Ailouros Tails book 4: The Return

Chapter 5~Demigod Trouble

"What do you mean you don't know?" Am snaps at him. "She is going to stay with me and away from the ministry."

"She may not stay in the school. It might not be safe enough for her here." Dumbledore said softly.

"I'll keep her safe then." She growled back.

"J-Just stop you two... Just stop fighting. I'm done with everyone fighting over me so just stop." I spoke up suddenly.

Dumbledore just looked at me sadly. "We shall see what's going to happen next. Perhaps you shall be able to finish this school year. Perhaps..."

***

It was a few days until I was able to go back to classes though Am, Percy, and Nico helped me keep up on the school work. They all kept close to me. I was finally back to the Hogwarts dormitory with everyone else. I know some people are around the room talking about me uneasily but I ignore them. If they wanted to talk rumors then let them. I'm done worrying about that anymore. As far as I was concerned all schools were the same. Having the afternoon off for a change, I walked out alone as Am had gone off to visit dumbledore. She made me promise to keep away from trouble. The trouble with that is it has a habit of finding me even if I try my hardest to avoid it.

Lately, all I've been good at is being found by trouble after trouble. I know the school year is almost over and I'm ready to just go home. Supposedly the dementors were here to catch some criminal named Sirius Black. I wonder if it's the same Sirius as the one I met the other week under the tree. Lost in thought I kept walking, not paying attention to where I was going. Fred and George snuck up on me to scare me. Of course, I heard them coming. Just because I wasn't paying attention to where I was going didn't mean I wasn't paying attention to things going on around me.

"Hey there Ailouros."

"Hi, you two, what's up?" I asked.

"We have a surprise for you. We know you'll love it." They were convincing. Nothing led me to suspect that it was a clever little trap. They said we were going to the kitchen and I simply figured that we were going to have a secret snack again as they did at the beginning of the year.

As we got closer to the kitchen I noticed some others that weren't Grffindores. I felt them watching me and the hands of Fred and George Weasley started to change. It wasn't normal so I turned to see instead of Fred and George, Crabe and Goyle, Malfoys friends.

The other students were creeping closer like a pack of wolves closing in on their cornered prey. Unfortunately for me, the prey happened to be a certain cat namedAilouros. I knew I had promised Am I wouldn't get into more trouble. Looking up I saw Malfoy approaching through the crowd of Slytherin Students. A low growl rumbled deep in my throat.

He looked at me. "The cats here. This cat is a Gryffindor student. She made us lose over 100 house points."

The students around us were murmuring in agreement, their beady eyes focusing on me.

"What shall we do with this Mudblood want-to-be?" Draco asked looking around at the other students.

"Throw her in a bag and leave it for the wolves!"

"Drown her in the river!"

"Tie her up and leave her in the forbidden forest for Sirius Black!"

"Make Gryffindor Pay!" Each of the students were calling out threats.

"What if we give her to the Ministry? They were interested in her before." One student suggested.

Uneasiness filled me as their grins widened. They had me surrounded and were backing me into a corner. Instinctively I started to growl. I didn't see the cage till the metal door slammed shut in front of me. They started laughing at me as I realized I was trapped. With lunch appearing quickly I was soon shoved into the corner of the kitchen and left.

***

"You can't let the ministry be alone with her. I won't allow it."

"Amaterasu, I understand that you care deeply for your friend Ailouros. The easiest way to keep her safe is going to be keeping with her. When that's not possible, you must be willing to let her defend herself." Dumbledore's blue eyes were strangely calm for facing an enraged Amaterasu. "Anyways, you have your own classes to attend to. You are older than Ailouros which is why you are in some of the more advanced classes."

"So you're involving the Ministry?" Amaterasu growled.

"They are to be kept informed on any dangers to the students," Dumbledore stated.

"Ailouros isn't dangerous!" Am snapped starting to glow with her anger.

"You need to start going to our own classes Amaterasu. Or do I have to inform your father and invite him in for a chat?" Dumbledore asked.

"Fine. I'll go to my classes. If anything happens to Allycat, those who harm her will feel my wrath." Amaterasu warned.

"She'll be fine. Now, I would hurry downstairs if you don't want to miss out on having lunch." Dumbledore stood and popped another lemon drop into his mouth leaving Amaterasu to make her way out to go to lunch.

***

Am hurried down to lunch hoping to see Ailouros waiting there for lunch. She searched the tables for her cat-eared friend. She found the others who unfortunately hadn't seen Ailouros yet. "I wonder if she went to go visit Hagrid... There isn't anywhere else I could think to go." Amaterasu wondered to herself.

After hurrying to finish eating she goes with Nico and Travis, leaving Percy and Conner to watch for her in case she was just running late.

Nico looks at Am. "Calm down your worry won't help her."

"I know it won't! She's just so reckless that she's probably gotten into more trouble! If Draco Touches her he'll never be able to go crying to his daddy for help!" Amaterasu was still furious and determined to protect Ailouros.

Travis gently placed his arm on her shoulder. "Don't worry Am. We will find her. You'll see."

They traveled the rest of the way in silence. Am looked up as they reached the door to Hagrid's cabin before knocking.

There was a crashing sound inside and a bit of cursing before the door was opened by Hagrid. "OH, hey there ya guys. What can I do fer ya? Come on in, I made some cookies. Fang those ain't fer you."

Am led the way inside. "Is Allycat here?"

"Er... No, I don't believe so. Is she gone missin' again?" Hagrid's eyes filled with worry as he looked at Amaterasu. "I sure hope she ain't hurt someplace, or in some sort o' trouble."

The boys each accepted a cookie from the half-giant. Taking a bite they realized their mistake. The cookies weren't only burned, but hard as a rock. They looked around for a way to secretly get rid of the cookies without looking suspicious. "I hope she isn't in any trouble either. That's why we are out here looking for her. I was hoping that she may be here with you." Am said heading towards the door to leave.

"I'll keep my eyes open for her." Hagrid promised.

"Thank you, Hagrid. Travis, Nico, Let's go." She said heading out quickly followed by the two boys holding the burnt cookies in their hands hidden in their pockets.

***

The house-elves didn't see the cage hidden in the shadow of the kitchen as the day wore on without any signs of Ailouros. Amaterasu's worry did nothing but grow as each class came and went without any signs of the younger girl. As dinner came Am didn't go to eat instead she headed up to search the school for Ailouros. "Come on Allycat. Where are you hiding? I can't, no I Will not lose you again!! I swear it on the river Styx I will not lose you. Even if I have to ask dad for help. I'll find you and keep you safe." Am says looking out a large window, "I will find you."

***

As dinner finished there were still no signs of Ailouros. No one had found the cage in the corner or the portal behind it.