(Sorry for the wait. I have realized that I suck at regular updates. Thank you to those who stick with me. As usual nothing belongs to me and I make no money from this.)

Lora bounced along as the Winter Wolf loped ever deeper into the forest at a breakneck pace. Each stride tore at the roots of her hair and pulled the clasp of her light cloak harder against her throat. She knew, if she survived this, that she would have a killer headache and a massive bruise on her neck; but all she was really thinking about was Ron and Harry. Had Harry been able to use the wand to heal Ron? Had Ron died? If he had she knew it was all her fault, another friend dead because of her; first Damien and now Ron. She cursed the tears silently slipping down her face.

She was fairly sure that the Wolf was going to take her back to Greyhawk. But would they arrive somewhere that Max and Master Spellbinder could find her? She was fairly sure that Winter Wolves did not possess the ability to travel to other planes on their own so, how did it get here? She was brought violently out of her musings when the wolf skidded to a halt. She saw five centaurs blocking their path. Farthest right was a roan female; next to her was a dappled grey male. In the middle was a large black male; then a chestnut male, and lastly a palomino female. They each held a drawn longbow.

"We ignored you upon your entry, you had care. Now you plunge through with nary a thought. Turn back and never enter our forest again. This is your only warning." The large black centaur seemed to be the leader. The Wolf growled low in its throat and turned to go around the centaurs. Three more stepped forth to either side to block the path. The only options were to go back or go through them.

The sound of human footfalls behind them closed one of those options. The wolf turned to view the approaching wizards. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, and Percy stepped into the small clearing, wands drawn. "Wolf, leave my student and you may leave unharmed. I only ask once." While Dumbledore was all for second chances and redemption, he had learned during the first war with Voldemort that not everyone can be redeemed. The hard part was figuring out who could be and who couldn't be.

The Wolf lowered Lora to the ground and gently placed his paw on her cloak to hold her in place. "I can't leave her. I have no choice." He leaped at the wizards and howled, blasting them with cold air, leaving their hair coated in ice and them in near hypothermia. He turned toward the centaurs only to find eleven arrows launch and find their mark. In obvious pain he backed from them and turned toward Lora. They all heard Lora shout "Use fire!"

As one the Wizards shouted "Incendio!" Three great gouts of flame converged on the wolf as it howled in pain. Lora scuttled backwards, away from the now smoking wolf and toward the centaurs, "Yanğın əlləri!" Fire poured from Lora's hands blocking the wizards' view of her. They all heard the wolf growl out "return" and the sound of ripping canvas.

When the fire cleared all they saw was some scorched earth and a shell shocked Lorathyra, hands still raised with fingers splayed wide. Dumbledore bowed his head in respect to the Centaurs, "Thank you for your assistance, Bane, Firenze, Magorian."

The dappled grey and the chestnut both inclined their heads to the aged wizard, the large black however simply said, "Take your student and get out of our forest." He then turned and galloped away; the rest of the warriors quickly followed suit.

"Miss Brushrange, let's get you to Madam Pomfrey." They met Hagrid and the twins about halfway back to the edge of the forest. After a quick recap of what happened, Hagrid scooped Lora up and placed her on his shoulder. Relanwi landed on his other shoulder glaring at Lora for getting herself into another dangerous situation.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Harry was pacing the length of the hospital wing. Ron hadn't woken yet and so was no distraction from his growing worry and need to do something. Each time he paced passed a window he would glance out at the forest hoping to see something. He pressed his face to a window when he saw Hagrid and the twins enter the forest, how he wanted to be out there helping. Not pacing the hospital wing with nothing to do but twiddle his thumbs. He was tempted to retrieve his Nimbus and fly over the forest to help the search, but each time he neared the doors Madam Pomfrey would look up from what she was doing and watch him until he moved away.

Finally he saw a group of six exit the forest. He saw the large form of Hagrid and the normal sized forms of the others but no tiny one marking Lora's rescue. "Madam Pomfrey, they're coming, but I don't see Lora."

The Matron began prepping a few beds for the possible injured professors and students. Harry ran back to the window and watched as the group drew closer. Finally he spotted Lora sitting on Hagrid's shoulder. He jumped up and started doing a weird sort of victory dance, chanting "They saved her! They saved her!"

"Mr. Potter! If you don't calm yourself now I will do it for you and you will not awaken until lessons begin again." Immediately he stopped dancing and chanting. He would have looked contrite if it weren't for the large grin threatening to split his face in two.

