The next morning at breakfast Hermione rushed through and hurried to find Mika. She spotted her just outside the dining hall. “So, where did you two go off to last night?” she grinned.
“Exactly what are you insinuating, young lady?” Mika tried to sound coy, but she was grinning from ear to ear.
“Oh, nothing. Only I saw how he was looking at you.”
“What do you mean? How was he looking at me? I didn’t notice anything.” Mika was surprised.
“Well, never mind. I was probably just imagining things,” she winked. They both laughed. “So, what are you doing today?”
“Actually, I am going to do some research in the library.”
Hermione became all excited. “Really? Can I help?”
“Have you done your paper for Ancient Runes?” the timelord folded her arms and gave her a stern look.
“Finished it yesterday.”
“And all your other homework?”
“Yep. Done.”
“Well, I don’t know…”
“Oh please, Mika! I’m sure I can help you. What sort of research is it?”
Mika smiled. “Yes, I do believe you could help me. I’ve heard you’re the most knowledgeable little bookworm in the castle!” she laughed.
“Oh don’t tease. I really would like to help.” Hermione thought for a moment. “Does it have anything to do with Professor Lupin?”
“Now whatever could you mean by that?” Mika frowned.
Hermione leaned closer and dropped her voice to a whisper. “I know about his ‘condition’.”
Mika looked truly astonished at this revelation.
“But how…”
“Professor Snape. He came in to cover for Professor Lupin who had taken ill. He insisted on giving us a two parchment paper to do on how to detect a werewolf even though we were nowhere near that part of the book yet. I think that was his way of getting back at him and letting the ‘secret’ slip. But don’t worry, I don’t think anyone else picked up on it.”
Mika was amazed. “You are entirely too smart for your own good, you know that Hermione Granger?”
“So can I help?” she pleaded.
“Well I don’t see how I could refuse!”
The two ladies made their way to the school library where they tried to do as much in depth research into werewolves and all possible known cures or relief spells or potions or charms as they could without attracting any undue attention to themselves. Hermione was particularly thrilled when Mika, because of her rank as ‘teacher’, no matter how unofficial she was, was allowed to go into the ‘restricted’ section. The young witch was like a kid in a candy shop.
At a nearby table sat a group of Second year students. They watched Hermione intently jealously as she worked with who seemed to be everyone’s favourite teacher; next to Professor Lupin that is.
“Look at her. She thinks she’s so smart,” said Mabel Lucia, a chubby blonde with loads of freckles covering her face.
“Teacher’s pet!” snorted her friend, Callum Jenkins. His father was a muggle from Wales. He had dark shaggy hair that was always in his face.
Sarah Ingersoll glared at both of her friends. “Shhhh will ya? They’ll hear you. Look at her though, acting as if she’s Miss Mika’s assistant. You know, they hang out together all the time.” She brushed back her long, strawberry blonde hair.
“Well Miss Mika did say that we were to consider her our friend. Maybe she really meant it?” said Mabel hopefully.
“Are you kidding? She’s a teacher. Teachers are teachers. They don’t mix with us students. Not socially,” Sarah sniffed. “Why should she be any different?”
“Cos she’s an alien?” Callum chimed in. Sarah popped him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. “Ow!”
“Shhhhh!” came a fifth year student from the next table buried hopelessly in a pile of numerology books.
“Idiots,” Sarah hissed. “She thinks she’s so smart, that Hermione Granger. She’s not the only witch here you know.”
“Well why don’t you do something to show her up?” Callum suggested.
“Like what?”
“Well, you could find a really hard spell that she doesn’t know and learn it and then perhaps get points for Ravensclaw for being so resourceful and clever like she always does?” Mabel suggested.
“Hmmm, that’s not a bad idea. But what sort of spell?”
“I know. You can score points with Miss Mika by finding a time travelling spell. That would be sure to get some attention.” Callum braced himself for another whack. He didn’t know why he spoke out sometimes.
“Yeah, good idea for a change,” Sarah smiled. “But time travel? That’s one of the most guarded secrets in wizardom. Very few people even know the spells let alone can even do them.”
They trio settled down to think out their plans, never taking their eyes off Mika and Hermione.
***
After several a few hours of research, Mika looked at the time. “Rassilon’s Rod!” she exclaimed. “It’s nearly time for my lecture. Wouldn’t do for the teacher to be late would it?” she smiled. “You coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Hermione beamed.
In their hurry Mika forgot to put away the last of the ‘restricted’ volumes. Sarah Ingersoll did not miss this fact. As soon as they had left, she hurried over to the table where the two ladies were sitting.
“Hey, there’s some really wild stuff in here,” she said, motioning the others over. “I’m sure we can find something to show Miss Granger that she’s not the only one in this school with a brain!”
***
On the way to the dining hall Mika and Hermione quietly discussed some of the things they had found out. It wasn’t encouraging.
“Everthing seems to be more superstition and how to ward them off… or kill them,” Mika shuddered.
“We don’t want to do that,” Hermione shook her head.
“No. I’ll just have to ask Remus some pointed questions that only he would know the answers to. Perhaps if I can get to the bottom of how it works, maybe I can figure out what will help to counteract the effects of whatever it is specifically that causes them.”
Hermione was trying to understand just exactly what her friend had said when they ran into Ron and Harry.
“Hey where have you guys been?” Ron interrogated.
“In the library,” Hermione replied casually. “Mika’s been, um, helping me with some of my homework.”
They shared a knowing grin.
“Since when do you need help?” Harry looked at her with amazement.
“I don’t know everything you know,” she sighed.
“Coulda fooled me,” Ron exchanged a look with Harry who grinned.
Hermione decided not to get into their childish bantering and let it go there. “Are you coming to the lecture?” she changed the subject.
“Duh,” said Ron.
When they came to the dining hall Mika was amazed to see it was already nearly filled.
“Has Dumbledore called a meeting or something?” she asked, puzzled.
“Your lectures are very popular with the students, my dear,” smiled Mrs. McGonagal from near Mika’s elbow.
“My word!” was all Mika could say. She left the others to find a seat and made her way to the podium from which the Headmaster usually made his school announcements. She had decided that today, since nearly the entire school were there, she would lecture on the most important thing of all about time travel: the dangers.
***
Mika looked out over dining hall at the eager young faces who were ready to hang on her every word. Never before had she held such power. Never before had she felt so nervous. She cast her eyes to the back of the room where most of the professors all stood as well. It seemed that only Snape was not there. And Lupin.
Mika smiled. “Today, guys, I think we’ll do things a little differently today. We’ll have our usual question and answer session but first I want to speak of something very important. The number one rule of time.”
Everyone seemed to sit up a bit straighter as they responded to Mika’s more serious tone.
“Time travel, ladies and gentlemen, is a very dangerous business. The Time Lords realised this immediately when they developed the ability to travel through time and the Great Lord Rassilon, a very wise and powerful, and the first of the Time Lords, put every safeguard in place he could think of to prevent time from being tampered with. Rules were laid down and they were meant to be followed under penalty of dispersion.
“But the number one rule is that history cannot be changed.” She gave this a moment to sink in, then reiterated it. “No matter what you think, there is no way to change what has already occurred. When you travel in time, you can only observe or participate. You cannot change anything.”
Mika examined the faces in front of her as she spoke. “Now I know what each and every one of you has probably been thinking ever since I arrived here at Hogwart’s and you learned that I could travel through time. ‘Why doesn’t she go back and do this, or do that?’ The answer is simple: I cannot. It is impossible for me to go back and change anything.”
Her eyes came to rest on Harry’s. “Don’t you think that if I could I wouldn’t go back and prevent Harry’s parents from being killed?”
Harry’s eyes welled up, Hermione, seated next to him placed her hand on his arm.
She looked next to Neville. “Or Lord Voldemort from coming to power and doing all those horrible things?”
“Or a little boy from being bitten by a wolf?” Mika looked towards the back to see Remus Lupin just coming to a stop inside the crowded doorway.
“The truth is that I can’t do it. I’d give anything if I could fix those things but it is impossible. Even if I were to say, stop Voldemort, another wizard would have risen to take his place and he or she would have done the same things. The fact remains, that the end result will always be the same.”
“It’s a hard truth, I know, but things happen for a reason, and nothing can deter that end result. Even if Voldemort were stopped, something would have killed your parents, Harry.” She looked straight at him, and somehow he knew that she was right. “They would have been in a car accident or fallen ill but it was just their time. It just so happens that in this particular scheme of things Voldemort killed them. And you were always meant to live and perhaps go on to do great things.” Mika smiled softly.
“But,” she said loudly, pulling them out of their reverie, “this doesn’t mean that from time to time, no pun intended, that things don’t get a little out of whack. Things happen to cause rifts in space, folds in the universe or eddies in the space time continuum.”
