Ok this chapter takes place during the episode 'Rite of Passage' in Season 5 of Stargate SG-1 (I'm just going to say again, I'm not really sticking to the timelines here except when it suit the story, sorry if it gets confusing). I won't be going through the episode step by step, instead I'll be hopping through it with some changes along the way.
Hope you like the results.
And so sorry for the long delay in updating. I've a million and one excuses but no one's really interested in them so ON WITH THE STORY.
Jack heard the phone ringing just as he was ushering Harry and Hermione out the door to head to Janet's. Cursing under his breath he motioned for the kids to keep going, "I'll catch up in a second."
Running back down the hall he grabbed the receiver just before the answering machine picked up, "Hello? Sam?! What's wrong?" Sam's voice sounded strained as she explained about Cassie having to be brought to the infirmary. Jack managed to contain himself at just a few choice swear words before he got down to business, "How is she doing?"
"We don't know at the moment but she appears to be stable. Janet's running tests to try and figure out why she collapsed."
"I'll be right there."
"What about the kids?"
"I'll bring them with me."
"Are you sure that's a good idea sir? We've managed to contain the knowledge about magic from getting back to the NID but if you bring them here I'm not sure we can stop people from talking."
"We don't have much of a choice. Jean and Richard are out of contact for the night."
"What about Tabby or Sirius?"
"No idea where they've run off to."
"Shit."
"Look, just tell Hammond I'm bringing them onto the base. As long as we keep them on the guest and medical levels with visitor passes we should be fine."
After Carter hung up Jack rubbed his hands over his face before heading back out to the truck. Climbing into the driver's seat he turned to face the two children, "There's been a change in plans guys. Cassie's sick. We're going to the base to see her but you two have to promise to behave yourselves there."
Jack barely got the rest of his statement out as Harry and Hermione started asking about Cassie. Holding up his hands he whistled to get their attention, "We don't know anything yet. She collapsed at home and now she's in the infirmary. Janet and Sam are already with her."
Harry looked at him with big imploring eyes, "Is she going to be ok?" He looked as though he was about to cry and Jack pulled him into a quick hug, "Hey. If anyone can fix her it's Janet. Come on let's go see her."
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Sirius tugged at his robes nervously and leaned towards Minerva who was sitting next to him in the waiting area, "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Her eyes never left the clerk sitting behind the desk across from them as she responded quietly, "We don't have a choice."
Forcing himself to continue whispering Sirius checked again to make sure he still had his wand within easy reach, "We've managed to keep ourselves hidden for two years from this lot. Why out ourselves now?"
"Because, sooner or later, they're going to catch on to me jumping between continents and the children's underage magic. This way we have some control over what happens as a result of it."
"I think you're getting overly paranoid."
"It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you."
Before Sirius could respond the office door opened and the American Ministry official stepped out into the waiting area. She spoke to her clerk for a couple of minutes and then sent him on his lunch break. When the young man had left the official waved her wand to put a ward around the room and looked at the two sitting across from her.
Her stern face broke into a wide grin, "Minnie! How've you been?"
Sirius could only gape in shock as Minerva stood up and hugged the other woman, "Andria. It's good to see you. I didn't know you'd joined the ranks of paper pushers!"
Standing slowly Sirius just watched as the two, obviously, long-term friends exchanged barbs and pleasantries. Raising his hand to bring attention to himself he waited until both were looking at him before he spoke, "What the hell is going on?"
Andria laughed, "Sorry. I haven't seen Minnie in about seven years so we're just catching up." Minerva grinned and put her hand around the woman's shoulders, "Actually I'm go by Tabby now." She jerked her thumb at Sirius, "Courtesy of that idiot."
Sirius felt himself get a little uneasy as he was treated to a smile from Andria that would have looked much more at home on his face. The American giggled, "Oh I think I'm going to like you."
After a few more minutes of the two women joking with each other Andria stepped back and brushed the front of her jacket a bit, "Ok down to business. What's going on?"
Tabby and Sirius exchanged looks before she turned back to her friend, "I think you should be sitting for this story Andy. It's a…an involved tale."
Shrugging Andria lead the way into her office, "All the best ones are. So what am I looking at here? Corruption, politics, greed, kidnapping, murder, seduction, betrayal or mystery?"
Sirius giggled, "All of the above…well, except for the seduction part, but the tale's still going so maybe!" Andria laughed lightly and motioned for them to sit, "Well in that case I think a cup of tea is in order."
As she poured the tea Tabby leaned forward in her seat, "Do you know the name Harry Potter?"
