Ira Potestas

She is eleven years old, beating viciously at a tree with a beater's bat. Rage is boiling over inside her. Her teeth are clenched so hard her jaws are aching. And then Lilya comes.

"Wow, you're tough. Show that tree who's boss," she says mockingly.

The girl turns. "I thought you were my friend," she says. Her voice is thick with hatred.

"I thought the same about you. I didn't start this."

"Yes, you did. All I did was-"

"What you did was humiliate me in front of the people who decide what my career is going to be like. What my life is going to be like. Now I'm never going to get in."

"You might have, before you started yelling at me. It was your fault, don't try to blame this on me."

"You really are an idiot, aren't you. You knew that they wouldn't accept me if they knew who my father is-"

"No, I didn't."

"Shut up!" Lilya screams Hysterically. "You still should have had the brains to figure it out."

"I said I was sorry. They still might have accepted you if you hadn't hit me across the room in the changing room. You snuck up on me when my back was turned, you coward."

"I had to. You're too strong for me. You are such a talentless, useless, stupid thing that the only thing you ever became even slightly good at was physical strength. That's why I'm your only friend. Nobody can stand you."

The girl's face turns red. It burns with anger. She can't control it. "You take that back," she mutters in a low, menacing voice. She takes a step forward, holding the beater's bat up.

"I'm not afraid of you." Lilya sneers.

A heat is building up behind the girl's eyes. She is struggling with different forces in her mind. She shuts her eyes tightly as a sick feeling washes over her. She drops her bat and falls to her knees, holding her head. Slowly, the feeling ebbs away. It is replaced with the utmost power. She feels her mind filled with a purity as strength flows throughout her body. She picks up the bat and rises to her feet. She feels invincible with unconquerable power. She raises her eyes to Lilya, who steps back involuntarily from fear. The girl's eyes are deep, fiery red, and they burn like hot coals. She smiles. "Are you afraid of me now?" she asks.

Gasping for breath, Aniana woke, sweating from her dream. She sat up involuntarily, with a cry erupting from her throat. The dormitory was silent. Trying to catch her breath, Aniana coughed and fell back onto the covers. She covered her face with her hands. As if she was too frightened to move, Aniana lay in the dark for a long time, listening to the silence. Then she sat up, and swung her feet over the side of the bed. The cool air gave her a shock and woke her up. Shivering, she put on her housecoat and slippers and walked to the window. She picked up her wand and cast a lighting spell, and shone it onto the clock. It was 4:23. She walked down to the common room, and sat down by the perpetually burning fire. It formed irregular shadows on her face, and seemed to make her age five years. Aniana looked out the windows and watched the full moon as a passing cloud shaded it from view and then passed. She got up suddenly and went to the window. But she didn't look outside. She ran her hands over the large, smooth, grey stones on the ledge, and worked her fingers into the cracks in the loose one. Pulling as hard as she could, she managed to slide the heavy stone out of its place. It clattered to the floor, and by leaping suddenly, Aniana barely managed to avoid having it hit her foot. Underneath it there was a small indentation, just big enough to hide a bottle of Odgen's Old Firewhiskey. It still had a little in the bottom. She picked it up grimly and carried it over to the couch, where she settled down and took a swig from the bottle.

"Anna, what's going on," Hermione said sleepily as she came down the stairs from the girls dormitory. She noticed the bottle. "Aniana, is that liquor?" Aniana took another swig.

"So what if it is? Its only a little. What're you doing down here?"

"I heard some noises."

"Did I wake you up? Sorry, I couldn't sleep," Aniana said. "I thought maybe this would help a bit," she added, indicating the whiskey bottle. '

Hermione gave her a searching look. "And you expect me to believe that?"

"Otherwise, why would I tell it to you? I'm just feeling a bit...down." Aniana looked at what was left of the whiskey and drained the bottle. She coughed as the alcohol burned her throat. "Did you drink that whole bottle?"

"Not all tonight. Come on, if I had drunk a whole bottle of Firewhiskey, wouldn't I be a lot more drunk than I am? I only had a little left."

"What are you doing with alcohol?" hissed Hermione

"Drinking it, I think," slurred Aniana. Whiskey is strong stuff, and it had gone to her head. She giggled softly.

"You've had a bit to much, I think," said Hermione. "Bed."

"You can't tell me what to do!" snarled Aniana. Then she sank into her seat and looked depressed again. "Damn it. I know I shouldn't, I just have a lot on my mind now. I really am sorry about the thing with Ron..."

"It wasn't your fault," said Hermione soothingly.

"I'm going to talk to him first thing tomorrow."

"I know," Hermione said gently.

"You know, I think I will go to bed. I just have to clear up down here." She indicated the whiskey bottle and moved brick.

"You barely look sober enough to stand. Go to bed. I'll clean up." Aniana looked at Hermione gratefully

"Thanks. I really appreciate it."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Aniana went up to bed. Hermione used the levitation spell to replace the heavy stone, repaired the crack in the floor that had split when the stone had hit the ground, and transfigured the empty whiskey bottle into a potion bottle so it wouldn't be discovered. She placed it into her potions box. Then, she too tiredly trudged up to bed.

******************

"Drinking? As in, liquor?" Harry said in astonishment.

"For the hundredth time, yes!" answered Hermione grumpily. "Don't bother her, though. She has a lot to worry about, being a..."

"What?"

"Never mind. She asked me not to tell anybody."

