The Jaded Curse
By: DaisyMum
Disclaimer: This is a Fan Fiction using the characters, settings, and ideas of J.K. Rowling. I am just borrowing them to help me weave my yarn for you.
Chapter 1 Surprise!
The wind was howling down the narrow alley making trash bins sway and clatter. The gates rattled on their hinges as the small group quickly made their way toward the last one. A shudder battered the house across the cobbled way causing a cat to screech. The younger of the two women froze and hugged the infant she had strapped to her front. The elder pushed the three year old against the wall behind her back while reaching inside her coat. The wind was making it next to impossible to know if anyone was following them. Breathing a sigh they continued to the end of the narrow drive.
The garden wall was gray and cracked, weeds clinging to the small openings. The rod iron spikes were oxidizing from years of neglect. This wall was the only one with such spikes. Despite their menacing intention, they were rather whimsy, in a weird pirate turned socialite way. The roses from the enclosed garden had been left to grow wild. Their soft pink and white heads poke though, around, and over the impalement. The iron battery stood in a repeating pattern of sabers, daggers, axes, harpoons, maces, and riffles with fixed bayonets, with the occasional cannon just for show. When looking to the top of the wall even the most determined cat burglar would think perhaps there might be a better form of birth control. The wall had a small shack attached to protect the trash bins. Just to the left of the trash was a storm water grate obscured from all angles. It was an odd place for a grate especially since the ally was graded toward the main cross street. People just assumed it was another example of public taxes wasted.
The small party stopped at the storm grate and began to relieve themselves of their baggage. They quickly set to work moving excess debris from the grill. After removing the protective cover around the lock, the older women tied her fine blonde hair out of the way while the younger russet woman sprayed grease on the moving parts. It took both of them to turn the four inch key. Upon opening the drain they were very thankful for the wind and the noises it caused.
Climbing down into the dark hole the young mother retrieved a small pin light and began searching for the next locked portal. After lubricating and unlocking, the cage door opened. Returning to the others she and the elder handed off their baggage and two children. Once all were inside and the top closed, the young mother led the way down through the tunnel to the pirate's boot hole.
Upon reaching a sharp turn the tunnel flattened and the older woman, nanny to the children, risked using a slightly larger torch. The little girl squealed and began to cry. Handing the light to her mother the nanny picked the girl up and continued through the tunnel avoiding the disgusting rodents. The tunnel started to rise on an incline for the next fifteen feet and then abruptly ended in a circular room about eight feet wide and twelve feet high.
In the middle of the barren chamber was a fireman's pole leading to a cellar door. The walls were smooth with no foot holes in the perfectly cut granite. Grimacing the mother handed the infant to the nanny, wiped her palms on her jeans and climbed up to the trap door. Retrieving a third and thankfully much smaller key she had little trouble unlocking it. Taking a deep breath she pushed her red head against the hatch. The door gave way very easily revealing the inside of a large cupboard. While trying to maintain her grip the young women frantically reached her hand through and scrapped around the opening. Finding her prize, she gave an enthusiastic tug and soon a plank and rope ladder fell down. Grinning with achievement she slid almost gleefully down the pole, only to somber when she reached the floor and her awaiting responsibility.
After what seemed like hours everyone and their effects were safely in the pirate's house. Turning to the nanny, the young lady sent her to the nursery with one of the bags and the two children. She then proceeded to check the utilities on the nearby wall. Amazed that they were all on and the house hadn't burned down, she untied the scarf around her head and pulled it off along with the short red wig. Taking off the small skull cap freed her rich brown ringlets. She breathed deeply collecting herself for the next step. The now golden brunette shrugged her pack on her back and picked up the child size pink satchel forgotten by its sleepy owner. She headed off to see what state the kitchen was in.