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Teal'c was confused. Usually when he and Bra'tac returned from being off-world there was at least some members of SG-1 waiting for them on arrival. Instead Silar stood in the gate room looking anxious.
As they walked down the ramp Bra'tac spoke quietly, "Something has happened." Teal'c's attention was mostly diverted by Silar walking towards them but he managed to respond, "Indeed."
When they reached the bottom of the ramp Silar spoke, "Welcome back Teal'c, Master Bra'tac." The Jaffa warriors inclined their heads slightly in greeting before Teal'c spoke, "What is happening Sergeant Silar?"
Silar exhaled desperately, "Doctor Frasier came in a few hours ago with Cassie. She's in the infirmary and running a high temperature. General Hammond is just about to hold a briefing and wishes you both to join him."
Nodding the two Jaffa left the gate room quickly, depositing their staffs in a nearby armoury. As they moved towards the briefing room Bra'tac spoke quietly, "I fear there is more to this than a simple illness Teal'c."
Teal'c's eyebrow rose slightly as he instinctively quickened his pace, "Indeed."
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Harry sat on Cassie's bed holding her hand and trying hard not to cry. Hermione was waiting by the door for a guard to bring them some food while his dad and the other adults had gone to talk somewhere private. Sam had offered to take them to a different room but neither he nor Hermione had wanted to leave Cassie.
He couldn't remember being this scared since he'd come to live with Jack. Cassie was so quiet, barely moving except for when her eyes jerked behind the closed lids. His fear started to get the better of him and a few tears escaped against his will.
Hearing the click of metal he looked up to see Hermione standing on the other side of the bed holding out a plate with a sandwich on it. She gave him a watery smile, "She'll be ok Harry. Eat."
Chewing the sandwich reluctantly Harry could taste the salt from his tears soaking into the bread. "What if she isn't Mione?!"
"Janet's the best doctor in the whole world Harry. I know she'll fix Cassie."
He smiled thankfully at her and wiped away his tears, "You're right."
"Of course I am. Now eat your sandwich."
The guards at the door shared sad but hopeful smiles as they listened to the two kids sitting on Cassie's bed. Both of them wished they still had that much faith in the world and were praying that faith would be rewarded just so the two kids could hold onto it for a little longer.
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Bra'tac agreed to stay with the children while SG1 investigated a possible cure on Cassie's home world. He sat with Janet at her desk as she tried desperately to work through all the possible cures she could think of. Placing a calming hand on her shoulder he waited until she looked at him.
"Have faith in them Doctor Frasier. They will find a solution."
He followed her gaze as she looked towards the children next to her daughter's bed, "I hope so Bra'tac. And not just for myself but them too."
He nodded once in understanding and quietly left her to her work. It seemed to be the only thing keeping her centred and he understood the need to kept oneself busy during times of crisis all too well.
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When Harry and Hermione could no longer contain their yawns Bra'tac ushered them to bed in one of the VIP suites. The eight and nine year olds argued bitterly all the way to their room but in the end nearly had to be picked up to get on to the big double bed. Bra'tac shook his head as he covered them with a blanket. They had already fallen asleep.
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Hermione woke suddenly when the lights exploded in the room. Harry was standing by the door peeking out and frowning. Creeping up next to him she poked his side. He held a finger to his lips and pointed out the small crack of the open door.
They watched as the guard took off running for the direction of shouting. When he'd rounded the corner both children slipped out of the room and started running for the infirmary. Hermione pulled Harry short from running full tilt around the last corner without looking.
He glared at her and she shook her head. "Listen." She whispered. Following her lead he tilted his head and could hear Cassie shouting at someone that they were killing her. Fear gripped him and he slipped out of Hermione's grasp and ran for his friend.
Lights were exploding all around him and he could make out Cassie holding her hands over her ears in pain, like there was a sound hurting her only she could hear. Running up to her he wrapped his arms around her legs and looked up at her with tears in his eyes.
"Don't leave Cassie! Please!"
The cloud of compulsion and fear lifted from Cassie's mind briefly and she looked down at the little boy who she loved like a brother. Her hand dropped to ruffle his hair once before she slipped into unconsciousness again.
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Sam joined Janet at the observation window. Looking down she saw Cassie hooked up to several monitors and Harry sitting on a stool next to her bed holding her hand. Jack was standing just on the far side of the door watching his son, his expression a mix between fond and worry.
Frowning she looked at Janet, "Why is Harry in there?"
Sighing Janet rubbed her face in exhaustion, "He seems to be the only thing keeping her stable right now. Sam her body isn't showing any signs of antibodies! Just more of the retro-virus, it's like her body isn't even trying to fight what's happening to her!"
