Disc.- Please look in previous chapter. Because I still don't own it.

So…- Yay for reviews! And as they find out, it will be just before their trip to Hogwarts. Reason for travelling will be explained shortly. And damn, but she managed to get away scot-free for almost five years!

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~* It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.*~

*(Henry Thoreau)*

The fifteen year-old blinked at the woman numbly. Leaving? Leaving Sophronius? Her lip quivered just slightly before she stood, startling many of the students there. She ignored the calls of her friends and table and wandered out before realization sunk in and a wild desperation with it. She hadn't left the island since arriving- not during the holidays or the summer vacation, though she did send letters and money to Madame Abel- the two had kept quite closely in touch. Her breath began to quicken and her hands started to shake as her eyes widened almost painfully.

"E?", came the hesitant question and she saw Mortimer Mirrikh there, her Potions professor. He was the man with pale shaggy hair and startling eyes against the dusky skin and he was looking at her uncertainly. The man had taken a liking to her when she had shown such obvious interest in the subject compared to some of the more…Active ones. Especially since she was usually kept in Stheno Division, though she had been in all three over the last half-decade and had taken to calling her E in private. She slowly backed away from him, her panicked eyes stuck on his and he took a hesitant and small step closer and that's what made her bolt. She heard him call after her loudly, no doubt attracting attention from the occupants of the eating hall and as she felt her eyes sting in a way they hadn't for years, she cursed under her breath shakily. She made her way out of the academy-palace and raced down the steps. She had explored this islands over the span of her time here and she knew every last spot on the island and what all inhabited the lands. And there were even slightly dilapidated towers and old Grecian-style theatres. She didn't go to them however. No, there was a certain little cave that led straight into the ocean with the salty water and dozens of highly dangerous creatures. It was very deep into the forests surrounding the mountain on which the school was situated and ran as fast as her long coltish legs could take her.

xXx

"He what?", the dark-skinned woman frowned and Professor Mirrikh sighed and ran a frustrated hand through his hair as he glared at the ground.

"He ran out alright? How many times must I repeat myself?", he demanded in a vicious snarl that made Eden's year-mates wince. "If you didn't say that we had to leave-", he was cut off by the soft-voiced Ellemae Valdis.

"You know why. The schools all over Europe are massing at Hogwarts for protection and we were asked to help defend them.", she told him with a soft frown, the purple of her eyes looking clearly dismayed. He sneered disdainfully and crossed his long arms over his chest as he directed his bitter gaze elsewhere. Silas looked across them all before he spoke.

"Eden is heading towards the Tear of Serpents.", the Tear of Serpent was made by the three serpents named after the three Gorgones, all three had shed their tears there after the death of the school founder- they had buried into the ground, deep into it- so deep that it went under the island which happened to be hollow and fed out into the ocean. It was their Master's grave.

"To the Tear of Serpents?", Primavera Altair frowned. "That's not real.", over the years, since nobody had ever managed to find it, it was labeled as nothing more than a story of the school, a myth. Luminary Blair sent her a disapproving look.

"Just because one can't find it does not mean another cannot.", she told the woman before turning back to Silas. He was staring down at her serenely.

"How do you know where he is?", she asked him coldly. Although it would be an easier task for his particular skills, he only kept tabs on certain students. And while Eden was certainly exceptional, he never chose a student that he already had in many of his classes. Silas looked at her silently and didn't answer her. She scowled nastily before turning and storming out. "I want him found.", she told them, "And I want him found immediately.", with those parting words, the teens and professors glanced at eachother, already choosing who to send in what groups and where.

xXx

"So what do you think of it all?", came the question as the brunette sat calmly next to the tall redhead. He only just turned sixteen and in the same year as her; fifth. Bright blue eyes glanced to her and he gave a strained smile. He hadn't been the same; none of the Weasleys had after the youngest and only girl died. Especially since it was revealed she was the cause of the school's petrifications.

"I think it's a load of bull.", he said bluntly, making her chuckle tiredly. "We don't need extra schools here. And why are there so many anyways?"

