CHAPTER FOUR

When Harry woke up the next morning, he found both Lupin and Jeanne already up. Lupin looked his usual cheerful self, and smiled at Harry when he saw him. Jeanne looked subdued. She gave Harry a very small smile when he sat down next to her.

"Are you all right?" he asked. She looked as if she hadn't slept at all.

She shrugged, then nodded.

"Have some breakfast," said Lupin, passing him a plate.
"Thanks," said Harry.

They ate in silence. Jeanne ate self-consciously, fumbling with her knife and fork; she obviously hadn't used cutlery for a long time.

Dumbledore appeared just as they were finishing, together with Professor Bubcek.

"Here we are," he said briskly, smiling. "Jeanne, allow me to introduce Professor Oleg Bubcek. Oleg, this is Jeanne."

Bubcek, beaming, shook her hand. Harry winced, wondering if he'd used his iron grip on her; but she didn't seem to notice.

"Everything all right, Remus?" asked Dumbledore, glancing at Lupin.

Jeanne looked quickly at Lupin.

"More or less, Headmaster," replied Lupin, quietly.

"Very good," said Dumbledore. "And so, Jeanne," he said, taking her hand again, "have you thought about my proposal?"

"Yes," she said in a small voice. She looked rather nervous, because everyone's eyes were on her. "I've decided - I'll come to Hogwarts, if you'll still have me, that is."

"Yes!" said Harry. Lupin smiled at her, and Dumbledore was beaming like the sun.

"Excellent," he said. "We should make a move directly. Oleg," turning to Bubcek, "I'll be in touch."

"Of course, Albus," said Bubcek, shaking Dumbledore's hand vigorously. "I'm deeply indebted to you - we all are - "

"Not at all," said Dumbledore. Bubcek turned and shook hands with Lupin, and then Jeanne.

"Come back again, soon, Remus; there's always a place for you at the Institute. And the best of luck to you, miss." Then he turned to Harry.

Harry held out the amulet.

"Thank you for this, Professor."
"Ah, yes! I had almost forgotten," said Bubcek, with a rather guilty look at Lupin. "Useful little thing, isn't it?" He tucked the amulet away in his robes, then extended his hand.

Harry steeled himself.

"Come back again, soon, Harry," said Bubcek, crushing Harry's hand in his. "When you graduate from Hogwarts, you're always welcome at the Institute. Just send me an owl, anytime."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," said Harry, retrieving his bruised hand hastily.

"We must be off, then," said Dumbledore.

Harry could see Professor Bubcek still waving as they disappeared in a whirl of light.

They were all back in Lupin's office. Harry could hardly believe the entire adventure had actually taken place - Dumbledore had somehow timed their journey so that they arrived back just after Harry had been swept into the vortex that had brought him to Kamchatka. It was as if they had never left.

Dumbledore came over to Jeanne and looked at her tired face.

"Jeanne, I know you are tired," he said quietly, "but it would be best if we were to have a meeting immediately, and explain everything to the other staff."

She looked at him, then nodded in agreement.

He looked at Lupin. "Remus, if you would help me gather the staff together…"

"Certainly, Headmaster." Lupin gave Harry and Jeanne a quick nod, and then vanished out the door.

Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"Harry, I would like you to attend the meeting as well. If you could bring Jeanne to the staff room…"

"Yes, sir," said Harry, looking at Jeanne. "Come on," he said, leading her through the door.

Jeanne seemed very tense as she followed Harry to the staff room. She stiffened every time they passed anyone along the way. At one point a group of ghosts came down the corridor, and she gasped when one of them passed through her.

She tried to smile when she saw Harry looking at her in concern, and apologised.

"I'm sorry I'm so uptight. It's just difficult…after so long in the cave…to come back to the normal world. I - I'm just not used to people any more…" She looked self-conscious as a group of prefects passed by, looking curiously at her. "Crowds of people tend to make me tense up," she added.

Harry tried to think of something comforting to say.

"There won't be that many people at the meeting, you know," he said. "Probably less than twenty." He saw from her face that to her, twenty was quite enough to constitute a crowd, and realised he had said the wrong thing.

"Most of the teachers are quite kind," he added hurriedly, but then thought of Snape. Snape was sure to be his usual nasty self, he thought. Aloud, he said, "Anyway, you're not alone…Professors Dumbledore and Lupin will be there, and me as well."

