Chapter Seventeen

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Endaira blinked. The sudden whiteness blinded her. Where was she?

She turned her head and saw that she was in a room. There was no window to be seen. Beside the bed she was in sat a small table with bandages and bottles with strange liquids in them. There was a closed door on the opposite wall. Beside that, the room was bare.

There was someone sitting in a chair next to her bed. The person was asleep. It was her mother.

Just then the door opened and a woman walked in. She had brown hair and wore white robes. She saw that Endaira was awake and stopped, startled.

"Where am I?" Endy asked in a croak.

Coming back to her senses, the woman walked over to her. "Why, you're at St. Mungo's, dear. In the Spell Damage ward," she said in a cheery, accented voice. "I'm the Trainee Healer, Violet Smythe. You may call me Violet."

"What day is it?" Endaira asked.

"July sixth, dear. You've been asleep for seven days." Violet nodded towards Mrs. Rezagrats. "Would you like me to wake her? She's been awfully worried about you. This is the first time I've seen her sleep in days."

"Let her sleep then." Endaira tried to sit up, but groaned as her head spun.

"Here, dear. Let me help you." Violet helped Endy sit up and fixed her pillows so that she would be more comfortable. "Your father's here also. He's speaking with Professor Dumbledore right now," Violet told her. Endaira found that she liked Violet and listened to her talk as she fixed Endaira a potion to take.

"They'll be glad you're awake, they will be. Your friends were here also for a day, but they had to go home to the States - now, drink this, dear. They were really - yes, I know it tastes bad, but you must take it - worried about you. Why, when Professor Dumbledore brought you in, you looked half-dead already! It was no wonder they were so worried. But, now that you're awake, I'm sure you'll be out of here soon enough."

Endaira nodded. Just then, the door opened and in walked two people.

"Endaira!" her father shouted and rushed over to her. Mrs. Rezagrats jerked awake and looked around. Then she spotted Endy and gasped.

Endy was immediately enveloped in their embraces. She tried not to wince with pain, but hugged her parents back never-the-less. Finally, they broke their embraces and just sat there gushing.

"If I may interrupt," a voice said. All three Rezagrats looked up at Professor Dumbledore. He smiled at them. "I would like a world with Endaira. Alone would be preferable."

Mrs. Rezagrats looked from Endaira back to Dumbledore. "But, Professor-"

"It will only take a minute," Dumbledore assured her. Mrs. Rezagrats sighed but nodded her head anyway. With one last hug, she, Mr. Rezagrats, and Violet left the room.

"I'm sure you have many questions, Endaira," the Headmaster said. He looked at the vacant chair, pulled out his wand, and conjured his own armchair which he sat down on. "You may ask whatever you want to, but remember, I can't be guaranteed to answer."

Endaira hesitated before asking, "Why was I the only one Voldemort wanted? Why did Murtogh say I was different?"

Dumbledore smiled at her. "Of course, you're different, Endaira. We are all different. I believe he only said that to try and distract you. The reason Voldemort only wanted you was because he figured he could get you to join him if you were alone."

"But why did he ask for all three of us, if he only wanted me? Alone?"

"I suppose he thought that if you were under the impression that all three of you were going, then you'd be more willing to come. And once he had you alone, he thought he would be able to get you to join him."

Endaira nodded. "But I didn't."

"No, you did not. Voldemort did not take into consideration your loyalty and love to you friends, no matter where they were. Once he learns that you are not dead, Voldemort will stop at nothing to see that you are if you do not change your mind for his favor."

Endaira was silent, contemplating this. Then another question came to mind. "Professor, what about Murtogh?"

Dumbledore smiled. He reached into his robes and withdrew a newspaper clipping. "Perhaps this might clear up that matter."

She took the letter and saw a picture of Murtogh, glaring up at her. Beside the picture was a heading.

ESCAPED CONVICT APPARATES RIGHT INTO THE ARMS OF AUTHORITIES

Alfred Murtogh, age thirty-four, along with his wife, Meredith, thirty-five, was recently arrested for abusing his foster children and the possession of an illegal substance Muggles call methamphetamine. A week after his sentence to twenty-five years in Muggle-prison, the Muggle authorities say that he mysteriously "disappeared."

However, the next day, he Apparated right next to his arresting officer. Wizards immediately arrived on the scene and successfully moderated the Muggle's memories. Murtogh is now in Azkaban Prison for the attempted murder of fourteen-year-old, Endaira Rezagrats.

Rezagrats is a friend of one of the abused foster children, and without knowing that Murtogh was a wizard, helped put him in prison. Authorities feel that this was the cause for his attack on Rezagrats.

Endaira smiled as she handed the clipping back to Professor Dumbledore. Then a thought came to her.

"What about Selena?"

Dumbledore looked down his crooked nose at her. "I'm afraid your dragon will have to stay at Hogwarts."

She started to protest, but he held up a hand.

"It is the only way, Endaira. Selena is a full-grown dragon and therefore cannot live with you. There is too much of a risk. Do not worry for her, Endaira. You will be seeing her again when term starts in September.

Endy nodded. "May I say goodbye first?"

"Of course. Just as soon as they release you form here. Now, I'd best be leaving you. Many things to do, you know."

Dumbledore stood up to leave. Before he did, though, he turned back to her. "Oh, and I was told to give you this," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Confused, Endaira took the folded piece of paper from him. She unfolded it and read:

Dear Endaira,

I want to thank you for believing I am innocent. It is nice to know that someone else out there does.

I cannot say where I am going, for fear that this will fall into the wrong hands. All I can say is that it is very far form here.

Buckbeak sends his regards.

Sincerely yours,

Padfoot

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Sunlight filtered through the trees, lighting the forest floor. Animals scurried about and there was even a flash of white through the thick trees.

Endaira hugged the dragon tightly.

I'll miss you, Selena.

It won't be for long, Selena assured her.

Yes, but you'll be so far away - I won't even be able to talk to you!

Then you will have much to tell me when you get back.

Endaira let go of Selena and smiled at her.

Goodbye, Endaira.

Goodbye, Selena. I'll see you in September.

The leaves beneath her feet stirred as she walked away form the clearing, Hagrid leading the way. As she looked back through the trees, Endaira saw Selena lift her head above the trees. And upon opening her mouth, a stream of scarlet fire flew into the sky.

The End