Labyrinth of mind
Hi there! I'm back with another story, Labyrint of mind, and I sincerely hope that you'll like it. It is Rabastan/OC story, but there will be Severus, Dumbledore, other Death Eaters and many others as well.
The story starts during OOTP, right after the mass break out of Azkaban, and will continue through the other books as well.
I kindly ask to you to be tolerant of my English – it's not my native language. I hope the first chapter isn't too confusing, but I promise it will all be explained later.
Please, let me know, what you think! I would love to read your opinions.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
The year of 1996 started badly enough. But this day, the beginning of the third week of January, was the worst so far. Caroline, one of the Mind healers of St. Mungo's spent her whole night writing reports for the Ministry, Aurors and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement itself, regarding the death of Brederick Bode. Brederick Bode, former Unspeakable, was in her care practically since the beginning of December, when he was brought to the St. Mungo's, because he believed himself to be a teapot.
It took about two minutes for Caroline to find out that his condition was caused by quite a strong spell and another five to find out, that whoever was the cause of his current condition attempted to use the Imperious course on him as well. It took her however much longer to make him better, but finally, just before Christmas, his condition began to steadily improve. It actually improved so much, that he no longer needed a Mind healer, and Miriam Strout, the head healer of The Spell Damage ward was charged with his wellbeing.
Therefore, it was a very unpleasant surprise for her, when she was called to his room once more yesterday morning, only to find three Healers desperately trying to bring him back to life, after he was strangled by Devil's Snare. Sadly, all of their attempts failed, it was too late.
Not long after that, the whole St. Mungo's was full of Aurors, people of the D.M.L.E. and shortly after even with the Minister himself, accompanied by some of the Daily Prophet reporters.
Not that it was uncommon for someone to die in St. Mungo's. But it was highly uncommon for someone to be strangled by Devil's Snare, while being almost healed. Caroline couldn't even count, how many times did she have to tell everything she knew that day to the investigators, and even had to get together all the paperwork during the night, because Miriam Strout was for now suspended and taken by the people form D.M.L.E. for interrogation.
Caroline felt bad for the healer. She knew how chaotic it may have been during Christmas in The Spell Damage Ward department, and she hoped that this mistake, although fatal for the former Unspeakable, won't cost her hard-built career and the suspension from work won't be long.
But what was strange for Caroline was that her brother hadn't been here the previous day and some other Aurors she knew were missing as well. Well, she got the explanation this morning, as the Head of Auror department stormed into her office.
Her older brother was rightfully often described as a man with resemblance to a lion. There were streaks of grey in his mane of tawny hair and his bushy eyebrows, he had keen yellowish eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp.
This time however, his expression was even warier than usual and his face had a shade of worry. The Mind healer took her eyes of the papers, and gave the Auror a tired greeting.
"Caroline," started Rufus Scrimgeour with a frown face. That sharpened all her senses, despite the tiredness she felt.
"What happened?" she asked in voice just slightly lauder than a whisper, all attention now focused on her older brother.
He gave her another sad look and took a breath. "There was a mass breakout of Azkaban, yesterday. We're missing ten prisoners." There was a moment of silence, but the look on Caroline's face inclined that she knew there was something else.
"Rabastan is among them."
With that said, the witch stood abruptly from her table, and turn her face towards the window, with a trembling hand reaching to her face. Now she understood, why her brother and some other high-ranking aurors were missing yesterday. They had much bigger problem.
"We have to you get you somewhere to safety immediately," he spoke again, this time with firmer voice as he put the newest Daily Prophet on her table. The young healer turned herself towards Rufus again.
"And where is that supposed to be?" she hissed at him. Her brother gave her a stern look.
"I've already spoken with Dumbledore," he said with a tone, that he used to for addressing other ministry officials. Caroline frowned at him. She was too well aware of the fight that Dumbledore led with the Ministry, and she knew that despite the fact that her brother held the Hogwarts headmaster with high amount of respect, he has done absolutely nothing to support him.
Rufus Scrimgeour looked like he suspected his younger sister's thoughts, and spoked again. "I have tied hands, Carol. Fudge is pushing all his influence these days."