Cries of “What’s he doing there?” and “Who’s Eddie?” rose from the crowd followed by soft laughter.
“You guys are quick!” Mika laughed along, quickly casting a glance at Dumbledore as if to ask ‘how’m I doing?’. “That’s where I come in. These anomalies are detected and I am sent out to ‘fix’ whatever needs fixing.”
“So you’re sort of the time police?” asked Colin Creavey.
“Exactly. It’s not that common for stuff to go wrong, so mostly I just wander around helping people who ask or need it.” She just caught Dumbledore’s wink. “But I am not changing history, I am merely participating. The end results are the same as they always would have been, I am just there instead of someone or something else.”
A hand shot up. It was Draco’s. “So if what you’re saying is true, then why do we do anything if it’s all pre determined? If it’s all going to happen anyway, what’s the point in even living?”
“A very good question Mr. Malfoy. The thing is, it’s not history until it has happened. Until then, it’s just the future. And no one knows the future.” She caught the quick glare of contempt Mrs. Trelawney shot at her. “I mean we can see glimpses of what may come every now and then. Anyone with a time sensitive mind often sees bits of the future before they happen. I myself have experienced such occurrences. But no one can ever be sure exactly what the future brings. So dream and plan and live your lives to the fullest and never ever let go of the most important things in life for they are what make it worth living.”
“You mean things like hopes and dreams?” asked Neville.
“And friends,” Pavarti chimed in.
“And love,” said Pansy Parkinson dreamily, her eyes fluttering towards Draco.
“Especially love,” Mika said softly, her violet eyes locking onto Lupin’s. He smiled and blushed. “For in over 2000 years of travel throughout time and space, that’s the main thing that has always remained constant: love. Oh sure there are other basic needs like…” She scanned the audience indicating that she was looking for suggestions.
“Shelter?” said Seamus. Mika nodded and continued looking for another answer.
“Clothing?” Parma called out.
“Food!” announced Crabbe to everyone’s amusement. Draco elbowed him to be quiet.
“Nearly all living, sentient beings need some of all of these things. There are some exceptions such as the Andalothians who are super intelligent shades of the colour blue. They don’t need much of anything. But all living things no matter what or who they are, require energy. Just as food is the energy for our physical beings, so love is the energy for our souls.”
“If you happen to have one,” Hermione cast a heated glance over at Malfoy.
Mika glared at both; a chastisement of Hermione and a warning to Draco not to rise to the comment. He settled for sticking his tongue out at her.
Mika figured she’d better start wrapping this up before things got out of hand. The students here were among the brightest in the world, but they were still just children and as such had a limited attention span.
“Any questions before we wrap this week’s lecture up?” she asked the room.
Heads swivelled as everyone glanced around the room to see where the next question would come from. No one seemed to be able to think of anything to ask.
“Very well then, until next time,” she dismissed the class.
As the students filed out of the room, a small crowd formed around Mika to speak to her more personally. There were always a few of these ‘groupies’ after every session.
Ginny Weasley stood by her side. “Why do you do it?” she asked suddenly. Mika looked puzzled. “Why do you wander on your own everywhere? Haven’t you ever wanted to settle down and have a home and a family like everyone else?”
All eyes turned to Mika. This was the other major question that was on everyone’s mind.
Mika thought about her answer for a moment. “I don’t know really. I suppose one reason is that I really have nowhere else to go.” Mika’s voice softened. “You see, I have told you all about the planet I came from, but the truth is that I left there over 2,900 years ago and I’ve never been back since. I wasn’t welcome when I was there and I wouldn’t be welcome now.”
The students fell silent. Mika smiled wanly. “I don’t belong on Gallifrey where I studied, I don’t really belong here on Earth. The Tardis is the closest thing I have to a home. But I suppose another reason is that I enjoy helping people. I want to feel needed and useful; like I’ve some purpose in this universe other than just to merely exist and take up space. I think we all want to feel useful.” Heads nodded in agreement.
“But why aren’t you welcome on your home planet?” asked Luke Stargazer, a Hufflepuff first year boy.
Mika sighed. She had known that question would be next.
“Well you see, I am different from all the others of my kind. Not much, but enough that their small minded prejudice prevented them from accepting me into their society. I was cast out on my own. So no matter where I go, even back where I was ‘born’, I don’t belong.” Mika fought back the tears and tried to smile.
“Well, you’re welcome here as long as you want to stay,” Pavarti cried out, tears in her eyes.
“Yeah,” others around her agreed.
“Cos we love you no matter what!” Neville threw his arms around Mika and hugged her tightly. All those near her did the same and soon there was a tremendous group hug going.
Mika brushed away her tears of joy and hugged them all back. “You guys!” she said trying to laugh away the emotion. “You’re going to spoil me! I’ll have to stay forever at this rate and then I’ll get in trouble with my boss!” Everyone laughed.
Ginny came up and gave Mika a hug too. “But you didn’t say if you wanted to settle down,” she reminded her.
“I suppose I’ve never really thought about it, Ginny. I mean, I’ve been doing this for so long, and a ‘normal’ life just never occurred to me. I suppose if the right circumstances were to come along, I might just do that. If they let me, that is,” she said aside.
“You mean if the right guy were to come along then you might settle down with a home and a family?” asked Neville.
Mika shrugged. “Maybe, Neville, maybe. Now you guys run along and do your homework,” she smiled, patting Colin Creavey on the head.
They made their way out, jabbering excitedly amongst themselves. Mika was finally on her own when Dumbledore and Mrs. McGonagle approached.
“A most enlightening lecture, Mika,” said Dumbledore. “The respect you command of the children is truly amazing. I am glad you agreed to share your time with us.”
Mika blushed. This was high praise indeed. “If they take nothing away from my ‘lectures’ it’s that meddling with time is dangerous. Do you think they understood that?”
“I certainly hope so,” said Minerva. “But Albus is right, you were terrific!”
“Thank you.”
Saturday 21 May 2005
Halloween Dance (continued)
Lupin and MIka made their way onto the bridge and stopped in the middle. There was no one else here. At last they could speak in private.
“Now, where were we? Oh yes,” Mika’s voice softened. “You were going to tell me your deep, dark secret.”
Lupin looked out over the valley below them. The faint moonlight was glimmering off the surface of the loch. Normally such a setting would have been considered romantic, but the moon held a special fear for Remus J. Lupin.
“Ah. I was hoping you’d forgotten about that,” he finally said, his raspy voice soft in the chilly night air.
“Oh, well if you had rather not say anything, I quite understand. After all, we’ve only just met. But I have kept many secrets in my time. I assure you that you can trust me implicitly.” She leaned slightly over the railing and looked at him through the ancient strutwork of the bridge. “I might be able to help…”
Lupin’s eyes shot to her. “Help? What do you mean?”
“Find a cure. A scientific cure. I am sure there is one. Just a matter of doing the right research.”
“Then… you know already,” his eyes fell.
“I prefer to hear it from you,” was all she said.
He sighed deeply. “What’s there to tell? I was bitten when I was a very small child. My parents did all they could but there was no cure. Since then the wolfsbane potion has been developed and that helps but it’s not always successful. Besides, it tastes awful,” he allowed himself a small chuckle.
“When you were speaking about loneliness earlier, I know how you feel. Though I am alone because of what I am. Some hate me, most are afraid. But all wish to persecute me. I don’t really fit in; never have.”
A breeze wafted in and Mika allowed it to fill the space between them. Slowly she drew nearer. “We all have a need to belong, Remus. A longing to be loved for who we are no matter our faults.” She looked into his sad blue eyes. “I am not afraid,” she whispered.
For the first time he genuinely smiled, his pervading sadness lifted for a fleeting moment. Suddenly he couldn’t believe that this beautiful, mysterious being was out here, giving all her attention to him. Remus John Lupin… nothing but a monster who had nothing to offer but loneliness and isolation… and death. A frown shadowed his face and he shook his head slowly.
“Why would you want to help me even if you could?” he muttered.
Mika was confused but she sensed that something was troubling him; she just couldn’t put her finger on what it could be. “Because, I can’t bear the thought of you suffering any more. I can’t promise anything, but I would like to try. Please?”
Her eyes were captivating. A deep violet glistening in the starlight and with what seemed to be an inner light, they drew him in. How could she be anything but sincere? He just wondered why.
“Allright. How do we go about this ‘research’?” he said finally, his academic side kicking in.
Mika smiled. “Well, first I’d like to ask you a few questions about your ‘condition’. Specific points that might help me pinpoint the exact cause and effects. Once we understand what makes it happen, then we can begin to counteract it.”
“Makes sense.” Lupin sighed. His being a werewolf was not something he liked talking about. But if it could help…
“Tell you what, let’s meet up sometime soon and we can begin work on it. I’ll prepare some questions, you try and think of anything you know or can find out that might help. I’ll do a search in the TARDIS databanks and see what information I can find there. Chances are some other civilisation has already found a cure. We should be so lucky!”
