You can surely pm me your theory Connie! Of course I can't divulge whether it's accurate or not but Sorry that I had to make that post so short but I wanted to wrap up that chapter and that was the best way to do it.

Much to Ron and Hermione's protest, or perhaps I should say Hermione's protesting that usually required dragging Ron in to it, Harry and I weren't telling them what happened at the meeting. We had both decided that there was no need to bring them in to this either. After all two people stressing over it was enough...besides...I had other things at the moment to worry about. Like my magic.

For the whole week none of my spells had been working the way that they were supposed to. In an attempt to help a plant grow in Herbology I ended up freezing its leaves off, and in charms my attempt to try Incendio ended up doing nothing. Both Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick told me that it was alright, and that perhaps I just needed to take a break. That was not the answer that I had been looking for.

After forcefully slamming shut my potions textbook in frustration at the week's events I decided to go and visit Professor McGonagall who I was sure could help me with my problem. Harry, Ron, and Hermione wished me their bests and off I went to her office.

Nearly Headless Nick passed me on the way and smiled politely but kept his distance. Ultimately I was becoming the school freak that everyone was afraid to be near for fear that if they made me upset in the slightest, they would be turned into a human icicle. Of course my close friends told them to "shut off" as Ron would say, and I was pleased to find that Seamus had no problem holding my hand as we walked around the grounds. At least some people weren't scared of me.

I walked up to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked lightly on her door. She opened it so quickly that I had been wondering if she had been standing just on the other side...waiting.

"Miss Carson. I was wondering when you would come to see me," she said, looking up and down the hallways.

I looked too although I could tell from my special gift that the hallway was completely empty.

"Come in, come in," she said, ushering me inside and closing the door behind me. I was somewhat startled to find that Professor Flitwick, Sprout, Snape, and Lupin were standing in the room. Wait...Lupin?!

"Um...Professor Lupin?" I said, somewhat perplexed.

"Hello Abby," he said with that gentle and understanding smile of his. Professor Lupin was and probably always would be my favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"Please Miss Carson, if you'd take a seat," Professor McGonagall said before I could get my next sentence out. I moved or should I say was pushed in to the chair by Professor McGonagall who had made a circle with several of the chairs in her office. Everyone took their seats, Professor Lupin sitting on the right side of me, giving me an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

"Professor can you please tell me what is going on?" I asked.

"All of us have noticed that you have been having some..." Professor McGonagall paused for a moment. "Technical difficulties with your magic this week. I presumed you were going to come and see me soon so I thought it might be helpful to have some other professors who you know and trust come to assist as well."

I nodded, taken aback that I seemed to predictable to all of them.

"And what exactly are we going to do Professor?" I asked.

"We are going to figure out a way to stop your Phoenix animagi abilities from coming through with your other magic."

"Good," I said with a smile. "People will stop thinking with one look I can turn them into an icicle then."

They all let out a little chuckle except Snape who looked at me with longing. He was still determined to figure out how my ability worked and he figured this was the perfect opportunity to be here. I didn't want him here and I didn't feel comfortable with me being his living and breathing specimen.

"Well, first things first. We figured you should try a simple spell like Lumos, and then we can move on to some more challenging ones," said McGonagall with a smile.

"Alright," I said, removing my wand from my robe pocket. I had to admit I felt a little nervous casting magic in front of almost all of my professors.

Lupin adjusted in his seat and leaned forward a little bit, giving me an encouraging nod. Snape looked on excitedly.

"Lumos," I said, giving my wand the appropriate flick. To no surprise to myself instead of a ball of light glowing at the end of my light I had a round ball made of ice.

Professor McGonagall eyed it curiously, while Professor Sprout and Flitwick shook their heads somewhat confusedly.

"Professor I don't understand!" I said, instinctively looking towards Lupin who always seemed to know the right thing to do or say in these kinds of situations.