Draco Malfoy and Remus Lupin made an odd pair as they stood in front of the large home. Draco, superbly attired in black with a matching muggle styled overcoat, quirked an elegant brow in intrigue as he gazed upon his old school rival's home. Remus fished in his faded and worn jean pockets then checked his earth tone parka for the slip of paper he wrote the address on. After picking a navy piece of lent from his new birthday jumper from Molly Weasley, he glanced back and forth between the numbers on the house and on the paper looking confused.
"Humph," Lupin finally breached the silence, "not quite what I pictured."
Wearing a smug smile Draco responded, "I think it explains a lot."
"Indeed?" Lupin challenged looking in the small garden past the overgrown camellias with a few blossoms clinging to the branches, defying the autumn wind. The space between the curb and the front portico was divided by a short walk about seven steps long. On the right were four spaces for cars to park at and angle off the street. His eyes were fixed on the dingy half buried in the garden. It had dried stocks of wild flowers and ivy spilling out. He then looked toward the intricate sailing vessel carved on the massive front door and saw what else? Naturally two small cannons flanked the entry.
"I'm not sure what just yet... but yes it indeed explains a lot," Draco shrugged absorbing every detail of the façade. "She was always on the eccentric side."
When the two men reached the door the older one paused and spoke, "Spew," Directly to the brass knocker shaped like an anchor. Nothing happened so he repeated the password given to him. Again nothing happened; closing his eyes he scratched his head to think, "Oh bother, S.P.E.W."
"You've got to be joking," Draco rolled his eyes. The door however didn't find this amusing and silently swung open. Draco followed Lupin inside the bizarre house. Draco held his breath allowing his old professor to assess the situation.
"There is a fresh scent here. It is hard to distinguish how many. Who ever it was did not come in this way." Taking two more steps into the grand foyer he froze, "they're still here." Continuing in hand signals he indicated the door in the far right corner. Just as they began their approach a door shut upstairs a great distance away. Draco pointed to himself and then to the closer door and then gestured for Lupin to take the stairs giving him a ten count head start.
On the other side of the swinging door, Draco came upon a young woman with her head completely emerged in a cupboard searching for the teakettle. All he could see was her hair. Who could mistake those locks? He called to her just to be sure. Gasping she turned wide-eyed.
"What the Devil?" Draco said noticing the green eyes. He quickly moved in to attack the imposter. Reaching for his wand the lady quickly disarmed him with a well placed kick. Draco reached for her only to receive a hard block and then quickly followed by a simple one-two punch in both eyes. As the shock quickly wore off Draco began to block most of her strikes while giving a few as well. The imposter was well practiced in the art of Muggle self-defense; taking advantage of her knowledge she was able to over come Draco's strength.
Lupin heard Draco's struggles and turned back down the stairs. He burst through the door finding a very bloody but still standing Draco fighting a petite woman with no visible marks. Remus quickly interceded by grabbing the lady's foot before it could deliver a massive blow to Draco's chest. Surprised and irritated she shifted her weight and jumped with her other leg twisting and kicking the professor's jaw. She succeeded in escaping his grip which allowed her to fall to the floor and spin and kick Lupin's knee. But the usually disabling hit had no effect on the man. He then proceeded to pick her up with one hand flipping her to face the wall. He tied her arms and legs with conjured ropes and picked her back up and set her on the table. Then without flinching he waved his wand sending a stunning spell out in hall. It was followed by a loud thud that must have been from the nanny collapsing in the hall.
"Oh no," she franticly searched for a week spot in the ropes, while scanning the room for escape routes.
"Who Are You?!" the wizard barked.
"Who are you? And what are you doing in my house?" she spat back.
"You're not Hermione! Who are you?" Just as Remus grasped around her throat, Severus Snape appears followed by Minerva McGonagall.
"Down boy!" he yelled then continued with a lazy drawl, "I will make the introductions." Remus reluctantly let go of the woman. He stepped back, still holding his wand at the ready, and waited for the condescending professor to explain.
Red-faced and sputtering too much to put words together the young lady just queried a simple, "You?"