Jeanne nodded, but didn't look as if she felt any better.

They had reached the staff room. Harry knocked and entered. There was only one teacher inside; to Harry's dismay, it was Professor Snape.

Snape's eyes narrowed when he saw Harry, and then turned to stare at Jeanne.

"What do you want, Potter?" he asked coldly. "And who is this with you? I don't believe I have seen you before." He stared at Jeanne, frowning. She did not reply, but stared at the floor, wearing her usual sullen expression.

Harry said, "Professor Dumbledore's calling a staff meeting in this room. He said we were to attend," - indicating himself and Jeanne.

Snape looked as if he didn't believe Harry.

"I know of no such meeting," he said, and stared coldly at Jeanne again. "Who is she?"

"Professor Dumbledore will explain," said Harry shortly, trying not to be too rude. He didn't want to give Snape an excuse to remove more points from Gryffindor.

Snape continued to stare at Jeanne. She was staring at the floor, but all of a sudden, she lifted her head and stared coldly back at him.

Snape blinked. Harry held his breath. Jeanne continued to glare at Snape.

After what seemed like forever to Harry, Snape gave a small, cold smile and said smoothly, "Do I get the impression that something is wrong?"

Jeanne didn't even blink.

"Indeed there is," she said acidly, returning his stare. "I believe you are staring at me."

Snape opened his mouth to speak, but the staff room door suddenly opened and Professors Sprout, McGonagall and Flitwick came in. Harry drew a sigh of relief.

"Come on, Jeanne," he said, taking her arm and propelling her to the long table at the end of the room. The other teachers followed, looking at her curiously.

To Harry's annoyance, Snape took a seat right opposite Jeanne. She was wearing her sullen expression again. To Harry's relief, she was now ignoring Snape, and sat with her hands folded in her lap, staring at the floor.

The other teachers gradually filed in, including Professor Dumbledore. Looking around, he smiled at Jeanne and Harry, then asked, "where is Professor Lupin?"

"He said he was going to get Hagrid, Albus," said tiny Professor Flitwick.

"Ah, of course," said Dumbledore, looking at Jeanne. "We must definitely make Hagrid known to you, my dear."

"Albus, I don't suppose you would care to explain what this is all about?" inquired Professor McGonagall.

"In a while, Minerva," said Dumbledore, as Lupin came in with Hagrid, who beamed when he saw Harry, and then looked curiously at Jeanne.

"Apologies for the delay," said Lupin cheerfully, taking the seat next to Jeanne, so that she was sitting between him and Harry. Snape scowled.

"Not at all, Remus," replied Dumbledore. Then, looking around, he began to relate all the events that had taken place in Kamchatka. When it came to the part where they reached Deorg's fortress, he nodded at Harry.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Harry related how he had first met Jeanne. However, he made no mention of the mirror in the cave, or its gift. The expressions on the faces of the other teachers grew more and more amazed as he went on, and most were staring at Jeanne, who was still sitting sullenly and staring downwards.

When the tale was done, there was a silence. Hagrid's small eyes were wide, and he kept staring at Jeanne in fascination.

Then Snape spoke.
"An amazing tale, Headmaster," he said, his voice smooth and cold. "But much remains untold. What of this shape-shifter? We know nothing of her background. We do not even know her full name. True, she may have suffered much at the hands of Lord Deorg, but how do we know his Dark Arts have not rubbed off on her? Has she made known where her loyalties lie?"

Lupin looked as if he were about to say something, but to Harry's surprise, Jeanne spoke first.

"That is a fair question," she said quietly, looking at Snape. "If I am to become a member of this school, I believe I should make my story known. And you may feel free to question me."

She paused, looking rather nervous. She gave Lupin a quick glance, and he nodded encouragingly at her.

"First of all," she said, "my full name is Jeanne Graham."

There was a murmur of surprise. Jeanne, anticipating this, smiled slightly.

"Yes," she said, "I know I am Chinese - but let me explain: I was adopted as a child, by an English wizard and his wife, Charles and Maria Graham."

She paused, then continued.

"During my first few years with them, we lived in England. Then, when I was ten, we suddenly moved - fled, rather - to a small town near the Russian border with China.

"My foster parents never told me the reason we moved, but I believe now that they were fleeing from Lord Deorg. The town we lived in was so remote that there was no wizarding school nearby, so everything I learned about the magical arts was from my foster parents.