The mid-age witch still had a doubtful look on her face so Rufus made another exasperated breath, came closer to the table and leaned his both hands against it.
"You need to pack your things, excuse yourself from work for the foreseeable future and meet with Dumbledore," his voice was now stern, not allowing any objections.
Seemed lost for words, Caroline just nodded her head. But that seemed to be enough for the men in front of her, as he gave her one last look and departed her office.
In the afternoon of the same day, Caroline was levitating her luggage in front of her, as she headed towards the Hogwarts castle. She smiled slightly at the sight of Minerva McGonagall awaiting her by the entrance. Her transfiguration teacher hasn't changed a bit since she last saw her.
"Good afternoon, professor," the younger of the two of them greeted politely.
"Good afternoon to you too, Caroline," Minerva McGonagall answered with a slight smile on her face, "I'll accompany you to professor Dumbledore's office."
It slightly warmed the healer's heart to see her former teacher acting almost fondly towards her. During her school years, Caroline had quite big problems with many subjects, transfiguration included, and had failed her OWLs in that particular subject miserably, but despite her poor results in professor McGonagall's class for five years, after their second encounter sometime after school graduation, the two of them managed to create some kind of fragile friendship.
Caroline casted a quick Notice-me-not-charm on herself, and Minerva transfigured her luggage into just a small box, which she took and put into her pocket.
The two of them walked in silence, passed a few students, who all respectfully greeted their professor, and finally reached the headmaster's office, where the transfiguration professor said the password, gave the younger witch the box she had in her pocket and with a wish of nice day, left.
It took Caroline few second before she gathered the courage and knocked on the door. Almost immediately, the door opened, and she faced Albus Dumbledore himself, inviting her to sit opposite him with a kind but concerned smile on his face.
She sat it the chair he'd offered and for a moment, there was an uncomfortable silence in the room.
"I've already talked to auror Scrimgeour. He seemed to be very concerned for your safety," Dumbledore broke the silence. Caroline just nodded at that. She didn't look comfortable at all in this current situation, as she fixed her eyes on the floor.
"Arrangements can be made, just like last time, my dear," he said with a soft voice, but again got just a nod of his companion head instead of a verbal answer.
Dumbledore waited for another minute, but when it seemed the woman if front of him had nothing to tell him, he spoke again.
"I'll will arrange things with Severus. I think it would be for the best, when we do it exactly like the last time," he said and then stood up, and walked to his Floo. Catherine watched him, as he asked the potion master to come to his office, as soon as possible.
"Before Severus joins us, I'm afraid I have to warn you, Caroline. I'm afraid that with the current state of things, you'll have to stay out of the sight most of the day. I'm worried, that should Madam Umbringe hear about your presence here, it could reach some ears you don't want the news about your presence in the castle to hear.
Caroline, of course, heard about the current situation with the new High Inquisitor. "I'll be careful, professor."
Shortly after, the door opened, and Caroline turned her back to see a familiar face.
"You wished to see me, headmaster?" Severus Snape asked coldly, his eyes quickly scanning the person standing before him.
"Yes, yes, thank you for coming, Severus," said Dumbledore and with a gesture of his hand, invited him to sit beside Caroline. For her, it felt too much like sixteen years ago, when they were seated exactly in the same places.
She doubted that Severus wouldn't know why she was here. "It seems that Madam Lestrange will be once again required to stay within the castle, Severus," Dumbledore said with a soft voice. But although he didn't say it, all of them knew, where in the castle she was supposed to stay.
Old memories came to her mind. Last time when she was in hiding, the only place that seemed to be the one, no one would ever expect her to be, were Severus Snape's quarters. Not, that it would her first choice. She was hiding in several different places, but was always discovered and several times managed to escape just in the last moment.
Finally, Dumbledore offered her a deal. He would make sure that she was hidden safely, and in return, she would teach his new spy Occlumency and Legilimecy.
She knew Severus from school, they were in the same house, although she was two years above him. It was good that Severus was so interested in the Dark Arts during the school, because when she moved in and started to teach him what she knew, he already had some basic knowledge about both, Occlumency and Legilimency.
