Science and Magic

by MrsRJLupin

Cecilia Frobisher is a muggle who has been employed by Dumbledore to work on a potion for Harry to defeat Voldemort. What happens when she is forced to work with Snape? There is a completed sequel to this fic and 3/4 through the last story as of April 18. Feel free to download the audio from my Youtube Playlist: MrsRJ Lupin (a space between RJ and Lupin)

12. Trials of a Teacher

DISCLAIMER: ALL OF THE CHARACTERS AND SCENARIOS BELONG TO JKR AND/OR WARNER BROS.

88888888

"I wonder how many first years will end up in Gryffindor?" said Ron as they approached the Great Hall. "Last year there was only eight; I hope we'll do better than that this year."

"It's not a competition, Ron," said Hermione. "It's down to their nature, isn't it? Their personal qualities."

"Well let's just hope that plenty of the first years are courageous, brave and strong, then," said Harry, smiling a little as they walked into the Great Hall.

"What about new teachers?" said Fred, as they sat halfway down at the Gryffindor table. "There are always new teachers...do you reckon Dumbledore is going to give Snape his heart's desire this year?"

"Snape? Defence against the Dark Arts?" said Ron. "You've got to be kidding."

"So who do you reckon then? Someone new?" said Harry

"Have to be. Mad-eye couldn't wait to get out of Hogwarts after you and Dumbledore found him locked in his own trunk. Dad said he's worse than ever now."

"Well, no-one could beat Professor Lupin," said Hermione, matter-of-factly. "He was by far the best teacher we've ever had."

"Do you think it could be Lupin?" asked Ron.

"No, "said Harry, scanning the teacher's table. "I don't reckon it would be him, he's got too much on with the..."

"Are you all right, Harry?" said Hermione, looking at him. "Only you've gone a little pale..." her voice trailed off too when she saw where Harry was looking.

"Harry, it's her..." said Ron in a low voice, "Mrs Frobisher!" And it was...sitting there next to Snape, Cecilia began to feel increasingly uncertainty as the Great Hall began to fill up.

"Well that can only be a good sign," said Hermione. Both Ron and Harry stared at her.

"She's sitting at the teacher's table? It means we understand what Dumbledore was talking to you about, Harry. She's a new teacher, so she'll be able to work with you on the weapon." Hermione looked between them both. "Honestly, I really do wonder about you two."

"Who's that?" asked Seamus to Ron.

"Mrs Frobisher," replied Ron, still staring at her. "We met her in the summer, she's a mugfgfgfgf..." said Ron, as Harry elbowed him in the ribs. "A mother...of one of the children mum was looking after in the summer..."

"She looks nervous," whispered Hermione.

"Who wouldn't, sitting next to the head of Slytherin house?" said Neville, sitting down next to Ron. "I'd be very nervous sitting next to Professor Snape."

They all looked at Cecilia, who was taking in the sight of the Great Hall with wonder and awe, then glanced over to Snape for reassurance.

"Did she just smile at Snape?" said Seamus, gobsmacked. "Well I never thought I'd live to see the day!" Harry looked at Cecilia, then across at the Slytherin table. Some of them had noticed Cecilia smile at Snape too.

"Well he's being his usual helpful self then," muttered Ron under his breath. "Poor Cecilia."

"Cecilia?" said George, trying to hide a snigger.

"Well that's her name, isn't it?" said Ron, defensively. Changing the subject he added, "Do you think she's here because of you?"

"Bound to be. Why else would she be sitting at the teacher's table?"

Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with the new intake of first years. Cecilia watched them form a queue, noticing how quickly silence descended over the Great Hall and she tried to distil her feelings about right now down to one or two adjectives.

Since she had agreed to teach muggle studies, she'd felt first, exhilarated. She was going to teach children again, and teach them science, no less. In addition, she would be teaching these children a little about the social context and the way of a world that they merely had a passing acquaintance. This was a responsibility.

Some of these children however, Dumbledore had told her, may not be receptive to her teachings. There may even be out-and-out hostility. Cecilia looked round the Great Hall again, past the sorting ceremony which was now well underway, and the marvels of the ceiling and spectacular gravity-defying candles (she made a mental note to investigate this at some stage)...out at the sea of faces who, on Monday would be her pupils.

So, exhilaration, responsibility and uncertainty, she thought as she noticed the children she'd met in the summer sitting at their house table. Not dissimilar to how I felt teaching at an ordinary school, and wondered how the Weasley children, Hermione, and Harry would be feeling when they found out she would be teaching them.

But...the thought of the research entered her mind. I'm not here to teach, really. I'm here to work with Severus…and with Harry...

"Welcome all of you, to a new year at Hogwarts", said Dumbledore, and Cecilia's thoughts were interrupted by his authoritative voice.

"I am heartened to see the return of so many students, in light of the dreadful events that unfolded last year. And to our new first years, who have been sorted soundly into their new houses." There were a few cheers from the students, which were quickly silenced as Dumbledore glanced around the Hall.

"I am pleased to announce, Professor Hogarth Yellis has accepted the position of Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Yellis has worked for the Ministry of Magic for many years and I feel he is the best man for the job."

Professor Yellis, a tall, willowy man got to his feet, beaming at the students.

"In addition, Professor Snobbits who will teach the Ancient Runes option for our fourth and fifth years. As some of you may remember, Rudolf Snobbits was awarded the Merlin Prize for History and Ancient Artefacts in 1993."

Snobbits raised his hand, and Cecilia noticed one or two of the Ravenclaw house get to their feet, cheering madly. Dumbledore smiled, and waved his hands to indicate quiet. When there was quiet, Cecilia realised that all eyes were on her.

"In light of the recent events, namely the return of Lord Voldermort and the death of one of our own, Cedric Diggory," he paused momentarily, "I have implemented a change in programme. In an effort to build up better relations, understanding and empathy with the people with whom we share this great land and, in fact, this world, each and every one of you will be taking muggle studies this term."

The quiet of the Hall endured for a second longer then instantly imploded. Voices began to speak at once, in particular noticed Cecilia, the table to her right, where some of the students were even standing up in protest. She looked across at Snape, who gave her a withering look.

"SILENCE", bellowed Dumbledore. "There will be silence!" He surveyed the students before continuing.

