Strange Wind (Prof. Weis)

Strange Wind (Prof. Weis)
(OOC: Combined threads from the previous site)

"Ahchooo," Zhilan sniffled tried to think of a spell to at least clear her head. She had been at Hogwarts for some time now and still couldn't adjust to the changing of the seasons. Every year same exact time of year, she was sick. But she wasn't going to let it get her down this year. No. This year everything was going right on schedule. The newness of her being there had worn off on the rest of the staff and now she felt like she belonged. She couldn't be happier except for that stupid seasonal cold. "Ahhchoo!"

A breeze whipped around her office and she quickly shot a glance at the closed windows. "Oh dear" she thought knowing that the building itself had its way of communicating to her. She didn't fight the gust anymore as her papers of student records flipped and flittered through the air. by the time it was done papers were scattered everywhere but three sat perfectly on her desk in order. Tia, Emily, and Ellery's all lay flat from left to right. What had they done now? She allowed her head to fall against the heel of her hands.

Fai Sung

Fai only had time to catch Zhilan's blank expression before his knees gave out and he fell to his hands. The room began spin and nausea toyed with his throat. He knew better than to over exert his power. It was a mistake youths were prone to make. Four jumps in less than twelve hours, all of them great distances, and three of them carrying the full load of a weaker individual. Now he knew there was no way for him to make it to his kitchen and was at the mercy of the woman he loved, but knew would just as quickly see him locked away. Did he have the strength to fight back before aruras clasped him into magical restraints. He knew that would not happen. Somehow he knew that Zhilan still loved him. He had returned an innocent, yet foolish child that was the prize piece to the master of the Seven. Could she still think that he was completely evil after that? His arms gave out and he fell face first to the floor. Everything went black.

Tia Andreas

She was going to ask what Menka had to do with this place but the next moment, Tia found herself in Professor Wei's office.

Tia had so many questions but the man who could answer them seemed to be miles away. She looked then bowed to one of her protectors and mentors. "Professor Wei!"



Tia turned to thank Fai only to see him fall and face the same fate she herself was in at his home. Tia pulled her wand and moved between him and Wei. "I know this looks bad Professor Wei but it is not what it seems. He helped me Professor! Please don't call Brennan!"
Zhilan Wei
One by one a breeze caught each page and took them to the floor except Tia's. Why couldn't one of the ghost just appear before her and just tell her what was going on? Was everything at Hogwarts a riddle? Her nose was so stuffy and her head began to throb. She felt weak and ached everywhere. She hated having a cold. "Achoo" She withdrew a potion and removed the cork. but before she could tip it back into her mouth another wind erupted directly in front of her, but this was different and seemingly erratic. All at once Fai and... Tia appeared before her. If her head was throbbing before it spiked just then. What was Fai doing now. He grinned at her foolishly and then fell to his knees. She stood just in time to watch him fall face first onto the floor.
Tia Andreas wrote:



Silly girl, Wei thought. The worst she would do is clear Zhilan's sinuses. She glanced at the bottle in her hand. Apparently Fai had brought this girl a great distance possible across different realms of reality who knew how far. It was unlikely that Fai had kidnapped her because that wasn't his style. She would be dead if he wanted her dead and that was a fact. Something had change about Fai. He never cared for anyone but himself. Even if he did love her at one time his ambition was always more important. She sighed and lowered her shoulders. He couldn't stay there, and change or not he did bring this wayward student back. Tia was going to explain this and leave out nothing. Zhilan gave Tia a scowl but then moved out from behind her desk.


"Achoo," she sneezed and regretted what she was about to do. "Help me turn him over. He needs this more than I do right now." Zhilan grabbed a shoulder and did all she could to turn Fai onto his back. She opened his mouth and poured the liquid in until its contents were empty.

She turned to Tia knowing her already heavily accented English caused some to require clarification but now stuffed up would be even more difficult."You will tell me everything, Ahhchoooo!"

Fai sat up immediately rejuvenated and feeling slightly hyper. He glanced around and saw Zhilan staring at him with a half smile. He couldn't resist and kissed her passionately. She didn't resist at first but then pulled away.

Zhilan said, "I'm sick."

Fai glanced up and saw Tia and remembered his precarious location. He summoned a quick jump to his Kitchen and immediately felt the germs attack him. "Ahhchoo!" It only made him chuckle. She had kissed him back.