"Because some people don't like this school. And why not?", across from them on another couch sat Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom. Shy Neville had definitely changed, growing very tall and broad though still gentle as ever unless people he cared about were provoked. Dean was also exceptionally tall (Hermione wondered why all the Gryffindor men turned out to be so freakishly tall) with his dark skin over his muscular frame. "I mean think about it- this school is supposed to be the safest in the world!", Dean let out his ire once more. "Quite frankly, I think they're right to be choosing a different school.", Hermione gave an inaudible sigh. Had she ever told her parents of the attacks and dangers, her parents would have pulled her out so fast her head would spin. Hogwarts was the only place she would learn at, they said, for her magic. And that was only because it was said to be the safest in the world. Her parents loved her very much and tried their best to keep her happy but they were also extremely wary of the magical world, as they knew next to nothing about it.

"But think about it, yeah?", Neville said softly. "All these schools, think of all the people who will get involved with Voldemort and the war now that wouldn't have otherwise,", he said with a worried frown and his friends copied the gesture. "Aren't some of the families coming as well? Do we even have so much room?"

"Of course we do. You know how many corridors there are. And besides, the castle will automatically expand inside. It's made of and with magic.", Hermione said softly as she rubbed her arms nervously. "All of these people though…They'll learn everything about Hogwarts eventually.", she shuddered, "What if the school is shut down? This is the only school my parents will let me attend!"

"Grandmother will be so disappointed in me,", Neville muttered to himself while Ron's jaw clenched.

"My folks will probably be sad but…Happy. After what happened with…", Hermione's hand rested on his forearm comfortingly and he slipped his hand over hers'. "My family's coming over. Any of yours?"

"…Grandmother is on the Wizengamot, she'll only come over for events.", Neville shook his head.

"None of my family is coming. They don't want to be in the line of 'danger'. That is, magic.", Dean sneered down at the floor between his feet darkly.

"I haven't even told my parents about what's going on.", Hermione told them mournfully. "Otherwise they'd move to another country…Taking me with them."

"…Wouldn't that be a better choice than to stay?", her indignant expression made Neville flinch slightly. Stupid question, he thought to himself.

"I would never leave those I hold so dear to me at a time like this.", she said coldly, brown eyes hard. Before sighing and slumping slightly. "The choice to leave my friends when they need me…Would you ever leave?", she challenged and Neville straightened, a stern look crossing his face. She nodded with a soft smile. "Precisely."

xXx

The blond sneered at the male in front of him, Pansy on one arm of his favorite chair and Astoria Greengrass on the other. "And this pertains to me how?"

"Because Potter will have to have been accepted at one of the other schools and seeing as you're the face of Slytherin, we need you to get his attention and keep it. For all we know though, he may be under a false name or disguise however,", the dark eyes narrowed, "Should you require assistance you know who to talk to.", the brunet sneered down at the other boy before turning, the other two behind the scenes Slytherin rulers leaving with him after sending the teen disdainful looks. The blond snorted, looking over at his other friend and the Italian smirked at him, either girls on his own chair cooing over his handsome dark features.

"Going to befriend Potter, Draco?", he drawled to his friend and the teen scowled for a moment before it dropped into a arrogant smirk.

"Befriend? More like cheat the idiot.", he told him as he ran his hand up Pansy's thigh as she sighed in content. "Shouldn't be too hard I'd imagine.", he said as he pressed his other hand to Astoria's somewhat small breasts. He made a brief face of displeasure at how easy his hand fit over both easily but it quickly smoothed away.

"Oh? And what if you can't find him?", his friend asked him amusedly as his broadening shoulders were massaged tenderly. He nearly grinned at his friend, who merely snorted at his query.

"I'll find him. And if I have a few troubles, I certainly have enough connections that could help uncover the little pampered brat.", this time Blaise laughed, rumbling through pleasantly.

"You're certainly one to talk,", he offered with laughter still lacing his voice nicely. "Of pampered brats.", the patronizing was mocking but Draco merely waved it off, sniffing in disregard as his pale nimble fingers danced across the thigh-highs Astoria wore, eliciting goosebumps on her sensitive pale flesh.

"Either way, I'll be the one to talk Potter over."

xXx

"Eden! Eden, where did yo- shit!", came the loud exclamation from Gabriel, aquamarine eyes wide as he looked over the large gaping hole in the earth, hearing the swish of water against it. A few others stumbled over with him, am irate Mortimer Mirrikh with them before his eyes widened at the sight. He let out a breath before one of the girls spotted something.

