Miranda Maecer's Office

Miranda nodded. "Indeed. You are good friends with the Headmistress, are you not, Eglantine?" She inquired, noticing the mild reaction, although she fought back a laugh from Horatio's reaction.

Eglantine nodded. "We were teachers together at Beauxbatons before she became Headmistress." Horatio puffed on his pipe.
"So how did you befriend the gian...gracefully lovely woman?" he asked, nearly diving into rather cold water. Eglantine paled slightly.

"Um...I assisted her when she was ill." Partially true... but Horatio nodded believing her.

An eyebrow raised in semi-disbelief, however Miranda felt no need to presssure Eglantine. "How sweet of you, Eglantine. Not many people would go through great lengths to help that woman."

Eglantine sighed. "Unfortunately. She is rather selfish and petty at times. But Genevieve is greatly misunderstood." Horatio snorted.

"Yeah, like Lord Voldemort," he muttered.

Miranda stiffened once she heard the dark lord's name tossed into the conversation. "Now now, Horatio. I'm not too fond of the woman either but there's no need to go that far..."

Horatio nodded. "I suppose you're right. She's more of a annoyance than pure evil anyway."

Kiara sighed as she walked up to Miranda's office she had one more person to warn about the list. Though she wasn't on it everyone else on the staff was and she thought Miranda should have a heads up about the mental well fair of the staff.

Raising her hand she knocked on the door.

As part of her daily routine, Miranda had been on the yoga mat located on the far corner of the room, practicing some poses. She was in the midst of the Lotus Pose when she heard a knock at the door. At once, Miranda rose from her the mat, using wandless magic to open the door.

"Ah, Kiara! How lovely it is to see you." Noticing there were traces of alarm, fear, and panic, worry shaded the Counselor's face. "Is everything alright?"

Kiara slowly shock her head no. "No not exactly Miranda, I came to warn you many of the staff may need your service.... now more then ever I am afraid. All of them and their familys are in great danger.." she said tiredly, sleep had not come to her as of late, she feared it was becoming a habit.

"Viper you gave me your insomnia" she thought to her self trying to lighten her mood.

It didn't work.

Without even asking if Kiara wanted some, Miranda instantly summoned a pot of chamomile tea, pouring a cup and handing it to Kiara as she lead the Headmistress over to the small sitting area's couch.

"What has happened? she asked, concerned as she sat on the couch.

Kiara looked at the Tea biting her lip she took a sip, a small one to test how well her stomach reacted. Well she wasn't sure she would finish the full cup, but a few sips helped her dry throat.

She fiddled with the scroll in her hand, she could see no point in showing it to Miranda as one need to be one the list to read it.

"Have you heard of the Purging? it went on several years ago...." she started out.

Slowly, Miranda nodded. "I have..." she stiffened when she saw the scroll in Kiara's hand. She could see traces of ink on it though was not able to make out any words. "I-Is that..that, wh-what I think it is?"

Kiara looked down at the list, "It is the list of the Damned... yes, not the full one, this was sent as a warning" she said solemly.

"Everyone is on it...." she breathed out.

"May I see it?" Miranda asked quietly, her eyes flashing with concern and a hint of fear.

Kiara rasied an eye brow, she should know only those on the list could read it, but she had fear in her voice. A fear that sounded familar, eyeing her she nodded her head. She oppened the scroll and handed it to her.

"Of course.... but can you see it?"

"Oh Merlin..." Miranda breathed out a she observed the list. She knew or at least knew of the names on the list and each only stoked the flame of fear brewing within her.

She raised an eyebrow at Kiara's question, confused. "Of course... Why wouldn't I be able to? It's written clear as day."

Kiara looked at her in even more concern and a little confusion, "You can see it? only those who are on the list can see it..."

Kiara looked at Miranda clearly not knowing what to think.

"It is a binding spell, can't simply break it with out doing anything..... are you on that list..... under a different name?"

Miranda froze, her mind swearing in a combination of various languages. "A-Are you sure? You never know, it could be a faulty charm..."

She laughed dryly at the suggestion. "Me? Under a different name? No, of course not! What other name could I possibly be? Why, half these names are dead!" she replied, attempting to shrug off the suspicions.

Kiara raised her eye brow again, "It seemed to work perfectly well on my fiance earlier, he said it was blank....."

"That we know of.... the differnece between life and death can only be seen on the full list." she mumbled as she put her cup down... her stomach rebeling against the tea.

"You sure you are not on it?..."

Miranda shrugged. "Perhaps it varies..."

She nodded at Kiara's question "Of course. I mean, I of all people would know if my own name was on there." she replied, laughing nervously with an attempt at a reassuring smile.

Kiara shook her head, there was a reason this woman could see the list and it wasn't because of a charm, but at the moment she had more important things to worry about.

"If you say so Miranda......" she said with a sigh.

"Well any way as for the reason I am here, I just wanted to give you the heads up, and keep an eye on Sevastyan Kaminski will you? His cousin was killed by purgers not long ago. He has Viper there for him at the moment, just in case. And we have an ashweave put up around the castle to protect everyone"

"Oh how terrible!" Miranda exclaimed upon hearing the misfortune that had fallen upon the Defense Professor's family. He really was a nice fellow and didn't deserve such a thing. But then again, Miranda mused, who does? True, there are no innocents in life, but no matter what the sin was, is death really a proper atonement?

"I'll certainly keep an eye on him, have no fear Kiara." she smiled softly when she heard how Amaranth was with him. "Even hundredfold grief is divisible by love..." Miranda summed up.

"Well, if there's anything at all I can do for you, Kiara, be assured, you have but to ask for my service." Miranda nodded firmly.

Kiara stiffened at the mention of her services to her.

"I don't know what you can do for me Miranda, I am not shocked over my name being on the list...... upset yes but who wouldn't be? worry sick over those I care about? of course, But again who wouldn't be? There is little you can say ease my worry....." she said though her voice was strained.

"I don't plan on saying anything at all, Kiara. I am merely offering a listening ear and a refuge from all the stress so you don't go into emotional overload." Miranda replied calmly, taking a sip of her tea.

Kiara sagged her shoulders, she felt stuck, hollow, exshausted, over whelmed, yet unable to force her emotions out of her.

"I am not sure I can" she whispered.