"We stayed there for seven years, then suddenly, we moved again. We began leading a nomadic existence, moving from town to town, changing our name in each one. I knew we were running from someone, but my parents refused to tell me who it was. I only knew that they were afraid - desperately afraid."

Her voice shook slightly. She steadied it, then continued.

"We moved from place to place for four years. We stayed near the Russia-China border all that time. It was better, you see - my foster mother was Russian, and my foster father spoke the language well enough to pass off as one too. And no one would be suspicious about me, because there was a large community of Chinese origin in the area, and it was not strange that a childless Russian couple adopt a Chinese child.

"However, there came a time when my father decided to move further away. It proved to be his undoing. We had not left the border region for two months when Deorg caught up with us."

She looked rather pale.

"He came upon us one night. I woke up on hearing my parents' screams. Before I could get up, he came to my room, and possessed me."

She paused, and glanced at Dumbledore.

"You know the rest. I was trapped in Deorg's fortress for the next few years, until...until the three of you came." She looked from Dumbledore to Lupin, then at Harry. Her eyes were suddenly very bright.

"I never thanked you for that," she said softly, looking at them. Her voice was shaking slightly again.

"There's no need," said Lupin soberly. Harry nodded in agreement. Dumbledore inclined his head toward her, his eyes kind.

There was a silence. Snape was still wearing his usual sardonic expression, but most of the staff were looking sympathetic. Harry saw two fat tears trickling down Hagrid's beard.

Dumbledore looked around.

"Are there any questions for Miss Graham?" he inquired.

For a moment, no one said anything. Harry looked at Snape. He was looking at Jeanne with narrowed eyes, but before he could say anything, Professor McGonagall spoke.

"Did you never know who your true parents were?"

"No," replied Jeanne. "My foster parents never told me. I don't even know my real surname."

She hesitated, then said, "I do know, from snatches of conversation I happened to overhear, that my foster parents must have persuaded my true parents to let them adopt me, because I was a shape-shifter. My foster father was aware that Deorg was looking for someone like me. It was his life's mission, I believe, to keep me away from Deorg."

She looked down, and murmured, half to herself, "but in the end - it was all in vain…"

There was a pause. Then, Dumbledore spoke.

"I met your foster father only once, long ago, Jeanne. A very reserved person, but regarded as an excellent teacher by all who knew him. He was a well-respected wizard, dedicating his life to fighting the agents of the Dark. You might think his a failed mission because he perished in the attempt and could not prevent Deorg from capturing you, but I think he won through in the end."

She looked at him.

"He taught you to choose between good and evil, instilled the right values in you," said Dumbledore. "How else could you have withstood Deorg's onslaught during those years? Deorg had difficulty even possessing you."

She flushed slightly. "Not difficult enough," she said slowly.

"A weaker soul would have broken, or been corrupted," said Dumbledore. "If Charles were here today, he would have been proud of you."

She sat very still, her face pale. Harry had the impression she was trying very hard not to cry. A tear rolled down one of her cheeks, and she swiftly brushed it away.

There was an awkward silence, and then Hagrid cleared his throat and spoke.

"I ain't got no quest'ns ter ask, miss, but I sure would like ter see yeh transform into somethin'. I'm awful fond of animals, an' it would be a real treat fer all of us."

"An excellent idea," said Snape coolly, looking at Jeanne. "A good test of whether any of Lord Deorg's dark magic has instilled itself in her."

Jeanne looked rather surprised, and glanced at Dumbledore.

"I don't believe there's any harm in that," said Dumbledore, looking at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Why don't you show Professor Snape here what you can do."

She thought for a moment, as if deciding which animal to transform into, then nodded. Rising from her seat, she walked over to the wall opposite where there was a large and empty space.

She stood, facing them, and raised her arms.

The lights in the room dimmed. Her shape was changing; she was growing taller, taller - almost as high as the ceiling. Scales covered her body, scaly wings were sprouting…

Harry heard Hagrid give an ecstatic cry. Looming high above them, the dragon glowed golden in the darkness of the room. Giving a loud cry, it raised its head and brought it down, a large stream of fire issuing from its mouth at Professor Snape.

Snape ducked his head down - but the fire was only an illusion.