Tia Andreas


Tia cringed as she thought, “I was right. My protectors noticed.” She could only hope that was the only reason for Wei’s scowl. Had she insulted Wei, Tia hoped not.



Tia nodded as she put her special wand away. As Tia helped turn Fai over she said, “They noticed?” Tia could only hope that Fai was gone prior to the others finding her.

Looking at Fai then back at Wei, Tia asked worried, “He will be alright, won’t he Professor? He really did help me.” Tia wondered if she should inform her aunt the Headmistress that she was alright. Shaking her head as she whispered, “No, I owe him. Nobody can find me until after he is gone.” She would keep his secret even if it meant lying about where she had been.



Tia smiled as she said, “Of course Professor Wei as soon as he is gone. Just let me put my Rune Journal away.” She looked at her other hand where the Journal should have been. She gasped, “Oh no, my Journal! How could I be so stupid?” She had to find that Journal. “It will lead Tarik and the Caretakers right to Fai’s door or worse to that murderer!”



Tia shook as she said, “Mr. Sung, We need to find my Rune Journal or it will lead them straight to the places I have been!” Tia knew she was revealing a secret that Tarik had put in place to protect her. She looked at Fai and decided it was the least she could do.

“Tarik placed an Egyptian Tracking Spell on it. I kept taking off and so to protect me, Tarik secretly gave the Core special Rune Journals. At the place where you first saw me, I pulled mine out and forgot to put it back in my robe. It could have dropped at any of the three spots. We need to find it...” Tia could not believe her one error could cause such terrible results.



After Fai left, Tia looked at Wei and asked, “Where to begin? Wei, should we look for the Journal as well?”

Zhilan Wei
"You clumsy child." Zhilan sat back on her feet still trying to recover from Fai's unexpected show of passion. Her emotions ran circles around her already stuffed up head causing her to feel things she hadn't experienced in years. Her cheeks flushed and she couldn't tell if it was from the cold or from Fai. she had to clear her head.

"We are not chasing after anything except explanations. You had better start with the beginning. That would be the place where Tia Andreas was exactly where she was supposed to be and somehow somewhere in that head of hers she chose to vacate that comfortable place and somehow came to be in the, dare I say, protection of the most ruthless power driven murderer alive? AAhhh..." she tried to hold it. "Ahh, ahchoo!" she failed. She rubbed both hands on her face. "I need another potion." she allowed to squeak out and realized that she sounded pitiful, and in front of a student. She stood and made her way back to her desk, plopped into her chair and laid her head down on the surface. "Speak, Tia Andreas. Just because I'm not looking at you doesn't mean I can't hear you."

Tia Andreas
Tia sighed as she started, "I was in the hospital wing. Bored out of my mind especially since I have not had a headache in two days. I want to get back to going to my classes Professor Wei. Lance says I can as soon he and Max can insure the Dark One is truly no longer messing with my head."

Tia shook as she realized that was the real reason she had not informed her second cousin Lance when she had felt the coin's warmth. "I felt my coin glow and looked to see which of the Core was signaling. It was Emily's color. She don't activate her coin, in fact I think that was her first. Wei, I used my coin and my special wand. The next moment I was on an island."

Tia stopped as she had made Fai a promise and was unsure now if she really wanted to inform on Dempsey. "Fai is right, I really don't know enough about Dempsey or what I truly saw to call somebody that Tarik trusts a traitor? i am just going to have to chat privately with McBurr and try to figure out if he is truly a threat." Tia knew that it would not hurt to seek out Fai out as well.

"Can we look for my Rune Journal now?" Tia pleaded.

Zhilan Wei
Zhilan lifted her head and narrowed her eyes. Fai had collapsed for lack of strength upon returning the child. Fai was one of the most powerful manipulators of his magical gifts that she knew. Of course she had met some very powerful wizards at Hogwarts. However, she had to admit that very few of them could pound for pound out dual Fai in a straight up magical contest, but Fai would not compete that way because of his physical prowess would turn the tables in a direct fight. Zhilan knew she could not defeat her former lover so what would have drained him of all of his power? Tia was leaving information out and Zhilan wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"What else happened? Was there a fight? Fai apparently brought you back safely but he was far from the strength that I know him capable of. What happened, what trouble were you in when Fai found you? Was there another on that Island? Did Fai kill someone to protect you? Tell me girl, I'm no fool. I am fully aware of Fai's capabilities, Ahchoo, and I want to know why he didn't kill you."

