Chapter 2: Rowan Obtains Some Thestral Hair
Rowan knew she wasn't going to get very far on her invisibility fabric project if she didn't get some help with the thestral hair. Problem was, she couldn't see thestrals. Hermione had told her that Luna Lovegood could see them. Luna was pretty weird, and several years younger, so she was not in any of Rowan's classes. She was a Ravenclaw though, so Rowan could try to talk to her at lunchtime. Rowan stopped Luna on the way out of the Hall after lunch. It took a moment for those silvery eyes to lose their dreamy expression and focus on the current reality. When sure she had Luna's attention, she asked her for assistance with her N.E.W.T. project.
Luna turned her unnaturally large eyes towards Rowan. "Do you need powdered Crumpled-Horned Snorkak horn? I think my dad can help you get some."
"Actually, it's thestral hair I need, only I can't see them."
"Oh, that's no problem. I can. How can I help?"
"I have some brushes for harvesting the soft hair; would you do it for me?"
"Sure, that sounds like fun. Shall we go down to Hagrid's after dinner?"
"That's fine, Luna, you're a pal."
After dinner in the hall, they walked together down to Hagrid's cabin. Rowan explained to Hagrid about her N.E.W.T. final project, and why she needed thestral hair. "Well, I'd sure like to see you give professor Snape some of his own back Rowan. Wait here, I'll go put out some bait." He slung a sack of raw meat he 'just happened' to have around over his shoulder, and headed towards the forest.
While they waited for Hagrid, Rowan gave Luna a big brush with a curved back and bent bristles like an oversized dog brush, and also a cotton sack. When they heard Hagrid make that eerie cry, they walked toward the sound, and Rowan explained to Luna what she should do. "You want to get the undercoat -- it will be soft and fine, like cashmere. The longer guard hairs can't be spun." Just brush the thestral with this. When the brush is full, pull the hair off with your hand and put it in this sack for me. Hopefully I'll be able to see the hair once it's off the thestral, otherwise I'm going to have serious problems with this project."
"If it doesn't work out, there's still the Snorkaks," Luna offered.
"Um, sure. Thanks."
They found Hagrid waiting by the bait. Soon enough, hunks of dripping meat started flying up from the joints and vanishing in the air, to the accompaniment of carnivorous gulping sounds. Hagrid went and stroked one alleged creature on the neck, and held it for Luna so she could brush its coat. Luna stuck her wand behind her ear, picked up the brush and began brushing the thestral. At least Rowan saw Luna moving the brush up and down. After a few strokes she turned the brush over and Rowan saw a black cloud of downy hair clinging to the teeth. Excellent! The hair was visible after it was removed from the creature. According to theory, it still should have some of the thestral's magic as part of its internal structure. This inherent magic could then be harnessed by spells and potions to give the finished fabric permanent magical properties which would not come out in the wash.
Luna picked the fluff off of the brush and put it in the sack. After she'd done this a few times, she'd gone over the whole skeletal frame of her thestral. She showed Rowan the sack and asked if that was enough.
"That's plenty, Luna, I only have to make samples, not a whole cloak. Thanks so much, I owe you a favor."
"That's ok, I think the thestrals are neat. Not as exciting as Heliopath's, but I like to visit them and brushing this one was fun."
The two ambled back up the hill towards the castle. It was still early in the school year, so the weather was relatively mild. On the way in, they passed Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape, deep in conversation.
"I wish I could dissuade you, Severus." Dumbledore was saying. "You know I value your efforts, but I think it has grown too dangerous."
Snape noticed the girls first, and gave them a sharp look. They passed into the castle and out of view as quickly as possible, trying to act as if they hadn't heard anything. Rowan wished she could overhear the rest of the conversation. It sounded extremely interesting. She knew better than to try to sneak back though. Snape had seen them and probably suspected they had heard at least something. He would be on his guard. She thanked Luna again, then went back to the Ravenclaw dorm to stow her prize in her chest.
Outside, Dumbledore and Snape paused their conversation while the two Ravenclaws passed by. Snape turned and watched Rowan closely, under the guise of making sure the two continued on into the castle, before he or Dumbledore spoke again. Her stride was long and briskly businesslike, with only a hint of a feminine sway to her robes as she moved. Firmly he quashed the notion, and turned back to Dumbledore.
"I understand your reservations, Albus, but we simply have no other way of being certain of the Dark Lord's movements and plans."
"I am not convinced that we are certain now, Severus. I doubt that he trusts you or lets you completely into his confidence. He may even be feeding you false information to lead us astray. We cannot use anything we learn -- If we do we will either let the Dark Lord know you have betrayed him, or we will be heading into a trap of his designing."
"He needs me, Albus; none of his other Death Eaters have remotely my skill at Potion-craft. If he wants my aid, he will have to tell me what he needs. Deceiving me would not serve his purpose."
"I'm afraid of what you might be forced to do to in order to stay in his circle. You know perfectly well the Dark Arts are not something you can just pretend at, especially not -- and forgive me for bringing it up my friend -- especially not for one who has practiced them in truth."
"You do not doubt my motives?"
"No, certainly not. I'm only afraid for you. You understand, don't you, why I have not given you the Defense Against the Dark Arts position? This is a far worse danger to you."
Snape looked particularly sour at that. "I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree. I don't intend to give up now."
Albus sighed, relinquishing the point for the time being. The conversation turned to more mundane administrative items as they walked back towards the castle.