Now the dragon was changing. Its body was narrowing, its scales enlarging and darkening, wings shrinking and disappearing. A huge, hooded serpent had taken its place, forked tongue tasting the air, wicked red eyes glowing eerily in the dark.

Harry shuddered, remembering the basilisk in the chamber of secrets.

The lights in the room gradually came on again. The serpent gave a menacing hiss, then began to shrink. Smaller and smaller it became, the black scales becoming feathers, its mouth narrowing into a sharp beak. An eagle was there, gazing at them with fierce eyes. Spreading its wings, it soared into the air with a piercing cry, swooping low over the table and making some of the teachers duck.

Then the eagle was plummeting down, changing form in the air as it fell. When it hit the ground, it had changed into a large badger.

The badger looked at them for a few seconds, its eyes bright, its expression friendly and inquisitive. Then it began to grow. Larger, larger…its fur changing to the colour of gold, its eyes becoming cat-like, its legs narrowing and lengthening.

The lioness towered over them, almost as tall as the dragon had been. Lifting its head, it let forth a roar so deafening Harry was sure every creature in Hogwarts could hear it.

Then in one fluid motion, the lioness was shrinking…its fur was vanishing…tail growing shorter and shorter…

And then only Jeanne was there, standing quietly in front of them, her face slightly flushed, her eyes bright.

There was a sudden stillness in the room. She stood there, rather nervously, aware that every eye in the room was on her. When she finally spoke, she sounded apologetic.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I know a male lion would have been more appropriate … but - it was just beyond my capabilities."

As if her voice had broken the spell, there was a swift murmur running around the table. Then Hagrid let out a loud whoop and started clapping loudly, not a few of the other teachers joining in.

"Wond'rful! Wond'rful!" shouted Hagrid happily. "That was some dragon, eh, Harry? It's like I have Norbert back ag'n…"

Professor Flitwick was clapping away excitedly; Lupin caught Jeanne's eye, and nodded and smiled at her, while Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.

Harry looked at Snape. He was looking at Jeanne, his expression shrewd and calculating.

Jeanne walked back to her seat and sat shakily down. She looked slightly overcome by all the applause. Harry, still clapping, said, "that was our school crest, wasn't it? You ought to repeat it in front of the whole school!"

She looked appalled at the idea.

Presently the noise died down, and Dumbledore, looking at Snape, said, "Have you anything else to ask, Severus?"

Snape looked at Jeanne and his eyes glittered. She looked warily back at him.

"None, Headmaster," Snape said.

"Good," said Dumbledore. "If there are no objections, then, I shall appoint Miss Graham as assistant to Hagrid."

The other teachers nodded; Hagrid looked excited.

Dumbledore stood up, signalling that the meeting was over. Lupin rose too, and beckoned to Hagrid to come over, but Snape was already speaking to Jeanne.

"Miss Graham, I believe you do not know most of us," he said in his smooth, cold voice. "Allow me to introduce myself: Severus Snape, Potions Master of this school. And this is Professor McGonagall…"

He proceeded to introduce the other teachers to Jeanne. Harry watched, open-mouthed. Why was Snape suddenly being so nice to her?

Jeanne mechanically smiled, nodded, and shook hands. When nearly all had been introduced, Lupin came forward with Hagrid.

"And this, Jeanne, is Rubeus Hagrid, our gamekeeper," he said, smiling.

Hagrid came forward, all smiles.

"Lovely ter meet yeh, my dear. That was some lovely show yer put on for us. It'll be a pleasure, ter work with yeh…"

Leaving Hagrid and Jeanne to get acquainted, Lupin turned to Harry.

"Well, that should be it for tonight, Harry," he said, smiling. "You handled yourself very well in our little adventure. And now it's time for you to get back to your common room…Ron and Hermione must be wondering where you are."

"I didn't do anything - " Harry began, but was interrupted by Hagrid, who had come up with Jeanne.

"Time fer Jeanie ter take a rest, she looks really tired," he said to Lupin, one arm around Jeanne's shoulders. "No need ter start talkin' about work yet, we'll have plenty of time tomorrow…"

"What, it's already Jeanie, is it?" said Lupin, laughing, and looking at Jeanne, who was smiling and looking slightly embarrassed. They started discussing where she should put up for the night, and Harry, seeing they had forgotten he was there, decided to make a quiet exit.

To be continued.......