Dempsey McBurr
Dempsey made the jump to Hogwarts and out of respect for Professor Wei did not enter her office but stood just outside the door and knocked. He heard the voices of the professor and another he thought might be Tia's. At that he felt fully in the authority to enter without being let in. Immediately he noticed professor Wei staring at Tia with wary eyes.

"My apologies Miss Wei, but it appears your student isn't exactly where she belongs and we would like to inquire as to why?"

Dempsey knew Tarik, and figured the man relieved but also possibly a tad perturbed but before he allowed Tarik to lay into the girl he had to make it very clear of his position and exactly what he expected.

"As the new head of Magical Law Enforcement answers are not just expected but required." He glanced at miss Wei. "I was promoted from my deep cover position recently, please forgive our intrusion."

Tia Andreas
Tia was grateful when Dempsey and then Tarik entered. All the Princess wanted was to run to Tarik and forget what she had seen. She saw Tarik had indeed been worried. When Dempsey demanded an explanation, Tia glared at him. "You sure about that McBurr?" Tia was still furious with this friend of both her godfather and Tarik. The man wanted her to explain her actions while he kept his loyalty in question.

Tia heard Tarik, "Grand Amira Tia Andreas, What has gotten into you? To be so disrespectful! You will apologize Now!"

She hung her head as she turned to Professor Wei, "Sorry Professor Wei I meant no disrespect towards you or Tarik."

At Tarik's glare, Tia said with a bite to her voice, "I will not apologize to that man! Sorry Tarik, I know he is friends with both you and Seth but that is why the actions I now know has angered me so..." Tia stopped as she remembered Fai's words. "He might not be as evil as that man I saw murder those men but he still could be just using his friendship to betray those he calls friends?"

She walked out of Wei's and Tarik's earshot pretty sure McBurr would follow. "I saw you McBurr! Thanks to you Tarik has already faced treason charges. I won't let you destroy Tarik or betray my godfather especially to that murderer that was...." Tia stopped as her eyes teared up. She had for Tarik's sake to be wrong about Dempsey being in league with the Dark One. She was confused as she tried to make sense of how Dempsey and Fai could be so conned by the very being Tarik and her protectors wanted to stop.

Tia wished she had the control of her abilities that her second cousin Lance and Tarik had.

Dempsey McBurr

Dempsey wasn't taken back by the students words nor actions. "I don't really care what you think you've seen me do because that is irrelevant. As the head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department I have the authority to both incarcerate you for acting in league with a known assassin as well as charge you with treason. Are you guilty of such things, does it matter what I have seen? Could the truth be smeared in a twist of assumptions? However, know this girl I have never once nor will I ever stand against Tarik to do him harm." With that said he reasoned within himself at actually locking her up for the purpose of protecting her. A stint at Azkaban could be the exact place to protect her from her enemies worst of all herself.

He glanced at Tarik with an expression that he knew his friend would understand as being utterly serious about his threat of locking the girl up, postponing any trial, and keeping her safe even at cost of taking away her freedom. Dempsey wasn't toying or joking and he hoped that Tarik understood that what he was about to do was for the girls best interest.

Zhilan Wei
Zhilan heard Dempsey's reply to the girl and settled herself in belief that Dempsey wasn't behind any wrong doing. How could The minister appoint him as the head of the Arura's if such a thing was the case? Either way, she didn't believe taking away the girls freedom was the right answer either. Tia was a loose cannon that needed guidance. Somehow even Fai had realized that.

"Honorable, and trusted Arura, I beg you to recant on taking the girls freedom to choice away. Allow me to guide her. Place her in my custody as to why she would consort with such a man as Fai." She lowered her eyes. "I too have fallen for Fai's conceit. I once loved him dearly. I will dedicate my time outside of classes to teaching and guiding her if the Head of the Ministry's Arura's will allow and take full responsibility if the girl misbehaves. Allow me to reason with so that we can be sure that the Dark one, that we all want forever banished, cannot hurt another innocent soul, least of all by our own actions."

However, confusion over Fai's true nature was fogging Zhilan's mind. Somehow, Fai had changed and she wanted to know why. It surely wasn't his love for her because he would have changed long ago. What could have changed him? Was he now after years of following in the path of Yin seeking the ways of the yang? Tia knew something and incarcerating her wasn't the way to bring it out. No, all that would do is give the evil one a path to corrupt her.