When the group entered the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey handed each person a pepper-up potion and cast a diagnostic charm to divine their needs. She was a bit shocked that they didn't have more extensive injuries but thanked Merlin none the less for it. It was a matter of a bruise balm and headache relief potion to fix Lora, but Madam Pomfrey kept her and Ron overnight for observation.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Christmas morning dawned clear and cold. Lora still was unsure of this holiday, so many differing views of it, and the idea of only one god? What was the real importance of it? As she sat up she noticed a small pile of gifts at the foot of her bed. Now she felt horrible, she hadn't gotten any gift for any one. She scooped them up and made her way down to the common room. She saw the Weasleys and Harry sitting on the floor around the fireplace. Remembering what Hermione said about the holiday being for spending time with family, she hesitated in joining them. She wasn't sure if she should or just go back upstairs. Seeing them all sitting together smiling and laughing as they talked made her miss Max, everyone in Oakhurst, and her Aunts and Uncles all the more.

Just as she was about to go back up to her room, determined to not let any more tears fall, both Percy and Harry noticed her. In seeming perfect unison, they smiled and enthusiastically waved her over. "Come on Lora, we waited for you. Let's all open our gifts together!"

"You didn't have to, and I am sorry I didn't get anything for any of you. Not even sure how I could have." She moved over and sat in the space between Harry and Ron.

Percy said "That's okay, so now youngest opens one first. I think Lora you are the youngest so you go first."

"Um, no I'm not. Percy." Lora looked at Harry and Ron who were both trying not to laugh. "I have seen seventeen winters." Percy, Fred, and George all stared open mouthed. "I am sure you have noticed that I am not exactly human. As I told Harry, Ron, and Hermione, I am a Halfling. Not only do I mature a bit slower than a human, I am a bit sturdier and will live longer. Amaryllis, my mentor in Alchemy, is just now reaching 'middle age' at… I think she is 80-something. Surely there are beings here that age differently?"

As the twins burst out in laughter Percy found his voice, "There are, but the Goblins and House-elves don't really discuss these types of things. I guess that means Harry, you are the youngest. So go on open one up."

Harry, still snickering, picked up an envelope with his name on it. Inside was a note from his Aunt and Uncle; he had written them to let them know he would not be coming home for the winter holidays. "We received your note and enclosed your gift." Taped to the note was a fifty-pence piece. "Wow, I wasn't expecting anything from them, they usually ignore me on Christmas." Harry completely missed the looks of shock and outrage on the faces of the assembled group. "Hmm, Ron your turn."

He looked over at Ron expectantly. Ron shook himself and proceeded to open a small box that held Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from Hermione. The twins each opened a gift from their friend Lee Jordon, Zonko's prank kits. Percy frowned at these but didn't say anything. He opened the gift from his mother first setting the red jumper with a yellow "P" on it to the side, along with the box of mince pies she had sent.

"Oh no you don't-"

"Percy. You know-"

"that once you open-"

"Mum's jumper you-"

"have to put it on."

George and Fred stood up and before Percy could even pick it up they had forced it over his head and used it to pin his arms to his sides. One of them pulled out their wand and whispered "Colovaria." In seconds Percy's hair was streaked through with green, gold, and silver. Lora glanced around and realized that everyone's hair had changed. Everyone now had streaked red, green, gold, and silver hair. Everyone that is except her. Hers was still black and the others were all looking at her with perplexed expressions.

"Why didn't yours change?" The twins let go of Percy and knelt behind her, picking at her hair as if they'd find the answer hidden in the strands.

"Umm, I don't know." She shrugged. "Try again I think it looks neat."

"Colovaria" That time it worked. "Hmm, maybe it's-"

"because you aren't-

"human. I was-"

They stopped talking as they realized that even the hair on her hands and feet had changed. "Cool" Harry laughed out. "Okay, now open a gift Lora!"

She looked at the small stack of gifts in front of her, she decided to open the one that looked like a book. After carefully opening it she found, The Modern World Book of Wonders. Inside was a note from Professor McGonagall. "Since you appear to be spending a bit of time in this world, I thought you might want to learn a bit about muggles. Hope this helps. -M. McGonagall." Lora smiled and set it aside.

"Why would Professor McGonagall give you a gift Lora?" Percy looked at her quizzically.

