Chapter 4 - I'm the New Pawn in the Game

"Fire!" No fireballs came out of her hand. "Blizzard!" No ice. "Thunder?" Nope. Nadda. Maybe it was just a fluke. Magic can run through intent after all.

She sat down on the bed. The four of them haven't left the Hospital Wing because of the strict instruction of their House Head to stay put. After her miracle healing, Madam Pomfrey had me demonstrate the 'magic' on a cat for Professor McGonagall to see. The Deputy stormed off immediately telling us to remain here in the healing ward after the successful demonstration.

"Why didn't anything happen? It was working when you were healing us." Hermione curiously wondered. "Heal! It doesn't work for me either."

"Ah well, there is-"

"Miss Stephens." Oh, Merlin.

"Headmaster Dumbledore." The purple-clad headmaster strides in with the deputy in tow. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Louise stood up and greeted the arriving professors.

"Madam Pomfrey, do you still have any injured guests? We may need another volunteer."

"There's another injured pet at the back. I'll bring it here Professor McGonagall."

"Hello, students. I heard you were in quite of an adventure this evening." The old man's glass-covered eyes gazed upon each of them. "And the news is, Miss Stephens here cast a very peculiar spell."

"Here Professors." Another injured cat. Its leg bent in an awkward angle.

"Will you please, Miss Stephens?" Nodding at the Headmasters request, she held out her hands above the cat.

"Heal!" Sparkles rained down the animal. Its injuries fading out and the twisted leg warped until it returned to its original, uninjured state. She sighs feeling tired. "I think healing needs stamina too. I feel tired for no reason."

"I am sorry for making you do this but... this magic of yours is the first of its kind." Well, that was enlightening. Rare magic, one of a kind, in the middle of a story where war is brewing. Great. "What were you discussing before you thought of casting this 'Heal'."

"Well after we met the troll I thought about a muggle game I was playing. An adventure type game where you defeat monsters with swords and magic. So I thought it would be great if can cast spells with only one word and no wand-waving. Since we were injured, I jokingly cast 'Heal'. And.. here we are. Talking."

"Where there any other spells in that game, Miss Stephens?"

"There is. I tried to cast it earlier but it didn't work. Also, Hermione attempted to cast 'Heal' but nothing came out of it." Ah, that might be it. She visibly nodded at her own conclusion. "I might know why but it's just a theory."

"Go on."

"In the games, a character can be limited by their jobs. Meaning, if their job is a 'Healer' they can only cast healing types of magic. They are called White Mages. Earlier, I aimed to cast Black Magic spells so my type must be a White Mage."

"Black Magic?" Professor Dumbledore darkens at this, clearly alarmed. "Like Dark Magic?"

"No, not at all. Black Magic is like... Ummm... Ah! Elemental Magic! It focuses on casting elements like fire, ice, lightning, etcetera. I can't give more information since it seems I'm a White Mage that can only cast White Magic." Keep on gathering attention, will you? She still doesn't know the cons of having this type of magic what more if she has other kinds of magic.

"I see." His judging stare bore holes in her. "Any other spells under the White Magic category, Miss Stephens?"

"Well there is Protect, then Esuna, which cure status ailments like poison, paralyze, confuse; and there's-" Life. Revive. Raising the dead back to the living. "Ah! Sorry I blanked out. I haven't gotten deep enough on the gameplay Professor, I don't know much."

Professor Dumbledore sees her mistake but thankfully decided to ignore it. "This will be a secret between the seven of us: Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, the four of you students and I.No information shall be leaked concerning your friend's newfound abilities. Great danger may be upon her if it does. Do you understand?" He firmly said to the students who nodded in consent. "Now, Miss Stephens you are only allowed to use these abilities if you are in great peril or if it is needed... For the greater good." She stiffened at the quote. She may be one of the pawns now. A useful pawn but pawn still.

*****

Hugs galore. These boys are forgiven. She hugs the two tighter when they try to escape further embarrassment. They were finally released from the Hospital Wing just in time for Harry's first Quidditch game.

"Awww ickle firsties having a bonding time Forge."

Ron scrambles from her grips at the sound of his brothers' voice. Harry though was very clingy and decided to sit beside her making Ron sit beside Hermione.

"I heard from the vine that Ron-"

"Our dear brother that he is-"

"Manage to defeat a mountain troll of all things!"

"Wait till Mom hears about this!" Both twins cracks at the end dodging a swipe from Ron. The two left their brother in peace striding towards the Hufflepuff table to cause mischief.

"Those two wouldn't be like that if they knew about your new mag- Ow!" From Ron's left, Hermione coughed discreetly covering Ron's stupid mistake. "I know. I know."

"Harry it is your first game you should eat. Trust me you can't play with an empty stomach."