The enthusiasm in her voice was infectious. Lupin couldn’t help but feel somewhat hopeful that perhaps this strange alien from another world could very well help him. “Do you really think you can find something?”
“We can but try,” said Mika, her smile bright even in the pervading darkness.
“Now, where were we? Oh yes,” Mika’s voice softened. “You were going to tell me your deep, dark secret.”
Lupin looked out over the valley below them. The faint moonlight was glimmering off the surface of the loch. Normally such a setting would have been considered romantic, but the moon held a special fear for Remus J. Lupin.
“Ah. I was hoping you’d forgotten about that,” he finally said, his raspy voice soft in the chilly night air.
“Oh, well if you had rather not say anything, I quite understand. After all, we’ve only just met. But I have kept many secrets in my time. I assure you that you can trust me implicitly.” She leaned slightly over the railing and looked at him through the ancient strutwork of the bridge. “I might be able to help…”
Lupin’s eyes shot to her. “Help? What do you mean?”
“Find a cure. A scientific cure. I am sure there is one. Just a matter of doing the right research.”
“Then… you know already,” his eyes fell.
“I prefer to hear it from you,” was all she said.
He sighed deeply. “What’s there to tell? I was bitten when I was a very small child. My parents did all they could but there was no cure. Since then the wolfsbane potion has been developed and that helps but it’s not always successful. Besides, it tastes awful,” he allowed himself a small chuckle.
“When you were speaking about loneliness earlier, I know how you feel. Though I am alone because of what I am. Some hate me, most are afraid. But all wish to persecute me. I don’t really fit in; never have.”
A breeze wafted in and Mika allowed it to fill the space between them. Slowly she drew nearer. “We all have a need to belong, Remus. A longing to be loved for who we are no matter our faults.” She looked into his sad blue eyes. “I am not afraid,” she whispered.
For the first time he genuinely smiled, his pervading sadness lifted for a fleeting moment. Suddenly he couldn’t believe that this beautiful, mysterious being was out here, giving all her attention to him. Remus John Lupin… nothing but a monster who had nothing to offer but loneliness and isolation… and death. A frown shadowed his face and he shook his head slowly.
“Why would you want to help me even if you could?” he muttered.
Mika was confused but she sensed that something was troubling him; she just couldn’t put her finger on what it could be. “Because, I can’t bear the thought of you suffering any more. I can’t promise anything, but I would like to try. Please?”
Her eyes were captivating. A deep violet glistening in the starlight and with what seemed to be an inner light, they drew him in. How could she be anything but sincere? He just wondered why.
“Allright. How do we go about this ‘research’?” he said finally, his academic side kicking in.
Mika smiled. “Well, first I’d like to ask you a few questions about your ‘condition’. Specific points that might help me pinpoint the exact cause and effects. Once we understand what makes it happen, then we can begin to counteract it.”
“Makes sense.” Lupin sighed. His being a werewolf was not something he liked talking about. But if it could help…
“Tell you what, let’s meet up sometime soon and we can begin work on it. I’ll prepare some questions, you try and think of anything you know or can find out that might help. I’ll do a search in the TARDIS databanks and see what information I can find there. Chances are some other civilisation has already found a cure. We should be so lucky!”
The enthusiasm in her voice was infectious. Lupin couldn’t help but feel somewhat hopeful that perhaps this strange alien from another world could very well help him. “Do you really think you can find something?”
“We can but try,” said Mika, her smile bright even in the pervading darkness.
Halloween Dance
A few days later was Halloween, a very major holiday in the magical world. At breakfast that morning, Dumbledore announced that classes would finish early that day and that there would be a dance held that evening in Mika’s honour. Even the first years would be allowed to attend for a short time, chaperoned of course. The entire school was abuzz with excitement as they prepared for the dance , schoolwork all but forgotten. Even Professor Snape forgot to assign homework for over the weekend, but he was sure to make up for it the following Monday, so Ron pointed out.
When the evening came, everyone turned out to the grand dining room resplendent in their dress robes and party frocks. The tables and chairs had been removed except for a row along one wall where refreshments had been laid out. All the teachers were there, even Dumbledore. There were even a few faces that the students did not recognise. Ron said they were probably visiting wizards and witches. Hermione and Harry nodded in agreement. They watched as Mika was introduced to each of them, graciously smiling and shaking their hands.
The music started up and various people were starting to dance, mostly students but some teachers as well. Of course Mika was in constant demand, which she did not mind at all. Most of the men, beginning with Dumbledore himself, vied for a turn around the dance floor with the lovely timelord. Even the more daring of the students asked for a chance, and she did not refuse anyone. She was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the attention so when she had a chance, she made for the refreshment table and hid behind a cold drink.
“How do you enjoy being the belle of the ball?” Minerva McGonagal asked with a smile, handing her a goblet.
“It’s fun but I’m exhausted already!” she laughed. “Why all the visitors? Surely not just to meet me?”
“I’m afraid so. Seems that word about your wonderful lectures and, dare I say, great beauty, have gotten around.”
Mika groaned. “I wish people wouldn’t make such a fuss. You’d think they’d never seen a time traveller before,” she winked.
“Oh, no, don’t look now, but here comes trouble.” Minerva gestured towards an elegantly dressed wizard with long white hair and a haughty manner. “Lucius Malfoy. A nasty piece of work. It’s rumoured that he’s still in league with You-Know-Who,” she hissed.
“Ahh, you must be the wonderful new teacher I’ve heard so much about,” the newcomer said to Mika as he approached the two women. “I’ve heard so much about you,” he took her hand and kissed it graciously, his voice oozing with a sort of sickly charm.
“And I you, Mr. Malfoy,” Mika smiled back, trying to match his charm with her own.
His eyebrows raised. He had not expected her to know of him already. Then he noticed Mrs. McGonagal standing beside her as if she hadn’t been there a moment ago. “Ah, Minerva, how nice to see you again,” he oozed.
“Lucius,” she returned humourlessly.
Malfoy turned back to Mika. “My son says that you are one of his favourite teachers. I can see why. You are just as beautiful as he said you were. Pray tell what exactly do you ‘teach’ these children?”
“I am only here as a guest. I just tell them about my travels and try to explain how complicated and dangerous time travel can be. They seem to enjoy our little discussions.”
“Well, I’ve heard no complaints… so far,” he smiled. Just then another wizard approached him and whispered something in his ear. “If you ladies will excuse me, I am required elsewhere. Goodnight, Minerva… Mika.” He kissed Mika’s hand again and retired.
“Why do I feel like I need a shower?” Mika shook her hands out as if there was something on them.
Minerva chuckled. “That’s Lucius all over.”
Just then Mika felt a tug on the skirt of her dress. She looked down to see Professor Filius Flitwick asking for a dance. He was probably one of the few here who was shorter than she was.
“Ah, duty calls.” With a wink at Mrs. McGonagal, she smiled and returned to the dance floor with the very lively part goblin charms teacher. After a brief whirl she spotted Neville standing near the patio door pretending to examine a potted plant.
“Come on, Mr. Longbottom, you owe me a dance!” Mika grabbed his hand and dragged a very surprised Neville out onto the dance floor. He turned beet red as the other boys made faces at him like he was the teacher’s pet or something. As the song ended Mika thanked an out of breath but very happy Neville and made her way to the edge of the crowd.
Suddenly, someone stumbled and fell into her. She caught Ron and was knocked backwards, where she bumped into someone and stepped on their toes.
“I am so sorry…” she turned to apologise to whoever it was. Suddenly she found herself staring up at Professor Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She had not really met him yet, nor even spoken to him.
“I…it’s quite all right…” he stammered, clearly at a loss for words.
Mika could sense his nervousness and smiled her sweetest smile to try to reassure him. It seemed only to make things worse.
“I am Mika,” she said, offering her hand. “And you are…?” She knew very well who he was, but it gave him something to say, if he could.
“Oh, right, I’m Remus Lupin,” he took her hand and held it, his eyes transfixed to hers. A nice, slow tune began to play.
“Well, shall we?” His olive coloured eyes grew wide as he realised what she meant.
“Oh, um, well I don’t…”
He tried to protest but Mika ignored him, still clutching his hand she dragged him out to the dance floor which had lost a few dancers who had decided to sit this one out. “Why you dance wonderfully, Professor,” she smiled, still trying to put him at his ease.
“Thank you, Mika. But please, call me Remus,” he smiled nervously back. Somehow even when he smiled he still looked sad. As they danced, Mika could feel his heart pounding fiercely. Whether that was from the dancing or his nervousness she couldn’t tell. But something about this man intrigued her. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed him before.