Harry breathed irritably. "After what that harpy did to Ron-"

"It wasn't her fault, Harry. She's going to find him and explain today. She knows he's upset."

Down the table, Ginny was sitting with Aniana. She had one hand covering her face, with her elbow resting on the table. She kept reminding Ginny to talk softly because she had a headache. "Do you have a partner for the dance in mind?" she said, for a change of subject. "Terry Boot, from Ravenclaw asked me yesterday. He's a year older than me, and quite handsome."

"That's great, Ginny."

“Speak of the devil,” muttered Ginny. “Hello Terry! Good morning.”

“Good morning, sweet. How did you sleep?”

“Fine.”

“Good to hear. I hope you had good dreams.”

“A few nice ones. How about you?”

“Beautiful, sensational dreams.” He smiled. “They all had you in them.”

Ginny blushed. “You are so flattering.”

“No, flattery would imply that it wasn't true.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I have to go, raven. I miss you already!”

“Its only breakfast, Terry. Ill see you later.”

When Terry Boot had gone Aniana leaned over to Ginny. “Bit over affectionate for not even a first date, isn't he?”

“It's very flattering but also very smothering,” sighed Ginny. “I'm not used to being fawned over.”

“Enjoy it. He's a complete hopeless romantic.”

“Terry Boot is like chocolate cake. A little of him is sweet and nice, too much and you feel sick.”

Aniana laughed. “I see your point.”

“It's nice, though, nonetheless."

"What about you?" Ginny asked. Aniana glanced down the table at Ron, who was sitting alone.

"I don't know yet."

The plates filled with kippers, toast, fruit, bacon and eggs. Aniana only ate a grapefruit, an apple, and a piece of bread. Ginny was quite concerned.

"Look, maybe you should go lie down somewhere for a bit. You don't look at all well. " "I'm OK, Ginny," Aniana said, but she was pale. "Alright, if you're sure," Ginny said. Seamus Finnigan came and sat down beside them. He filled his plate with a bit of everything (except the fruit).

"Good morning, girls!" he said good-naturedly.

"Morning Seamus," said Ginny.

"Morning," said Aniana weakly.

"Something wrong, Anna?" Seamus asked. "You look a little pale."

"Just a bit of a headache," Aniana muttered.

"Hope you feel better," said Seamus .

"Thanks. You know, Gin, I think I will go and have a lie down after all. See you after breakfast."

"Alright." Aniana got up and left. Seamus chuckled.

"Hungover, then, is she?"

"What?"

"I'm Irish. I can tell these things."

"She most certainly is not hungover."

"How do you know for sure?"

"How do you?"

Seamus shrugged. "It's a sixth sense."

"Huh," Ginny grunted.

"Where'd she get the whiskey, you think?"

"So now you can tell what she was drinking?"

"It's a gift."

Ginny started to laugh. "You really are something, Seamus Finnigan." Seamus bowed.

"I try."

Ginny found herself wishing she was not already going to the ball with Terry Boot. "Alright, then. If you're so smart, how much did she drink?" Seamus closed his eyes and massaged his temples. "I'm getting something... yes, about...a quarter of a bottle of Odgen's Old Firewhiskey." Ginny started laughing again.

"You can tell the brand of drink?"

"I'm psychic. Or, its possible that I couldn't sleep last night and I witnessed the whole thing."

Ginny tried to look stern but she was shaking with laughter. "You were spying..."

"Spying!" cried Seamus indignantly "If witnessing the secret events of another person in order to get information, unbeknownst to them is spying, then I guess I'm a spy."

"Seamus." Ginny wasn't trying to disguise her laughter anymore. "That is the definition of spying."

"Oh. Than I guess I'm a spy." Seamus chuckled. Then he stopped and looked suddenly nervous. "Um, Ginny. Would you... would you like to go to the ball with me?" Ginny stopped laughing. Her insides cooked with guilt "Oh, Seamus, I'd really like to, I would, but I already said I'd go with Terry Boot. I really am sorry."

"Oh," said Seamus, and tried a little laugh. "That's alright. Really. No problem."

"But, um, we can do something else together. I am sorry, Seamus."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." They finished the rest of their breakfast in silence.

*****************

Aniana trudged sullenly up to her common room. Her head was spinning violently. She came up to the Fat Lady.

"Password?" asked the Fat Lady cheerfully. Aniana thought, but her head was spinning too fast to remember.

"Um, Oceanbeam, I think."

"Close, but no. Is something wrong? You knew yesterday."

"I'm just not feeling well. I can't think straight. Sea...seastreak, that's right."

"Right, dear. Hope you get well soon," smiled the Fat Lady, swinging forward. Aniana was just about to step inside when Malfoy rounded the corner.

"Drew!" he yelled. "Drew! Come here, I want to speak with you."

"Sorry for bothering you," Aniana said to the Fat Lady. "I'll be right back."

"You must be Draco. Lilya told me about you. Aniana." Aniana stuck out her hand to be shaken. Draco didn't take it.

"It's Malfoy to you. I hear you told the Gryffindor table about Lily and me."

Aniana turned red. "I am so sorry about that, Draco, it just slipped out."

"I said call me Malfoy. I want to tell you something, Drew. I don't like you. You're a mudblood, a Gryffindor, and a second-rate Hogwarts."

"I beg your pardon!"

"You are as low as the wizarding world can go. I want nothing to do with you. It mystifies me how such an esteemed witch as Lilya can stand to associate with a mudblood like you."