"Looking down on us Slytherins then Mr. Potter. Then again, you have certainly proven yourself against a troll. I doubt a little game of Quidditch will be hard work for you... even if it is against Slytherin." Professor Snape sneers at Harry. His robes billowing behind him as he leaves the Great Hall visibly limping.

"So that's why he's limping." Louise can imagine the light bulb lighting as Harry come into a very wrong conclusion. "Snape. He used the troll as a diversion to get past the three-headed dog. Well, he thought he could but he got bitten in the process."

"Harry, the Professor would never do that." Louise sighs, resuming to eat her meal.

"Louise is right Harry. Besides who would go anywhere near that dog." Hermione pointed out.

"Well you did say there's a trapdoor underneath the dog," Ron said between bites. "Maybe its guarding something."

"That's it. Ron's right. Hagrid escorted me at Gringotts, and he took something out of one of the vaults. He said it was Hogwarts' business. I bet that thing is the treasure the dog is guarding."

"Instead of worrying on what Professor Snape is planning how about focusing on your Quidditch game today Harry." Louise reminded the player. "Oh, the mail is here."

On cue, the screeching of owls filled the room dropping mail or landing in front of their owners. From their table, she can see Hedwig and Sora aiming for them. Hedwig is carrying a long parcel while Sora has a letter tied to him.

"Thanks, buddy. Here bacon." Sora made himself at home on my shoulder preening my still ponytailed hair. She smiled, reading the contents of the letter. Louise can't wait for her first Christmas in a foreign country.

"Its a Nimbus 2000!" Everyone around them heard the exclamation, clamouring to see the latest broom.

"You're all set now, Harry." Louise grinned. Pushing a plate full of food, she said. "You just need to eat now."

*****

"You, okay Louise? God, you're freezing." Hermione tightens the scarf at Louise's neck. They were seated at the Gryffindor stands to wait for the game to start. And Merlin, it is freezing up here.

Louise is already wearing her black hoodie underneath her robes but it doesn't make her warmer than she wants it to be. Even a warming charm doesn't do much. She settles on cuddling beside Hermione who willingly gave off her body warmth.

The players finally came out flying on their brooms. She didn't know much about the rules but clearly, the Slytherin team is very 'aggressive' on the offense, slamming or hitting their opposing team. The Gryffindor house is in outrage when the referee didn't call out the obvious fouls the Slytherin team are committing. In his bias ways, the announcer, Lee Jordan voices out the comments that the other Gryffindors can't.

Suddenly, Harry's broom bucked threatening to dislodge him. Murmurs of worry from the Gryffins and, disgustingly, yells of victory from the Snakes echoed across the stadium. Still, the red-clad seeker kept hanging on for dear life.

"Louise, I have to go!" Hermione removed herself in her grip leaving her cold again. "It's Snape! He's jinxing the broom!" Without further ado, the girl heads to the staff's stands which is right beside them. Hermione, where did your logic go? Jinxing goes both ways. Casting and counter-casting. Those boys have too much influence on her.

After a few, minutes of anticipation the broom finally settled. She can see the disturbance in the nearby stands, hopefully, Hermione didn't really put Snape on fire. Distracted, Louise missed Harry's catch of the snitch. Only when Ron grab and drag her to stand did she notice that the game has ended with Gryffindor's win. Everything was a blur, with the shouting, pushing, patting, she was relieved having Hermione and Ron at her side.

They were in the Common Room now and it is so crowded she's going to faint. Pushing her way through the crowd she hugs the M.V.P.

"Congrats, Harry," Louise whispered to her reddening friend under the howls and whistles of the audience. "Listen, I have to go! I would like to stay but I'm feeling claustrophobic!" She steps back, patting his arms. Harry only nodded, the redness of his face eases a bit. "I'm going to the kitchens!"

"What! How'd you know- Wah!" Rest in peace, Harry. Escaping the chaos inside the Common Room, she roamed around trying to find the kitchen.

"Basement. Pear. Basement. Pear. Ah, there it is." Walking up to the painting and tickling the pear got the door open. She peaks inside seeing the busy house elves running around the kitchen.

"Hello, Strange Witch, how can Lissy help yous?" Louise yelps, surprised by the round eyes of the house-elf. The elf is thin by human standards. Long ears, too small face for those large eyes and a pillow sack with the Hogwarts emblem on it.

"Ummm, may I use the kitchen?" She asked.

"No, no, Strange Witch can tell Lissy what she wants. Lissy will do it for the Witch, she will."

"Ah, well I don't know if you know this recipe." Explaining what she wants, Louise is dejected that the elf can't cook it. "How about I teach you? Then you can serve me next time." Louise offered an alternative, relieved as Lissy nods her head.

There is a bit of a problem though. The stove is all medieval in style. She left the fire for Lissy to manage while cooking the dish. They got to work, fortunately, the kitchen did have a variety of ingredients and sauces even the Asian ones.