When the music stopped, Mika made a show of being hot and tired. “Er, would you like to step out for some fresh air?” he asked, motioning hopefully towards the open French doors at the end of the hall.
“That would be nice,” she smiled.
There were very few people out on the veranda where the night air was cold and sharp. Their words formed clouds of steam as they spoke. Noticing this Lupin asked Mika if she were cold.
“No, I’m ok,” she answered as they moved to a more private corner near the railing where they could speak with more privacy. “My planet is very cold and icy. This would be a warm day.”
Lupin stared at Mika as if seeing her for the very first time. “You really are from another planet, aren’t you? I find that so amazing and difficult to believe,” he said finally. “You seem so… normal.”
The timelord laughed. “I know. That’s a common reaction really, especially here on earth. But I assure you I am. Once you get to know me better, you’ll see just how different I actually am.”
Even in the pale starlight Mika could tell he was blushing. “I would like that very much indeed,” he said softly smiling his sad, boyish smile.
He could fell his cheeks burning so he turned and placed his hands on the railing, looking up at the stars. Mika moved to stand beside him.
“So which one is yours?” he asked finally.
Mika searched the night sky for the constellation of Orion. She found the faint cloud of gas near the ‘belt’. “There. In the Orion Nebula,” she pointed. “You can’t see the planet, of course, nor the star we orbit for it’s very faint. It’s nearly… dead…” Her voice trailed off as they drew closer to each other so that he could follow her indication. She could feel his breath against her cheek and something began to stir in her that she hadn’t known for an extremely long time.
“But if your star dies, won’t it destroy your planet?” he asked, leaning back from her to look at her.
“Well, yes, if it were to explode, but not all stars explode. Some implode, and some just fizzle out like a roman candle. Poof! Then nothing, leaving all the planets in icy cold space. But it’s such a gradual process that hopefully any civilised people living on these planets would be able to generate their own source of heat and light. Fusion reactors orbiting the planet for instance. They have those on Pluto… or rather they will in a few hundred years,” she smiled.
Lupin just shook his head. “Amazing. I’ts just mind boggling that someone can travel all over the universe in time and space. You must know millions of people.”
It was Mika’s turn to smile sadly. “I have met many, known very few. It’s a very solitary life I lead. Oh, I’ve had companions but most people don’t want to leave their world and their family and friends.”
A silence fell over them both. A waning crescent moon began to appear on the horizon. Mika smiled and closed her eyes. “I just love the moonlight. It makes everything so different.”
Lupin turned his back to the moon, leaning his tall frame against the railing. Mika noticing, turned to face him.
“Are you allright?” she asked softly, her voice low and hypnotising.
“Yes. I’ts just…” his voice trailed off as he averted his eyes from her. Obviously there was something about the moon that seemed to upset him.
Mika studied his face for a moment. It was youthful yet old; careworn yet boyish; and definitely sad. There were scars running deep along the right side of his face. Even his voice was sad, but his eyes were bright and sparkling. Or were those tears she saw?
“Why are you so sad?” she asked outright. When he didn’t answer immediately she continued, searching his face.. “You have a deep dark secret. Something to do with the moon?”
At this Lupin looked up at her. “How do you know?” he began, then realised it was probably obvious. “You’re not magical and you probably wouldn’t understand,” he said, his voice tinged with resentment.
Mika leaned forward and placed her hand upon his, resting on the railing. He nearly jumped at her touch. “Try me,” she whispered.
Just then a group of students burst through the doors embroiled in some sort of argument. It was Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny Weasley.
“Going out?” Ron was squeaking, obviously very upset. “How long has this been going on? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she knew you’d react exactly like this,” Hermione chided.
“I’m not a child, Ron. Besides, Mum says it’s ok, I don’t see why I would have to get your permission too,” Ginny held her ground.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Clutching Lupin’s hand Mika quickly guided him down the steps onto the path leading to the bridge and a little more privacy. As they moved through the shadows, she exchanged a fleeting glance with Hermione who smiled knowingly.
“Hey, where’s Mika? She’s good with advice,” said Ron looking back in towards the dining hall. “She’ll tell you that you’re way too young to be dating yet.”
Hermione put her finger to her lips and motioned to Ginny and Harry to where Mika and Lupin were making their escape. They all grinned.
When the evening came, everyone turned out to the grand dining room resplendent in their dress robes and party frocks. The tables and chairs had been removed except for a row along one wall where refreshments had been laid out. All the teachers were there, even Dumbledore. There were even a few faces that the students did not recognise. Ron said they were probably visiting wizards and witches. Hermione and Harry nodded in agreement. They watched as Mika was introduced to each of them, graciously smiling and shaking their hands.
The music started up and various people were starting to dance, mostly students but some teachers as well. Of course Mika was in constant demand, which she did not mind at all. Most of the men, beginning with Dumbledore himself, vied for a turn around the dance floor with the lovely timelord. Even the more daring of the students asked for a chance, and she did not refuse anyone. She was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the attention so when she had a chance, she made for the refreshment table and hid behind a cold drink.
“How do you enjoy being the belle of the ball?” Minerva McGonagal asked with a smile, handing her a goblet.
“It’s fun but I’m exhausted already!” she laughed. “Why all the visitors? Surely not just to meet me?”
“I’m afraid so. Seems that word about your wonderful lectures and, dare I say, great beauty, have gotten around.”
Mika groaned. “I wish people wouldn’t make such a fuss. You’d think they’d never seen a time traveller before,” she winked.
“Oh, no, don’t look now, but here comes trouble.” Minerva gestured towards an elegantly dressed wizard with long white hair and a haughty manner. “Lucius Malfoy. A nasty piece of work. It’s rumoured that he’s still in league with You-Know-Who,” she hissed.
“Ahh, you must be the wonderful new teacher I’ve heard so much about,” the newcomer said to Mika as he approached the two women. “I’ve heard so much about you,” he took her hand and kissed it graciously, his voice oozing with a sort of sickly charm.
“And I you, Mr. Malfoy,” Mika smiled back, trying to match his charm with her own.
His eyebrows raised. He had not expected her to know of him already. Then he noticed Mrs. McGonagal standing beside her as if she hadn’t been there a moment ago. “Ah, Minerva, how nice to see you again,” he oozed.
“Lucius,” she returned humourlessly.
Malfoy turned back to Mika. “My son says that you are one of his favourite teachers. I can see why. You are just as beautiful as he said you were. Pray tell what exactly do you ‘teach’ these children?”
“I am only here as a guest. I just tell them about my travels and try to explain how complicated and dangerous time travel can be. They seem to enjoy our little discussions.”
“Well, I’ve heard no complaints… so far,” he smiled. Just then another wizard approached him and whispered something in his ear. “If you ladies will excuse me, I am required elsewhere. Goodnight, Minerva… Mika.” He kissed Mika’s hand again and retired.
“Why do I feel like I need a shower?” Mika shook her hands out as if there was something on them.
Minerva chuckled. “That’s Lucius all over.”
Just then Mika felt a tug on the skirt of her dress. She looked down to see Professor Filius Flitwick asking for a dance. He was probably one of the few here who was shorter than she was.
“Ah, duty calls.” With a wink at Mrs. McGonagal, she smiled and returned to the dance floor with the very lively part goblin charms teacher. After a brief whirl she spotted Neville standing near the patio door pretending to examine a potted plant.
“Come on, Mr. Longbottom, you owe me a dance!” Mika grabbed his hand and dragged a very surprised Neville out onto the dance floor. He turned beet red as the other boys made faces at him like he was the teacher’s pet or something. As the song ended Mika thanked an out of breath but very happy Neville and made her way to the edge of the crowd.
Suddenly, someone stumbled and fell into her. She caught Ron and was knocked backwards, where she bumped into someone and stepped on their toes.
“I am so sorry…” she turned to apologise to whoever it was. Suddenly she found herself staring up at Professor Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She had not really met him yet, nor even spoken to him.
“I…it’s quite all right…” he stammered, clearly at a loss for words.
Mika could sense his nervousness and smiled her sweetest smile to try to reassure him. It seemed only to make things worse.
“I am Mika,” she said, offering her hand. “And you are…?” She knew very well who he was, but it gave him something to say, if he could.
“Oh, right, I’m Remus Lupin,” he took her hand and held it, his eyes transfixed to hers. A nice, slow tune began to play.
“Well, shall we?” His olive coloured eyes grew wide as he realised what she meant.
“Oh, um, well I don’t…”
He tried to protest but Mika ignored him, still clutching his hand she dragged him out to the dance floor which had lost a few dancers who had decided to sit this one out. “Why you dance wonderfully, Professor,” she smiled, still trying to put him at his ease.
“Thank you, Mika. But please, call me Remus,” he smiled nervously back. Somehow even when he smiled he still looked sad. As they danced, Mika could feel his heart pounding fiercely. Whether that was from the dancing or his nervousness she couldn’t tell. But something about this man intrigued her. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed him before.