By: DaisyMum
Disclaimer: This is a Fan Fiction using the characters, settings, and ideas of J.K. Rowling. I am just borrowing them to help me weave my yarn for you.
Chapter 1 Surprise!
The wind was howling down the narrow alley making trash bins sway and clatter. The gates rattled on their hinges as the small group quickly made their way toward the last one. A shudder battered the house across the cobbled way causing a cat to screech. The younger of the two women froze and hugged the infant she had strapped to her front. The elder pushed the three year old against the wall behind her back while reaching inside her coat. The wind was making it next to impossible to know if anyone was following them. Breathing a sigh they continued to the end of the narrow drive.
The garden wall was gray and cracked, weeds clinging to the small openings. The rod iron spikes were oxidizing from years of neglect. This wall was the only one with such spikes. Despite their menacing intention, they were rather whimsy, in a weird pirate turned socialite way. The roses from the enclosed garden had been left to grow wild. Their soft pink and white heads poke though, around, and over the impalement. The iron battery stood in a repeating pattern of sabers, daggers, axes, harpoons, maces, and riffles with fixed bayonets, with the occasional cannon just for show. When looking to the top of the wall even the most determined cat burglar would think perhaps there might be a better form of birth control. The wall had a small shack attached to protect the trash bins. Just to the left of the trash was a storm water grate obscured from all angles. It was an odd place for a grate especially since the ally was graded toward the main cross street. People just assumed it was another example of public taxes wasted.
The small party stopped at the storm grate and began to relieve themselves of their baggage. They quickly set to work moving excess debris from the grill. After removing the protective cover around the lock, the older women tied her fine blonde hair out of the way while the younger russet woman sprayed grease on the moving parts. It took both of them to turn the four inch key. Upon opening the drain they were very thankful for the wind and the noises it caused.
Climbing down into the dark hole the young mother retrieved a small pin light and began searching for the next locked portal. After lubricating and unlocking, the cage door opened. Returning to the others she and the elder handed off their baggage and two children. Once all were inside and the top closed, the young mother led the way down through the tunnel to the pirate's boot hole.
Upon reaching a sharp turn the tunnel flattened and the older woman, nanny to the children, risked using a slightly larger torch. The little girl squealed and began to cry. Handing the light to her mother the nanny picked the girl up and continued through the tunnel avoiding the disgusting rodents. The tunnel started to rise on an incline for the next fifteen feet and then abruptly ended in a circular room about eight feet wide and twelve feet high.
In the middle of the barren chamber was a fireman's pole leading to a cellar door. The walls were smooth with no foot holes in the perfectly cut granite. Grimacing the mother handed the infant to the nanny, wiped her palms on her jeans and climbed up to the trap door. Retrieving a third and thankfully much smaller key she had little trouble unlocking it. Taking a deep breath she pushed her red head against the hatch. The door gave way very easily revealing the inside of a large cupboard. While trying to maintain her grip the young women frantically reached her hand through and scrapped around the opening. Finding her prize, she gave an enthusiastic tug and soon a plank and rope ladder fell down. Grinning with achievement she slid almost gleefully down the pole, only to somber when she reached the floor and her awaiting responsibility.
After what seemed like hours everyone and their effects were safely in the pirate's house. Turning to the nanny, the young lady sent her to the nursery with one of the bags and the two children. She then proceeded to check the utilities on the nearby wall. Amazed that they were all on and the house hadn't burned down, she untied the scarf around her head and pulled it off along with the short red wig. Taking off the small skull cap freed her rich brown ringlets. She breathed deeply collecting herself for the next step. The now golden brunette shrugged her pack on her back and picked up the child size pink satchel forgotten by its sleepy owner. She headed off to see what state the kitchen was in.