"That could have been Nirrti's intention, to stop any of her subjects from overcoming the effects of her experiments."
Janet sighed again, "I thought of that, but Sam…if that's the case then our options are growing smaller by the minute."
Putting her hand on Janet's shoulder Sam steered her towards the door, "Let's go fill in Cassie."
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While Sam and Janet where at the briefing filling in the others on Cassie's new skill set Harry and Hermione had started playing a game.
The two children were pressing Cassie to show them how to levitate the chess pieces and she finally gave in.
"Just focus on the piece. See it move in your head and it should work." She had a piece spinning slowly in the air in front of her as she spoke and could only grin at the looks of fierce concentration on her friends faces.
Hermione's piece wobbled a little and she looked up at Cassie with a look of delight, "I made it move!" Cassie smiled, "Very good Mione. Keep going."
As Hermione went back to her piece Cassie glanced at Harry and nearly laughed. He was starting to go red with the effort of concentration he was using to try and get his piece to move.
"Relax Harry. Concentrating shouldn't hurt you." As Cassie spoke he sneezed and the chess piece flew across the room. Collapsing into giggles Hermione clapped, "That was great! Do it again!"
Harry turned red and shrugged sheepishly, "Well at least it moved."
Cassie grinned, "Yup."
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Janet looked at General Hammond hopelessly, "The only thing that seems to have any positive effect on her right now is Harry. Since he's been with her, her rising temperature has slowed down and she seems to be handling it better but it's still there. And I can't control it."
General Hammond frowned in thought, "Do you think there might be a connection between Harry's physiology and Cassie's changes?"
Sam blinked, "It's possible, I honestly didn't give it much thought, but there seems to be a definite correlation." Hammond stood up, "Start giving it some thought Major."
Nodding Sam stood and left the room with Janet. The others could hear them bouncing ideas off each other as they headed down the hall. Turning to the rest of the table General Hammond leaned his hands on it and sighed, "Any more progress with the lab Doctor Jackson?"
Daniel consulted his notes and shrugged, "Well you've certainly put a new spin on things General. We know that Nirrti was trying to create a Hok'tar using the children of Hanka but what if another planet had already reached that point?"
Teal'c raised his eyebrow, "You are referring to Earth and it's magical population?" Daniel nodded rapidly, "Yes! What if witches and wizards are just another step in the evolutionary scale?" Jack leaned back in his chair frowning, "Might explain why we've never come across any magicals except for here."
Teal'c tilted his down, "How so O'Neill?" Shrugging Jack looked at the monitor showing the observation room. Cassie was laughing happily as his son and Hermione were flinging chess pieces at each other without the use of magic, it seemed they'd forgone coolness for speed in this case. The knight still spun calmly in the air next to Cassie's head and it appeared she wasn't even aware of what she was doing anymore.
He started to speak, never taking his eyes from the screen, "Any human that showed even half of the abilities that Harry, or even Hermione, have would instantly become a target for the Goa'uld. Maybe the humans on other worlds never got the chance to develop past the formative stages that the magical community on Earth must have gone through."
When he looked back at the room Jack noticed the other three appeared shocked. Daniel's jaw looked like it was trying to get acquainted with the table top while General Hammond was blinking rapidly. Teal'c, as always, was stoic except for the mild jerk in his eyebrow.
Jack rolled his eyes dramatically, "Yes I do actually listen at these briefings you know!"
General Hammond cleared his throat and stood, "Alright then. Doctor Jackson I want you to go and fill in Major Carter. Colonel and Teal'c should go and see how the children are doing."
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Sam watched from the doorway of the observation room as Harry and Hermione kissed Cassie before heading for food. Her conversation with Janet and Daniel was whirling around in her head at a hundred miles an hour. The theory that magic was just the next step in human evolution made a certain kind of sense but she still felt that she was missing something.
Cassie was finally starting to show signs of tiredness and would hopefully sleep soon. Sighing Sam couldn't bring herself to enter the room just yet and speak with Cassie, not after what she'd just heard from Janet. Cassie wanted to change, wanted to be special. Sam had never known how left out the girl had felt these past few years while Harry, and then Hermione, showed up and could do magical things.
Taking a deep breath she mentally scolded herself for her moment of guilt. Funnily enough her inner scolding voice sounded like Tabby in full rant mode. The thought made her smile a little and enter Cassie's room.
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Harry and Hermione were just heading back to Cassie's room with their escort when Harry went still. Hermione stopped next to him and tugged his sleeve, "What's wrong?" Her question was low enough that the guard didn't hear it and kept walking.