"In the days where Voldermort was stronger, many years ago, he attempted to engender a universal hatred for muggles, as many of you already know. Most of you have at least one parent who is a muggle; for some of you, both parents. And I will tell you now, that muggles and wizards are alike in all but one way: muggles are not fortunate to possess as we do the significant gift, the art of magic.

"Long we have suffered through ignorance. And long have muggles been persecuted. This is why I have appointed a new muggle studies teacher." Dumbledore gestured over to Cecilia.

"Mrs Frobisher will endeavour to enlighten and educate you, in the stead of Madam Cadwallader, who as you know, retired though ill health last year."

I think I'll add "exorbitant responsibility" to that list then, thought Cecilia, as gaze of about 400 people fell on her. Then she thought, am I supposed to stand up? Say something?

Oh God, I'm sitting here in front of loads of wizards, in a magical castle, dressed in, I must say, quite flattering clothes, but let's face it you can't get them from Marks and Spencer...and a ceiling which seems to be an endless night sky...what do I do? I really don't know what to do...

She wanted to look at Snape again and try to quell her panic, but resisted resolutely and looked out at the sea of faces, smiling. Her spirits were raised when she saw the Weasley children: the twins, Ron and Ginny, also Hermione and Harry, all grinning at her and, buoyed on their encouragement, she smiled broadly.

"So she's a teacher, then?" asked Seamus, looking sharply at Ron. "I thought you said she was a mother."

"No, I said my mother was looking after her children," said Ron, beginning to go red at his own lie. "So she can be a teacher here."

"Not much to look at, is she?" continued Seamus. "Quite plain actually."

"She's very clever," said Harry, taking in Ron's strangled expression and, glancing over at Hermione, added, "not as clever as you, though."

The feast that followed lasted for the next 2 hours. While the children continued to speculate about Cecilia's unexpected appearance as their new teacher, Snape had made a point of leaving Cecilia and sitting next to Professor Yellis, engaging him in conversation about Defence, and she wondered, considering his attitude now how honest he had been when he's arrived yesterday morning in Dumbledore's study to meet her.

He'd agreed it was the only solution for her remaining at Hogwarts, and a perfect decoy. He didn't even add a proviso which Cecilia had taken to be his usual method of objection; he'd checked she had something suitable to wear for the feast, and she knew what time to be there.

She bade herself to forget it for now and turned her attention to the luscious lemon parfait in front of her (the memories of her recuperation loath to leave her).

"'ello, Cecilia, " boomed a voice next to her ear, and she nearly dropped the parfait she'd selected.

"Rubeus," said Cecilia and smiled as he sat down awkwardly into the chair next to her.

"Hagrid," he said. "'s only me Dad that ever called me Rubeus, it makes me feel like I'm five again. Well," he continued, "this is a turn-up for the book, ain't it? But then, you're prob'ly the best person round 'ere to be teachin' muggle studies."

"Listen, forget about Professor Snape," he added, taking in her expression. "'e's got a lot of things on when 'e's 'ere, not just bein' a teacher, And bein' the 'ead of Slytherin 'ouse, 'ow's it gorn'a look talking to the muggle studies teacher?" He nodded knowingly, and despite not having the foggiest what he was talking about, Cecilia nodded in agreement.

"So you knows what I mean, 'specially if certain parents of certain Slytherins found out," he added and, surveying the desserts before him, helped himself to a large jelly, in its entirety.

Hagrid then went on to describe the other different types of magical creatures he would be teaching the students this year and although she was interested, it was scientific after all, she couldn't help her mind straying to Snape's altogether tundral attitude.

88888888

After the feast was over, Cecilia headed towards her room, thinking about Dumbledore's speech and, probably more importantly, what Hagrid had said. As she went, she passed students proceeding to their common rooms and was surprised when most of them cheerily acknowledged her.

She turned into the entrance of the teacher's quarters when someone called her name. It was Professor McGonagall.

"Mrs Frobisher, if I might discuss with you a few details," she said. "We can go to my office, it'll be much quieter."

"Now," she continued, once they had got to her office and Cecilia begun pay attention to what Professor McGonagall was saying rather than scrutinising too hard the books ranged row after row.

"I am very pleased to meet you at last," she held out her hand, and smiled. Cecilia shook it.

"You too, Professor McGonagall," said Cecilia.

"Minerva, please." She looked down and leafed through some parchments on her desk.

"Professor Dumbledore I am sure mentioned me; unfortunately I was unable to be at the Order meeting where you were accepted, congratulations my dear. And I was astounded and not to mention dismayed to hear about the circumstances surrounding your injuries..." she paused, glancing up at Cecilia, and allowing her meaning to sink in.

"I take it that your being here means that you have been able to put it behind you?"

"As much as I probably can, Minerva," replied Cecilia, trying very hard for the tone of her voice to convey finality to that topic.

"Well," said Professor McGonagall. "Albus, that is to say, Professor Dumbledore, asked me to draw up a suitable timetable for you. It was quite a challenge I have to say, we've never had a muggle at Hogwarts before, and I've never had to timetable every student." She handed a piece of paper to Cecilia, who scanned down Monday, noticing that McGonagall had added in her own neat handwriting a note that she should wear wizard robes.

"You've taught before, I understand?" Cecilia nodded.

"That's a blessing at any rate. I wasn't sure what Albus was thinking..." She noticed Cecilia's expression, "not you, Cecilia, but with the school. It will take a lot of work with some students, in particular those in Slytherin house to convince any of them of what you're saying. Which reminds me..."

Professor McGonagall got up.

"We should run through the discipline and sanctions here. I explained to you as we walked here about each house, and their respective merits. As you saw this evening, students are selected for each of the houses based on their personal qualities and so it is an honour for them to earn points in honour of their house."

"Teachers can use the points system as a reward, or as sanctions where they see fit, and they are automatically deducted. But it works only by magic so, alas, it will not work for you. I spoke to Albus about this and something he suggested was to create an environment where no magic was used at all, so anything you do in the course of your work is part of their learning."

Cecilia nodded; she'd planned on doing something similar, so she was relieved that it was already considered acceptable.

"Also, you will probably find it easier to fit in with our way of doing things. We call the students by their surnames, and you should expect they will call you Mrs Frobisher. Otherwise, there are no other constraints on your teaching."

