Note: There are two new characters (so far) in this fiction that are beings of my own creation. Please feel free to review the story, but spare this poor newbie the flames of your hatred. If you have criticism, by all means post your comments. All reviews are welcomed. Just phrase them constructively. Thanks.
Also, I do have a "sci-fi" explanation for the magic-resistant technology used in this story, which will be explained later. If you're curious, and can't wait for it, check my email addy in the profile, and I'll explain.
Disclaimer:I don't own any character or attribute of the Harry Potter realm. This work is intended as fanfiction, and therefore I receive no benefit or profit from it. If you really want to sue me, the best you can do is take my cat … please.
***I do not separate people, as do the narrow-minded, into Greeks and barbarians. I am not interested in the origin or race of citizens. I only distinguish them on the basis of their virtue. For me each good foreigner is a Greek and each bad Greek is worse than a barbarian. – Alexander the Great***
Harry adjusted his robes calmly and got a nudge in the side from Ron for it. "Primping for Cho, are we?" Ron asked him with a wink.
"Shut it, Ron," Harry grinned. He noticed that the last of Ravensclaw had filed into the Great Hall. The Prefect waved him to move the line forward. Turning to the students behind them he called, "Alright Griffyndor, ready to march!"
Harry was finding his new responsibilities as Head Boy in his Sixth year at Hogwarts to be more challenging than he'd expected, and the term hadn't even officially started yet. He should have realized that his own behavior in his first five years was mirrored in the curiosity and spirit of many, if not most, of the other students. He's already intervened between two arguments, caught Neville's runaway toad, Trevor (again), and had been forced to leave the line to find two Second Years who had gotten lost on the staircases between the Hall and their rooms. He looked behind him, and was relieved that his charges appeared to have settled down enough to be following him obediently. No wonder Percy had always seemed so full of his own importance.
The hall was decorated, as always for the Sorting Ceremony, with the sky enchanted to resemble the night sky and blazing with hundred of candles. Harry scanned the room for Cho, however, and caught her watching him with eyes laughing just before he was ready to seat his students. He gave her a brief nod and a smile. She winked in return, and he blushed a little, despite himself.
"I think she fancies you, mate," Ron muttered to him jokingly.
"Ron, keep it up, and I'll leave your underwear in Hermione's Book of Spells," Harry muttered under his breath. They both knew it was an empty threat, but Ron groaned heartily, nonetheless.
"Where's Madam Pince?" Hermione asked, from a few seats down.
Ron and Harry followed her point to the seat of the librarian's chair and saw a new faculty member sitting there.
"Dunno," said George, but he elbowed Fred sitting next to him. "But she's a looker, eh?"
"And she's actually smiling," Fred said. "I thought that was against Library Policy. Isn't it?"
The new librarian was looking around her surroundings with evident interest, and was smiling broadly. Harry didn't think she was all that pretty, but he could see that she was a definite improvement to Madam Pince. Her dark hair had been woven into a thick braid that lay over her shoulder, and she was wearing the sapphire robes of her position.
"I hadn't heard we were getting a new librarian," Hermione complained. "Who is she?"
"What do you mean?" Asked Ron. "If the great Hermione doesn't know, how can we mortals possibly be expected such knowledge?"At Hermione's dark look he smiled innocently.
Harry noticed something odd about the new faculty member, however. Not only was no one speaking to her, each of them seemed to be in various stages of upset. Professor Flitwick was alternately covering his face with his hands and throwing the woman looks of dismay. Professor Sprout and Madam Hooch were whispering animatedly, and were also throwing the woman looks, though they seemed more curious than anything else. Professor Snape, however, was staring ahead with a virulent scowl on his face. Whatever had the teachers in a fit, Snape seemed the most obviously angry about it. So much so that the new professor of the DADA was having a hard time getting his attention. The new DADA was also female. Harry didn't think she looked much like a threat against dark magic, though. She had long, flowing blonde hair and a serene look that made her look regal next to the other teachers. She looked more like a princess than any teacher Harry had ever seen. She finally managed to get Snape's attention with a tug at his sleeve, and he leaned closer to hear what she was saying into his ear. It must have been about the new librarian as well, for Snape followed her discreet glance and frowned.
"New Defense Against the Dark Arts, as well," Harry said.
"But there's always a new DADA, isn't there?" Ron said blithely. "When's the last time one of them lasted more than a year?"