While staying in Severus's quarters for almost two years, the man had had mastered both of the arts in almost quarter of the time, and was even able to deceive the Dark Lord himself.
Caroline herself, was both, natural Legilimens and Occlumens. She fully mastered both of the arts during her sixth year in Hogwarts, as she spent most of her time in the library, due to the fact that she had managed to attend just the Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. courses, because she failed all of her other subjects' OWLs miserably.
Not, that she was stupid or because the lack of studying. She actually managed to pass most of the theoretical exams. It was the practical part, she had the most problems with. Caroline knew, what she was supposed to do. She just couldn't bring her magic to do it.
Her lack of her practical magical abilities, was often the reason why she was mocked by other students during her time in Hogwartds. The other Slytherins had never mocked her in the corridors and during classes, as they valued the house unity in the eyes of other houses – that was reserved for the Gryffindors and Rawenclaws - but inside her Common room, she was often the centre of jokes as well.
Caroline never truly understood, why she had so much problems with conjuring spells. Only in her sixth year, she finally began to understand. She was natural Legilimens and Occlumens. That's why she always had problem with concentration, why she always seemed to know what other people were going to say, before they even said it. Her lack of abilities was the terrible price for being exceptionally gifted in the "Mind Magic" area.
Dumbledore, naturally, knew about this. It didn't escape his notice, that the sixth-year student started to spent all her time in the library, and even asked her Head of House, Horace Slughorn, for his approval to use some of the books from the Restricted section. In the mid-term, he even invited his student to his office. Caroline was reluctant to speak about her abilities in the beginning, but in the end, she found a great teacher in Albus Dumbledore, who not only promised her to keep her secret for himself, but even gave her quite high amount of advices.
As she got better and better, in the end of her sixth year, she was able not only to invade other people's mind wandlessly and nonverbally, but was able to recognise the presence of other people, as she could feel their minds, as well.
When she returned for her seventh year, the things started to get a darker shape. The Dark Lord was slowly gaining power and followers. The January of 1976 was the time, when it all took a turn for the worse. It was already after curfew when she headed back to her Common room after one of her regularly meetings with Dumbledore, when she sensed some other mind's presence near her. She stopped for a moment and concentrated. She knew this mind.
"Rabastan?" she asked into the dark, as she was sure her classmate was somewhere near. Her heart was racing and she was clutching her wand in her hand, although she was well aware of the fact, that she wouldn't stand a chance against Rabastan. She decided to put all her effort into invading his mind.
She only invaded it and started to read it through, trying to find out his intentions when she felt she had a wand pointed directly between her shoulder blades.
She knew what he was going to say, even before he said it.
"Whatever you're doing, stop it," Rabastan said with low, dangerous voice and Caroline could feel the pressure of his wand on her back. She was still concentrated on his mind, and could feel the emotions and some thoughts that were running in his head. Anger, confusion and fear were the most dominate ones.
"I don't know, what you're talking about," Caroline replied with calmed voice, using all her Occlumency abilities to keep her emotions in line. That seemed to anger Rabastan even more.
"Drop. Your. Wand," he said trough the clenched teeth and walked slowly around her, his wand now pointing at her heart. His emotions were now practically flying through him and Caroline tried desperately to find something in his mind she could have work with. She knew he was aware, that something was amiss with his mind, so she decided to listen to him, and dropped her wand in attempt to distract him.
As he slowly got down for her wand while still pointing at her with his own, Caroline finally familiarized herself with the way his mind worked. She was now desperately trying to get herself out of this situation. She knew Rabastan was a skilled wizard, and had some knowledge in the Dark Arts. She felt he knew she was doing something with his head.
Caroline was now attempting to do something she only tried a few times before, and in much less serious way. She was trying to make Rabastan think he heard a teacher approaching and to create a thought, that the best thing to do was to leave for the Common room immediately.
He looked like he was having an inside fight with himself but Caroline pushed further and further, until she could feel, she had won.
"Crap," muttered Rabastan, took both of their wands in one hand, grabbed her wrist with the other and headed with quick steps towards their Common Room.