Tarik Sadaki
Tarik smiled at Tia. The girl's gifts were coming fast but not the way her father had thought. "Tia sit down. Your ability is different than your father William thought. You need to understand it instead of trying to force it."

As Tia sat down unsure now if she had read Dempsey. "Could I have done the same as I did my first year with Victoria?"

"Lance will still be your Blood Guardian but you need others training you as well. Tia you seem upset about something. Start at the beginning and maybe together we can figure out what really is the heart of the problem. Dempsey, Tia as you know was not trained. Her training has only just begun due to the Dark One's mental attack this past summer. Lance had to make himself known to help her. Let's see what she saw and why she came to the reasoning she has. Then we can figure out what areas of her gifts should lead her training. Tia, please tell what happened and why you fear Dempsey would ever betray me. "

Tia sighed, "When Emily's coin signaled mine, I was practicing with my Elven Wand. I just thought that I needed to get to Emily. I was really going to leave a message I swear. But the next moment I was on this foggy island. I hid behind a tree trying to figure things out. Emily was on the ground about ten feet away. That man that Aunt Sasha called Marcus Linthux was there though it took me a while to remember him as the man that came with Daniel to the hospital."

Tia held back as she had promised to not tell on Fai.

Tarik smiled as he asked, "Tia did you promise Fai Sung you would not tell about him being on the island with Marcus?" Tarik thought he understood why Tia jumped to the thinking she had.

Tia nodded as it spilled out, "He could have left Emily with that murderer but he didn't. He even warned me I could either go back to reality or remain. I was not about to stay after seeing....then I got sick...by the time I was thinking of the trap I could be walking into....McBurr was leaving Fai's . He got me sat down and said that I was not up to such a travel. I needed to eat to gain strengthen. All I could think about especially after he told me who he was, was Emily....I guess I gave him a pretty hard time. Tarik, how could he be accepted in Sangra-La? He took me there before coming here. I saw a statue of Menka there right by The Sitting Budda."

Tia started crying, "How could such a leader of such peaceful people chat with a man that two minutes later snap two men's neck as if they were twigs? Tarik, I know Fai is known as a very evil man but he talks as if he was born Medjai."

Tarik smiled as he looked at Dempsey, "Thought so. Dempsey do you want to clear this misunderstanding up? Then I think it is time for me to meet this man. By the way, Tia, Emily and Ellery are both back at St. Mungos with Bina and about 50 Aurors. I told you that when you need to understand something the secrets will be told. But Tia, Swear never to reveal what Dempsey tells today to anybody."

Tia smiled as she looked at Dempsey, "I swear,"

Dempsey McBurr
Dempsey heard the request of Zhilan and the explanation of Tarik but he still had this unruly magical student to deal with. However she had mentioned some very important things that he wanted to learn more about.

He knelt near the chair that Tia had fallen to. "Everyone must make up their mind over what is right and wrong and the gray lines are blurred based on each person's perspective. As Tarik knows and every ranking Arura in the service, I have worked as a deep cover agent. That means unless you knew me as Tarik, Seth, and William Brook, one might get confused as to my allegiance. I've worked tirelessly to protect those of magical and mugal birth using every technique available to me to protect the innocent.

"The lines are blurred and one can only remain true to the cause by believing in what is right. Belief in what is good is all that can save those of us who sacrifice our lives to go places and commune with monsters from becoming that which we strive to remove from Earth. When it concerns Fai Sung, a man filled with so much talent and rage over the evils inflicted on his life the only way to men like him is to listen learn and find another path to bring them back to the light. I was not the man to open Fai's mind but I was there when he saw the light. I had hoped that Tarik and I could redeem Daniel. Not just for Daniel but for the world as a whole. Why didn't I take Daniel into custody you may ask?" He considered his words carefully so to not lead her in the wrong direction. "First thing we all learn is our limitation. Daniel could have and would have killed me at a moment's notice if he knew the information I turned over to the ministry about the Seven. However, what if I told you that what Daniel wanted wasn't evil at all? What if I told you what Daniel wanted has been realized at Shangri-La in the most peaceful and wonderful way that it could melt the heart of a cold blooded killer. Yes, Fai found exactly what he was looking for in the ancient city that resisted Genghis Khan and is the only Asian city where those who sought peace and good could find refuge."