Draco Malfoy and Remus Lupin made an odd pair as they stood in front of the large home. Draco, superbly attired in black with a matching muggle styled overcoat, quirked an elegant brow in intrigue as he gazed upon his old school rival's home. Remus fished in his faded and worn jean pockets then checked his earth tone parka for the slip of paper he wrote the address on. After picking a navy piece of lent from his new birthday jumper from Molly Weasley, he glanced back and forth between the numbers on the house and on the paper looking confused.
"Humph," Lupin finally breached the silence, "not quite what I pictured."
Wearing a smug smile Draco responded, "I think it explains a lot."
"Indeed?" Lupin challenged looking in the small garden past the overgrown camellias with a few blossoms clinging to the branches, defying the autumn wind. The space between the curb and the front portico was divided by a short walk about seven steps long. On the right were four spaces for cars to park at and angle off the street. His eyes were fixed on the dingy half buried in the garden. It had dried stocks of wild flowers and ivy spilling out. He then looked toward the intricate sailing vessel carved on the massive front door and saw what else? Naturally two small cannons flanked the entry.
"I'm not sure what just yet... but yes it indeed explains a lot," Draco shrugged absorbing every detail of the façade. "She was always on the eccentric side."
When the two men reached the door the older one paused and spoke, "Spew," Directly to the brass knocker shaped like an anchor. Nothing happened so he repeated the password given to him. Again nothing happened; closing his eyes he scratched his head to think, "Oh bother, S.P.E.W."
"You've got to be joking," Draco rolled his eyes. The door however didn't find this amusing and silently swung open. Draco followed Lupin inside the bizarre house. Draco held his breath allowing his old professor to assess the situation.
"There is a fresh scent here. It is hard to distinguish how many. Who ever it was did not come in this way." Taking two more steps into the grand foyer he froze, "they're still here." Continuing in hand signals he indicated the door in the far right corner. Just as they began their approach a door shut upstairs a great distance away. Draco pointed to himself and then to the closer door and then gestured for Lupin to take the stairs giving him a ten count head start.
On the other side of the swinging door, Draco came upon a young woman with her head completely emerged in a cupboard searching for the teakettle. All he could see was her hair. Who could mistake those locks? He called to her just to be sure. Gasping she turned wide-eyed.
"What the Devil?" Draco said noticing the green eyes. He quickly moved in to attack the imposter. Reaching for his wand the lady quickly disarmed him with a well placed kick. Draco reached for her only to receive a hard block and then quickly followed by a simple one-two punch in both eyes. As the shock quickly wore off Draco began to block most of her strikes while giving a few as well. The imposter was well practiced in the art of Muggle self-defense; taking advantage of her knowledge she was able to over come Draco's strength.
Lupin heard Draco's struggles and turned back down the stairs. He burst through the door finding a very bloody but still standing Draco fighting a petite woman with no visible marks. Remus quickly interceded by grabbing the lady's foot before it could deliver a massive blow to Draco's chest. Surprised and irritated she shifted her weight and jumped with her other leg twisting and kicking the professor's jaw. She succeeded in escaping his grip which allowed her to fall to the floor and spin and kick Lupin's knee. But the usually disabling hit had no effect on the man. He then proceeded to pick her up with one hand flipping her to face the wall. He tied her arms and legs with conjured ropes and picked her back up and set her on the table. Then without flinching he waved his wand sending a stunning spell out in hall. It was followed by a loud thud that must have been from the nanny collapsing in the hall.
"Oh no," she franticly searched for a week spot in the ropes, while scanning the room for escape routes.
"Who Are You?!" the wizard barked.
"Who are you? And what are you doing in my house?" she spat back.
"You're not Hermione! Who are you?" Just as Remus grasped around her throat, Severus Snape appears followed by Minerva McGonagall.
"Down boy!" he yelled then continued with a lazy drawl, "I will make the introductions." Remus reluctantly let go of the woman. He stepped back, still holding his wand at the ready, and waited for the condescending professor to explain.
Red-faced and sputtering too much to put words together the young lady just queried a simple, "You?"