When the music stopped, Mika made a show of being hot and tired. “Er, would you like to step out for some fresh air?” he asked, motioning hopefully towards the open French doors at the end of the hall.
“That would be nice,” she smiled.
There were very few people out on the veranda where the night air was cold and sharp. Their words formed clouds of steam as they spoke. Noticing this Lupin asked Mika if she were cold.
“No, I’m ok,” she answered as they moved to a more private corner near the railing where they could speak with more privacy. “My planet is very cold and icy. This would be a warm day.”
Lupin stared at Mika as if seeing her for the very first time. “You really are from another planet, aren’t you? I find that so amazing and difficult to believe,” he said finally. “You seem so… normal.”
The timelord laughed. “I know. That’s a common reaction really, especially here on earth. But I assure you I am. Once you get to know me better, you’ll see just how different I actually am.”
Even in the pale starlight Mika could tell he was blushing. “I would like that very much indeed,” he said softly smiling his sad, boyish smile.
He could fell his cheeks burning so he turned and placed his hands on the railing, looking up at the stars. Mika moved to stand beside him.
“So which one is yours?” he asked finally.
Mika searched the night sky for the constellation of Orion. She found the faint cloud of gas near the ‘belt’. “There. In the Orion Nebula,” she pointed. “You can’t see the planet, of course, nor the star we orbit for it’s very faint. It’s nearly… dead…” Her voice trailed off as they drew closer to each other so that he could follow her indication. She could feel his breath against her cheek and something began to stir in her that she hadn’t known for an extremely long time.
“But if your star dies, won’t it destroy your planet?” he asked, leaning back from her to look at her.
“Well, yes, if it were to explode, but not all stars explode. Some implode, and some just fizzle out like a roman candle. Poof! Then nothing, leaving all the planets in icy cold space. But it’s such a gradual process that hopefully any civilised people living on these planets would be able to generate their own source of heat and light. Fusion reactors orbiting the planet for instance. They have those on Pluto… or rather they will in a few hundred years,” she smiled.
Lupin just shook his head. “Amazing. I’ts just mind boggling that someone can travel all over the universe in time and space. You must know millions of people.”
It was Mika’s turn to smile sadly. “I have met many, known very few. It’s a very solitary life I lead. Oh, I’ve had companions but most people don’t want to leave their world and their family and friends.”
A silence fell over them both. A waning crescent moon began to appear on the horizon. Mika smiled and closed her eyes. “I just love the moonlight. It makes everything so different.”
Lupin turned his back to the moon, leaning his tall frame against the railing. Mika noticing, turned to face him.
“Are you allright?” she asked softly, her voice low and hypnotising.
“Yes. I’ts just…” his voice trailed off as he averted his eyes from her. Obviously there was something about the moon that seemed to upset him.
Mika studied his face for a moment. It was youthful yet old; careworn yet boyish; and definitely sad. There were scars running deep along the right side of his face. Even his voice was sad, but his eyes were bright and sparkling. Or were those tears she saw?
“Why are you so sad?” she asked outright. When he didn’t answer immediately she continued, searching his face.. “You have a deep dark secret. Something to do with the moon?”
At this Lupin looked up at her. “How do you know?” he began, then realised it was probably obvious. “You’re not magical and you probably wouldn’t understand,” he said, his voice tinged with resentment.
Mika leaned forward and placed her hand upon his, resting on the railing. He nearly jumped at her touch. “Try me,” she whispered.
Just then a group of students burst through the doors embroiled in some sort of argument. It was Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny Weasley.
“Going out?” Ron was squeaking, obviously very upset. “How long has this been going on? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she knew you’d react exactly like this,” Hermione chided.
“I’m not a child, Ron. Besides, Mum says it’s ok, I don’t see why I would have to get your permission too,” Ginny held her ground.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Clutching Lupin’s hand Mika quickly guided him down the steps onto the path leading to the bridge and a little more privacy. As they moved through the shadows, she exchanged a fleeting glance with Hermione who smiled knowingly.
“Hey, where’s Mika? She’s good with advice,” said Ron looking back in towards the dining hall. “She’ll tell you that you’re way too young to be dating yet.”
Hermione put her finger to her lips and motioned to Ginny and Harry to where Mika and Lupin were making their escape. They all grinned.
The Whomping Willow
The school year progressed and Mika’s Saturday afternoon lectures became quite popular. She had to move out of Madam Trelawney’s room and into the great dining hall. They just had to make sure they were done by dinner time.
Hermione made good on her promise to treat Mika like a friend. Often they would be seen walking together on the grounds, discussing all sorts of things. Even Crookshanks took to hanging around Mika wherever she went, especially when Hermione was in class.
Even the other students had taken to the pretty time lady’s presence in the castle. The boys could be seen daydreaming about her or drawing pictures in class, the girls all wanted to be like her. For the first time in a long time she was beginning to relax and actually enjoy herself.
As time progressed, Mika spent the weekdays visiting with various Hogwart’s teachers and other staff as well as just relaxing or talking with Dumbledore. The afternoons and Saturdays were often spent fielding questions or talking with students. She was especially popular at mealtimes and everyone wanted her to sit with them at Quidditch matches. Of course she sat with students from every house for she didn’t want to seem partial to any one house.
Sundays were usually spent taking a walk in the woods or on the edges of the loch, sometimes with Minerva or Hermione, sometimes by herself. A favourite haunt was in the branches of the whomping willow with Hermione and Crookshanks. From here they could observe the comings and goings of the great, ancient castle and discuss life, the universe and girly things.
“How’d you get up there?” Harry demanded of them once on passing by. “That thing is dangerous!”
“I should say!” agreed Ron remembering the time last term when they crashed his dad’s flying car into it and it nearly destroyed them.
“Mika’s part plant, remember? She just asked Clarence if we could sit here and he let us,” Hermione answered impatiently.
“Clarence?” they both exclaimed. “Is that what you call it?”
“Him, and he said that was his name. I’m not making it up, honest!”
The evenings were growing cooler now as autumn was coming to an end and winter was fast approaching. It had been a particularly trying day with Madame Sprout wanting to practically dissect Mika during her 5th year class on plant hybrids. She had retreated to Clarence after dinner to watch the last vestiges of a beautiful October sunset.
“Mind if I join you?”came Hermione’s familiar voice from below. Mika patted Clarence gently on the branch on which she was sitting and another lowered to let Hermione climb up. “Are you ok? You seemed a bit quiet tonight at dinner.”
Mika sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve really enjoyed my time here with you and all the others. But I just, … I don’t know. I guess all in all I’m a bit lonely.” She tried to smile but it was a weak one at best.
“I’ve always wondered how you handled living for so long. I mean, doesn’t it get you down when everyone else grows old and dies while you keep on?”
Even in the dark Hermione could sense the tears welling up in her friend’s eyes.
“You’re very wise for one so young,” Mika whispered. “That’s just it. I’ve had companions travel with me, even a few lovers. I suppose I should be grateful that I’ve had any, but even so, in 3000 years…” her voice dropped off. “It’s so painful to watch everyone I’ve ever known grow old and die, or be killed, or to leave. Though I suppose in some way everyone has to endure such loss.” She sighed.
Then she laughed softly. “I’m sorry, Hermione. I just get a little down sometimes. I’ll be fine after a good mope. Thanks for listening and understanding.”
Just then, a dark figure passed beneath them. “Shhh, it’s Professor Snape. He’s not the nicest person I’ve ever met…”
Mika turned to her companion. “Now, Hermione, I know he’s not the pleasantest person in the world, but he does have his good points. You must not judge a person by his outward appearance nor his outward behaviour. Sometimes a hard, callous exterior very necessarily masks something much deeper and kinder. Remember that.”
Saying that, Mika took a small pebble she’d been fingering in her pocket and tossed it down hitting Snape right in the back of his head. Hermione and she both giggled softly as the puzzled and humourless potions teacher looked all around him, wand at the ready for whoever had thrown it.
“I know there’s someone there. You know perfectly well that students aren’t allowed out of the castle after dark,” he sneered into the darkness.
Mika put her finger to her lips as Hermione moved closer so as to be hidden from Snape’s view. “What about guests?” Mika said softly from above, startling him.
“I didn’t see you there… Mika is it?” he appeared confused. “How did you get up there and what are you doing?”
“Just thinking,” she replied quietly ignoring the first part of his question. “What are you doing out here? Can’t sleep either?”
Hermione stifled a giggle with a hand clamped over her mouth.
Snape began to say something snide, but then sensed that Mika was sincere. “I was just thinking too,” was all he said, his tone much softer.
“I know what troubles you…” Mika began.
At this Snape started. “How…”
“Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word. I know everything. The Order was my idea you know.”
