless posturing.”

Taylor blinked, “Why would I do that?” She asked, “I have bugs ready to bite him, that’s much more effective. And fun.”

“My, my, I told you that they would be fascinating,” Aifric said with a wide grin, “They’d fit perfectly in with my family!”

Amy just snorted, “Fair enough,” She said before glancing at Aifric, “And I could do terrible things if they tried to play games with me. I threatened to give this one cancer once upon a time,” She added, gesturing to Taylor.

“We don’t interact with them often,” Chuck said with a smile, “They’re… a bit much. Most of em are plenty nice, just…” His head shook, “Well, you know Dumbledore and Moody? Mix them together and add extra insanity and you get them.”

“Just saying,” Amy said, “But play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”

“Oh, that sounds horrifying,” Taylor admitted.

Aifric coughed gently, “I’m not that much better. My insanity is just much more… specifically focused,” She said, “Namely…” She leaned against Chuck, kissing him on the cheek, “keeping this idiot safe.”

“Eh, insanity just means you're interesting,” Taylor said, “Well depending on the type, I suppose.”

“You two make a lovely couple,” Amy added with a smile, absentmindedly wondering if she’d ever find something like that.

The rest of their time passed with getting to know each other, and sharing interesting stories about their lives. Aifric found it endlessly amusing how Taylor had essentially taken Slytherin over, and how she would spy on everyone to make them act like decent human beings. Chuck and Amy bonded over shared exasperated fondness with Aifric and Taylor respectfully. He especially enjoyed Taylor’s flare for dramatics, and how she nearly effortlessly disabused the school from seeing her as a stereotypical Slytherin.

“A very Slytherin tactic,” Aifric had commented, which made Taylor preen like a damn peacock.

[hr][/hr][hr][/hr]

[quote=Vyor]Taylor isn’t being entirely truthful here, but the gift is helpful for her. Remember that, after her trigger, she still experienced sensory overload. She learned to cope and even use it, but she still experiences it. It mostly lets her tune out the several hundred million bugs she doesn’t actually want to directly control, say ants on the Hogwarts grounds or aphids and worms in the same areas. She can infinitely multitask, but ignoring and sorting through all of that information still takes effort.[/quote]