"Look, mudbloods can be house-elves too." Laughter begins.

At least, she finished the dish. Plating her work, she sat down on the table scooping some rice. Directing her gaze at the confused faces of the Slytherins; Malfoy and his sidekicks, Nott, and Zabini, she offers food. "Want some? Rice?" She practically forced the five as she readies their portion. "There you can't say no to food I already plated it. Don't waste it."

"Might as well, Draco. We did come here for some food." With that, Nott convinced the other to take a seat. "We have high standards, Stephens."

"I know, I know, just eat it will you."

Goyle slams his fist against the table fork in hand. "What is this?"

"Adobo."

"Seconds." Crabb holds his plate up to her. She refills it happily.

"Verdict, Nott?"

"It's a pass. Where's dessert?" They all look up from their plate, eyes shining. Kids will be kids.

"Lissy, powdered milk, condensed milk, sugar, bowl and plate, please," Louise asked the elf who delightedly. "And spread the sugar on the plate please."

"You do know you don't have to say please to it?" Zabini said.

"It's common courtesy, Zabini. Besides I'm the one who needed something, the least I could do is say please." Mixing the kinds of milk, she presented the desert as is. A huge round ball in a bowl. "Here dessert, Pastillas. Pinch some then roll it on the sugar." Louise shows them how.

"With our bare hands?!"

"Yes. You know what I'll divide it, hold out your hands." Cutting the mixture with a knife, she gave out their share. She had Lissy spread the sugar too in case they complain again.

"You!" Malfoy points at her, his face flushed, with anger or embarrassment she doesn't know. "We're leaving!" He stormed out Crabbe and Goyle going after him with their unfinished pastillas in hand.

"You like confusing people, don't you?" Zabini said popping a pastillas ball in his mouth. "Let's go." They left just like that.

At least they finished the food. Louise sets to make more pastillas.

Making friends sure is hard.

*****

Christmas holidays, finally. Weeks of gruelling classes and socializing she can finally have a break.

"This is so good!" Ron kept shoving the dessert into his mouth.

She gave pastillas to the girls this morning. Hermione naturally declined, an influence from her dentist parents. Their boys' year mates almost emptied the container she had, fortunately, she had a few back-up containers. Harry who she imagined hasn't got any kind of sweets from the Dursleys had a small bag of his own. Louise is now left with three bags. Two for herself and one for Hagrid which they are visiting right now.

"Here, Hagrid. Sorry, they're not your size." She held up a bag for him to take.

"Thank you, Louise. Now, see this young lady? Copy her. What you're saying is nonsense. Why would Snape put a curse on Harry's broom?" Hagrid shakes his head thinking about it.

"The true question is why would he want to get the treasure guarded by that three-headed dog?" Harry probed.

"Who told you about Fluffy?"

"Fluffy?"

Hagrid nodded. "Ye, Fluffy. He's my little boy. I bought him from a fellow in a pub. Haven't seen him much since I lent him to Dumbledore for- Wait, I shouldn't have said that. Nope. Stop." The giant held his hands up backing away from the students walking to his wooden house.

"Hagrid, you have to believe us. Professor Snape knows that Harry realized why he was injured on Halloween. That's why he tried to kill Harry during the Quidditch game."

"Maybe he was casting a counter-spell, Hermione." Louise attempted to divert Hermione to the truth.

"But then, why was he hurt? Why get close to a Cerberus at all?" The stubborn girl insisted. Ron hums, still devouring the sweets, agreeing to Hermione

"Don't be like that to Fluffy. He's a good dog. That's why I offered him to Dumbledore when he needed a guard for Nicholas Flamel's-"

"Yes?" The three leans in for the secret.

"I apologize for these three Hagrid, enjoy your holidays!" Louise drags the two boys by their collar, Hermione follows beside her a few steps away. "Hermione we do have to get packing. We're leaving for Christmas. I know you still haven't done your luggage. And you two, have to research about Nicholas Flamel while we are away." It'll keep them busy hopefully. Harry needs a chance to see his parents too, even if its an illusion.

*****

Here she was trapped inside a compartment with the same Slytherins she met at the kitchens. Maybe she should've stayed with her roommates enduring the girls' hairstyling torture. Louise is now sporting a messy french braid made by Lavender's clumsy fingers. Escaping them was easy. Making a bait out of Hermione's frizzy hair and saying she'll go look for the Trolley Lady, she was out. And now, she is standing before Malfoy, her backpack between them.

"What is that monstrosity you're carrying?" Malfoy asked.

"A backpack. A muggle one."

"What's inside it?" The git is salivating. Crabbe and Goyle also are. Nott and Zabini, however, is amused. They didn't even bother to help.

"You know, if you want more you could say please." She released a defeated sigh. Louise gave them their fix. A hand slapping on the door stopped her from leaving.