"Professor! I found his clothes…", looking over and he saw that yes, the trousers, pants, and velvety turtleneck was folded neatly next to an equally folded and well-adorned robe. But the other thing, bindings sat on top of the robe. The Potions Master frowned as he went over and picked some of the material up, felling the texture between his fingers. It didn't seem to be used for injuries, that the child healed spectacularly from anyways. But then, what else-

"Bombs away!", the shout made his head whip over to see Gabriel jump into the water, his shirt, shoes, socks and robe discarded on the ground carelessly. A moment after a loud splash, he heard "Holy fucking hell, that's cold!"

"Language, Bluebell!", he snapped out.

"Sorry professor, I was- ack!", his shin brushed against something and he dived under to investigate immediately. Giant green eyes looked back at him and for a moment, they stayed like that until his roommate quickly dove deeper into the waters. Gabriel turned up for air and to shout out, "I found him! I need help getting him!", soon the others were chucking off their robes, the two girls with the small group only shedding shoes and robes while the boys stripped out of the same the Gabriel did- except Professor Mirrikh who leapt in with no hesitation in the slightest, smoothly plunging deeper. A flash of tanned skin tinted bluish-green by the water led him in the right direction.

Propelling his body in a burst of speed, he grabbed a slim ankle and tugged harshly, making bubbles burst ahead, long black locks covering most of the young body but not enough to cover the sex of the teen. Golden eyes grew wide at the sight before him. Fearful green eyes looked back.

She didn't want to kick him to get away- he was her professor- but at the same time, she knew he wouldn't let her hide as Grusha did. Sulkily, she did admit- if only to herself- that she was very lucky to have five years. But considering all the spells and charms she used (along with the bindings) to keep her gender to herself- she was a little disappointed it was ruined because she let it by assuming no one else knew where this place was. There was a moment- seemed almost like an eternity- that neither moved. Then he tugged her closer, moving up. They had moved quite a ways down and she had let out quite a bit of air when he grabbed her ankle. When the other teens say him coming up and a black strands flowing around him they swam back up too. She held onto his shoulder silently. Once they broke the surface, he looked down at her with a sharp glare.

"The Luminary will be wanting to speak to you for this.", he hissed quietly enough that only she would've heard it. Had it not been for some of the others…Enhanced senses. He pulled them both out as the others came out. It took a moment for any to realize but it was Ariella's loud mouth that sold her out to the others.

"You're a girl!", she cringed sharply as eyes turned on her, pressing closer to the tall Potions professor whose grip on her waist tightened as he shot them a harsh glare.

"Turn around.", he commanded and moved her closer to her clothing. She wandlessly and wordlessly used a drying charm, both on her and her professor before grabbing her bindings when he stopped her with a scowl. "I think not. Cybele won't be pleased if you hide it further.", she flinched again, instead grabbing her pants. She used the bindings in place of underwear, on her widening hips and her blossoming breasts (very well blossoming- for a fifteen year-old she was already almost a D), and now that she was naked, she had nothing more to hide. She instead grabbed her pants, a thought making them wider at the hips to fit. She did the same with her shirt, silently resizing it. She hurriedly put her robe on, closing it around her. She was wet and cold- and her nipples attested to that and unfortunately, the robe was too thin to hide it all that well. She hunched slightly in an attempt to hide it. She said nothing when the professor barked that they begin back towards the school, sending off a Patronus to inform the others to head back as well. The other teens said nothing and the professor spoke no more, an unforgiving grip on her elbow keeping her beside him and behind her friends who sometimes glanced back at her but the deathly glare on narrowed golden eyes made them hurry to look forth once more.

xXx

"Out. Out of my office now!", she thundered at the others who had gathered there, all of them staring at a curled-in Eden Kassidy. Once they were alone, the tall woman sat back in the sapphire-velvet chair, steepling her fingers and looking over them with intense pale blue eyes sharp against chocolate-toned skin. "How?", she asked softly. She'll admit that she had a certain…Fondness for the child. At first it was merely because of the age of which she picked him-no, her up, and then it was the fact that it was the Boy-Who-Lived (Girl-Who-Lived?). After that, his-…Her knowledge and coolness (which had mellowed considerably- now a very studious and quiet child but certainly able to hold more than his- her own. But then with all of the professors praise (given grudgingly or not) sparked a pride in her. It grew and the summers and holidays she stayed had made Cybele often chat with the teen and have their afternoon tea together. She looked now at the silent, yet quietly accepting child.