"I'm not sure about sanctions, though," said Cecilia. "Do you issue detentions here?"

"Yes, if you believe the behaviour of the students warrants such a course of action, however we have introduced a system where the detention is served at the time which causes the most inconvenient for a student - instead of Quidditch practice, or visits to Hogsmeade, for example. A most effective deterrent."

"So if I were to write out a detention slip, like I would do as a teacher in a muggle school..."

"That will do nicely, and the guilty party will serve their detention with either myself or Professor Dumbledore." Cecilia breathed a sigh of relief, as Professor McGonagall got to her feet.

Do you have any questions?"

"I was wondering whether this, " Cecilia pulled out a schedule for her first lesson out of her inside robe pocket, "would be suitable for the first lesson. I thought if I got the students to leave their wands at the back of the room, or put out of sight, then they would get more out of the experience."

McGonagall looked over it critically, and nodded.

"Fine, fine. This is suitable for our students." She handed it back to Cecilia and nodded. "It looks like you have put a lot of effort into this my dear, in the same way that Albus described your approach to your work with Severus Snape." She smiled momentarily, and Cecilia thought she detected a small hint of approval.

"All right then, I think that is all. Should you need me for anything please do not hesitate."

"I won't, thank you," said Cecilia. She turned to go.

"I must say, you have taken to this remarkably, considering what you have already been through for us, Cecilia, and the timespan in which you had to deal with this." Cecilia stopped.

"Do you know much about science, Minerva?" Professor McGonagall shook her head.

"Science is no more a set of generally accepted rules about the way the world works. They can be changed with the emergence of new evidence and if scientists are true to their profession, their opinion changes in light of this." She paused.

"I can no more deny the existence of magic than I can the forces that Isaac Newton described, nor the Bohr model of an atom. But to make sense of them you have to relate everything else to them, before using them to make a better understanding of the world and use it to benefit people. This is why understanding science is important to everyone...to improve lives..."

Cecilia paused again, and she felt that, although she was explaining something quite complicated in her own way, Professor McGonagall appeared to understand.

"I just hope I can live up to what I've agreed to do. I am under no illusion it will be easy..." her voice trailed away.

"Not that I had any doubts when Albus told me about your appointment Cecilia, but from your attitude and determination, I cannot see your research with Professor Snape failing from lack of effort on your part. However, we are at war, and heaven knows what may happen." She paused, and smiled briefly. "But we do have you Cecilia, with your intellect and courage. You are our main advantage now."

Cecilia nodded. "Thank you, Minerva." Let's just hope I can live up to expectations.

"I'm sure you will," said Professor McGonagall to herself when Cecilia had left.

Cecilia made her way back to her room, considering her timetable. The week seemed quite full, and she wondered how she would be able to get any research done, considering she was teaching muggle studies for twelve hours that week.

So lost in though, Cecilia didn't see Snape just about to enter her room, and she bumped squarely into him.

"I see you have been speaking to Professor McGonagall," said Snape, as she looked up from the timetable. "It is a pity however that you haven't the wit to employ more than one sense at a time."

"Well, considering the way you treated me during the feast this evening, does it actually matter?" returned Cecilia, pushing past him and entering her room.

"Listen," he said, following her. "You're not going to get far in teaching wizard and witches if you are still scared of magic," he said, folding his arms. "And if you're not careful, that sharp tongue of yours will get you...all of us into serious trouble."

"I realise that," snapped Cecilia, throwing her first lesson plan towards him. "Minerva kindly went though the details. Do you not think I understand the prejudices of wizards? I've just about survived the result of one of them, and believe it or not, I do know how to be tactful."

Snape did not reply immediately; he scanned over the lesson plan, before handing it back to her.

"I have no idea whether this is any good or not, however what I do think is that you need to be careful, Cecilia. I still need my research partner after all is said and done." He sat down uninvited on her chair. "And after this," he gestured towards the timetable, "what else are you planning to teach?"

"If I'm honest, I've not got a clue. I was going to teach this, more or less, and see what they already knew, and take it from there. I'm in your world, and I haven't got a curriculum to follow." Snape said nothing.

"What do wizards already know about muggles, Severus? Does it all stem from ignorance? Is this, the muggle studies they receive here all they get?"

"It's not a question of understanding," said Snape eventually. "Muggles do not concern us. You are far different from any of us." He stopped.

And yet you stood there, down in your classroom less than a week ago with me, with the evidence before your very eyes which refuted what you've just said, thought Cecilia. Even Dumbledore pointed out that the majority of students at the school had at least one muggle parent. So how can you sit there and say that? She swallowed.

"Why did you ignore me at the feast?" asked Cecilia bluntly, sitting down on her bed.

"You must not be so familiar with me in front of the students," said Snape, getting to his feet. "When you smiled at me, all of the students saw that. I have a reputation to uphold, especially with my house, and the members of Slytherin will be the first to cause a disruption in your lesson, should the opportunity arise. Especially if they discover that you cannot do magic. This could jeopardise all the work we've done so far."

"I've already thought of that," said Cecilia quickly. "If it comes to it, I will tell them that I am a squib, who was brought up by muggles. Squibs are still technically wizards, aren't they?" Snape just stared at her.

"What?" she said, after a minute.

"Saying you're a squib, do you know what that means Cecilia?" He stood up and clasped his hands together looking down. Finally he looked at her.

"If you're a squib, it is quite...humiliating in the wizard world. It will be these students who will be behind the taunts, the ridicule..."

"What is it you're trying to tell me, Severus?"

"You know about the Death Eaters, the followers of the Dark Lord?" She nodded.

"Many of their children quite proudly uphold the prejudice you believe so abhorrent. Being a squib however, despite being of wizard parentage, is like having a disability and it is...very much a target for derision. Does that make it clearer, Cecilia, or would you like me to draw you a diagram?"

"I would," said Cecilia, getting to her feet. "But not about that. We still need to think about our research after all, that's why I'm here, not to teach." She pulled open her desk, and pulled out some books, the edges of the yellowing pages catching on the edge of the drawer.

"How far have you got with the cell nucleus?" she asked. "Don't worry if you haven't looked at it yet," she added hastily, glancing over to him quickly. "I expect you must have been busy because of the start of term. I've sorted out these. It builds on your knowledge and understanding of binary fission of cells." She handed the old books to him.