"Say that again, Malfoy. I dare you," hissed Aniana. Her eyes danced with fire. "Say that again."

Ron had finished his breakfast early also, and was headed up to the common room to fetch his books for potions. He saw the argument and approached.

"What's going on? Oh, it's you," he sneered at Malfoy. "Go down to your slimy Slytherin hole in the ground, Malfoy."

"Compared to your little shack, it seems like a mansion," said Malfoy coolly. Ron reddened.

"What do you want, Slytherin?"

"I'm paying back this second-rate Hogwarts back for betraying Lily's trust."

"I didn't-"

"Shut up, mudblood."

"What did you call her?"

"A mudblood. Are you gonna do something about it?" Draco said, turning to Ron. "You seem pretty protective of your girlfriend, Weasley." Both Ron and Aniana darkened to crimson at these words.

"You jerk," said Ron. Aniana's eyes were glowing with heat. She let out a long, drawn out noise, like a growl. Malfoy was about to sneer, when he saw her eyes. He clapped his hand over his mouth. Ron gasped.

They were Red. Deep, hot, wild, powerful red. "Are you going to run away, Malfoy?" she said in a voice that was barely audible.

Terrified though he was, Malfoy had his pride. He stood his ground.

"No."

Aniana smiled. "Good." With lightning flash speed, she drew her arm back, and struck towards Malfoy's face. A hairsbreadth from its target, Aniana's fist stopped. Lilya, from behind, had grabbed Aniana's arm at the elbow and pulled it back.

"What the hell are you doing?" she raged. Then she saw Aniana's eyes. "Oh, god, you're like this again. Bloody well get a grip on yourself, stay away from Draco." She grabbed Malfoy by the arm and pulled him down the staircase, away from Aniana, who was positively trembling with rage.

"Aniana?" whispered Ron. Aniana didn't say a word. She whirled around, and hit the wall with astounding force, and her fist buried right into the stone masonry. "Aniana!" Ron said, in a stunned voice. "You broke the wall."

"And my hand," Aniana said calmly, looking at it. "Ron, be a dear and help me dislodge it from the wall." Ron timidly approached.

"What the hell happened?" he asked as he worked her hand, bit by bit, out of the wall. It was bruised and bloody. Ron shuddered. Aniana must have incredible discipline not to cry out from pain. She hadn't let out a whimper so far.

"Oh, just my Fury's daughter complex," Aniana answered vaguely. "Thank you for your help, Ron. I'm in quite a lot of pain."

"Fury's daughter complex?"

"There's a very good book on it in the library." Ron didn't inquire further. Finally, they managed to pull her hand from the wall. Aniana turned to hold her hand up to the light to examine it more closely. When she turned, Ron could get a look at her eyes. They were no longer red. Now they were black. The entire eye, Iris and whites was absolutely black. Ron stared.

"Ouch," Aniana said, still looking at her hand. "That's very painful. We have potions next, Ron." She turned, and cradling her broken hand, Aniana turned to get her potions notes from the Dormitory. Ron grabbed her by the forearm.

"Aniana- your hand is mangled."

"Not a good way to start a day, I'm sure."

"You should go to the hospital wing."

"Oh, no, I'd be late for potions."

"I'm sure no one will mind." Ron took her by the shoulders and marched her upstairs. It was strange. If he had had a broken hand it would have been his first priority. Aniana kept seeing people and things that interested her and trying to wander off to have a look, like absolutely nothing was wrong. Ron had to keep steering her back on track to the hospital wing. When they reached the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey took one look in Aniana's eyes and seemed to know exactly what was going on

"Oh, not again, girl," she muttered, and saw to her hand. She tried to shoo Ron away, but Ron adamantly refused to leave. He said he would stay until he found she was okay. Presently, Dumbledore arrived. He talked with Madame Pomfrey in hushed voices for a bit. Then Dumbledore turned to Ron.

"You're probably very confused as to what happened today."

"Yes, professor."

Dumbledore sighed. "Miss Drew has the misfortune to suffer from a complicated disorder. I don't have the liberty to speak on her behalf. She may not wish to tell anyone just yet, and I have to respect her wishes."

"Why don't we just ask her now?"

"Because she isn't responsible for her actions right now. It's very complicated, I know, but the minute she has come to her senses, I will alert you. I think, Mr. Weasley, you should head back to class."

"Yes, thank you professor," Ron said, just as confused as before. Next they had potions. "How are we supposed to mix this freezing potion with him breathing down our necks all the time?" Harry was muttering in and undertone. Ron was strangely silent.

"Look, Ron, what's bothering you? Is it Aniana? You should just get over it," Hermione advised.

"It's not that. It's a puzzle. I'm trying to figure out what Aniana meant when she said, 'Fury's Daughter Complex'." Hermione dropped the handful of beetle's eyes that she was holding. They spilled all over the floor.

"Miss Granger!" shouted Snape. "Kindly do not demonstrate your complete lack of dexterity in my class." He handed her a brush and pan to sweep up the beetle eyes with. She stooped to the floor. "And you two," he added to Ron and Harry, "Had better put in a sufficient amount of work this class, or I will be testing your potion on you at the end."

"How do you know about Fury's Daughter?" Hermione hissed when Snape was out of earshot

"She told me. How do you?"

"Never mind. Just never mind. It's none of your business."

"Oh, but it's yours?"