"She is acting as my guardian until I can find a way home. I guess she felt she had to." They continued opening gifts until they were all wearing Weasley jumpers, Harry got green, Ron maroon, the twins got blue, and Lora's was purple. Harry got a carved wooden flute from Hagrid. Hermione had sent them each candy, Bertie Bott's for Ron, Harry got Sugar Quills, and Lora got a box of Chocolate Frogs.

As she looked at the frogs Lora's jaw dropped, she had heard of the nobles in Waterdeep splurging chocolate, but had never expected to ever get the chance to eat any herself. While Max could easily afford the luxury, he was a practical man, preferring to purchase useful items rather than something that was only to flaunt how rich you were. It was one of the reasons she and Max lived in a small house in Oakhurst and not in some manor or mansion in Waterdeep.

"Lora what's wrong. Don't you like chocolate?" Harry gently pushed her mouth shut.

"I have no idea; I've never had it before." She then explained the luxury of it to Harry and the Weasleys. After her explanation it was their turn to stare slack jawed. "Chocolate isn't really a luxury here. Just about everyone can afford it easily." Ron was beginning to wonder why she wanted to go home so bad. Her world sounded awful.

"Well, go on-"

"We want to-"

"know if you-"

"Like it." The twins finished together. They wore expectant and hopeful looks. She opened one up and managed to catch it before the enchanted jumping had it on the floor. She carefully took a small bite. The chocolate was sweet and creamy, beginning to melt the instant it hit her tongue. She could easily understand how the nobles of her world thought of this as a great way so show their affluence. Having finished she went to toss the wrapper in the fire when Ron stopped her.

"Wait, there's a trading card inside, I collect them and Harry's just started. They each have a famous witch or wizard on them. Some are rarer than others. Let's see who you got." She pulled out the card. "Ah, Dumbledore. He's actually pretty common, Harry's already got two of him."

She looked at the picture, the venerable headmaster winked at her then sauntered out of the frame. She flipped it over and read the blurb on the back. She read it twice just to be sure she had read it correctly.

"Harry, Ron," she hissed. She glanced around to ensure the other Weasleys were preoccupied. Percy had delved into a book, and the twins were in conference in the corner examining their pranking kits. "I found Nicolas Flamel!"

"What?"

"Look here, 'Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and ten-pin bowling.' Now we have another place to look for him. Surely there is an Alchemy book that talks about him, maybe he has his own Chocolate Frog Card!"

Ron bolted up the stairs to his room and a few minutes returned to the common room with a box about three times the size of the boxes Ollivander stored his creations in. They quickly began searching through the Chocolate Frog cards inside. About 30 minutes later saw them sighing in defeat at not finding one for him.

The rest of the holiday was spent mostly indoors, the fright of the winter wolf was still plaguing their minds and none wanted to risk running into another one, even if the likelihood was low. Lora tried to read the book McGonagall gave her, but it was slow going as she still had a bit of trouble with the different letters. She ended up looking at the pictures and would occasionally ask Harry what something was. Ron saw some of the pictures and mumbled something about mad muggles. He also began teaching her how to play Chess, and was surprised at how quickly she learning strategy intensive game. By the end of the holiday she could easily beat Harry, beat Percy three out of four times, and actually gave Ron a run for his money a few times. The twins refused to play stating that they had been trounced by Ron too many times to find any enjoyment in the game.

By New Year's Eve, Harry looked like he hadn't been sleeping well and Lora was worried. He had dark bags under his eyes. Ron told her that he had woken up the night before to use the loo and Harry's bed was empty and he wasn't in the loo.

"Harry are you alright?" She sat beside him as he stared into the fire. He jumped slightly and then faced her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking. Meet me here at midnight, I want to show you something." He then stood and they went to dinner.

-x-x-x-x-

At midnight Lora found both Harry and Ron in the common room. "So, what's up?" Harry pulled a silvery cloak out of his backpack.

"On Christmas, when I went up to go to bed I found this on my bed with a note. 'Your Father left this in my care. I now return it to you. Use it well.' Was all it said. When I put it on I disappeared. It's an Invisibility Cloak."

"Wow, those are very useful." Lora thought about the one that she knew Gavin carried at all times, despite the fact that he could cast a very powerful invisibility spell himself.

