Searching For Answers
The air was hot and sticky in the small library in the house on Spinner's End. The school term had finally finished and Severus was more grateful than ever to be away from the students and the castle. Fudge and the Ministry denied at every turn that Voldemort was back but Snape knew he was. He had felt the pain in his arm that night. He had seen his former Master. This changed everything. Much to his own surprise, Snape had been staying in quite frequent contact with Irlynn since the term ended. He presently sat in his small library surrounded by stacks of books on three walls. He had been searching all morning an answer to Irlynn's question about her ability. He hadn't the faintest idea where to begin looking. Just then a familiar owl tapped her beak on the window to his left. Snape stood and allowed the bird to enter. He took the roll of parchment from her leg and pushed his books aside.
Dad,
I know it's only been a few days since I last wrote. I hope I'm not pestering you. I know it's not for a month yet but I was hoping you could spend my birthday with me. I'd really like it if you visited. Well Mum is yelling me for come for dinner so I'll let you go.
Irlynn
PS How is the research going?
Snape shook his head. She was certainly persistent. He knew she was anxious to have some explanations. He had to admit he was curious as well. Her gift would no doubt prove useful somehow. If only he could determine what caused it, maybe then he could help her hone the skill. He set the letter down and looked to the owl. Artemis sat perched on the window sill, looking at him expectantly.
"Fine." He stood and went in search of owl pellets. He would draft a letter to Irlynn after he had something to eat. He had little to report but she would expect some sort of response to the body of her letter. Eating would give him time to consider her request.
A short time later he sat eating in the kitchen, a piece of parchment, quill and bottle of ink next to his plate. He had no reason not to grant Irlynn's request. It would give him a chance to physically check in on her and make sure she was safe. He still could not be certain whether Wormtail had told the Dark Lord about Irlynn. It was only a matter of time. He would have to hunt the filthy creature down and use any means necessary to keep the information secret. He set his fork down and picked up the quill.
Irlynn,
I have not made much progress in my research. I will inform you when I have done so. Until then, know I am doing what I can. You must be patient. As to your other request, I believe a visit can be arranged.
Your Father
Short and to the point. It would do. He attached it to Artemis' leg and watched the bird fly out the kitchen window. With that task completed, he returned to the library. He had selected several books on Legimensy and Occlumensy, books he had read many times over years ago. They had sat on shelves collecting dust but now he had use for them again. He flipped the book on the top of his pile and scanned the table of contents and then the glossary. He was not entirely certain what he was looking for. He hoped it would make itself obvious.
What felt like hours later he was pouring over a text on the finer techniques of Legimensy when he found a footnote reference of interest. It was brief but provided the citation for another text that he was sure he had on his shelves. It mentioned that one or two rare cases had been reported where individuals seemed to be able to perform Legimensy without casting a spell. He reread the citation five or six more times until he'd memorized it and then began scanning his stacks.
"There you are," he mumbled, gently pulling the book off the shelf. It had belonged to his mother and had a far greater coating of dust than the other books he'd poured over in the last few days. Genetics and the Magical Family by Wilhelmina Punnett. He opened to chapter referenced in the Legimensy text and began to read.
He had drifted off and fallen asleep, book on his chest, when there came a loud pounding on his front door. He sat bolt upright, book falling to his lap. He looked down at the page he'd fallen asleep reading and made several notes in the margin. He believed he was close finding out the answer to his search. The knocking persisted and he got up, grumbling the entire way. He pulled the door open to see the Headmaster on the other side of the threshold.
"It's late."
"I know that Severus. May I come in?" Snape gave an irritated nod and stepped back. Given the current social atmosphere it was better to indulge the old man.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"Actually, you were." Dumbledore caught sight of the book's title and his brow furrowed.
"I am doing research on a question Irlynn posed several months ago. I believe I am close to an answer."
"I see…I regret that I have neglected her question for some time."
"She has grown impatient."
"Naturally. What have you learned?"
"I assume you came here with something to discuss." Dumbledore gave the younger man a nod.
"I must ask something of you Severus." Snape inclined his head for the man to continue.
"I require your aide once again. I know it will be dangerous, doubly so with Miss McQuillen involved."
"I will do what I can. And I have no intention of allowing the Dark Lord to learn that she is my child. I'll obliterate the bloody rodent before he has the chance to speak."
"Thank you. I realize how difficult this was fourteen years ago."
"I will do what is required." Dumbledore just nodded his head, a vague expression in his eyes.
"Now…back to the matter of Miss McQuillen."
"I believe the ability may be tied to genetics."
"I see…you'll have to explain. I was never very good with the human genome."
"Nor am I. However, from what I have read, it appears one parent must carry the gift."
"Did Lily possess these visions?"
"No…I believe I am the carrier. I will do further reading on the subject before I inform her of my findings. She will no doubt have questions." Dumbledore smiled and leaned his chin on his slender fingertips.
"Of course. She's an inquisitive you girl. Much like her mother."
"More so like Lily every day. At times it is unsettling."
"Tell me something, Severus. Did the Death Eaters seem frightened the night of Lord Voldemort's return?"
"I didn't have time to ask them." His tone dripped with sarcasm.
"From what you observed." Snape exhaled through his nose.
"Some were no doubt fearful of his return. They will remain loyal to him now that he has risen." A few moments of silence passed between the two men before Dumbledore stood up.
"Thank you for your time, Severus. Good night." Dumbledore showed himself out and Snape just sat in the sitting room, tracing the edges of the binding of the genetics text. The visit had been peculiar for sure. Snape was convinced the Headmaster was going senile. He would wait to write to Irlynn on the subject until he had done further research. It would not be tonight, however. He'd spent the better part of the day since the early morning combing through his books. She would be able to wait. After all he'd told her to be patient in his last piece of correspondence. After sitting another moment or two in the quiet of the room, he stood, returned the book to the library and made his way to the master bedroom.
Miles away in Ireland, Irlynn sat on her bed staring out at the night sky. She'd received Snape's letter and couldn't get the question out of her mind. She knew she had to be patient. It was Snape she was dealing with after all, but a large part of her had been longing for an answer for years that she couldn't help but be anxious. She was also happy that he would be visiting for her birthday. She'd have all of her family with her. Harry had been talking about staying with Sirius for part of the summer but she had informed him of her expectations for the end of July. He seemed agreeable to those terms. She finally looked away from the window at the small clock by her bed. It was nearly midnight. She let out a yawn and crawled beneath the covers. As she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but dream about all the possibilities awaiting her in her father's next letter.