Dempsey lowered his head before facing Tarik. "That is where I was for the last year. After Daniel died everything I had accomplish had been destroyed and buried with him. Fai desired to be released from his debt to the Seven and I knew the dark one would never allow that. He also knew the dark one would come after me with my knowledge to destroy me. I could hide in Shangri-La forever but my child my wife and my people need me. And that is why I returned. Now you say Marcus met with Fai. Let's forget whatever Fai said because to meet the leader of the Seven is to speak as to understand that each word will be your last if not spoken in wisdom and deceit." He glanced at Zhilan. "Not that Fai would lie," he peered up at Tarik, "That would go against his honor, but Fai is good at omitting information and saying things that can lead a conversation in his desired direction."

He glanced at Zhilan. "I would prefer that Tia learned the paths of the light. I am concerned that there is too much darkness clouding the truth. Tarik, with your aid and the school year in full swing, I think that it is for the best that the two of you take responsibility for Tia. She must continue her studies or else she will be taught by the dark one. It is better that we take advantage of any break in the storm to prepare our young for the trials that they will face." He turned to Tia. "Marcus has never been a friend nor a man that I have trusted or worked with for that matter." He glanced at Tarik. "He is unredeemable. However, I fear that my time undercover will force me to meet with the man. Please, come with me to meet Fai Sung and we can discuss how to bring down the threat that Marcus brings to the world."

Before he moved to allow Tia to explain herself Dempsey turned to Zhilan, "Shangri-La is no Myth, and one day you would be wise to find your way there."

Tia Andreas
Tia smiled as she finally understood what Fai had been trying to tell her. "You are the reason my godfather and protectors have been able to do the raids. I am sorry I doubted you Mr. McBurr.", Tia said feeling embarrassed that she had once again judged somebody wrong. She looked from Tarik to Dempsey as she asked, "Can I go with you to see Fai? He could have turned me over but instead, he tried to show me his true nature. Please Mr. McBurr, I need to find out why the monk who saw my medallion was so interested in it. He asked if you were going to be returning. Then he saw my brother's medallion and asked where I got it."

She turned to Tarik, "I hope I did right by telling the temple monk the truth. It seems the medallion opens the temple. I was going to ask the monk about the statue of Menka and her connection to the temple. Just as I was about to, Fai brought me here. Tarik, why can't I read people's hearts like you and Lance?"

She watched as Tarik smiled as he said, "Because Tia that is not your gift. Your special ability has to do more with instinct and protective. You also have always been able to cast and learn spells. Talk to Wei about having a otter as your protronus. You are just learning how your gift works. Tia, your special wand tapped into your Blood/Elven Magic which we still have little knowledge of. Here is something for you to work on, your otter. Did it appear either with Dempsey or Fai?"

Tia shook her head as she said, "No it did not, though my Elven wand did seem to react to either Fai or the temple at Sangria-La. It started to warm and vibrate." Tia had a feeling that she was not going to be leaving Hogwarts for a while.

Zhilan Wei
"No!" Zhilan stood absolutely shocked at the girls gal. "Ah...ahchoo" She sneezed, sniffled and then fell back to her chair. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Shangri-La does not exist! You went somewhere else. The city is as much a myth as your British fairy tales. Fai deceived both of you if you believe in children's fantasies." She realized that she was going against her previous statement that Fai wasn't a liar but this whole Shangri-La nonsense was getting out of hand. She stared at Dempsey unsure how series to take this man who was now telling children's stories. "You are not going anywhere except to your room, no, you can stay with me. You will probably sneak out of your room and then Sasha will come in here telling me stories of men on the moon and how you are stuck there. No!"
She listened to Tarik and found at least one other person besides herself remained in reality. "Yes, we will work on your patronus. I can think of no better way to utilize your free time than to reach out to your otter."

After that she was eager to show Dempsey and Tarik the door. Her head was groggy, her nose stuffy, and a pounding headache thumped even louder with every thought of the mention of Shangri-La. The fools knew nothing about Chinese mythology. But inside Zhilan was more than curious to learn about where Tia had gone. It may not have been the mythical city of Shangri-La but she knew the girl had gone somewhere and she intended to learn where, after Dempsey and Tarik departed. After all she didn't want the girl in Azkaban and she now figured that Dempsey had played into the girls story only to build a case against her. Dempsey wasn't stupid but he wasn't going to be locking up an innocent girl if Zhilan had anything to do with it.