"Will you shut up?" Harry yelled at Ron. He still hadn't forgiven him from their fight earlier. "Whatever this is, it's not your business."

"I don't recall talking to you. New experience for the boy who lived, being ignored."

"I didn't ask for this!" Harry shouted, pointing at his scar. "And I certainly don't need this from you."

"Potter and Weasley! Take your seats immediately or you will both serve detention," Snape roared. Ron took no notice. "Why don't you just keep to yourself then, instead of strutting around where you know you're not wanted?"

"I would, but little freaks like you seem to like to tag along in my life."

"Detention to the both of you!" screamed Snape. They both looked at him, stunned. They didn't know Snape could be so loud. They sank down into their seats. "Now, if we can return to the lesson without being subjected to Potter and Weasley's pathetic problems, turn to page 480 in 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi'." There was a rustle of pages from the other students. Harry and Ron sat and glared at each other. Hermione refused to speak with either of them. It was not a good day.

*******************

"Parvati, have you seen Aniana?" Ginny said. She was anxious. There had been wild rumours about Aniana attacking Draco Malfoy rushing about the school.

"No. She should be back here by now, shouldn't she. Padma says that-"

"I've heard all the rumours. Aniana attacked Malfoy, Aniana punched Malfoy, Black stopped Aniana from punching Malfoy, Black punched Aniana.... As if any one of them are true. I am worried, though. She's not in the library, common room, or the girls dormitory. Where else could she be, d'you think?"

"Probably snuck off with some boy to the Astronomy Tower. My bet's Ron."

"What, excuse me?" Ginny gasped

"Oh, come on. Have you seen the way he looks at her? You can hear his heart beating a mile away, for god's sake."

"I do not appreciate hearing those remarks about my brother, thank you Parvati."

"Well it's true!"

"Is there any adolescent emotion occurring in this entire school that you don't know about? You probably know who people have a crush on before you know their bloody names."

"Do not."

"Alright. You know that little fourth year Hufflepuff with the dark eyes and blond hair? The one that we helped pick up his belongings when his bag split yesterday?"

"Oh, yeah...has a crush on Deanna Kilo," Parvati said automatically. Ginny looked at her. She realized what she had said. Ginny started to laugh. "Alright, but I do know the guys name as well. Brian Seller. I'm not that shallow."

"Oh, god," Ginny sighed when she had finished laughing. "You know what? It's fifteen minutes to curfew and Aniana still isn't back. I think I'll go looking for her."

Parvati shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't go into the Astronomy Tower. If she is in there, she'll want to finish up with Ron, and she won't want you barging in." Ginny took her wand out and pointed it at Parvati in a mock-threatening way.

"Say one more word, Patil, and be very afraid." Parvati giggled harder than ever as Ginny left the common room.

"Fifteen minutes to curfew, dear," the Fat Lady said worriedly as she left.

"I know, I'm just getting a friend," Ginny called behind her. She quickly trotted up the west corridor, and yanked the huge oaken doors open and came into a dimly lit room which she had never been in before. She suspected it was one of the castle's tricks. She had meant to end up in the charms classroom, where Aniana had her last class of the day. She turned to leave, but the doors she had come through had disappeared. The only door was a small portal on the other side of the room. Ginny was well aware of the many different secrets that the castle had. The stairways sometimes changed and there were secret passageways peppered over the entire structure. It appeared that she had stumbled into a secret room that was only accessible at a certain time and state. She tried the door. It slid open easily. She crept through nervously. It led into an old corridor, which Ginny rarely went in. Voices were coming from the Trophy room. Ginny crept up. Her date for the dance, Terry Boot was there, talking in hushed tones with some of his friends.

"Pay up," he was telling his friend. "Come on, I did what you asked."

"Not yet," his friend stubbornly insisted. "That wasn't the agreement."

"Yes it was! She agreed."

"Maybe so, but it hasn't happened yet, has it."

"You bet me that I couldn't get Ginny Weasley to go to the dance with me. She said she would."

"Double or nothing. If you make out with her in the Astronomy Tower, I'll make it sixteen galleons. If you don't, I owe you nothing."

"You're on." Terry and his friend shook hands. Ginny was unable to listen to any more. "You bloody BASTARD!" she screamed. They gave a start and looked up. Ginny stormed into the room, her teeth clenched.

"Hi, honey." Terry smiled his usual honey-sweet smile and advanced on her, full of oily charm. Why hadn't she seen through it before?

"I was a bet? Let me set something straight. I'm not an object for your bets." Ginny slapped him as hard as she could with the back of her hand. A sharp ring she was wearing cut deep into his cheek. He swore and cupped his bleeding face in his hands.

"Damn Bitch," he yelled. It only angered Ginny more.

"How dare you say a word to me after what you did?" Ginny said. She drew out her wand and pointed it at him threateningly.

"Listen to me, you bitch. I don't give a damn about your pathetic feelings. You should be flattered that you were chosen for this bet," Boot snarled. Ginny was having none of it. He was trying to frighten her, but she wouldn't allow it.

“Petrificus Partiallus,” she yelled. His arms and his legs snapped together and his friend caught him from behind as he tumbled back

"Don't cross me, Boot. Stay away from me," Ginny snarled. Then she turned and left the room, holding her face where he had gripped it. He was screaming something at her, but she was too angry to listen. It was fourteen minutes past curfew when she arrived back in the common room, and luckily she wasn't caught. She didn't talk to anyone when she went to bed, saying she was tired and didn't want to talk. She slept angry and had troubled dreams.