"…Should I tell you, would you make a Wizard's Oath not to tell anyone unless I myself allow you?", she asked as she pushed the hair from her face, fiercely green eyes looking up at her unflinchingly. The older (much older though she'd never tell her how old) eyed her warily, nodding slowly.

"You have my word, as you've always had. I shan't begin giving your secrets out now.", she chided lightly but the steely glint did not disappear.

"Very well. I'll tell you without the added security. Perhaps a pensieve might be better for this?", she said stiffly. The woman waved a hand, keeping her intent eyes on the younger female as a large rune-carved bowl came to land softly upon the wide desk. The girl brought her index finger to one temple, shutting her eyes as she pulled out the memory. It wasn't a fond one by any means. After letting it float into the bowl, she sat back, rigidly keeping her fists on her knees.

The woman dipped her head in.

(She was in a tiny house, disturbingly clean- like no one lived there. There were many photos along the wall, of a particularly large man with blond hair and a matching mustache and a glowing red face, meaty hands usually on the shoulder of a ball-like creature that she soon realized was actually a very wide and circular baby and a very thin, very horse-faced woman. She noticed this quickly because soon there was someone grumbling, making her take notice of the man who was in aforementioned photos. His face was set in an ugly sneer, many chins wobbling dangerously in the dark of the hall as he opened a cupboard door, dragging out a very small child. It took her only seconds to realize who it was.

Said child was dragged, quite literally, outside. Tape was plastered over a tiny and trembling mouth, around small wrists and thin ankles and in the middle of a plain garden. The fat man was grumbling under his breath as he pulled something out of a nearby shed and when he turned back to face the child he had in his hands, a long and metallic pipe. A malice look had made his face turn fuchsia, and a wild fury and disgust overtook beady watery eyes. She stared uncomprehendingly. Surely the man wouldn't-

With more speed than she ever would have assumed of him, the muggle swung down hard and a muffled shriek came from the tiny body lying helplessly on the ground. She heard distinct cracks and took an involuntary step back, feeling highly nauseous. Another hit, another agonized stifled noise as the child rolled over painfully, glistening tears making their way down the cherubic if slightly gaunt face. She watched in stupefied horror as it was brought down repeatedly, red seeping through the worn and too-large clothing quickly and she wasn't sure how long it went on, only that it just kept going, the hits getting harder as the man's face twisted more and more into an expression of absolute hatred and bloodlust. Even when the body had stilled completely hits jarred it disgustingly, continuing to mar and damage the tiny body even as entrails began to burst out from the continued pressure and suddenness of the blows breaking skin and mushing organs until they fell out of the body they previously in. And yet still the man continued, grunting and snarling as it came up over his head, blood splattered across his hands and even sprayed on his face and clothes.

And then the man simply…Left the…The clump of flesh and viscera…Right there.

But the memory didn't end there. Long after the man had gone in, a slight glow left the- no, she couldn't call the lump a body- the lump and floated aimlessly. That's when it began to glow it a bit brighter and then sprayed down, in the silhouette in sparks. Something like she'd heard a muggle light-show would look like as it sparked to some beat- the beat of a heart? The sparks outlined all sorts of things of the body in hyperspeed. And then it began to solidify, gliding over and leaving bone and muscle and tender unmarred skin in its place. She quickly took note of what grew- or what didn't grow. Then she was spinning back out.)

She stared down at the bowl for a few quiet moments. Then stared up blankly at the teen. "Hurt like a bitch next time I got a beating with that new body.", she murmured as she rubbed her arm self-consciously.

"What should I tell the others?", the other woman asked quietly as she stood and moved to the extensive balcony. The girl was silent for a second.

"Tell them that…It was dangerous for me to be a girl at the time. Or that someone hexed me and it went wrong.", she shrugged and the woman turned to her with a frown.