"Yeah," said George. "I've never known any of the other faculty to change, really. "
"Nope," agreed Fred. "Thought they were all fixtures. But if we're talking lookers, that one's got my vote"
"Ssssshhh," Hermione hissed. "They're bringing in the First Years. "
No matter how many Sorting Ceremonies he sat through, the process was always exciting. It wasn't just the perverse satisfaction of seeing the apprehension on the faces of the new students, which always reminded Harry of his own experience with the hat. He'd narrowly avoided being placed in Slytherin during his own sorting. It was also novelty of seeing who their new additions would be. This year, the House of Griffyndor managed to acquire five new students. Harry lost track of who was assigned to the other houses, though. There seemed to be more First Years this time, for some reason.
At the end of the ceremony, the school began their traditional feast. Harry mostly forgot about the new faculty additions, aside from noting that the new librarian had yet to speak to anyone else at the table. He found this oddly disturbing.
After the feast, Dumbledore stood and made his customary announcements. He looked the same as ever, but Harry was alarmed to see how much difficulty the old wizard was having. He seemed a little unsteady on his feet, and his voice trembled a little as he spoke. He gave the usual warning against going into the forest outside the school, and instructions from Filch against wandering around the school after hours. Then Dumbledore introduced the new teachers.
"Over the summer, we experienced the unexpected loss of our dear librarian, Madam Pince," Dumbledore told the assembly. "Not to worry, she's merely retired to America since the birth of her new granddaughter. However, we are extremely fortunate to have found such a highly qualified replacement on short notice. Please welcome Madam Rosewood to Hogwart's. "The crowd applauded politely. The faculty applauded as well, but less enthusiastically.
"Also joining our staff is the new professor of the Defense of the Dark Arts, Professor Wermut," Dumbledore continued. "I managed to lure her away from Bloodswroth, our sister school in Germany. Please welcome her as well. "
Harry noticed that the faculty seemed to welcome Professor Wermut much more warmly. Professor McGonnagall even smiled at her thinly. The blonde professor nodded graciously in acknowledgement.
"Very good," Dumbledore said. "Now, before we retire, let us sing the Hogwarts school song. "
Later, as Harry was helping to escort the students back to the Griffyndor rooms, he wondered what it was about the librarian that the rest of the faculty evidently found so objectionable. He figured he would find out soon enough though. It was impossible to keep secrets at this school.
%%%%%%%
At Dumbledore's request, Catherine Rosewood escorted him back to his rooms after the festivities. Madam Pomfrey had been the first to his chair after the school song had been sung, but he had waved her away, and motioned for Catherine to come to his side. Catherine had ignored the disapproval on the nurse's face as she took the old wizard's arm. They walked in silence until they reached the Dumbledore's office, with adjoined his room. The wizard waited until she closed the door softly behind them before he asked her, "So how are you getting along so far?"
"That's what I was going to ask you," she told him.
"An evasion worthy of a Slytherin," he replied with a smile. "So?"
"Well, no one's poisoned my tea yet, if that's what you mean," she answered. "But I don't expect to be getting any housewarming presents. "
"Give them time," he said, sitting in his most comfortable chair with difficulty. "There has never been a Muggle allowed to hold a faculty position at Hogwarts before, and chances are, there never will be again after this. But extreme situations call for extreme measures. "
"It doesn't help that I'm American, I think. I managed to catch a little conversation between Professor Flitwick and Madame Sprout before the first faculty meeting a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure which they found more galling. "Catherine said, leaning against the corner of Dumbledore's desk.
"Hrmmm. I can only imagine," Dumbledore mused.
"Wait until they find out why I'm really here," she said with amusement.
"Well, it's not as though you aren't really a librarian. "
Catherine laughed. "Yeah, well. I haven't been a librarian, strictly speaking, for a long time now. But don't worry. I'm still current in my skills. You'd be surprised how handy my government finds my information retrieval skills. "She spoke with a slight trace of irony.
"Amazing the things you Muggles can do," Dumbledore said. Catherine was struck again by the way the people here simply ignored the outside world. She was aware that many of their own students came from "Muggle" parentage, but it seemed all that was of any concern to those who weren't magical in some way faded from importance after they were educated at one of these schools. It was like becoming members of another species.
"You ain't seen nothin' yet," she replied tartly. "The world has come a lot farther along than any of my superiors told you, you know. Even more than they will even tell their own people. Even I'm on a need-to-know at times. "
"Need-to-know?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Sometimes they don't tell me the whole story. Just what will get me though the job," she answered.