****************

“There was a young maiden, she lived all alone”

A soft, gentle, beautiful song drifted into Ron's mind. He had been having trouble sleeping, lying in bed silently, thinking about his life. The voice was as smooth as oil and rich as honey. warm, beautiful sound beckoned Ron to it's source. The song was so smooth and so sad, Ron felt his heart call for it. He crept down to the stairs to the common room, shivering a little in the chilly air. But the beauty of the song still called.

“There was a young maiden, she lived all alone.

She lived all alone on the shore, oh.

There's none she can find, to comfort her mind

but to roam all alone on the shore, shore, shore

But to roam all alone on the shore.”

The satin voice was Aniana's. Her head held high, she was standing in the common room, letting the sweet sound fall from her lips and sweep through the common room. When she sang, her accent was more pronounced and added to the flavour of the song. It told a story, and Ron sat silently on the stairs, listening to the tale, trapped in a melody, until the last sweet verse.

“My men must be crazy, my men must be mad

My men must be deep in despair, oh

For to let her away from my cabin so gay

Just to roam all alone on the shore, shore shore,

Just to roam all alone on the shore.”

The last note of the song she held, and let drift over the common room. It hung in the air, one delicate, silver pitch. She opened her eyes slowly as the song receded into silence. She looked up and saw Ron.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb anyone," she said quickly

"That's alright, I was already awake. That was beautiful."

Aniana blushed. "Thank you. It's an old Canadian folk song," she sighed.

"It was lovely." Ron breathed. "But so sad."

"It is a classic in Newfoundland. I do miss home."

"I can imagine. You have a lovely voice."

Aniana looked pleased. "Thank you," she said again. She glanced at Ron suddenly. "Oh, and Ron," she added quickly, "thank you for standing up for me when Malfoy was trying to push me around. I really, really appreciate it, especially since I..." she broke off and looked away. "Treated you so badly the day before yesterday. I didn't mean it." Ron looked away too.

"It's okay, I mean, its no big deal."

"It is. I'm sorry." She looked sincere. "I'm really sorry. I also think I owe you an explanation for what happened."

"It's not really my business..."

"Well I still should tell you. Besides, if I don't tell somebody my brain will implode. I'm a Fury's Daughter, as I believe I told you when I was in the Euphoria."

"Euphoria?" Ron asked.

"I'm not good at explaining. Here." She handed Ron a scarcely used book from the library entitled, "Fury's Daughter Complex (FDC) What it is and how to cope with it".

"Read the Overview," she told him. He flipped to the Overview page, and scanned down a little past the introduction.

“....However, Fury's Daughter Complex has nothing to do with lineage. It is not hereditary. The name comes from the legends of the Furies, and was so named years ago, when we had little knowledge about the condition. A FDC sufferer is helpless to anger, in that it is uncontrollable. When angered, he or she would "Fall into Fury" as the term states, and become extremely powerful, the strength and power depending on the force of the anger. The danger is that once the victim has "Fallen Into Fury" they cannot think straight. They are being pulled by their rage and are scarcely able to control their actions. When an FDC goes into a fury, their eyes glow red, the brightness and tone of the red varying depending on how angry the sufferer is. This is how to tell how powerful and unpredictable the FDC is. The second stage is known as Euphoria. After the FDC has cooled down, (Which usually only happens if they've been able to vent their rage physically or verbally) The red eyes turn absolutely black. From the pupils to the iris to the whites of the eyes are solid black. While in this state, it is impossible to excite, upset, or anger them in any way. They are in complete calm and bliss. You cannot trust their judgement in this time, because all negative aspects are wiped away from their thoughts. Finally, there is the Transition. This will take only a few seconds. It is the switch from Euphoria to normal. The eyes change from black to white for exactly four seconds, and then back to the FDC's normal eye colour. The FDC will drop their carefree, peaceful state and become aware of all the negative aspects in their life. Naturally, this is unpleasant for the victim. After this, the FDC will return to their original state.”

It went on to tell of the history of the condition, and naming two different celebrities who had it, none of which Ron knew. He looked up from the page and into Aniana's face.

"Not much fun, eh?" she said, trying to lighten the mood.

"No," he said in a stunned voice. "This happens to you every time you get angry?"

"Yeah."

"So that time in Snape's..."

"Yup. I'm sorry to say I beat the common room apart after that one. I didn't have much control, but Dumbledore was very understanding. And that time with Malfoy."

Ron was gripped with a sudden urgency. "Aniana, out in the yard the day before yesterday, were you-"

"Fallen into fury, yes. That's why I said those things, and I really am sorry. Only, if I don't get my aggressions out somehow, I tend to get violent, and I didn't want to hurt you. I'm quite strong when I'm angry." Ron saw that she was crying softly. A single tear fell down her cheek. He wasn't sure what made him do it, but then Ron reached out and brushed it away gently. Aniana was slightly surprised when she felt a little shiver go through her at his touch.

"I...I just...every time something like that happens I lose control, and I can't stop it and I'm just.. sick of it." Ron awkwardly put an arm around her, shocked at his own daring. She put her head on his shoulder. She felt compelled to tell him everything. It was so rare she met someone new who she felt absolutely at ease with.