"I know Abby. We aren't a hundred precent sure what is causing it to come through, but we all think that you need to clear your mind. Whatever tension or anxiety that you are feeling when you are casting your spells is causing the animagi powers to come through. So, close your eyes, clear your head, then give it another go."

Professor Lupin took out his own wand and vanished the ball of ice on the end of my wand. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to push all the thoughts about Harry and Voldemort out of my mind. After a couple of moments I was ready to give it another go.

"Lumos," I said, flicking my wand. I smiled as a glow emitted from my wand rather than ice.

"It worked!" I said, smiling at Professor Lupin who let out a little chuckle and nodded encouragingly.

"Yes, it did didn't it," said Lupin.

"Well done Miss Carson," Professor McGonagall said, smiling at the other three. They all seemed so happy for me...well...except for Snape who looked angry that I could conquer the gift so easily.

"I have classes to attend to," Snape said, standing up and exiting the room. I eyed Professor Lupin who shook his head gently. We all knew how he felt about Snape.

"I think if you just keep practicing clearing your head before you cast spells you should be alright Miss Carson," Professor Flitwick said with a smile.

"Thank you, all of you," I said. "I know this must be hard."

"No no dear, it's not hard for us. We just want to help the best we can. After all these animagi gifts can be a difficult thing to tackle," said Professor Sprout leaning over and tapping my knee gently.

They were all so thoughtful and considerate. I was so glad to see that I could control it, but I knew that casting magic was never going to be the same. It was something I would always have to do, and in a time of stress would I be able to do it?

"Why don't you keep practicing Miss Carson, and Professor Lupin can stay here and help. We have some things to attend to," said Professor McGonagall standing up, followed by Professor Sprout and Flitwick.

They all left and closed the door behind them. I let out a sigh and smiled at Professor Lupin.

"So I guess McGonagall got rid of the listening device in her?" I said with a little laugh.

"Yes, with the help of the other Professors," said Lupin, turning his chair so he was more faced towards me.

"How are you holding up Abby?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I've been better."

Lupin nodded. "These gifts aren't easy and I wish I could say you are facing the hardest parts now, but you aren't. The really test your character and most witches and wizards that are given these gifts can't handle it. That's why most of them went insane or even killed themselves."

"Makes my chances look kind of bleak huh?"

"No, no," said Lupin, leaning forward. "Look at your mother. She conquered it, and I believe that you can do the same. With the support you have from not only the professors but your friends, you can do it. I have no doubts in my mind that that won't happen to you."

I smiled. "Thanks Professor Lupin."

He nodded his head. "You know nothing is set in stone."

"I know."

"So you know that what your mother saw has just as much a chance of not coming true as it does coming true, right?"

I nodded quietly.

"Did you tell Harry?"

"Yes, I couldn't keep that from him."

"We weren't expecting you to. Besides the prophecy is something You-Know-Who is already aware of, so there's no worry about him pulling that information from Harry's mind."

"He had a right to know Professor."

"I agree that he did. And I think it was best that he heard it from you and not one of us." Lupin paused for a moment. "How did he take it?"

"He was confused, then he got angry. He's refusing to let me die for him, but I explained it would for something greater than him or me."

Lupin nodded. "As morbid as this may sound I imagine more than one of us will be gone by the time all of this is said and done. As with any war of this magnitude, deaths happen."

"My mother...she is going to fight?"

"Of course," said Lupin. "She'll fight with you until the end."

"She's there when I die?"

Lupin exhaled slowly. "In her vision she was standing next to you, yes."

I shook my head in disgust. No mother should have to go through seeing their child die.

"Professor Lupin?"

"Yes Abby?"

"Do you think that he can be stopped?"

"Yes I do," Lupin said confidently.

I nodded. "And we think that Harry has to be the one to do it?"

"Well, if you go by the prophecy, which we know You-Know-Who is, then yes."

I nodded.

"Why do you ask?"

"It's just a hell of a burden to bear on your own, don't you think?"

Lupin reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. "But he's not alone."

"I know he's not. He has all of us."

Lupin nodded. "And most importantly Abby, he has you."