Caroline did her best to stay focused on his mind while he was dragging her back to the Common room. He seemed to believe that Slughorn was approaching them, and by the time they reached the Common room, the witch could say she could read his mind like an open book. She slightly turned him to face her, so she could have a better eye contact and could influence him easily.
She imposed him the thought that she was probably on her way from owlery and once she was sure he believed it himself, she gave him a soft smile.
"Good night, Rabastan," she whispered and left for her dormitory.
She had to shake her head to make the old memories go away and tried to concentrate on Severus and Dumbledore, that were both watching her.
"I think we can manage." Severus's cold voice interrupted Caroline from her thoughts.
"Wonderful," said Dumbledore, obviously pleased to hear his Potion master had agreed. "Now we just to work out on some details," he continued and give the witch a pointed look.
"I'm afraid, that during your stay in the castle, I will have to use your talents, my dear," he said and Caroline just nodded her head. She expected that much. Severus however, stood up from his chair and gave the headmaster an emotionless look.
"I think that does not concern me, headmaster. If you excuse me, I have essays to mark," he said as he made his leave, "I'll ask the house-elves to adjust my quarters, for Madam Lestrange's stay."
Caroline and Dumbledore both watched him leave and stayed quiet until the headmaster broke the silence. "How are you, Caroline?" he asked, with obvious concern in his voice.
Caroline took a deep breath and wanted to say "alright", but she stopped herself. It wouldn't feel right to lie to Dumbledore.
She took down her strong Occlumecy shields, as she did most of her time during her meetings with him in school years and took another deep breath. "I'm terrified."
"Has your husband made any attempts to contact you recently?" he asked kindly. But the word husband sent shivers through her back. She didn't feel like she had a husband. Not anymore.
"No. And Rufus said he didn't even talk to him during his last few inspections in Azkaban," she answered truthfully. Dumbledore only frowned at that. She knew what he was thinking about, although Dumbledore was skilled enough in Occlumency to hide most of his emotions and thoughts from her.
There were only few people, who knew about her abilities. Dumbledore himself, her brother, Severus and Rabastan. And Dumbledore was now thinking whether Rabastan told the other Deatch Eaters about her talents or not.
Caroline knew, that till his capture, he kept her secret. But now, there was no guarantee that he didn't already tell the others. She also knew, that should the Dark Lord learn about her, she had her destiny sealed.
"I'll inform the staff members about your stay here," he started once again, "with the exception of Dolores." He gave her another look, with a slight amusement in his eyes.
"I would advise you, Caroline, to avoid her and the students as much as possible, so that they stay unaware of your presence here. It would do no good for anyone, to try to explain your stay." Caroline nodded at that, that would be similar like the last time.
"I'll stay out of sight, professor," the young healer answered and the headmaster gave her an honest smile.
"I'm sorry to ask that for you, but as much as I don't want to, I have to," Dumbledore said, this time with more serious voice. "You are allowed to stay in Hogwarts for as long as you wish, but I have to ask you for something from you in return." That said, Caroline only smiled slightly at the wizard in front of her. She could feel his uneasiness and tried to catch some hints of his mind. His mental shields were up, but Caroline still could sense some of his emotions. Concern was among them.
Dumbledore then told her about the Ministry, about Harry Potter and what had happened during the Triwizard Tournament and what he knew about the Drak Lord. Caroline told him all she knew about Brederick Bode in return, including the fact that someone use the Imperius Course on him and watched the concern on the headmaster's face.
She believed Dumbledore everything he said, although she knew there was a lot of thing that he was hiding carefully behind his occlumency shields.
She had another question on her tongue, but she feared the answer so much, that she didn't even dare to ask, so she rather stood up and prepared to leave with another smile for meant for the headmaster.
She was already by the door, when the headmaster spoke again. "Caroline, I know that even after all that happened, you still love Rabastan dearly. I must therefore ask you, not to do anything rash."
All Caroline was able to managed was a slight nod of her head, as she started to build her shields one again, so had a better control of her emotions. But Dumbledore wasn't finished yet. He had another thing to say.
"Your son is fine, Caroline."