"When...when I was eleven, Lilya and her family were on sabbatical in Canada for a year. That was how I met her. She wanted to get into a ballet school, it was the most important thing in the world to her. It was very exclusive, and she had to try out. She was a spectacular dancer, and I think she would have gotten in. Except, while she was dancing, one of them asked me for help filling out her entry form. I was Lilya's best friend and I knew all about her. Except, just as Lilya finished her dance routine, The woman asked me for the name of her parents. I told her mother's name, Dana June, and then her father's, Si-" She stopped abruptly. "It's, um, her secret. I shouldn't tell you. I already spoiled one secret for her."

"Sirius Black?" Ron asked incredulously. Aniana looked ruffled. "NO. I mean, of course not. He's a murderer and everything..."

"Relax. You didn't spoil any secrets, I figured it out. Someone with the last name of Black who would not want his identity known. Not difficult to guess. I know he's innocent. We found out in our third year."

"You do?"

"Ask Colin Creevey for the story. He'll be more than happy to tell you all about it," Ron said, fighting a small smile.

"Well, don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Alright, I promise."

"Well, anyway," Aniana said, with a puzzled look at Ron "I told the lady who Lilya's father was. They thought he was a murderer. I didn't think that it would stop them from letting Lilya into their school, but one of them whispered something to another, and they looked at Lilya coldly and told her she was finished. She ran offstage and started crying in the dressing room. I apologized a dozen times over, and tried to reassure her, but when turned around, she whirled around and hit me across the floor. We started arguing. The judges for the ballet school said that they had no place for girls who couldn't control their temper. One of them said 'looks like this one takes after her father' Lilya's never been so angry at me. We were arguing solidly all the way home, and she left, and I went and took a beater's bat and hit a tree as hard as I could. I was just so angry. I had never felt that kind of anger before. Lilya came and we started arguing again. And then I fell into Fury. It was my first time, I didn't know how to control it. I," she gave out a dry little sob, "I hit her in the shoulder with the bat. It broke her arm. I didn't understand, but I was still angry. She scrambled up and ran off. Lilya's very fast when she needs to be. I couldn't catch up with her. The Fury wore off, and I collapsed. Next thing I knew, I was in Azkaban," She shuddered and gathered her arms around herself. "And I was waiting for a trial. Tests proved I was a Fury's Daughter, so they let me off, saying I had not been responsible for my actions. Lilya and I- I have no idea how- managed to make up and become friends again. She isn't always the kindest, but she's a wonderful person, and I still can't forgive myself for what I did."

"It wasn't your fault," Ron said forcefully, holding her tighter. They sat like that for a while "Why are you telling me this?" Ron asked softly. She looked up.

"I don't know. I just can't help trusting you, Ron. I can't. I feel more comfortable around you than anyone else, even Lily."

Ron looked stunned. Aniana reached up slowly, and kissed him gently on the mouth. He pulled her close and kissed her back. It was the softest, sweetest thing Ron had ever experienced. Aniana stroked the back of his neck gently as she relaxed into the kiss. He put his arms around her waist and held her close to him. She threaded her fingers through his hair. They were lost happily together. Finally, the kiss broke, and Aniana looked into Ron's eyes, stroking his cheek gently. Then she kissed him on the forehead and went upstairs. One of her tears had fallen on to his cheek as they had kissed, and Ron touched it with the tips of his fingers. And he smiled.

**************

The next day, Aniana went to the Slytherin Common Room with Lilya, trying on dresses for the ball. She had arrived at five minutes to curfew, as arranged, unsure of what kind of terms she was on with Lilya. She had seemed pretty mad when Aniana had tried to hit Draco. When she arrived, Lilya looked at her coldly.

"Talk," she said shortly.

"Look, I'm sorry about hitting Malfoy, but you know I can't control myself when I'm like that. He was insulting me and Ron and I fell into Fury."

"Why did you come here, anyway?"

"You said to come. We were going to get our dresses for the dance."

"Oh, that's right. I'll forgive you on the agreement that you stay away from my boyfriend. If you don't, I'll beat you to a bloody pulp. Do we understand each other? If you try anything like that again, I'll give you more than a talking to."

"Alright," Aniana said , happy to be on speaking terms with her again. Lilya led her inside. The Slytherin Common room was a lot plainer than the Gryffindor, but it was flashy, with the mixed green and silver. They arrived in the dormitory, which was empty, and cast a privacy spell, to shield them from the rest of the Slytherins.

"Alright, we're trying on dresses for the dance, it's our chance to be ditsy," Lilya said. Aniana stared. Lilya didn't look as though she could ever be ditsy in any sense. "Who is your date?" asked Lilya. "Don't you dare tell me you haven't decided yet."

"Um, I have, actually. At least, I think I know who I want to go with. We haven't discussed it yet but I'm pretty sure..."

"Who?"

"Ron Weasley." Lilya started to laugh.

"Ron Weasley? That freckled long-nosed awkward boy? Come on, you can do better than that."

"No, I really like him, Lil. I mean it. Don't laugh." Lilya stopped laughing. At first she had thought Aniana was joking, but she had looked so unhappy when Lilya had started laughing that Lilya knew she was serious.

"You're so pretty, you could have anyone you want."

"And I am having the one I want," Aniana said firmly, "Ron." Lilya shrugged.

"Ok, then. I have a couple dresses I want you to try. We'll have to use some resizing charms, but it'll look good." She pulled from her closet a long, sleek, black dress. Aniana resized it and tried it on. She looked at her reflection critically.

"I look like a cigar," she said decidedly. "My red hair doesn't match the dress."