"Ah. Of course. Such is the art of war," the old wizard said tiredly.
"This time, hopefully the art of peace," she said. "But don't mind me. Sometimes I forget how cynical I really am. "
"I worry, though," Dumbledore said tiredly. "I fear I will not be able to protect you much at this point. "
"With any luck, I'll be able to find the tome quickly. But," she got up from the corner of the desk and came forward to put one hand on the old man's shoulder. "I've had a lot of training. Between that and the chip, I should be ok. American ingenuity, you know?"
"Resistance to magic," Dumbledore scoffed. "Your people were always imaginative. "
Catherine wasn't sure if he meant Muggles again, or Americans, but she said, "Well, blame it on Hitler for recruiting those wizards. And blame yourselves for not allowing anything magical to become public. 'Muggle' governments always do get carried away with covert R&D when they perceive something as a threat. And a threat often means something they don't understand. "
"Yes," Dumbledore agreed. "There's wisdom in much of what you say. In this case, I hope your 'technology' works. "
Catherine grinned in amusement. "Trust me, so do I," she said lightly. "Especially with the looks Snape's been giving me. "
"I trust Snape with my life," Dumbledore told her, "but be careful of him. When he is suspicious, he can be very crafty. "
Catherine nodded. "I'll watch him. But now, I think, I'll leave you to save your strength. "She had noticed his pale countenance growing even whiter during their conversation. "I have a full day of indexing tomorrow. "
She rose and started to leave the room.
"Catherine," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Yes, Albus?"
"Be careful. "He told her, "But hurry. "
She frowned at him. He looked so small and frail in his chair that she was reluctant to leave him. But he leaned back and closed his eyes in his chair, and she realized he just wanted his peace at the moment.
"Good night, Albus," she told him. She closed the door quietly behind her.
Not tired in the slightest, Catherine went outside after leaving Dumbledore. Finding a quiet spot on one of the balconies facing the inner courtyard, she leaned against a low wall, looking out toward the commons. There were no lights to be seen within the castle, and a cloud cover had slipped over the sky while they'd been feasting.
What a subdued dinner that had turned out to be. She was almost sorry she'd indirectly spoiled the party. On the other hand, every group that wanted to survive had to learn to be flexible. Magical folk were no exception to that rule.
Feeling safe from prying eyes, she pulled out a hard silver case. She flicked it open and pulled out a short, filtered cigarette and a lighter. The flame of the lighter lit her small features briefly as she drew on the cigarette, before she snapped the lid of it shut. Pale tendrils of smoke curled into the night air. She inhaled with pleasure and relief.
"I daresay that's the kind of thing that will get you reprimanded at the very least," a lazy, well-cultured voice drawled from within a few feet of her. Only her training kept her from jumping in her surprise. Instead, she scanned the darkness for her unexpected companion.
"I suppose it would, except that this is designated a smoking area," she smirked despite herself. She flicked the lighter again, holding it up to where a sign had been placed. It read, Smoking Area, Staff only. "I checked in advance. "
The light had revealed Professor Snape's tall figure, clad in black robes and with his unkempt hair falling into his eyes. He moved forward to stand in front of her. She could barely see him, but she could feel his intense hostility. Then again, he'd made his feelings no secret from the first faculty meeting. She found him to be one of the most unpleasant people she'd ever encountered.
"How clever," he muttered dryly.
"What are you doing up so late, Professor Snape?" She asked him casually, trying to change the subject.
"I might ask you the same," he responded.
She sighed.
"I'm still getting used to the time change. It's hard to sleep," she answered truthfully.
"Really?" he drawled nastily. "Still?"She felt him moving closer. He was obviously trying to intimidate her, but all it did was make her aware that he at least didn't smell as unpleasant as his frumpy hair and permanent scowl made him appear. She couldn't tell what it was, but it reminded her of old leather. "What do you want here?" he asked her rudely. "Truthfully. "
"I didn't know Slytherins could be so straightforward," she taunted.
"You don't know a lot of things about this place," he countered. He added darkly, "What could a Muggle know about the affairs of magic?"
"I know I don't like your tone," she parried.
"If you think you can undermine—"
"Professor Snape," she interrupted, "I'm here to catalog your library properly, and to make it easier for everyone to find whatever information anyone would like to find. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Dumbledore. I don't know why this is causing so much of an uproar. "She flicked a long line of ash over the wall, and took another nonchalant drag from her cigarette.