"Before we carry on with the research, with Harry, you need to know about chromosomes...genes...DNA and the method by which information is passed between cells as they replicate. If you like, we can go through some of it now." Snape shook his head.

"I have to get back to the Slytherin common room. Merlin only knows what chaos they will have caused in my absence. Nevertheless..." He looked down at what Cecilia had given to him. "You appear to have taken a considerable amount of trouble to sort these out for me, Cecilia."

Well, that's a turn up for the book, thought Cecilia. Severus Snape, expressing gratitude to the muggle-studies teacher. Whatever would the students of his house say, if they had heard?!

"If you have any trouble at all on Monday, your classroom is only two doors away from Professor Trelawney. I dare say she will be able to assist you if necessary." He made to go.

"Thanks Severus, but you don't need to worry; from what you've told me I expect there will be very little difference between teaching muggle fifteen-year olds and wizards." She smiled. "Which reminds me, I've got the fifth years on Monday last thing, do you want me to arrange with Harry about the research, or do you want to do it?"

"You do it, Cecilia. It'll be less suspicious. Tell him that the cover story will be that he has remedial muggle studies, because of his aunt and uncle." He smiled, malevolently.

"Fine," said Cecilia. "But I'll have to arrange it for later on in the week, to give you time to get through those." She knew it was a bit cruel, but she had taken the trouble to provide him with very much older editions of the books; despite it being Snape, she couldn't bring herself to hand over books designed for 12-and 13-year old muggles.

Snape looked between her and the books and in his hand and back at Cecilia, then strode out, without saying another word.

Monday, thought Cecilia, sitting back down on the bed cross-legged, her Emaness dress and robes gathering untidily round her, looking down at the lesson plan again. She knew it was lazy teaching, but so what? She didn't know of a single place where she could buy muggle-wizard theory books, and until some education research came out proving that this wasn't the right way about teaching wizards about science, she was going to take all the breaks she could get.

Her thoughts drifted on into the realms of research and she considered what they should do next. She needed to talk to Harry about his family, which she knew would be difficult, considering extraordinary circumstances he had lived through. And how she proceeded after that depended on whether Snape actually understood about biological science, and how much he could contribute to the research without clearing off halfway through, as was his usual routine.

So, she thought as she got up, taking off her now-work robes, and hanging them up carefully, if it does turn out that the increase in beta-amino acid is responsible for the mitochondrial function, this may mean the difference in energy metabolism...

Oblivious to the emerald-green head flickering intermittently in the fireplace behind her, Cecilia smoothed down the robes, vaguely admiring their versatility and quality, and making a mental note to talk to Tonks about going back to Diagonalley.

Lost in thought about primary and secondary energy transition, she selected some fresh elf-laundered towels (Dobby again) and threw the rest of her clothes idly on the floor behind her as she made her way through the bathroom door for a lovely hot soak.

Sirius's thoughts were disturbed by a knock at the study door. Pulling his head quickly out of the fireplace, he turned to see Remus standing in the doorway, holding a Black Family Tome. He got to his feet.

"Well, I think I've finally found Raymond Lully," said Remus, smiling at the open page in the book as he strode in.

"Not my old books, please Remus. I thought I'd got rid of them anyway." Sirius walked over to his father's armchair and slumped into it.

"I think that Kreacher managed to save one or two before passed away, " said Remus, glancing over the text again. "I know you couldn't stand him Sirius, but he was loyal to your family. And lucky he did save these, because now we can help Cecilia with her Order work." Sirius gave a snort.

"You remember," said Remus, knowing his friend knew full well what he was talking about. "Tonks said Cecilia was looking for information on him. Who'd have thought he'd be part of your family? A distant relative, though."

"And you think this will help, do you Remus?" said Sirius, sceptically. "A bit of information about some relation of mine, you think that will help her, and Harry? She didn't even want to speak to me before she left...with Snivellus." There was bitterness in his voice. "What makes you think she will listen now?"

"Well, this is something you can help with," said Remus, trying to encourage Sirius to see reason. "You're always complaining you can't do enough for the Order. And before you say it, Mr Snuffles accompanying me once a month is danger in itself, but I am sure this would make you feel like you have more of a purpose." Remus sat down in another armchair, across from his friend.

"Why don't you owl her? Or better yet, owl Harry and ask him to pass on the message? Then that'll at least put his mind at rest." He passed Sirius the Tome, who took it carefully, as if handling something volatile. He looked across at Remus.

"You do it, Moony," sighed Sirius. "She won't want to hear from me." He glanced across at his friend. "You got on well with her..."

"Well, Tonks did say she wanted to put the past behind her and make a fresh start," said Remus, patently ignoring Sirius's last comment.

"When did she say that?" Sirius looked quickly up at his friend.

"The day before yesterday when your headstrong cousin encouraged her out for drink and they spent all night at the Three Broomsticks, that's when," said Remus, grinning knowingly.

"What, when we were..."

"Yes," said Remus. "But Snape wasn't very pleased with her leaving the castle by all accounts, gave her a good dressing down." Sirius raised one eyebrow thoughtfully. "Tonks said she stood up for herself, though."

Just about typical of Snivellus, like she's his pet, thought Sirius grimly, and the scenes he had witnessed that evening crystallised in his mind: of Cecilia in her wizard robes pacing around nervously before the feast; of Snape entering her room and looking through her belongings, her clothes and bag before rifling through her desk drawers and removing a piece of parchment; of him discussing the teaching of Slytherin students with her; of Cecilia walking round her room that morning practicing what she was going to say to her first class on Monday, pausing every so often to run her hands through her long hair when she made a mistake...the fleeting glimpses of her body silhouetted by the light from the bathroom...

"I'll do it then," said Remus finally, looking despairingly at his friend, "but look, at least you're helping by talking to Dumbledore...I presume that is who you were talking to by Floo?" Sirius nodded.

"Well, I'll leave you to it." Remus got up. "At least you've got some interest in something..." Sirius nodded in agreement as Remus turned, nodding towards the Tome before leaving. Sirius looked down at the page in his family's Tome, scanning the entry of Raymond Lully.

...Cecilia Frobisher, thought Sirius as he made his way towards the fireplace again...yes...she was definitely interesting...