On their way out Tarik handed her a vial filled with some kind of potion. It wasn't the same as what she gave Fai but she trusted that this man wouldn't give he something useless. She shut the door and tipped the concoction back and immediately felt the weight of her cold lift off of her. Her ears popped as if she were descending from a steep mountain and her eyes cleared as well as her sinuses. She sighed, turned to Tia and sat on the edge of her desk.

"Tell me of this place where Fai took you. Don't be shy girl, I know he took you somewhere, I just want to help you identify where."

Tia Andreas
Tia cringed as she asked, "But Professor Wei, I can't protect my friends from the hospital wing. What if one of them signals again?" She was being confined again. "Professor Wei, what did Tarik mean about the otter being my Patronus helping in figuring out my Blood Magic and the special abilities? He seems not a real threat. I called upon him twice now and both times he did the unexpected. Attacking something other than what I thought he would. He don't listen to me and my Elvin Wand seems the same way. my controlling them is almost nonexistent."

The fifteen year old was at her wits end as she said, "How can I be this Guardian of Menka's Box if I can't even control my own abilities? I am suppose to be this great leader and I could not even help Emily. Maybe I am not this Guardian and leader that you guys think I am? I have read the History books on Menka. I am nothing like her." Tia inwardly had hoped that Menka had been special but according to the history books, Menka had really been the weaker of the twins. ATA was the one who had the extreme ability. Where Menka had the otter as her Patronus, ATA had the Sphinx. Tia remembered her brother's other gift. She had not even read the whole book yet. "My Life as The Egyptian's First Princess was a book written by Menka herself. Tia had only read to chapter four so far. She had misplaced the book this past summer.

Tia told Wei what she could remember of Sangria-La, " Waterfalls surrounded them while ancient Chinese style buildings were everywhere. Tall elegant bridges separated the city of marble and jade from different towering and breathtaking structures. He could see the awe in her eyes. Unlike the time and drain her spell had cost her from the forbidden island of nowhere, to his kitchen, his spell moved them from his kitchen to the enchanted streets of Shangri-La in the blink of an eye. He hoped she understood the difference in power between them and maybe it would build a desire within her to try and hone her own potential.

The large wooden double doors of the Temple opened as was typical of the magical structure's acceptance of those with magical capabilities. Those without were forced to knock, but in Shangri-La unlike anywhere else magical and mundane existed in harmony. That was another aspect that Fai had hoped she took notice of. Inside was a large open air hall that had Monks everywhere busy with their own matters, either in meditation or training in the arts. gigantic jade pillars in rows of two across and as deep as twelve at the length of the bay while skylights graced the room with the suns rays. Statues of Buddha lined the exterior walls between each pillar, each taking a different pose representing the twelve principles. At the far wall a gigantic statue sat in the lotus position while showing a peace granted only by finding true zen."

Zhilan Wei
"Wow, child one thing at a time. First of all the creature of your patronus is irrelevant if you haven't the skill to call upon it. Many Wizards twice your age and older have never successfully demonstrated this spell. Secondly, the avatar in which it manifest itself is only a reflection of yourself. You will not unlock it unless you unlock yourself. You cannot dare to call on this extremely powerful spell without taking control of yourself." She feared discourage the child. "I beg you, implore you to ask questions, seek out answers and to desire to protect your friends, but you seem to believe that you are the only one that can. You need to trust others to do what you cannot or else you only become part of the problem. Speak freely the curiosity of your heart and let no one silence you, except you. When you reach a point that you can reason out your own questions, with experience and knowledge as your tools then you will be ready to do what many Wizards ten times your age are barely confident to do. For now lets just accept that seeking your patronus is as important as seeking out your inner self. As far as your ancestry, there are important facts that we can discover along the way."

Zhilan listened as Tia explained the description of a city that only lived in dreams. But how could she have seen this place? Fai was very powerful but he could not create an entire city out of nothing. Could he have held her in a dreaming state? As possible as that was, he would not have suffered the loss of power that he felt, and there were aspects that even Fai would have ignored like the medallion. No, Tia had gone somewhere, but if Fai had not deceived her, was Fai the one being deceived? There was one other possibility that she had no capability to accept. Could the fabled city really exist. But somehow even a curious attempt to ponder this was blocked and she for some reason could not entertain it. That in and of itself was cause for question. Zhilan had prided herself on keeping and open mind, but on this one matter she could not budge, even if she wanted to.