She felt him shift to lean one hand on the wall next to her. She refused to back away, and decided to deflect him with his own strategy. She straightened her back and brushed him to one side with her elbow as she moved to lean against the wall a few feet away. It was meant to be a dismissive gesture.
Instead of allowing her retreat, he followed her movement. He leaned over her shoulder so closely that she could feel his breath in her hair as he said, "No matter how you've managed to blind the old man, I can tell you that no one else will be so easy. What did you do to him, Mudblood?Bat your eyelashes?Swish your hips?Or maybe something more appealing?" He insinuated softly.
"Oh ye of little faith," she replied caustically. "What could a Muggle possibly do or say to ensnare a wizard?Hrm?"Taking Snape off guard, she turned to one side so she was facing him. "Or is this your way of coming onto me?"
Snape startled backward the slightest degree, then decided to press the advantage of his stance. "So now we see what our exalted headmaster really likes," he insulted. He surprised her again by reaching out his hand to touch her chin lightly. "Does he keep you all to himself?Or are you free for the taking?"
Catherine caught the hand holding her chin and twisted his fingers so he was forced to step backward. He grunted slightly, but she could feel him trying to break the hold. "Albus Dumbledore is an old friend of my family's, from before you were born, you jerk," she lied smoothly. "If you want to talk reasons not to trust, maybe I should be asking a few questions about you. "
He grew dangerously still. She'd hit some kind of nerve there, she was sure. He began to mutter something under his breath, and presumed he was trying a spell.
"I can't hear you. If that's an apology, you're going to have to say it louder," she said mockingly.
He stopped, shaking his head once as though he were confused himself. "Release me," he commanded.
"Apologize for insulting me," she countered.
He muttered some more under his breath. Growing tired of the game, Catherine decided to give him some encouragement. She gave his fingers a sharp tug upwards. He let out a muffled cry, barely audible. "Who are you?" he asked her, with an edge of curiosity … and what else?Respect?
"This conversation isn't going anywhere until—"
"All right!" Snape retorted in frustration. "I most sincerely and humbly apologize," he said sarcastically.
"Well, you could have been a little more gracious," she said, letting him go. "But I get the impression that actually is your good side. "She tried not to sound too amused, but was finding it difficult.
Snape brushed his clothing back into place in the dark beside her. She felt him start to move away but said, "Severus,"
"I beg your pardon?" He answered in haughty disbelief at her gall.
She was embarrassed by her own slip. He hadn't given her permission to use his given name. "I'm sorry … Professor Snape … it's just … "
"Yes?"
"It's different in America. Given names are more the rule than the exception. "
"I meant, what do you want, Madam Rosewood," Snape corrected her impatiently.
"Ok. Look. I know we got out of hand just now … but … I don't want this to be our relationship," she sighed impatiently at her own wording, even as she felt him bristle. "Our professional … I mean … teacher-librarian … relationship. I'm willing to be all courteous and English about it, if you are. "
"You have absolutely no grasp of the English language, do you, Madam?" He observed, as though amazed. "Much less any concept of the traditions of this school. "
She paused, waiting for more of an answer to her overture, and then realized she wasn't going to get one. "Fine," she said. "Just do me a favor and let me do my job, and we'll get by. "
"No one is going to believe you're here to merely catalog that library," Snape told her angrily. "No more than I do. I will find out your true purpose here. And believe me, you will regret ever crossing my path. "
"I already do," she answered tiredly. She flicked the smoldering tip of her cigarette aside safely and pushed the stub into her pocket to dispose of it in her room.
Without another word, she brushed passed him, and made her way back to her suite. As she got ready for bed, she fought her urge to curse and rant to herself in anger. Still, her last thought before she finally drifted to sleep was about Snape. Arrogant bastard.
%%%%%%%
Harry slid the invisibility cloak off his head, dropping it to the floor before he kicked it under his bed. He quickly slipped between the magically warmed sheets. Ron was fast asleep, unable to stay awake long enough to find out what Harry would have discovered during his sleuthing.
Harry still couldn't believe what he'd seen.
Snape had tried two different spells on her. Imperious was one. He couldn't hear the other, but neither had had any affect on her at all. If Catherine Rosewood was truly a Muggle, then how had she evaded those spells?Only a very powerful witch could have deflected those, but she hadn't so much as chanted anything in response.
The new librarian wasn't going to be like any other librarian he'd ever heard of, Muggle or not. And now, he wasn't any more sure than Snape appeared to be that she could be trusted … with or without Dumbledore's approval.