88888888

Cecilia yawned as she turned over the page of "Hogwarts – A History". She'd read the book through three times since Saturday night, but every time she went through it she had found something new. Cecilia had been in the muggle studies classroom since 5.30 that morning and, having found a modicum of panic irrationally rising from her stomach, had eventually found that reading was calming her nerves. In an hour, twenty first-year students would be before her, and after that? She hadn't planned any further...

The early morning sunlight glinted off the gold leaf decoration as she read, and her mind flicked back to science as she considered the electron promotion that was taking place within the atoms.

It was marvellous, even to her, someone who now looked at science from the point of view of the teacher rather than the student, the phenomenon, then she wondered whether she was just leading herself a merry dance in believing she would actually be able to educate young wizards. Especially as, with the exception of the children at Grimmauld Place, she had not met any of the students she was to teach.

Not that they weren't able to learn; it would be arrogant of her to believe that, despite her ignoble temptation to do so considering their less than fair judgement of muggles. It was just...if her mind boggled when the wonders of science caught her off-guard, would she have the skill to be able to teach children whose previous teacher all but believed muggles to be a fable?

Cecilia was soberly aware of the fact she was starting from almost the furthest you could get from understanding about muggles. From the books she had in her possession it was as if wizards and muggles lived on separate planets, rather than amongst one another.

The books in question Cecilia had found had belonged Delilah Cadwallader and had been testimony to this. Previously, she had assumed that the basis from which she would be teaching was similar to her own outlook on her world. Why had she been so naïve?

She had been down in the kitchen in the early hours of Sunday morning helping Dobby and the other house elves who was still washing up from the feast, and he had accompanied her back to the classroom. The castle was much quieter now, much closer to what Cecilia had grown accustomed to over the many weeks she had worked here more or less on her own. The books had been let outside the classroom when they had for there and when she had finally been able to get a word in edgeways over Dobby's evident excitement at the presence of Harry Potter in Hogwarts again, she had been able to ascertain their prior ownership.

The books themselves both astonished and shocked her. They appeared to be written as a living encyclopaedia, as if they were evolving from moment to moment: she was in awe momentarily when, on a page about "The Government of Britain" the name of the current Foreign Secretary had disappeared before her eyes and a new name appeared in its place, along with a neat inscription of Sunday's date and the time.

But what shocked her was, as accurate as the books were, they were written as if the world they were describing did not exist, like a story or a fantasy. One chapter even summed up the Second World War in three sentences, as if it were no more than a playground tussle.

How on earth would the students, students she would have to teach, believe in these events when they had been described so curtly in the standard literature? Maybe Snape was right. Maybe the affairs muggles really didn't concern wizards.

She walked back towards the desk – her desk she supposed from today and, glancing at her watch and realising that she was half an hour from teaching, reached over for "Hogwarts – A History". A small twinge of pain shot down of her left-hand side and withdrew her hand quickly, and massaged her side. She sat back on her chair.

It was pure luck that she had not absorbed the Veritaserum. She had been in the hospital wing most of yesterday afternoon, and talked to Poppy again about her grandfather and her near miss, in between the calls on the nurse's time in treating several first years' prank- and broom-related injuries.

Even Poppy had remarked on the fortune, and Cecilia had used it as ammunition when rejecting Pompop's potion, and had hurriedly diverted the witch's attention to her grandfather's notes again, about which Poppy waxed lyrical for a good half an hour. She even offered to speak to Professor Snobbits about the parchment they found, lodged at the back of her cupboard, which was covered in sigils and hieroglyphics.

Well the affairs of wizards certainly concerned muggles, she thought grimly, getting up, and massaging her side. Sirius Black had made that perfectly plain. She collected some parchment from on her desk and began to lay it out on the desks in the room.

And after today, she decided firmly, the world of muggles was most certainly going to concern wizards...

88888888

Half past two and the day was not going as Cecilia had imagined. Her third class of the day, a motley crew of sixth years, had just left and she sat on the edge of her desk and surveyed the room.

It could have gone better, she thought, her eye drawn to the two-inch crack and her mind scrolled back to the incident that had caused it. Cecilia reminded herself that, as it had been the result of Fred Weasley demonstrating the opening of a pickled onion jar the wizard way, things could have gone a lot worse.

Now she had a blessed twenty minutes of peace and quiet before her fifth year class, consisting of Ron, Hermione and not to mention Harry, arrived.

What had amazed her most was, not the ease in which her presence was accepted by the students; even those in the Slytherin house had not caused a fuss when she had asked for wands to be laid at the back of the room.

No, she thought as she laid out the parchment. Beginner's luck: the honeymoon period. Give it time and it will come unstuck…

Just then her thoughts were disturbed by knocking at the door. Hermione Granger pushed it open, and she walked determinedly towards Cecilia. Cecilia smiled at her.

"Hermione," she began, "the lesson doesn't start for another ten minutes…."

"It's not that, Mrs Frobisher, it's the trouble outside," she replied urgently, looking back towards the open door. "I tried to stop them, but there were too much…"

Cecilia dropped the parchment and headed towards the open classroom door, and looked down the corridor. A group of students were stood round what appeared to be a large clouds of smoke, issuing from a cauldron. One or two of them giggled as Cecilia watched one of the clouds form into an image of herself, holding a drooping wand with the words "Muggle Studies" shimmering in silver. She surveyed the students sternly.

"Who is responsible for this?" She looked from one to other of the faces around the cauldron, passing Ginny, the Weasley twins, Ron, Harry… There was no answer.

"I will give the student or students who were responsible for this one, and I repeat one chance to come forward, otherwise the consequences will be severe."

"What will you do, curse us with your muggle wand?" Giggles emanated from the vicinity of the comment, but Cecilia could not work out which student had said it.

"Draco Malfoy," she heard Hermione, who was standing next to her, mutter under her breath an emboldened, she continued.

"All fifth years that have muggle studies with me kindly take their seats in the classroom otherwise proceed to your next lesson." She glanced at the cauldron again as students hurried hither and thither, then added, "Would Mr Malfoy kindly make his presence known?"

Quick as a flash, the eyes of the fifth years fixed on a student near the back of the throng heading into the classroom, a tall boy with snow-white hair and an ugly scowl.