Tia Andreas
Tia listened to what Professor Wei told her about her need to understand herself to understand her Patronus. The Charms Professor also warned her once again not to try and rush herself. The Princess remembered that Fai also in his own way had warned her to slow down. "Is that why neither of my wands nor my Patronus listen to what I need them to do? Am I rushing my abilities? Afraid to allow them to come on their own?", Tia wondered.

Tia calmed herself and tried to find her center as she pulled her Elvin wand. "The first time the otter showed was when Shadow had me for those two days during my second year. Professor, I still have no memory of why it appeared but it attacked Shadow. The second time was this past summer when the Dark One tried to invade my mind. That time my cousin Lance linked with me. He had me call upon this wand. During the mental battle, The Dark One conjured a dementor. I remember reading that only Expecto Patronum can fight those things. I was thinking of my brother Marcus and how much Lance reminded me of him. I figured the otter would go after the Dementor but instead, it went for the weird looking shield in my mind. I know we are suppose to learn that spell this term."

Tia was surprised to see once again her wand glow and her otter playfully knocking over books as if looking for something. The fifteen-year-old looked at Wei as she said puzzled, "See what I mean? I did not even mean for it to show this time." Tia did realize one thing. It was flickering this time as if it was about to change into something else.

She looked at Professor Wei thinking on what she had said then asked, "Can a Patronus change? Does that flickering mean that the otter is not my true Patronus?"

Zhilan Wei
Zhilan listened to Tia's questions but before she could answer them the child internally called on her inner self. Whether she intended to or not Zhilan noticed that playful otter flickered erratically. She had only remembered such an occurrence once before. Zhilan's inner Llama, something that irritated her when she was younger, disappeared. She hadn't called on the spell ever since that day because it was far to draining. Plus she hadn't needed it.
She went to a book shelf and withdrew a book on patroneses and slapped it onto the table. She motioned for Tia to come closer. "I have a Llama pratronis" She stated and then withdrew her wand made the movement and summoned the spell. All at once a snake like dragon appeared and roared with great resolved. Zhilan was taken back. She knew that Patroneses could change but when did it happen?

"I was a llama." Zhilan stated then opened the book to Eastern Dragon. It was the symbol of power courage and nobility. Lord over the Elements. Luck and good fortune. A vigilant protector. Zhilan faced Tia after reading the rest. She was in shock over the changes that she had made throughout life. She had to chew on that for a moment while she turned the book for Tia to rummage through. "The last time I saw a protronas do what your otter is doing was the last time I ever saw my Llama. Maybe the changes within you are changing your protronis as well.


Tia Andreas
Tia smiled as she said, "So changing Patronus is normal? As I grow that otter will change as I do. Don't get me wrong Professor, that otter is cute." She looked through the book on the table. Finding the page on An Otter Patronus, Tia finally understood why it was her first Patronus.

Saying out loud what she was reading, " The Otter: If this is your Patronus then you are bright, adventurous and fun. Always looking for something to do or something to think about, you want to learn and explore! You’re people orientated and become lonely and jealous easily. If the otter is your Patronus it’s likely that you also have good problem-solving skills and a depth of knowledge across several subjects."

Tia looked at the playful otter and smiled at the flickering patronus as she said to Wei, "It did fit me when I was younger even up to this past summer. Though why it is going through your books, I have no clue. I wonder what my new one will be?"

She thought of a way to deal with the issue of where Fai had taken her. Turning back to Professor Wei and showing her the Elvin wand saying, "This wand was a gift and called the Guardian Wand. The wood is from the Elvin Life Tree. It has three cores, a hair from Darik, a hair from Julius the Minotaur and a hair from Duskheart the Centaur. Darik made it right before my birth. I got it with some other stuff that Lance was holding in trust from my father."

Tia paused wondering if she really could do what she was considering. The self doubt almost made her back out of what she planned to do. Shaking her head, Tia looked at the otter who had decided to lay down. Smiling, she asked, "I am willing to try and use the wand to take us back to the last place this wand has been. Want to try and see where Fai Sung took me?" Tia was not sure it was even possible but if Wei agreed then Tia owed it to her to at least try and return to Shangria-La.