He looked genuinely frightened now. He wasn’t the nasty old Professor Snape that Hermione was used to. “I mustn’t let my thoughts become so apparent,” he said worriedly. “If he were to get even the slightest hint…”
“Shhhh, it’s allright, Severus. I won’t let anything happen to you. If you need a rest, go to my quarters. I’ve extended the TARDIS forcefield so that it’s impenetrable to anything in this dimension. Stepping into my room is like blinking out of existence. You can relax there and rest your mind.”
He looked up at Mika, the full moon glistening in his black eyes. Somehow, even with the pained, worried expression on his face, he seemed different; kinder, gentler. Hermione was seeing her potions master in an entirely new light.
Just then a distant howl cut through the night.
“What was that?” Mika exclaimed.
Snape changed immediately. “Oh for heaven’s … I must go. There’s something I must attend to.” With a flourish of his black robes he turned to go. After a few steps he turned back. “Thank you, Mika,” he whispered heartfeltly. Then he smiled. “You are a pretty girl.” With that he whirled off hurriedly as another howl split the quiet night air.
Hermione and Mika sat in silence for a few moments. “What was that all about? Is he hiding some secrets in his mind? Something that he doesn’t want You-Know-Who to find out?”
“You’re a very bright girl. But remember,” her low voice became even lower and more menacing, “You mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone. That man is risking his life every day. His blustering and nastiness, while actually quite natural to him, is also a front for what he is doing to battle Lord Voldemort. Just keep that in mind when you think about judging someone by their outward appearance.”
“ I will remember.”
Hermione made good on her promise to treat Mika like a friend. Often they would be seen walking together on the grounds, discussing all sorts of things. Even Crookshanks took to hanging around Mika wherever she went, especially when Hermione was in class.
Even the other students had taken to the pretty time lady’s presence in the castle. The boys could be seen daydreaming about her or drawing pictures in class, the girls all wanted to be like her. For the first time in a long time she was beginning to relax and actually enjoy herself.
As time progressed, Mika spent the weekdays visiting with various Hogwart’s teachers and other staff as well as just relaxing or talking with Dumbledore. The afternoons and Saturdays were often spent fielding questions or talking with students. She was especially popular at mealtimes and everyone wanted her to sit with them at Quidditch matches. Of course she sat with students from every house for she didn’t want to seem partial to any one house.
Sundays were usually spent taking a walk in the woods or on the edges of the loch, sometimes with Minerva or Hermione, sometimes by herself. A favourite haunt was in the branches of the whomping willow with Hermione and Crookshanks. From here they could observe the comings and goings of the great, ancient castle and discuss life, the universe and girly things.
“How’d you get up there?” Harry demanded of them once on passing by. “That thing is dangerous!”
“I should say!” agreed Ron remembering the time last term when they crashed his dad’s flying car into it and it nearly destroyed them.
“Mika’s part plant, remember? She just asked Clarence if we could sit here and he let us,” Hermione answered impatiently.
“Clarence?” they both exclaimed. “Is that what you call it?”
“Him, and he said that was his name. I’m not making it up, honest!”
The evenings were growing cooler now as autumn was coming to an end and winter was fast approaching. It had been a particularly trying day with Madame Sprout wanting to practically dissect Mika during her 5th year class on plant hybrids. She had retreated to Clarence after dinner to watch the last vestiges of a beautiful October sunset.
“Mind if I join you?”came Hermione’s familiar voice from below. Mika patted Clarence gently on the branch on which she was sitting and another lowered to let Hermione climb up. “Are you ok? You seemed a bit quiet tonight at dinner.”
Mika sighed. “I don’t know. I’ve really enjoyed my time here with you and all the others. But I just, … I don’t know. I guess all in all I’m a bit lonely.” She tried to smile but it was a weak one at best.
“I’ve always wondered how you handled living for so long. I mean, doesn’t it get you down when everyone else grows old and dies while you keep on?”
Even in the dark Hermione could sense the tears welling up in her friend’s eyes.
“You’re very wise for one so young,” Mika whispered. “That’s just it. I’ve had companions travel with me, even a few lovers. I suppose I should be grateful that I’ve had any, but even so, in 3000 years…” her voice dropped off. “It’s so painful to watch everyone I’ve ever known grow old and die, or be killed, or to leave. Though I suppose in some way everyone has to endure such loss.” She sighed.
Then she laughed softly. “I’m sorry, Hermione. I just get a little down sometimes. I’ll be fine after a good mope. Thanks for listening and understanding.”
Just then, a dark figure passed beneath them. “Shhh, it’s Professor Snape. He’s not the nicest person I’ve ever met…”
Mika turned to her companion. “Now, Hermione, I know he’s not the pleasantest person in the world, but he does have his good points. You must not judge a person by his outward appearance nor his outward behaviour. Sometimes a hard, callous exterior very necessarily masks something much deeper and kinder. Remember that.”
Saying that, Mika took a small pebble she’d been fingering in her pocket and tossed it down hitting Snape right in the back of his head. Hermione and she both giggled softly as the puzzled and humourless potions teacher looked all around him, wand at the ready for whoever had thrown it.
“I know there’s someone there. You know perfectly well that students aren’t allowed out of the castle after dark,” he sneered into the darkness.
Mika put her finger to her lips as Hermione moved closer so as to be hidden from Snape’s view. “What about guests?” Mika said softly from above, startling him.
“I didn’t see you there… Mika is it?” he appeared confused. “How did you get up there and what are you doing?”
“Just thinking,” she replied quietly ignoring the first part of his question. “What are you doing out here? Can’t sleep either?”
Hermione stifled a giggle with a hand clamped over her mouth.
Snape began to say something snide, but then sensed that Mika was sincere. “I was just thinking too,” was all he said, his tone much softer.
“I know what troubles you…” Mika began.
At this Snape started. “How…”
“Don’t worry. I won’t breathe a word. I know everything. The Order was my idea you know.”
He looked genuinely frightened now. He wasn’t the nasty old Professor Snape that Hermione was used to. “I mustn’t let my thoughts become so apparent,” he said worriedly. “If he were to get even the slightest hint…”
“Shhhh, it’s allright, Severus. I won’t let anything happen to you. If you need a rest, go to my quarters. I’ve extended the TARDIS forcefield so that it’s impenetrable to anything in this dimension. Stepping into my room is like blinking out of existence. You can relax there and rest your mind.”
He looked up at Mika, the full moon glistening in his black eyes. Somehow, even with the pained, worried expression on his face, he seemed different; kinder, gentler. Hermione was seeing her potions master in an entirely new light.
Just then a distant howl cut through the night.
“What was that?” Mika exclaimed.
Snape changed immediately. “Oh for heaven’s … I must go. There’s something I must attend to.” With a flourish of his black robes he turned to go. After a few steps he turned back. “Thank you, Mika,” he whispered heartfeltly. Then he smiled. “You are a pretty girl.” With that he whirled off hurriedly as another howl split the quiet night air.
Hermione and Mika sat in silence for a few moments. “What was that all about? Is he hiding some secrets in his mind? Something that he doesn’t want You-Know-Who to find out?”
“You’re a very bright girl. But remember,” her low voice became even lower and more menacing, “You mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone. That man is risking his life every day. His blustering and nastiness, while actually quite natural to him, is also a front for what he is doing to battle Lord Voldemort. Just keep that in mind when you think about judging someone by their outward appearance.”
“ I will remember.”
The First Class
The first lecture was set for the next day, Saturday afternoon. Dumbledore had given instructions that Madame Trelawney’s tower classroom could be used for the gathering as it had the most informal and comfortable seating. Only about 30 students had signed up but a few more actually showed up as some students dragged their friends, or in the case of the Patels, sister along. Hermione, of course, was seated near the front, quill at the ready, her face bright and eager and her hand ready to shoot up at any second.
Mika smiled as she cast her gaze across the room. Even after two thousand years, she thought, there were still some things she had never done. Teaching was one of those things. Though she looked like a very young woman, Mika was in fact the oldest person in the castle; even older than Dumbledore himself. Seeing all these young faces before her made her feel very very old indeed.
Taking a deep breath, Mika stood before the ‘class’ and held out her hands to shush their murmured conversations. “Hello, my name is Mika. This is not a formal class as I am not a teacher. I am a time traveller. This little gathering was Professor Dumbledore’s idea to perhaps enlighten you all to the wonders and dangers of messing about with time.
A hand went up immediately, and for once it was not Hermione.
“Yes?” Mika acknowledged the young man. “Please, tell me your name before you ask your questions,” she addressed to the whole room, “so I can get to know you all.”
“Um, please, Miss, are you magical or a muggle? Oh, and I’m Neville Longbottom.”
The whole room snickered, but it was a question that had been on most of their minds.