Turning desperate eyes on her Harry choked out a whisper, "Something bad is with Cassie." Gasping Hermione grabbed his wrist and dragged him into a run. They'd passed the guard, who shouted ineffectually at them to stop, and nearly reached the corridor to Cassie's room when a loud alarm started to sound and red lights flashed in the hallway.
Skidding into the room them were just a moment behind Sam and Janet and heard Cassie's announcement of "It was a Goa'uld." Exchanging a confused look they both shrugged and ran to the far side of Cassie's bed so as to be near her in case the thing came back to hurt her.
Cassie gripped Harry's hand reassuring but continued to look at her mum and Sam while speaking, "I was asleep, I thought it was a nurse coming in to take more blood but I did sense its presence." Sam shook her head and looked at Janet, "I haven't sensed anything."
Before anyone else could speak Hermione piped up, "Harry did." At this the two older women and Cassie stared at him in shock. Shrinking in on himself Harry shrugged and mumbled, "It wasn't saying very nice things." Cassie blinked, "Harry…they didn't speak aloud."
Shaking his head Harry bit his lip, "Maybe it was just a mean snake." Everyone gasped at this and Sam ran for the phone on the wall, "This is a code three alert. We need zats and TERs in isolation room four now."
Hammond and the rest of SG-1 entered the room within a couple of seconds and Sam filled them in while Hermione held onto one of Harrys hands in a show of support. Seeing the fearful look on his face Cassie gripped the other one tighter. As everyone grabbed their weapons Jack declared his intent to stay in the room.
When everyone had headed out he looked at Cassie, "I figure you fought her off the first time I'm safer here with you." As Janet voiced her confusion over Nirrti waiting to come after Cassandra Jack had other things on his mind. Looking at his scared son he stepped around the gurney and scooped up in a big hug just like he had the first morning after Harry had arrived.
Putting him down quickly in case he needed to use his weapons Jack crouched down and looked Harry in the eye, "So snakes huh?" Nodding Harry chewed nervously on his lip, "Mione and me were playing in the garden a couple of weeks ago and nearly stepped on one. Would have too only I heard him shout."
Jack hummed and ruffled Harry's hair with a grin, "Well at least we know none of the snake heads can sneak up on you now." Harry sighed in relief as his father took the news in his stride. Seeing his dad smile he felt brave enough to ask, "Dad, what's a Goa'uld?"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
As the others searched the levels of the complex for Nirrti Cassandra had a revelation. "She wanted to know if her experiment worked!" That exclamation brought on the beginnings of an argument between her and Janet but before they could get into it Harry gasped.
Seeing his son look directly at the window to the observation room Jack took a chance and turned to fire his zat. Unfortunately he was a second too late and a concussive force blew through the window and knocked him to the ground. Janet covered Cassie in an attempt to shield her from the shards of glass flying into the room as a figure blurred into existence and tumbled through the air.
The person landed soundly and stood to advance on Cassie but before anyone could react Harry had flung himself in front of her attacker and hissed. Jack froze for a second before realising it was like his son was speaking, only with hissing sounds. Making full use of the moment of shock he fired at the Goa'uld, noting briefly that it had stopped its forward movement the minute Harry started hissing at it.
Firing off a round he hit his target squarely and they slumped to the floor. Moving forward he waved off the other guard, "We need her alive." Lifting up the veil covering her face he made sure it was Nirrti before taking out his radio, "Security to iso room four. Search teams stand down."
Rounding on Harry he grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him close in a bone crushing hug, "Don't you ever do that to me again! I was scared to death."
Before Harry could say anything Janet's panicked voice alerted them to Cassie having some sort of fit. Pulling away from his dad Harry ran and clambered up on the gurney as they started to wheel her to the infirmary. Although his presence did seem to help it by no means stopped the shaking.
Jack scanned the room and saw Hermione sobbing quietly in the corner as she hugged herself. Walking over to her quickly he dropped to his knees and hugged her, "Hey, its ok. We stopped her." Hermione scoffed at him and answered with a courage he rarely saw in most soldiers, let alone a nine year old, "I'm not crying because of that monster. I'm worried about Cassie."
Nodding once Jack stood to walk with her to the infirmary. As they followed the others Jacks mind was working furiously. It seemed that should his son wish it he could command a snake head!
The ramifications of this little discovery were not lost on Jack. On the one hand it was a useful tool in case any Goa'uld came after his son, however on the other hand it meant that if this knowledge got out Harry would immediately become the parasites main target!
And worse Nirrti now knew about it. Stealing himself for what was to come Jack felt the corners of his mouth turn down in a grimace. He knew what he was planning would mean his job but he would not put Harry in any more danger than he was already in.
The Goa'uld could not be allowed to leave the base alive.