Zhilan Wei
Zhilan's attention was piqued. She would love to go where Fai took her so that she could disprove the foolish belief in a fable. But what if it was an illusion that would take both of them to the dark one? Zhilan was feeling better and her strength was at one hundred. She may not be able to take on Fai in direct combat, partly because she know what he was capable of in comparison to herself. She could not bring herself to kill, in fact that was why she was a vegetarian. But if she came face to face with the Dark one she did not think she would do so badly. She worked daily on living a pure life in respect of all life and the creatures around her. Could she face such a foe and win? No, because such a thought was arrogant and that was the path of the dark one.

Nevertheless what if it was a real place that Fai had taken her? This child was determined to get herself killed and so Zhilan would not allow her to return to wherever Fai had taken her, alone.

"Do you know how to open the path so that I can follow you?" Zhilan asked knowing the girl could not carry her weight. Zhilan showed her the slight difference between taking oneself which was quite the same as carrying another versus opening the path to allow another to follow. Zhilan's heart pounded. She could be allowing them to walk directly into a trap.

Tia Andreas
Tia smiled as she answered one of her favorite Professors, "My Special Spell Book might have a way to backtrack if I tweak a few spells I been practicing this summer? I was thinking of mixing "Prior Incantato", "Reperio Mihi" and "Portus"?" Tia just had to find the book. Her patronus was trying to dig out a book that was hidden behind several heavy vases. Turning towards the little otter, Tia thought as she pointed her wand at the vases, "Wingardium Leviosa" out loud as the otter brought her the book, "You need to be more careful little patronus. You could have broken Professor Wei's Taibetan Vases." After placing the vases gently back, she bent down to see what had intrigued the otter, "Now what is so special about this book that you would destroy Wei's office to get to it?"

Tia could not believe it, "I have been looking all over for this and it has been here! Why? Wei, this spell book was made for me by the Blakelee Twins my first year here. V put some special custom made spells in here. Did I leave it here after our last session?" Tia wanted to believe her friend was only trying to keep Tia's Spell Book safe but she could not help feel that in Wei's eyes Tia was not ready for studying such advanced spells.

Tia looked through the book and smiled. She said as she pointed her wand at a blank wall, "Hold my arm as I am unsure how quickly this will take. It seems V and Will thought I might need this spell and so Veronica already did the tweaking for us." She closed her eyes praying she had the inner strength to do it. Thinking as she said aloud, "Prior Reperio Mihi Portus" and flicked her Guardian Wand.

Zhilan Wei
Tia's spell crackled, popped and then like a spider web of lightning it blew up in Tia and Zhilan's face's. Zhilan rolled her eyes. Tia was trying to cast a spell to nowhere. Good thing it wouldn't steal her energy. She could see the shock in the girls eyes and simply asked, "Where were you trying to go?" If the place didn't exist that brought back fears that Fai may have simply created the location in Tia's mind. No, that still didn't seem like Fai because he would have locked the girl in so that she remained a vegetable in real life. Something about this didn't seem right and she thought she knew the one to find out.

"Tarik asked me to hold your spell book, so that we could teach you its contents in safety." Zhilan said and then noticed Tia's medallion and had a thought. "Maybe we should find Tarik. He could help us find out why your spell went nowhere and what we should do next. Do you agree?"

Tia Andreas
Tia was stunned by the results of her spell. After hearing Wei explain how the spell book got there, Tia said with slightly red cheeks, "Sorry, I guess I do get ahead of myself trying to learn some of these. I just don't want any more dying because I wasn't ready to help them. If I had just went with Marcus that day, instead of him thinking he had to face Shadow alone..." Tia's eyes teared up as she once again wished that she had followed her brother the day he was found murdered.

Tia smiled as she thought about the trap that Tarik had set for Shadow. "The ancient Portkey!", she said. "I forgot all about Tarik's trap for Shadow, Yes I think Tarik might know how to find out what I did wrong. And my medallion will take us right to him. The other half of the Portkey is around Tarik's neck."

Tia took the medallion off her neck. She handed the book back to Wei, "Sorry again about the mess my Patronus made Wei. Let's go find Tarik. Hold the other side of the medallion. It should take us right there?" Tarik had ensured that just Tia holding the medallion would not activate the Portkey. It took two to activate.

The next moment she was collapsing in front of Tarik.