"I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple. The duration of your lie and what you lied about is a very…Well, it's a very dangerous thing, especially that you lived in the boys' dorms. At any other school you would be expelled."

"But?"

"But…Seeing as this is not another school and we cannot afford to lose such an outstanding student…", she sighed, barely restraining from pushing her manicured hand through her carefully maintained updo. "Very well. I will say that your…Life before Sophronius was one of great hardship and the only way to keep yourself safe was by covering as a male."

"And when they ask why I kept it up even here?"

"That you were very uncertain and too guarded to reveal yourself after so long masquerading as a boy.", green eyes looked up at her before she nodded. Before she posed a question that made Cybele blink and turn to face her.

"Can you cut my hair?"

xXx

"…And she's a girl.", he said blankly. "I've known her for five years and…She's a girl. I feel stupid.", this was made by the ever-pessimistic Morpheus Avira.

"I think we all feel stupid.", Erion admitted as he glanced around. Ariella shrugged.

"Always thought she was too dainty and pretty to be a boy.", she told them with a careless shrug. Then the door to the Luminary's office opened and they stared in shock of their friend. The long ebony tresses that once spilled down a slender back were now…Gone.

As in, she had a pixie-cut (albeit it was utterly adorable with her ethereal pixie-like features and big unnaturally-vivid-green eyes) and it was messy as all hell. She stared at them patiently. And she wasn't disappointed because soon she was tackled into a hug by Destiny who smiled up at her.

"Now I can dress you up!", she said happily. The girl had grown to be rather petite and even at eighteen she stood at 5'6" compared to some of the other teen's heights. Though she was still shy and sweet, she was now much more outgoing and she was normally associated with the Euryale Segment. She was fantastic at healing, owning several complimentary crystals that helped focus her magic. She also took extra tutoring from Professor and Mediwitch Ellemae Valdis.

"Hello to you too, Dez.", she greeted with a small smile before looking to the others, including the small group of some of the professors. Silas nodded to her with an infinitesimal smile, Ellemae was looking to her with curiosity (she had known- she was the school's Head Mediwitch after all), Primavera was looking smug (she had always suspected it) though a bit pissed off while Mortimer looked like he was sulking over in his dark shady corner, arms crossed over his chest.

"You're hot.", the simple statement startled her as she looked over at Ulric Velvel, who grinned roguishly at her. The twins whacked him on either side of the head, making him wince and whine, "Ow! What was that for?", he asked with a frown. Both scowled at him. He frowned at them before glancing over at her again to see her snickering.

"I've seen you all naked,", she said amusedly, "And that's what you've got to say?"

There was a moment as the words sunk in and the redhead and Gabriel yelped, the twins paled drastically under their golden tans, while Morpheus adopted a look of pure horror and mortification and Erion stared at her owlishly. The other three girls however, giggled and laughed.

"Tell us about it sometime!", Ariella snorted, trying to stop her loud and rambunctious laughter.

"There will be no telling,", came Cybele's cold voice as she emerged fluidly. "All of you are to be packed by the morrow and have contacted your guardians should you want them to be present with you at Hogwarts. Shoo.", she commanded as she looked down at them.

"Yes, Luminary Blythe.", the chorused before beginning to leave, the professors watching them move noisily down the hall, all asking her questions. They turned to the woman who watched them yet.

"There were certain dangers where she lived previously.", she told them calmly. "And she was accustomed to being male.", it was all she said because she knew her employees wouldn't dare to question it further. After all, the nosy ones never lasted long at this school.

xXx

Madame Abel,

There has been a recent change. We are to be moved to another magical school and they have bid us to invite those considered guardians. Should you accept this, there will be a portkey attached to this letter. It will send you to our Luminary's office. I sincerely hope for you to be there.

E.K

The woman, who didn't seem to have aged looked down at the parchment coolly before setting it alight. Her favorite had asked it of her and so she would attend. She would first need to procure one of her many descendants to watch over her orphanage but that shouldn't be too hard. Not for one of the line of Bran the Blessed.

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Tell me what you want! Tell ME! So that means reviewing please. Thank you! (Because the review thingy is right down there, see?) So tell me what you think should happen once they get there! (And yes, I know this chapter is significantly shorter; it took me months to finish the first one- plus the time I spent on other stories! Updates will not be at a set time!)