“Well,” Mika pondered, her hand stroking her chin, a habit she had picked up from an old companion who had worn a beard. “I suppose I am neither really. I’m more of what you would call a mythical creature. I’m an alien from outer space!”
The students laughed. “But you’re not green,” a voice called out.
“Well, you’re a witch but you don’t have a big wart on your nose,” she smiled back.
“Yet!” chimed in another as the whole room laughed and began to relax. They could tell that this was no ordinary class but a promise of fun and interesting conversation.
“Ok, guys, any other questions? I think that would be the best way to proceed; to address any questions or thoughts you might have on me or what I do.” She perched upon a pouffe and began to relax herself.
Another hand went up. “I heard that you were older than Dumbledore. Is that true?” This time it was Pavarta Patel.
Mika laughed. “Professor Dumbledore to you. Just because we’re informal doesn’t mean we can be disrespectful. I don’t know how old he is, but I am well over 3000 years old. I lose track of the exact years.”
This produced a gasp that went through the room. “But you look so young!” said one.
“And you’re so beautiful,” said another. The whole room seemed to agree. Neville blushed.
“Well,” Mika’s lovely cheeks glowed a light lavender. “Thank you very much. But I assure you that I am very old.”
Finally Hermione raised her hand. “Where exactly are you from then? And what exactly do you do?”
Mika smiled. Minerva had told her about this young witch. She was supposedly the brightest witch of her generation.
“Well, it’s a long long story, but I come originally from a planet called Mettulla Orionsis. It’s located in the Orion nebula, if any of you are familiar with astronomy.”
A Ravensclaw spoke up. “We are studying that this year. It’s important to know about the stars.” Several other classmates nodded their agreement.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Mika concurred. “My planet is very small and very cold. We have two moons and the light we get is mostly in the violet wavelengths. That’s why my favourite colour is purple,” she grinned, the class giggled.
“My people are also unique in that we are only female. Yes, that means that there are no men on my planet. We reproduce by means of plant pods. So we are also part plant.”
“Plant? Madame Sprout will be very interested in meeting you!” said Neville. He had found that plants were one thing he liked and was actually good at.
“How can you be part plant?” came a very snide voice. In the doorway stood Draco Malfoy and his usual cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
“Easy, our people developed a symbiotic relationship and have evolved to include a vegetative component to our DNA. Through this evolution we have developed many good points, such as increased resistance to disease, and a longer life span. My people naturally live on average of 2200 years. We also have a regenerative cell structure which we can use to actually heal other beings.”
“You can heal people?”
“Just by touching them and concentrating. I can also communicate telepathically with any living being as long as they haven’t closed off their mind. But I don’t like to be so intrusive.”
“Wow,” they all murmured.
Even Malfoy seemed impressed. He came into the room further and took a seat. “So, how come you can travel in time, if you really can?”
“Oh, I assure you, I can. Long ago, a man was stranded on my planet. I helped him to repair his ship and he took me to his planet of Gallifrey. He was a timelord and he had an idea that perhaps I would make a good one too. So I was enrolled in the Academy of Time where I took classes just like you guys are doing for many, many years. Then I was given a time ship, my TARDIS, and I set off to roam the universe through space and time and help anyone who needed it.”
“So how did you come to be here?” asked Harry, exchanging a quick glare with Malfoy. He wasn’t about to be outdone in front of this new and pretty teacher.
“I have been to earth many times and I met Mrs. McGonagal a long time ago. We became friends. I was in the area and Professor Dumbledore kindly invited me to come and visit my old friend. Then he asked if perhaps I wouldn’t mind holding a few of these discussions and well, here I am!”
Everyone laughed and began asking other questions which she answered until the sun began to go down.
“Oh my, I do believe we’re going to miss dinner! I hope you all enjoyed this ‘class’. Feel free to come see me again every Saturday afternoon. And if you like, you can come and talk to me personally any time. I hope you consider me more of a friend than a teacher.”
Everyone rose to go. Some applauded and others came up to shake her hand and thank her for a most wonderful afternoon. Even Draco Malfoy came up and said thanks. The last to go was Hermione. She motioned Ron and Harry to go on without her as she approached Mika.
“Hermione is it?” she asked. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good I hope,” Hermione smiled. “I think these lectures are wonderful. This is a unique opportunity that no other witch or wizard has ever had I don’t wonder. To learn about travelling in time and outer space. I find it wholly fascinating.”
They walked out into the warm autumn night air together. The moon was just a bare sliver in the clear, starry sky. “Why thank you, Miss Granger. I would like you all to think of me as a friend.”
Hermione smiled. “I have a feeling we are going to be very good friends.”
Mika smiled as she cast her gaze across the room. Even after two thousand years, she thought, there were still some things she had never done. Teaching was one of those things. Though she looked like a very young woman, Mika was in fact the oldest person in the castle; even older than Dumbledore himself. Seeing all these young faces before her made her feel very very old indeed.
Taking a deep breath, Mika stood before the ‘class’ and held out her hands to shush their murmured conversations. “Hello, my name is Mika. This is not a formal class as I am not a teacher. I am a time traveller. This little gathering was Professor Dumbledore’s idea to perhaps enlighten you all to the wonders and dangers of messing about with time.
A hand went up immediately, and for once it was not Hermione.
“Yes?” Mika acknowledged the young man. “Please, tell me your name before you ask your questions,” she addressed to the whole room, “so I can get to know you all.”
“Um, please, Miss, are you magical or a muggle? Oh, and I’m Neville Longbottom.”
The whole room snickered, but it was a question that had been on most of their minds.
“Well,” Mika pondered, her hand stroking her chin, a habit she had picked up from an old companion who had worn a beard. “I suppose I am neither really. I’m more of what you would call a mythical creature. I’m an alien from outer space!”
The students laughed. “But you’re not green,” a voice called out.
“Well, you’re a witch but you don’t have a big wart on your nose,” she smiled back.
“Yet!” chimed in another as the whole room laughed and began to relax. They could tell that this was no ordinary class but a promise of fun and interesting conversation.
“Ok, guys, any other questions? I think that would be the best way to proceed; to address any questions or thoughts you might have on me or what I do.” She perched upon a pouffe and began to relax herself.
Another hand went up. “I heard that you were older than Dumbledore. Is that true?” This time it was Pavarta Patel.
Mika laughed. “Professor Dumbledore to you. Just because we’re informal doesn’t mean we can be disrespectful. I don’t know how old he is, but I am well over 3000 years old. I lose track of the exact years.”
This produced a gasp that went through the room. “But you look so young!” said one.
“And you’re so beautiful,” said another. The whole room seemed to agree. Neville blushed.
“Well,” Mika’s lovely cheeks glowed a light lavender. “Thank you very much. But I assure you that I am very old.”
Finally Hermione raised her hand. “Where exactly are you from then? And what exactly do you do?”
Mika smiled. Minerva had told her about this young witch. She was supposedly the brightest witch of her generation.
“Well, it’s a long long story, but I come originally from a planet called Mettulla Orionsis. It’s located in the Orion nebula, if any of you are familiar with astronomy.”
A Ravensclaw spoke up. “We are studying that this year. It’s important to know about the stars.” Several other classmates nodded their agreement.
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Mika concurred. “My planet is very small and very cold. We have two moons and the light we get is mostly in the violet wavelengths. That’s why my favourite colour is purple,” she grinned, the class giggled.
“My people are also unique in that we are only female. Yes, that means that there are no men on my planet. We reproduce by means of plant pods. So we are also part plant.”
“Plant? Madame Sprout will be very interested in meeting you!” said Neville. He had found that plants were one thing he liked and was actually good at.
“How can you be part plant?” came a very snide voice. In the doorway stood Draco Malfoy and his usual cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
“Easy, our people developed a symbiotic relationship and have evolved to include a vegetative component to our DNA. Through this evolution we have developed many good points, such as increased resistance to disease, and a longer life span. My people naturally live on average of 2200 years. We also have a regenerative cell structure which we can use to actually heal other beings.”
“You can heal people?”
“Just by touching them and concentrating. I can also communicate telepathically with any living being as long as they haven’t closed off their mind. But I don’t like to be so intrusive.”
“Wow,” they all murmured.
Even Malfoy seemed impressed. He came into the room further and took a seat. “So, how come you can travel in time, if you really can?”
“Oh, I assure you, I can. Long ago, a man was stranded on my planet. I helped him to repair his ship and he took me to his planet of Gallifrey. He was a timelord and he had an idea that perhaps I would make a good one too. So I was enrolled in the Academy of Time where I took classes just like you guys are doing for many, many years. Then I was given a time ship, my TARDIS, and I set off to roam the universe through space and time and help anyone who needed it.”
“So how did you come to be here?” asked Harry, exchanging a quick glare with Malfoy. He wasn’t about to be outdone in front of this new and pretty teacher.