"In you go, in you go," she added, encouraging the fifth years into the classroom, "please leave your wands at the back of the room and begin to answer the question on the board in front of you."

"Mr Malfoy, a word," she said calmly, as the blonde-haired boy wearing the Slytherin house badge on his robes attempted to enter. A couple of other students dithered at the door, but Draco shook his head and they entered as well.

"Could you please explain the comment I clearly heard you make just now?" said Cecilia when the fifth years had gone in.

"It wasn't me," he said, giving her a filthy look. "I don't know who put the cauldron there."

"I am not going to debate with you Mr Malfoy, however if you do not wish to explain yourself to me now, I expect Professor McGonagall would be more than happy to listen to you in detention? I am sure she would have no trouble getting to the bottom of this."

"Is there a problem, Mrs Frobisher?" Cecilia turned, and the boy's defiant expression formed into a smirk.

"Professor Snape," she said, almost breathing a sigh of relief. "I was just attempting to ascertain the culprit of a prank; however Mr Malfoy does not wish to explain his actions." She stared back, trying not to smile. "How do you suggest I deal with him?"

"Leave it to me," said Snape, flashing a look at Draco. "Rest assured Mrs Frobisher, he will be suitably punished." She looked back at Draco, who was still smirking.

"In that case," said Cecilia, moving towards the classroom, "I will continue with today's lesson." She gestured firmly towards the door. Draco looked back at Snape whose eyes glinted with light and, smirking towards Cecilia again, entered the classroom.

"Mrs Frobisher, before you go," said Snape, and Cecilia paused.

"Yes?"

"I do not wish you to discipline any of the students in my house. It is under a significant amount of duress that they are present at Muggle Studies. You should be grateful that they attend at all."

"Professor Snape, I am sure you're not suggesting that I, as a new teacher to the school, would be party to any unfair treatment of any students in the school? I am merely embracing the ethos of the school, following the sanctions system in place…"

"Mrs Frobisher…" he looked over her shoulder, and Cecilia glanced back: the low mumbling she had heard behind her was indeed as she suspected. The whole class of fifth years whom she was about to teach was crowded haphazardly around the window and the door.

"Mrs Frobisher," he repeated icily, looking back at her. "You will allow any student of the Slytherin house due leave of the lesson should they so wish."

Are you trying to tell me what to do, Severus thought Cecilia. Because this is my class, and what goes on inside it is up to me…

"Thank you kindly for your assistance, Professor Snape. I expect you will report to me in due course the nature of the punishment Mr Malfoy will receive. Now I will continue with my class, we are already late as it is." Cecilia turned, leaving Snape looking after her wordlessly.

"Now," said Cecilia, walking to the front of the class. "Settle down, and please..." she looked round the classroom as the students hurriedly returned to their places, "place your wands over there on the table."

"Why?" came a voice from the front over the low-level murmuring. Cecilia walked towards the student near the front. "Why do we need to put our wands down?"

"The reason..." She raised her eyebrows.

"Dean Thomas..."

"The reason, Mr Thomas, is that this is a muggle studies lesson, and as such, no magic will be performed, so you won't need them. Now," Cecilia looked around the room; most of the students were sitting down; Harry and Ron were sitting right at the front, grinning at her. She pointed towards the question she had written on the blackboard.

"Now, can anyone tell me the answer they wrote?" Cecilia looked around expectantly as the students looked between them. One or two raised their hands.

"Yes...Mr Weasley?" Ron looked across at Harry, before glancing at her.

"I, er, that is to say...I didn't write anything down..."

"But you have an answer?"

"Well, yes..." he glanced across at Hermione. "I think a muggle is someone who is... brave."

"OK," said Cecilia, walking over to the question. She drew a circle round the question and wrote "bravery" next to it.

"Bravery. Why do you say that?" She looked at Ron, who had gone red.

"Because...a muggle I know was brave recently..." Harry nudged him, and one or two of the students tittered at his apparent discomfort.

"Thank you, Mr Weasley, anyone else? Yes, I'm sorry, I don't know your name..."

"Neville Longbottom."

"Yes, Mr Longbottom?"

"I wrote down, 'a muggle is someone who is quite like a wizard, but cannot do magic'". Neville looked earnestly at her.

"Good, Mr Longbottom, good." Cecilia smiled and nodded. "Does anyone else agree?" A couple of students raised their hands and she wrote "magic" on the board and scored a line through it.

"Anything else?"

"It takes them ages to do things" shouted someone.

"Confusing!" added someone else.

"Resourceful!"

"All right," said Cecilia, adding the words. "One at a time, please! Anyone else?"

"Muggles are stupid!" came a voice from the back. The room that was buoyant with energy just now went quiet almost instantly, and heads turned to look at Draco Malfoy.

A student adjacent to him shouted, "How dare you..." and Seamus Finnigan stood up beginning to move towards him.

"Now now, sit yourselves down. Mr Malfoy has the right to his say. Do you have anything to justify what you say, Mr Malfoy?" She looked at Draco in anticipation.

"Justify, Mrs Frobisher?" Draco said, getting to his feet and folding his arms, "I don't need to justify it. It is just as he says" he pointed at Neville. "Muggles cannot do magic, talentless prehensile oafs that they are, so they must be stupid."

"Thank you, Mr Malfoy," said Cecilia calmly, adding "stupidity" and surveyed the classroom. "Anyone else agree?" The students looked at one another. A pretty girl, near the back raised her hand, and most of the class stared at her.

"Padma Patil. A bit of a nuisance, really. I mean, muggles aren't stupid, but they do some strange things."

"Can you give me some examples, Miss Patil?"

"Well, sometimes they use things in the kitchen. I saw my grandmother using a knife herself to chop vegetables once or twice." She looked at the girl next to her.

"Yes," agreed the girl. "And she used to do other odd things, like pushing something round the floors on the carpets. We never understood why." Cecilia smiled as the class began chatting amongst themselves

"Right, OK then," said Cecilia above the growing chattering. "We have some ideas about muggles. Now, does anyone know why I asked you all this question?"

"Because we're in muggle studies" shouted someone.

"Because muggles are stupid!" shouted a plump, round-faced boy sitting next to Draco. The students sitting next to him smirked and nudged one another.

"One at a time," said Cecilia, "Please, raise your hands. Miss Granger?"

