Gravel on the Ground: Taking Flight
Author's Note: This is a rather unique story in concept, and I've struggled with exactly how to explain it so it makes sense to readers. I finally begged help off of the amazing Smuffly, who very succinctly cut through the mess to the heart of the matter. So, thanks to her, here's what you need to know to read this story:
That this story has a background to it currently being written and posted on the Harry Potter section of this site. Two stories being written in tandem. So, in essence, it's a crossover, but more in concept and events than in characters, with the exception of a couple of original characters who bridge both worlds.
That you can choose to read it in one of three ways. Take it as a piece in its own right, because it can function as a standalone CSI NY story. Follow the background story at the same time (or first, if you like things to be chronological.) Or read the background stories later on. All the stories can be found on my author's page, and all bear the series title of "Gravel on the Ground."
For those of you that are detail oriented and versed in your Harry Potter universe, you should know I have altered two things. First, I have pushed the dates for the entire Harry Potter universe forward five years in order to better mesh with the CSI NY timeline. This has been done in all the novels, so things are consistent. And secondly, I consider all the extra material beyond what was published in the novels to be suggestions rather than canon.
Special thanks to Smuffly for being the heart behind this story and loving it as much as I do. For hours of endless plot help, encouragement, reading and re-reading, and editing. For making me keep writing it, and convincing me to post it. Without her, this story wouldn't exist, so, Smuffly, this story is for you.
Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters, plots or settings belong to either the creators of CSI NY or J.K. Rowling. Only the original characters and the story idea belong to me. I make no profit from this.
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"And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings."
- Meister Eckhart
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Prologue
Mac Taylor looked up as the young lab tech knocked on his office door. Either they were getting younger or he was getting older because she hardly appeared ready to be out of school. Although, after closer inspection, there was something about this particular one's eyes that seemed weary and ancient. Mac was a quick study of people; it was one of the reasons he was good at his job. He knew what that look meant. This girl had seen more than someone her age should. He fought the urge to sigh. Too many of his people had that look in their eyes.
"Come in," he said, gesturing for the young woman to enter the glass room.
She walked in with a small, shy smile and held a folder out to him. He took it and opened it, quickly scanning the contents.
"The results of the chemical tests from the processing plant?" he said with mild surprise. He hadn't expected those until at least tomorrow.
The girl nodded.
"What's your name?" he asked, impressed. He'd seen her around, of course. With her bright red hair she was hard to miss, but even he couldn't keep all the lab techs' names stored in his head, especially the ones who usually worked the shifts when he wasn't there. And he hated to admit it, but he hadn't kept quite as close of tabs on the entry level lab employees as he usually did. Between the explosion two months ago that had nearly taken Don from them and left the team reeling, and his new…whatever it was called with Peyton, he'd let a few things slide.
Time to start making up for that.
The girl blushed slightly at his question and glanced down behind her glasses. Then she pulled the ID card off her coat and held it out to him.
Curious, he took it. "Sadie Weasley," he read out loud. The name tugged at the corners of his recent memory.
She nodded, glancing longingly at the door.
He handed the badge back and gave the tech a pointed look, asking for an explanation for the unusual introduction.
A resigned expression slipped over her features as she took the card back. With growing curiosity, Mac watched her reached into the pocket of the lab coat she was wearing and pull out a small spiral notebook and stubby pencil. She flipped it to the first and turned a well-worn, pre-written message toward him.
I can hear but I can't speak.
Ah. That answered many questions. He felt a flash of guilt for the discomfort he was obviously causing her, and the fact that this was a detail he really should have already been aware of.
"Did you do the tests?" he asked her, determined to treat her like anyone else and try to ease the self-consciousness she felt about her boss finding out she was different.
She nodded again.
"How did you get them done so fast?"
This time she flipped to a clean page in the notebook and started scribbling with the pencil for a minute before she handed it over for him to read.
I work on the janitor crew, too. Finished cleaning early this morning but still had 2 hours left. Needed something to do.
Mac eyed her again, pondering. A young lab tech, right out of college, who picked up extra shifts cleaning toilets instead of hitting the bars and clubs with her peers? She was either strapped for cash, or not fitting in well. He glanced at the notebook again before returning it. It can be hard to be different, he thought sadly.
"Well, thank you," he said, meaning it. "You just put us ahead on this case."
She blushed a little and smiled shyly, then turned to leave, but Mac suddenly remembered why her name was familiar.
"You were on the list to take the Level Two test but you took your name off," he said, stopping her from leaving. She turned back to him hesitantly. "Why?" he asked. The results he'd skimmed just now were thorough and neat. She obviously had the knowledge and skills, not to mention the work ethic.
She shrugged, but Mac held her gaze, not satisfied. He had little tolerance for wasted talent and he wanted a better answer than that. Finally, her shoulders slumped and she pulled out the notebook again.
I don't have the money for the test fee, he read when she handed him the little book.
Mac softened as one of his guesses was confirmed. "Take the test," he said, smiling kindly as he handed the note back. "We'll worry about the fee later."
A look of astonishment filled her face.
Really, she wrote quickly.
"Really," he replied with another smile, nodding. He could see there was talent hiding in this young lab tech, and he'd never backed down from encouraging that when he found it, no matter how unorthodox it might seem. He'd built the best crime lab around by putting faith in a bunch of misfits that most others wouldn't have given a second glance.
Suddenly, there were small tears spilling out of the young woman's eyes and rolling down her cheeks. She wiped them away, embarrassed, and gave him a wobbly smile.
*Thank you, thank you,* she signed, notebook forgotten. Mac didn't know sign language, but the meaning of her motions was obvious.
"You're welcome," he replied.
Still fighting to control her emotions, the girl gave him another grateful look and then ducked out of his office. He smiled one last time to himself then picked up the report she'd brought him and started studying it in depth. The more he read, the more he knew he'd made the right decision. He would personally be watching for the Level Two test results this time around.