Dr Cornwell
"Doctor. I apologize for the interruption, but I really need to ask you a few questions." A well dressed gentleman flashed a badge. "I am Chief Inspector Jones with the Specialist Crime & Operations of the Metropolitan Police Service. I have been put in charge of the search for your missing patients."
"We are moving up the chain of command I see. I apologise that seems to have gotten so out of hand. I never would have predicted so much trouble located these two. Then again, I never would have predicted their escape. Especially together." I motioned for the Inspector to take a seat which he did.
"I understand these two patients seemed to have had a history prior to being hospitalised here together." Inspector Jones said.
"Yes. I suspect as much. I have been unable to objectively confirm it, but I suspect she was once a student of his in possible a chemistry or other science class. Given the minimal details of Mr Snape's past and the limited information Ms Brown and her parents were willing to provide, I've had difficulty confirming this relationship. I can tell you the Ms Brown's parents did seem familiar with the name of Severus Snape."
"Interesting. Have you received any new information from your own internal investigation, Doctor?" He leaned in.
I studied the man for a moment. He seemed kind and open minded enough from their short interaction, but of course that was probably exactly the persona he wanted to portray. I took a deep breath. "Sir, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course." He nodded.
"If I asked you if you knew of such a thing as the Ministry of Magic, would you think me crazy?" I found myself resisting the urge to laugh at my own question.
The expression fell from his face for a brief moment before he smiled a forced seeming smile. "Of course not. I would simply wonder what drove such a question," he replied.
I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out the most recent printed article from the Daily Prophet on Severus Snape followed by several other references to him during the after what they referred to as the "Second Wizarding War."
"I see." He flipped through the pages.
"Do you have reason to believe this person the same Severus Snape?" An intensity burned behind his dark eyes when he caught my glance.
"What do you mean?" I looked away.
He cleared his throat. "I mean, did he or Ms Brown demonstrate any, shall we say, unusual abilities?"
"Well I'm sure you saw or were told how the lock on Ms Brown's window had been decimated without clear source."
"Yes. Is that all."
"No. Not exactly. I mean, I never saw anything clearly 'unnatural' but there were a lot of small unexplainable things that seemed to involve the two of them."
"Such as?"
"Ms Brown's emotions definitely seemed to affect those around her and Mr Snape was always unusually good at lock picking. I always got an eerie sense that Mr Snape could see my thoughts. And they both claimed to have magical abilities and called myself and the others 'Muggles.'"
Inspector Jones sighed. "Doctor, please do not mention this conversation to anyone. This investigation will be moved up to higher levels and the local authorities will be called back. I ask for your complete cooperation in this."
"Of course." I paused. "But please tell me, is this all legitimate? I mean, are there really Witches and Wizards among us?"
"My dear doctor, I wish I could tell you it is all something other than what you think, but I do not think I can do so truthfully. For your own good, however, once this investigation is complete, I suggest you forget everything you think you've learned about it."
I sat in silence as I replayed his words in my head wondering if he had just confessed that the Ministry of Magic and Wizarding Wars and Dark Lords really existed. "Will you at least let me know what happens to my patients? And if they will be returned to my care?"
He smiled. "I understand your concern. I will keep you as informed as I am allowed. Thank you for your time, Doctor Cornwell."
"Thank you, Inspector."
Severus Snape
After two days in the run down former pub and inn building along Knockturn Alley, Lucius finally called off my constant guard. It seemed he finally believed I had no intention to escape or otherwise pose significant threat, but not before I had adequate time to identify the members of the group plotting the Potters' murder, Blaise Zambini, Gregory Goyle, Theodore Nott, Marcus Flint, and Millicent Bulstrude, all former students and Slytherins.
"Good morning, Lucius." I nodded as we crossed paths in the hallway outside the room I had been given to stay since the night of my forced arrival.
"Good morning, Severus. I hope you remain well."
"For now, it seems."
"Please, join me for breakfast." He motioned down the stairs. "Others will be gathering this morning. I would like you to see what we've been up to."
"Of course. I am curious." We moved to the ground level to find many others already present.
After a few awkward nods around the table to all my former students as well none other than Fenrir Greyback, the former Death Eater and the very same werewolf responsible to Ms Brown's unfortunately state. I took the seat Lucius indicated next to himself and a plate of potatoes and sausage was passed in my direction.
"Okay, any questions before we get back to the business at hand?"
"Yeah! What will we do with the witch?" Marcus Flint, who seemingly had received the duty of guarding Ms Brown down in the cellar, demanded as he stepped up the stairs to join the group.