"You asked us the question Mrs Frobisher because you wanted to know what our preconceptions about muggles are."

"Right, Miss Granger. Five points to your house..."

"...Gryffindor..."

"...Gryffindor," Cecilia repeated and took out a book, writing down Hermione's name and Gryffindor. She began to pace down one side of the classroom, noticing a couple of students glance between herself and notebook and continued.

"What we have on the board there are your thoughts about muggles. You didn't know what I was going to ask you." And from what I can see your last teacher didn't really do much to dispel your ideas, she added to herself.

"To some extent, all of those answers are correct. Some muggles are brave, some are resourceful, and some are stupid. Some push things round their carpets...does anyone know why Miss Patil's grandmother would have been doing that, by the way? Mr Potter?..." Harry lowered his arm.

"To clean the carpets. It's a vacuum cleaner."

"...exactly so," Cecilia continued, nodding towards Harry, walking towards the back of the classroom. "A vacuum cleaner cleans the carpets. Why do you think she would use it? Miss...?"

"...Hannah Abbott. Because Padma and Pavarti's grandmother is a muggle and so she can't do magic." Cecilia looked over at the girls. They nodded.

"Today, I am going to make you a promise. And its going to involve the definition Mr Longbottom gave to us earlier." She paced past the Slytherin students at the back, who stopped muttering amongst themselves and looked at her defiantly.

"At the end of these lessons, I am going to show you that those definitions you gave, all of them, are true. And what is going to be central to our understanding is something Professor Dumbledore told you all at the feast." She walked up the other side of the classroom, pausing at the blackboard.

"The only difference between muggles and wizards is...anyone?" Cecilia gestured towards another student.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley" said the dark-haired boy sitting to the left of Hermione. "Dumbledore said that the only difference was that muggles couldn't do magic and we can."

"Excellent, Mr Finch-Fletchley. It is heartening to know that people were listening." She stood at the front of the class again. "The only difference between muggles and wizards is that wizards...yourselves sitting there...you can perform magic. Other than that, muggles are no different to you."

"Rubbish!" Some students were out of their seats. "That's ridiculous." "This lesson is a waste of time." "Muggles are stupid idiots." The noise level began to rise amidst the shouting.

"Settle down!" Cecilia said, raising her voice but it was lost in the mayhem as she headed to the back of the room.

"I'm not listening to this nonsense!" Draco was also out of his seat, and heading towards the pile of wands on the back table, making a grab for his own. The others fell to the floor, one or two releasing sparks and flashes as they impacted the floor, making her jump.

"I've had enough!" he shouted and made for the door. Cecilia stepped in front of him.

"I would advise you to sit down, Mr Malfoy," she said firmly.

"Or what?" he replied insolently. Cecilia felt her heart sink as Draco raised his wand towards her face. Hermione put her hands to her mouth and gasped.

So this was the moment, was it? The untimely end of her ignoble career... Cecilia swallowed and with all the willpower she could muster steeled herself to regain control of the situation.

"I get the impression that you don't particularly want to learn muggle studies?" Draco's expression changed to confusion. Cecilia turned to address the rest of the class.

"Is there anyone else who does not wish to be here?" The students looked at one another, and one or two other students, Slytherin House she noticed, raised their hands.

"Then this is one and only time that you have my permission to leave. You will report to Professor Snape and he will find alternative work for you to do. Mr Malfoy," she turned to Draco, who was still pointing his wand at her, "you will kindly lower your wand."

If you could have bottled absolute silence, it would have consisted of that moment. The whole room was still, the students looking between her and Draco. Just as Cecilia thought she couldn't stand the tension any more, Draco dropped his arm and, with a sneer, stepped past her and marching out of the classroom. A couple of other boys who had been sitting next to him got up, following close behind.

"Anyone else?" She surveyed the class. Two more students got up and, with a quick glance in her direction, scuttled off. Most of the students however lowered their gaze, shaking their heads as they did so.

"Right," she said brightly. "Let's continue, shall we?"

Whether in response to the moment of drama or if the young witches and wizards were actually interested in her lesson, Cecilia wasn't entirely sure, but the rest of the lesson went surprisingly smoothly and the atmosphere was upbeat.

She had set up some props and asked for volunteers. Some of them were confused by the calculator she showed them. The pickled onion jar posed a problem for Ernie Macmillan, who said it felt strange to try and open it by hand, and Cecilia extended the activity to more activities it was clear that some students were far more capable than others.

This developed into a lively discussion about what muggles did compared to wizards in given situations and the reason why some found it easy was because they had lived at home with muggle parents until they had got to Hogwarts. She then allowed them to work in pairs and they came up with other situations that muggle-born wizards would find easier than other wizards, and the reasons why.

Cecilia then went through the rationale, summing up the main underlying cause. She had been pretty surprised with herself when she had some up with the reasoning the previous night and began to explain that in order to open the jar, energy was needed, either from muscles, which was provided through food, or by magic where somehow an energy transfer was taking place.

Hermione said she thought it must be channelled through wands because each wand was suited to its owner, and Cecilia made a mental note to add this to her hypothesis.

She concluded the lesson by briefly outlining what science was and set homework for them to find out about one famous muggle about whom, in a fortnight, they would make a presentation.

"Mrs Frobisher, do you mind if I ask you a question" said Hermione at the end of the lesson, as the students filed out.

"Not at all, Hermione,"

"If it's like you say, and everyone needs energy, how do wizards get it, and pass it on? I mean, we use spells, but you use muscular energy..." Cecilia looked up briefly.

"Hermione," she glanced up and beckoned Ron and Harry, who were waiting by the door for Hermione, to come forward.

"I am sure I should not be talking so informally to all of you but I need to make this clear," she lowered her voice. "You must have guessed, all three of you, the reason I am at Hogwarts." She glanced at Harry, and they nodded.

"I was asked by Dumbledore to teach you what I know about muggles, as a cover for the Order work I am doing with Professor Snape and with you, Harry. However there could be grave consequences should any students discover I am a muggle, not least to myself." She smiled at Hermione and continued.

"But I am glad you are showing an interest; I do stand by what I say. Though this may be a cover, I believe in what I am teaching you all. However I do not have all the answers. I did not in fact know until you mentioned it Hermione, that all wands were unique to their owners, and sadly I do not know, as yet, how wizard energy is transferred in spells. I'm working on it, though."