"Stay for a while."

"There's no seat Zabini."

"There is." She is absolutely convinced. Zabini is a budding pervert. The Italian made her sit in his lap. "Who braided your hair?" The displeasure and annoyance in his voice confused her.

"My roommates did. They were experimenting." The other occupants, she observed, keep on avoiding looking at her and Zabini. Nott squeezed himself on Malfoy's space leaving her and Zabini on their own couch. The pervert didn't let her go.

Long hair escaped its messy refines. Her black hair spreading out in waves. "What are you doing?" A slap on her hand kept it away from her own hair.

"Do you have a brush?" She can feel his fingers playing with the end of her hair.

"I left it with them."

"Hmm." Hands comb through the hair untangling the knots present and massaging her scalp. She leaned against her bag, relaxed. Burying her face on the bag, she closed her eyes and took a nap.

*****

She gained consciousness at the train's horn but didn't rouse, still groggy.

"You sure about this?"

"My mother wouldn't care. In fact, she'd be delighted."

"Be careful. We support your decision but our parents will not. They'll surely contact your mother."

"Ngh?" She audibly said, alerting the others.

"Louise? Are you awake? Don't look."

"Don't look?" She stood up quite disoriented from her sleep.

"Not you, them. Come on, I'll escort you back." Louise yawns covering her mouth. Heading for the door, Zabini beat her to it opening the door for her. They arrived back at her dormmates compartment, the girls gaping at her companion who waves goodbye at her.

Like a pack of hyenas, they hound her for answers.

"Why were you with a Slytherin?!" Hermione.

"Who did your hair! It is gorgeous!" Lavender.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Really Fay.

"Oh my god, Louise! Did he gave you that clip?!" Pavarti asks. Pavarti held up a mirror to help her look at her hair. It is beautifully done as Lavender said. Braids that ended up in a purposely messy bun. Decorating it is a clip with blue jewelled flowers with diamonds surrounding it. Real actual diamonds.

"Wah! Wait! I'll give it back!"

"What?! No! You can't." Pavarti vehemently said. "I can't tell you anything if he hasn't said it to you. Just... Wait for him to say it, okay?"

"Say what? Is it a pureblood tradition? If it is why can't you say it then?" Hermione and Louise looked confused at this being the muggle-borns of their group.

"All purebloods are bound by this tradition. I can't say anything unless he does." She grimly replied. "And no, you won't be able to research on it. It is only spoken."

"Fine." The train stops perfectly ending their awkward conversation. "Come on, let's get off." Lugging her things and Sora is hard due to the students hurrying to get off the train. A tan hand snatched her things. "Zabini, I can handle it I'm not disabled."

"Louise, let me. And call me Blaise, we are friends, aren't we?"

"Princess!"

"Dad!" Said Dad's face darkens at the boy beside her.

"Who's this?" Her Mom arrives, to the rescue, slapping her Dad in the head. Mom got Dad to take off her with her things.

"Don't be rude, Richard. Louise?"

"Ah, Mom, this is Blaise Zabini, a batchmate of mine. Blaise, this is my Mom, Elena and that was my Dad, Richard, sorry about him."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." Charming as ever, he took her mother's hand, laying a kiss on the back of it. Really.

"Blaise." All heads turned at the woman's presence. God, Blaise's mom is gorgeous. She is wearing this elegant black dress that looks sultry on her. She is tall. Long legs and proportioned body.

"Mother." Bowing his head, he introduces them to his mother. "Mrs. Elena Stephens and... Louise Stephens. A classmate of mine."

The beautiful woman's gaze sets on Louise who tries to hold herself confident. The woman might've found something in her because after a while she nodded in acceptance in which Blaise sighed in relief.

"Call me Venus, dear Louise."

"Honey!" Louise smacks herself in embarrassment. Her Mom elbows the husband this time. "Louise, I got your present." He clearly is making an excuse to join the conversation. "Can you explain why you wanted to invest? This company is going bankrupt."

"We just have to wait for Jobs to come back, Dad. Trust me." She smirked at this. She's a firm android user at her time but she's going to take advantage of this.

"Excuse me, invest? In the muggle world?" Venus inquired.

"Ah yes. I'm a muggle-born."

"But isn't the muggle world..."

"Mother." Blaise interrupted. "It seems we wizards have been neglecting our knowledge in the muggle world. I heard from Louise they manage to get someone on the moon of all places."

"The moon?" Mrs. Zabini said in disbelief.

"America is trying for the other planets next." Richard cuts in.

"I... see. Pardon us but we have to go. We will have to arrange a meeting for next time, Mrs. and Mr. Stephens. Louise." Venus gracefully turns back, walking without waiting for her son.

"Louise." The pervert had the audacity to kiss her hand in front of her steaming father and beaming mother. "See you soon."