“I have been to earth many times and I met Mrs. McGonagal a long time ago. We became friends. I was in the area and Professor Dumbledore kindly invited me to come and visit my old friend. Then he asked if perhaps I wouldn’t mind holding a few of these discussions and well, here I am!”
Everyone laughed and began asking other questions which she answered until the sun began to go down.
“Oh my, I do believe we’re going to miss dinner! I hope you all enjoyed this ‘class’. Feel free to come see me again every Saturday afternoon. And if you like, you can come and talk to me personally any time. I hope you consider me more of a friend than a teacher.”
Everyone rose to go. Some applauded and others came up to shake her hand and thank her for a most wonderful afternoon. Even Draco Malfoy came up and said thanks. The last to go was Hermione. She motioned Ron and Harry to go on without her as she approached Mika.
“Hermione is it?” she asked. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good I hope,” Hermione smiled. “I think these lectures are wonderful. This is a unique opportunity that no other witch or wizard has ever had I don’t wonder. To learn about travelling in time and outer space. I find it wholly fascinating.”
They walked out into the warm autumn night air together. The moon was just a bare sliver in the clear, starry sky. “Why thank you, Miss Granger. I would like you all to think of me as a friend.”
Hermione smiled. “I have a feeling we are going to be very good friends.”
Mika's Arrival at Hogwart's...
Midnight at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was the night before the start of term and all the students were tucked into their beds all snug and warm, tired from the excitement of either returning or arriving for the first time at the ancient stone castle. Nothing stirred except for Argus Filch, the caretaker, and his bedraggled old cat, Mrs. Norris, on their usual rounds on the perpetual lookout for the odd stray student who dared to flaunt the regulations and wander about the castle at night. There were more than just ghosts that prowled the haunted corridors at night.
The huge clock in the tower struck midnight. As the last peal faded into the darkness, another sound arose: a groaning, wheezing, grinding sound that grew steadily louder until it stopped altogether, its echoes reverberating off the stone walls until all was silent once more. Funnily enough, no one seemed to be disturbed. Those that might have heard something soon drifted back to sleep sure that they had probably dreamed whatever it was. Besides, strange sounds were normal in an ancient, haunted, magic castle. Even Filch didn't seem too concerned. He didn't even notice that there seemed to be one more stone column than normal in the corridor outside the teachers' quarters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning arrived as usual; a usual start to another term at Hogwart’s. The students filed into the great dining hall for their breakfast and the usual start of term announcements by the Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, considered by some to be the greatest wizard in existence. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were among those students starting their 3rd year at the school. Hermione was the first to notice the new teachers even before Dumbledore introduced them. The first was to announce that due to retirement, Hagrid would be the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. This of course brought a round of applause from Harry’s group.
The next announcement was the new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher. This was beginning to become a yearly routine, so Ron remarked to his pals.
“We are happy to introduce to you Professor Remus J. Lupin, as your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,” Dumbledore beamed at the ensemble. As he spoke, the shabby, quiet man that had helped Harry in the train when the Dementors showed up stood and timidly bowed towards the room.
“And last, but not least, we have a very special guest with us this year.” Dumbledore turned towards his other side to a woman who was seated beside Mrs. McGonagal. She was young and beautiful with long, flowing curls of dark mahogany hair, pale bisque skin and vibrant, glowing violet eyes. At this the all the eyes in the room turned to her. “May I introduce Miss Mika. She is a traveller who has come to pay us a visit and kindly accepted my invitation to give a series of group lectures on her speciality: time travel.”
A collective gasp went up as that was one thing that even magical beings couldn’t do or at least not very easily. Mika stood and bowed her head at the students, smiling her sweetest, most charming smile. Another collective sigh went up as the students’ eyes were fixed upon this stranger. Boys being boys, they couldn’t take their eyes off her. It was nice to have a young, pretty teacher for a change!
“A time traveller!” Hermione whispered excitedly. “Oh my! We could learn so much from her. I wonder if she’s magical though, or a muggle?”
“But Muggles aren’t allowed in Hogwart’s,” Ron frowned. “So she can’t be a Muggle.”
“Well, go to her lecture and ask her,” Harry chimed in. “Easy enough.”
“Oh, you’d better believe I’ll sign up for her lectures,” Hermione smiled dreamily. “I can just feel that this is going to be a very good year!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That first week was busy, filled with new classes and new faces and a LOT more work for the third years. By Friday the sign up sheets for Mika’s lectures on her time travelling adventures had been posted on the notice board. Hermione quickly signed her name on every one of them.
Ron rolled his eyes as she made a note of the schedule in her diary. “Are you going to have time for all those lectures?” he asked. “I mean, what if they’re all the same?”
“I’ve already checked with Mrs. McGonagal. She says that Mika’s courses are more of an open discussion group and that anyone is welcome to as many as they like and they can cover nearly any topic that they like. And they’re all out of class hours, if you’ll notice. You two should at least go to the first one. I bet you’ll like it.”
Harry sighed, knowing that she’d never give it a rest if they didn’t sign up for at least one. Taking the quill from Hermione, he scribbled his name on the first lecture, then handed it to Ron.
“You know she won’t give us any peace until we do,” he cautioned as Ron frowned. Hermione smiled triumphantly as Ron begrudgingly signed below Harry.
“There. You won’t regret it. I guarantee it,” she smirked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The huge clock in the tower struck midnight. As the last peal faded into the darkness, another sound arose: a groaning, wheezing, grinding sound that grew steadily louder until it stopped altogether, its echoes reverberating off the stone walls until all was silent once more. Funnily enough, no one seemed to be disturbed. Those that might have heard something soon drifted back to sleep sure that they had probably dreamed whatever it was. Besides, strange sounds were normal in an ancient, haunted, magic castle. Even Filch didn't seem too concerned. He didn't even notice that there seemed to be one more stone column than normal in the corridor outside the teachers' quarters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning arrived as usual; a usual start to another term at Hogwart’s. The students filed into the great dining hall for their breakfast and the usual start of term announcements by the Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, considered by some to be the greatest wizard in existence. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were among those students starting their 3rd year at the school. Hermione was the first to notice the new teachers even before Dumbledore introduced them. The first was to announce that due to retirement, Hagrid would be the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. This of course brought a round of applause from Harry’s group.
The next announcement was the new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher. This was beginning to become a yearly routine, so Ron remarked to his pals.
“We are happy to introduce to you Professor Remus J. Lupin, as your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,” Dumbledore beamed at the ensemble. As he spoke, the shabby, quiet man that had helped Harry in the train when the Dementors showed up stood and timidly bowed towards the room.
“And last, but not least, we have a very special guest with us this year.” Dumbledore turned towards his other side to a woman who was seated beside Mrs. McGonagal. She was young and beautiful with long, flowing curls of dark mahogany hair, pale bisque skin and vibrant, glowing violet eyes. At this the all the eyes in the room turned to her. “May I introduce Miss Mika. She is a traveller who has come to pay us a visit and kindly accepted my invitation to give a series of group lectures on her speciality: time travel.”
A collective gasp went up as that was one thing that even magical beings couldn’t do or at least not very easily. Mika stood and bowed her head at the students, smiling her sweetest, most charming smile. Another collective sigh went up as the students’ eyes were fixed upon this stranger. Boys being boys, they couldn’t take their eyes off her. It was nice to have a young, pretty teacher for a change!
“A time traveller!” Hermione whispered excitedly. “Oh my! We could learn so much from her. I wonder if she’s magical though, or a muggle?”
“But Muggles aren’t allowed in Hogwart’s,” Ron frowned. “So she can’t be a Muggle.”
“Well, go to her lecture and ask her,” Harry chimed in. “Easy enough.”
“Oh, you’d better believe I’ll sign up for her lectures,” Hermione smiled dreamily. “I can just feel that this is going to be a very good year!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That first week was busy, filled with new classes and new faces and a LOT more work for the third years. By Friday the sign up sheets for Mika’s lectures on her time travelling adventures had been posted on the notice board. Hermione quickly signed her name on every one of them.
Ron rolled his eyes as she made a note of the schedule in her diary. “Are you going to have time for all those lectures?” he asked. “I mean, what if they’re all the same?”
“I’ve already checked with Mrs. McGonagal. She says that Mika’s courses are more of an open discussion group and that anyone is welcome to as many as they like and they can cover nearly any topic that they like. And they’re all out of class hours, if you’ll notice. You two should at least go to the first one. I bet you’ll like it.”
Harry sighed, knowing that she’d never give it a rest if they didn’t sign up for at least one. Taking the quill from Hermione, he scribbled his name on the first lecture, then handed it to Ron.
“You know she won’t give us any peace until we do,” he cautioned as Ron frowned. Hermione smiled triumphantly as Ron begrudgingly signed below Harry.
“There. You won’t regret it. I guarantee it,” she smirked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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