"Anyway, I decided to check the Restricted section to see if I could find Flamel. But when I opened a book it started screaming, so I bolted. Filch was nearby and I didn't want to get caught. I ducked into a classroom and there was this mirror." He paused, "That is what I want to show you." They all ducked under the cloak and Harry led the way. When they entered the classroom they all saw the golden mirror standing in the corner. Across the top was an inscription that was difficult to read in the low light so Lora pulled out her rock and some softly glowing moss and cast her Light spell. The inscription read "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi." She couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Harry stood directly in front of it, as if called to the spot. Lora was immediately wary. Max had lectured her many times about the dangers of Magical Items and to be careful to thoroughly identify an item before using it. Harry turned and beckoned them forward. They stood to either side of him, Lora studiously not looking in the mirror. "Do you see them?" He pointed to his right in the mirror. "That's my mum, and that's my dad." His finger moved to the left.

"Mate, I only see us. What are you talking about?" Harry stepped back and moved Ron to the center. "Woah! That's amazing!"

"I know. I can only guess who all the others are. They must be family though."

"No, mate. I see me, and I'm Head Boy and Quidditch Captain and I've won the House Cup! Do you think this shows the future?"

"How can it, I see my parents and they're dead. Let Lora look, let's see what she sees."

"No, this could be dangerous. Is this why you haven't been sleeping, Harry? Have you been spending every night down here staring at this mirror?"

At first Harry looked a little sheepish as he nodded, then he started getting angry. Neither of them understood, they both grew up with loving families. They couldn't understand, how dare she say the only thing to ever show him his parents was dangerous. How could it be? His parents were good people and heroes.

"Harry, don't you see? Not only are you not sleeping, but you've stopped eating. You are going to waste away if you keep letting this mirror control you. Please, Harry, please let's go and don't come back."

"No! You go. You don't understand, neither of you do! Get away from me, leave me alone! Just GO!" Harry was really angry now. They didn't want him to see his parents. He had his wand in his hand and a wind was beginning to kick up around him.

Ron was pale with fright and Lora was looking at him with a pleading look in her eyes. As the wind picked up Lora backed up. "Come on Ron, the Mirror is controlling him. Let's go." She grabbed his arm and dragged him from the room. Once they were in the hallway the door slammed, echoing up and down the passage.

"Lora what just happened? Why did Harry get angry like that? why wouldn't you look in the mirror?" He looked at her, hurt and confusion in his eyes.

"That mirror, I think its cursed. It seems to show you what you want to see, just to keep you looking at it. Look what it's done to Harry. I don't know why it is here, but we need to get Harry out of its control. We should get McGonagall. She'll know what to do."

"But won't we get into trouble for being out past curfew?"

"Really. Ron? Don't you think Harry's life is a bit more important than a few house points?" The boy grimaced and nodded so they headed off to find McGonagall. Amazingly they met neither ghost nor Professor on their way. Unfortunately, the one they wanted to find was not in her chambers, and they didn't know the password to get into the Headmaster's office, so they decided to return to the tower and try to convince Harry not to return the next night. If they failed, then they would bring it up to their Head of House.

The next morning Harry was quiet and seemed unsure when he saw them, as if he wanted to say something, but changed his mind. About mid-morning Ron and Lora had finished a game of chess and Harry was reading his History of Magic text by the fire. Lora decided then might be a good time to talk to him.

"Harry?" He looked up, he looked awful, not only were there bags of sleeplessness under his eyes there were now also red-rimmed as if he had spent a lot of time crying. "I-" Lora took a deep breath and started again, hoping he didn't start yelling again. "I am sorry about last night; I'm just really worried about you. If you look in a different mirror, you'll see what that one is doing to you."

"I know. Professor Dumbledore was in the room the whole time. He explained the Mirror to me. It shows our hearts deepest desire. He promised to find some photos of my parents for me, and said he'd try to make time to tell me a bit about them. My Aunt and Uncle hate anything to do with magic and only ever told me they were lay-a-bouts and drunks. I'm sorry I flipped out on you guys. I…"

"No problem, the Mirror was controlling you."

"Actually it wasn't. I guess I was jealous of your families and thought you couldn't understand how I felt seeing them for the first time in my life."

"You were jealous of me?" Ron was shocked, he had thought that the fame Harry had would make up for the lack of parents, but looking back on that he realized that was rather stupid. He loved his mother's cooking and wasn't sure what he'd do without it.

"Yeah. I'd give just about anything to have a family like yours."