Ch 4

Sinead packed a small bag and was putting her notes in her purse as Bill finished his breakfast.

"Better get going or you'll be late." Bill said as Sinead frowned. "Your scared of him aren't you?" Bill asked with a smirk.

"I am not. I did a bit of research and he's very respected in the field of potions. I just wish he was more approachable. Nathaniel was a joy to work with as is Trent."

"At least I don't need to worry about you with him." Sinead shook her head.

"I can do as I want."

"I know that's why you have been writing to that Irish wizard non-stop." Sinead's cheeks flushed. During her visits to Ireland she had been seeing an Irish wizard named Colm. It was nothing serious but it was beginning to bother Bill.

"I'm going. I guess I'll see you at the Order meeting. I'm excited to meet everyone."

"Severus is bringing you then?"

Sinead nodded.

"And Dumbledore is going to meet you at the Leaky Cauldron."

"I know. I'm not a child, Sinead."

"See you then." Sinead grabbed a handful of floo powder and said "Hogwarts" as the green flames pulled her towards her destination. Usually people were not allowed to floo in unless from the Ministry but Dumbledore had modified the network for the visit. Sinead landed in Dumbledore's office and used a spell to remove the soot from her traveling cloak Dumbledore and Severus were both watching her.

"Good morning, Sinead." Dumbledore said rising from his chair.

"Good morning."

"I'll give you the grand tour of the grounds and introduce you to some of the other staff members. Severus is going to go make sure everything is set in the dungeons." A house elf appeared to take Sinead's things.

Sinead was shown the Hogwarts grounds by Dumbledore. While touring the grounds Sinead met Pomona Sprout the Herbology Professor who was tending her greenhouses. Next she met Argus Filch the caretaker as well as his cat Mrs. Norris. Dumbledore had wanted her to meet Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey but both women were at Diagon Alley picking up supplies.

After the tour Dumbledore showed her to the dungeons where Severus was finishing up another potion. Dumbledore sat back watching Sinead make sure she had everything she needed as Severus watched her from across the room. Severus finished his potion and with a wave of his wand he cleaned his station. Sinead started the enhanced wolfsbane potion as Severus joined Dumbledore to watch the witch work. Severus was impressed at how quickly and efficiently she worked. Dumbledore watched Severus's expression out of the corner of his eye. Sinead worked through the first potion quick enough and while it finished brewing she started the second potion which was much more complicated. When both potions were completed Dumbledore asked her a few questions mostly about why she had worked so hard on the potions and how long she researched everything.

"I really wanted to find a cure after my best friend was attacked in high school. We were with a group of friends and he pushed me and his then girlfriend out of the way and got the full brunt of the attack. Luckily I had my wand and subdued the werewolf while I called for help. Danny was a hockey star but after the attack he couldn't skate anymore. We was my inspiration and was one of the first to volunteer to try the first potion. There was no side effects and it worked, Nathaniel helped a lot before he passed. Danny would have made a good wizard but he's a darn good muggle police officer."

"I will be most interested to hear what the public thinks when your work is published."

"I'm a bit nervous but I have 5 people that the potion has worked for and the elders think after the article my potions will be in high demand."

"You do have talent, Miss O'Neil." Severus said taking Sinead by surprise since the dark haired man had been so quiet.

"Thank you."

"How is your investigation coming along?"

"So far I know the last name of the witch who created the curse, the base of it was a signature curse of her father who was a dark wizard. So far no mention on a way to reverse it but I still have some more texts to go through in Ireland. I've been spending a lot of time there."

"Carmine mentioned that when I checked in with her. Keep me informed of your findings and anything I can do to help I will." The older wizard stood. "I'll give you two some time to talk before dinner starts in an hour in the Great Hall."