"Yes," said Lilya. "There is something missing. Try this one." The next one was long and purple, with a bit of a low neckline, and a see through shawl to have around her arms. Still, Aniana decided, it looked out of place. After that, a midnight blue one, with a sparkling streak of purple going down the side. It was pretty, but it fell around her awkwardly.

"This is harder than I expected," said Lilya

"Yeah," agreed Aniana. "Maybe I should just wear the skirt and sweater." Lilya looked in the closet and found one last dress. Aniana tried it on. Lilya gave a satisfied sigh.

"That's it, Anna, it's perfect. Now let's pick out jewellery and hair."

**********************

"Seamus? Seamus, wait up!" Ginny called. She ran to catch up with Seamus Finnegan, who was walking dejectedly down the hall. When he saw her, he tried to smile.

"Hi, Ginny."

"Seamus, will you go to the dance with me?" Seamus looked stunned, but pleased. "What?"

"Terry Boot is a complete jerk. He only asked me out on a bet, and he bet one of his friends that I would let him kiss me. Sixteen galleons. I walked in on them when they were discussing it." Seamus' hands clenched and unclenched several times

"That bastard. When I find him..."

"Don't bother. I already did," Ginny said, pointing to Boot, who was standing stiffly a way off, talking to his friends. He had a swollen, ugly cut going down his cheek, and was glaring at Ginny, looking as though he wanted to talk to her but couldn't because the teacher was there. Seamus chuckled.

"You did that yourself? Mad woman."

"He deserved it. I'm not a bet for him."

"Well said."

"So...since Boot is a bastard, I was wondering..."

"Hey, Ginny, I have a phenomenal, original, creative idea. I must be a misunderstood genius to have thought of it. Would you do me the honour of escorting me to the ball?" Seamus said, bowing Ginny laughed softly

"With pleasure." They walked down the hallway to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry and Ron were saving them seats.

"Hi Seamus, hi Gin," said Harry. He and Ron still hadn't forgiven each other for the fight. Seamus rolled his eyes. They had their backs to each other. It seemed ridiculous, they had been friends for so long, to bicker like that. They obviously missed each other.

"Hi," said Ron vaguely. His mind seemed to be elsewhere. Ginny and Seamus sat down and served themselves breakfast.

"Well, Harry, who is your date for the ball?" asked Seamus jovially, biting into a sausage. "Me?" said Harry. "I don't have anyone in mind. I definitely don't want any romantic complications. Just a friend. Maybe Hermione will go with me, if she doesn't want to go with anyone else. It's simpler that way, you see?"

"I suppose," said Ginny. She thought back to her second year, when she had had a mad crush on Harry. She would have been utterly dismayed to find that he was going with a friend, because it was 'simpler'.

Aniana came through the great wooden doors of the Great Hall. She was chattering with Lilya and she had dark circles under her eyes. She sat down in the seat beside Ginny. Ron had a faint, admiring smile on his face as he watched her relax and greet her friends. "Hi, Gin. Hi guys." The table murmured greetings. Aniana turned to look at Ron. "Good morning, Ron." Harry caught the soft look in her eyes.

"Morning, Aniana," Ron said.

"Oh, dear, I forgot my history of magic books, I should go back to the common room and get them. Ron, will you come with me?" Aniana said, with a meaningful look at Ron. Understanding flashed in his eyes.

"I forgot my history books too. Let's go," he said, and they left the hall together.

"That was strange," said Ginny

"Very strange," said Seamus. "We have Transfiguration next." Harry didn't even try to mask his snigger.

"They haven't gone to get their books at all."

"I know what you're implying, Harry, and stop it right now," Ginny said. Harry pretended to look innocent

"What? What did I say?"

*******************

Aniana broke the fierce kiss for a moment.

"Ron," she said."Are we going to the dance together?"

"I rather think so," Ron said, and kissed her again.

******************

"You know what you said, Harry Potter. My brother wouldn't do that," frowned Ginny. "Anything you say, Gin," Harry said, sniggering again. Ginny gave an exasperated sigh. "You are so irksome." Seamus laughed good-naturedly.

"Irksome? Where'd you get that word from?"

"Oh, shut up, Seamus," Ginny said, laughing a bit, and throwing a bit of bread at him. Snape slunk up to the table. "There is to be no food throwing in this room. Three points from Gryffindor."

"Damn it," swore Ginny, when Snape had slunk over to the Hufflepuff table to pick on them. "Sorry, guys."

"It's only three points," Seamus said. "And Snape's an evil bastard. He would have found some reason to take points off Gryffindor."

"Oh, I really hate him," Ginny spat venomously. Just then, Hermione and Lavender arrived, late, for breakfast. Lavender looked like she was trying not to giggle.

"Where's Ron and Aniana?" asked Hermione.

"They left to get their books," Harry said. "Or that's their story."

"Harry," said Ginny, irritated.

"Sorry, Gin."

"What's all this?" asked Hermione

****************

"When performing transformations between objects with significant differences in mass and volume, one must alter the procedure in three ways. A compressing or expanding charm must first be done to-" Ron and Aniana rushed into class.

"Sorry we're late, professor. We-we, um, went to the wrong class."

"Do you realize that class started fifteen minutes ago?"

"Yes, professor."

"Detention to the both of you. I expect you to be on time."

"Yes professor."