"She's mine,"Greyback growled.
"I think that is a mistake." I glared at the werewolf, making no attempt to hide my disgust.
"Calm down, Fenrir. We never settled anything," Lucius waved off the seething Greyback. "Severus, don't tell me you actually have feelings for the witch after all."
"None. But I do appreciate that she has certain gifts that would be tragic to lose to what will undoubtedly be a messy reunion."
"She's mental. What value could she possibly have?" replied Gregory Goyle.
With a side glance of annoyance towards my former pupil causing him to swallow audibly, I said, "The witch has developed a certain prowess for divination."
"What value is reading tea leaves and staring into crystal balls?" responded Blaise Zambini.
"You have learned little since Hogwarts, I see," I sighed. "You are plotting the death of Harry Potter and the Weasley girl, correct?"
There was silence as the group stared in my direction.
"She had a vision of this last week. She was headed to London to warn them."
"So you think we should keep her around?" Lucius asked.
"Yes. I think with some training, and some...motivation. She could be valuable to your cause. Of course, what you do with her is none of my concern."
"I don't believe him," Greyback replied. "He could have used Occlumency on any of you fools."
"He does make a good point." Marcus said.
Lucius laughed. "He's been in the mental house for years and hasn't seen a wand in just as long. Does anyone want to fess up to letting him into their head?"
"The night of the new moon, at the opening of the wand shop," I replied replaying the vision I had stolen from Ms Brown's mind a few nights ago.
"Malfoy. I only came here to claim her. I do not care about your revenge plot. Do not play with me." Fenrir growled.
"Perhaps we can come to a compromise," Lucius replied
Fenrir stood, shoving the table towards Lucius. "Where is she?"
"Now, now, Fenrir. You did state your interest in enacting your revenge towards Mr Potter as well, did you not?"
"Malfoy - we had a deal. I will not have your antics today." Fenrir charged off towards the staircase and Marcus quickly dodged out of his path.
I sat for a moment. In reality, I had little interest in confronting the werewolf, especially in his current state of rage, and my logic told me that my primary mission was to maintain the trust with the group if I hoped be successful in protecting Mr Potter, however, I could not bring myself to so easily sacrifice Ms Brown to that monster knowing everything she already endured at his hands. I glanced over at Lucius and raised an eyebrow. "It seems your group lacks respect in their leadership."
Lucius stood, drawing his wand from his cane. "Fenrir. You do not deserve to be among this group. I demand you leave this premises or I will alert the proper authorities of your continued existence."
"And I will tell them of your little gatherings, Malfoy. You have no power over me," the wolf called back up the stairs.
I stood as Lavender's scream echoed up the stairwell. Cursing under my breath, I followed Lucius down the stairs.
As I feared, Fenrir had Ms Brown pinned against the stone wall, arms pulled over her head. Strangely, though her eyes were closed, and she did not seem to struggle. For a long moment I thought maybe Fenrir's attack had already managed to cause her to lose consciousness.
The wolf stroked a finger over Ms Brown's hair. "You've shed those lovely golden locks, I see. That's a shame."
As Lucius and I stood at a distance watching Greyback press his nose into her hair and then run his tongue down her cheeks, I could feel the energy boiling within. I wondered if this disgust and anger would be powerful enough to manifest into anything that might prevent further damage towards the witch, but I quickly changed my mind as I noted the many wands drawn around me. Even if I could manage something offensive towards the werewolf, I could never defend myself and Ms Brown against all of them.
"Ah, common witch. Let me see those lovely grey eyes."
Lavender's eyes shot open wide and at the same moment Greyback drew away as if burned. The witch fell to the floor and swiftly rolling away from his grasp. "Bloody witch burned me. But -"
"Enough, Greyback. The witch's fate is up to the group. Not you," Lucius drew his wand. "Now if you want to continue being part of it, then I suggest we return upstairs."
Grasping his injured hand, he picked up his dropped wand and ascended the stairs with a low growl.
Without regard to those watching, I kneeled down beside the witch. "Are you injured?"
"Yes," she whispered pulling down the neckline of her shirt to reveal the bite marks along collarbone, atop the already mutilated skin.
"Blaise, grab the witch and put her in the room upstairs with the outer lock. Severus, we have dittany and silver upstairs. Please tend to her wounds," Lucius said.
"Yes. Of course," I replied and followed Blaise as he carried Ms Brown effortlessly up the stairs and placed her on the bed in the room that I had previously been using.
She immediately turned from me and curled herself into a fetal position with a groan. "Just let me die."