Hermione looked over at Ron, who was panting from running to get to class. She put her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. Ron had a hicky, and Aniana's hair was all over the place. She could guess what class they had gone to. Professor McGonagall fixed them with a cold stare before resuming her lecture, and Hermione was to busy scribbling notes down to speculate on Aniana and Ron's relationship. They were frantically trying to settle down, pulling out their notes, smoothing their hair, and unsuccessfully trying to look as if nothing was wrong. Lavender and Parvati giggled. They had a sixth sense when it came to dating. Aniana predicted that by the end of class they would be drowning her with questions.

"Damn it. We'll have to be more careful next time," Aniana whispered to Ron. Ron smiled at the 'next time'.

McGonagall set them in pairs to turn their desks into paperclips and back again. To Aniana's irritation, she was paired up with Lavender, who giggled about boys all class. It was a particularly difficult class. They had to shrink their desks and then transfigure them and then enlarge them again and transfigure.

"OK, so the reduction charm is Diminuo. Then we have to use a cross-material switching spell to change it to metal-"

"Ron? I didn't think you two could possibly get together. I mean-"

"Concentrating on the lesson, Miss Brown," snapped McGonagall. Lavender dropped her volume.

"That McGonagall. We were trying to have a conversation about boys and she just-"

"Lavender, you were trying to have a conversation about boys. I'm working. Do you remember the reshaping technique?"

"Oh, Moldune or something, I don't know."

"Fine, I'll look it up."

"Anyway, how did it start? Did you kiss him or did he kiss you? Have you ever-you know- done anything?"

"Lavender" hissed Aniana "NO! It's none of your business anyway, just work."

"Wow, you're really touchy. Well, when did you first kiss, anyway? What were you doing before class?" Aniana tried to tune out, but Lavender's clueless, ditsy questions where beginning to drive her very, very insane. She looked over at Ron, who shrugged helplessly. Finally, the class ended, but Lavender and Parvati chased her out of the classroom asking senseless questions.

"GO AWAY!" Aniana yelled. That seemed to only make them worse.

"Lavender, Parvati! Somebody just wrote "I love Padma Patil" all over the wall in the boys bathroom! Go see what its about," Ron said urgently, coming up behind them. The two looked delighted. Still babbling, they raced off to do some gossiping.

"Did someone really write "I love Padma" on the wall?"

"No, but it got rid of them, didn't it?" He grinned. Ron had known Parvati and Lavender a lot longer than Aniana, and had learned how to deal with them.

"God, they're parasites, aren't they? Makeup wearing, boy obsessed, brainless parasites. Thanks for your help."

"Any time," said Ron, sweeping in for a quick kiss. It was a pretty normal school day beside that. Just after dinner, Dumbledore came to Aniana, saying he had something to discuss with her. To their surprise, he made no objection to Ron's coming as well. They came to Dumbledore's office. On his desk, he had a small, velvet-lined box. He picked it up and handed it to Aniana, who carefully lifted the lid from it. Inside were two black bracelets, about a quarter of an inch thick.

"It's enchanted. I'm sorry it took me so long to get it, but Fury's Daughter is a complex disorder. This will allow me to know if you fall into fury. It's for safety reasons, you understand. It shows me your stage of anger, so that I can come and help you. Unfortunately I cannot stop the anger, but I can take precautions to make sure you don't harm anyone." Aniana looked extremely pleased.

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

He smiled. "When you get angry, it will send me a signal. Also, by the force of the anger, I can tell whether or not you're dangerous." He lifted one out of the box and placed it around his own wrist. The other one Aniana took. She was quite startled when it squeezed her wrist tightly. "Don't be startled," said Dumbledore, catching her alarm "It's just a charm, supposed to hold it tightly on your wrist." Aniana stretched and twisted her wrist, to get used to the feeling. "Thank you so much, Professor So, if I become angry at all, this will tell you."

"Only if it reaches a dangerous point." After a few more instructions, Aniana thanked Dumbledore and left with Ron. They sat in the common room together for a while, just talking about nothing in particular.

“Tomorrow's the dance," Aniana said conversationally. She edged a little closer to Ron, unconsciously.

"Yes," said Ron. He was feeling strangely jumpy. "I can't wait."

"Me neither." She yawned. "I think I'll go to bed, hon." She gave him a soft, gentle kiss, which held on a bit longer than she had intended it to. "Goodnight."

He watched her leave. He chuckled softly to himself. You idiot, he thought, of all the girls you could have fallen in love with you get the psychopath. Typical.

Harry came in, tired from a late quidditch practise. He saw Ron. They were still angry at each other.

"Hello, Ron," Harry said tightly. Ron didn't even reply. He was staring at the wall and pretending that he couldn't hear him. "I...need to talk to you about something."

"Fine," Ron said, without looking up. "Talk."

Harry looked as though he was biting back a retort. He managed to calm himself down. "Look, Ron, this is really stupid."

"Agreed."

Harry gritted his teeth. "I mean the fight, Ron. I mean that I... I'm sorry, OK? I acted like an ass, but then so did you. Alright? We're acting ridiculously.”

Ron looked startled. "So, will you agree not to bug me about Aniana any more?"

"Fine. I will tease you about every subject other than Aniana."

Ron stared. Then he laughed. "It's a deal. I'm sorry too." It was an immense relief to have made up with Harry. Ron grinned.

"Alright, then. I'm going to bed. 'Night Harry."

"'Night Ron." Ron had a wonderful, calming sleep that night, happy that he had his best friend back again.