"Will you tell us when you do find out?" asked Hermione earnestly.

"Certainly I will. Now," she turned to Harry, "we need to set a regular time for a meeting. I am not sure what Professor Dumbledore has already discussed with you."

"When do you need to see me, Professor?" asked Harry. "Because I have Quidditch practice most evenings."

"Do you have a spare five minutes now? Perhaps we can look at your timetable?" She turned to Hermione and Ron. "I am entirely sure that Harry will tell you everything in any case," Harry looked across at Ron and raised his eyebrows, "but considering the circumstances I would ask you to wait outside."

"I have Tuesday evenings free," said Harry, when Hermione and Ron had left. He held out his timetable for Cecilia to see. "But I'm not sure how long that will be for, because we'll have so much work to do for our OWLs..."

"I'll be straight with you, Harry," said Cecilia, looking at him. "The last thing I want is to disrupt your work, however from the point of view of the research we are doing you are central to it and any time you can spare will be valuable. What has Professor Dumbledore already said to you?"

"He told me to cooperate with you as much as possible", said Harry, looking back. "He said you would explain it all..." Oh dear, thought Cecilia.

"There's no easy way of saying this Harry," she said slowly, sitting down on the chair behind her desk and exhaled (the pain, her constant companion choosing, now to bother her).

"The key to the research is entirely you. Whatever it was of you that stopped Voldermort from killing you when he killed your parents. The situation that has no doubt haunted you for most of your life." Harry nodded wearily.

"We do not know as yet where the research will take us and as such the questions I may need to ask you might feel to be very personal, or painful." She paused, and looked down briefly. "No-one has ever done this type of work before, not even between muggles and wizards to my knowledge, which is why anything you can tell me, however mundane, could be crucial."

"But what are you doing, Mrs Frobisher? What do muggles know that wizards don't?"

"We are attempting to unravel the differences, the underlying cause from the point of view of muggle science." She paused.

"When Professor Dumbledore told me that I needed to investigate the physical effects of love, I almost laughed. But you are standing there, living proof that there must be a scientific explanation for it." Harry shifted uncomfortably, but nodded.

"At Grimmauld Place in the summer, when we were all having tea the once Harry, I made a very crude attempt at explaining what science is. Do you remember what you said to me?"

"I said that science was a certain way of looking at things," said Harry. "I remember, Mrs Frobisher."

"I understand you were at a muggle school before you came to Hogwarts?" He nodded. "So you have some knowledge of science?"

"We did nature at school, and some things about animals. Oh, and the teacher mentioned a scientist, Steven Hawking...that's about all I remember." Harry sighed. "To be honest, I didn't pay much attention at Juniors."

"Science is a very powerful tool. I will be frank with you Harry. We are to create a weapon to use against Voldermort, to stop him once and for all from harming more of us, wizards and muggles. The nature of the weapon we don't know yet, though it will probably be a potion of some kind. Where Voldermort chooses to belittle muggles and our ways, he loses sight of our valuable strengths, our knowledge and understanding of the world around us – science – being one of them. Therefore I am sure you can understand why what we discuss is strictly confidential and that my true identity is not revealed." She looked at Harry, and he nodded slowly.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Yes, Mrs Frobisher. Am I to be working just with you, or with you and Professor Snape?"

"Be honest with me Harry, do you get on with Professor Snape?" Harry gave her a look and Cecilia nodded.

"I see," she said, smiling slightly. "It will be with both of us, I am afraid. I have gathered from his character that he would probably disapprove of me discussing the research as I have done this afternoon. But I couldn't in all honesty carry this work out if you were not aware of the full facts, nor if you were less than happy to participate."

It was true; despite the way she had been recruited, it was almost certain that Harry had been given little choice in assisting. Despite her magical shortcomings she always had her professional integrity.

"What happens if I can't tell you something, or I can't do something?" asked Harry. "I do want to help Mrs Frobisher...despite what Sirius did." And there it was, she thought, what was concerning Harry amongst other things.

"He did what he thought was in your best interests, Harry. When it comes to those we love, those bonds are the strongest. So," she brightened. "Tomorrow I would like you to tell me about your family and your life before you became a wizard. Whatever you can remember, however commonplace, will help my understanding of all of this." She got up, trying to hide the pain that had grown progressively worse as they had talked, and Harry stood up too.

"I am happy to help, Mrs Frobisher, I haven't thought about much else since Dumbledore spoke to me last week. Its like you said, I've lived with this all my life. Unbelievable things have happened to me...dreadful...extraordinary...dangerous things. All I've ever wanted is to be normal, to have a normal life and if Voldermort is defeated, I might be able to."

As he spoke, it looked like a weight had lifted, ever so slightly from his shoulders and Cecilia felt a surge of sympathy for this fifteen year old boy, who had been through so much.

"I've kept you far too long," she said, nodding towards the faces of Ron and Hermione, looking through the glass of the classroom door and she beckoned to them. Harry smiled briefly at them.

"Come on Harry," said Hermione impatiently, as they opened the door. "We've got to hurry else there won't be any half-decent books left in the library!"

"Bloody hell, Hermione," moaned Ron. "You're the only person I know who would ever say that."

88888888

"Cecilia..."

Cecilia looked up from her notebook and looked around before looking down again and rereading the sentence she had written. It was probably the stress of her second day of teaching wizards, she thought and her mind recalled the two-inch gash in the granite classroom wall after Fred Weasley had inadvertently let go of the pickled onion jar mid-open.

"Cecilia."

She swung her legs over the bottom of her bed, and looked round.

"Hello?"

"Down here," came the voice, and her eye drifted to the chair she had put in front of the fireplace. She had put it there on Saturday night because the green splutterings had been keeping her awake and she'd left it there because it had felt reassuring somehow.

"Remus?" she exclaimed as she bent down between the chair and addressed his fiery head. "Remus, gosh!"

"How are you, Cecilia? Dumbledore told us about you teaching at Hogwarts."

"Oh, fine," she said, her stomach filling inexplicably with butterflies. "This is a surprise," she added uncertainly.

"Heard about your run-in with Snape," chuckled Remus. "Not quite seeing the funny side of you and Tonks going out?"

"Not as such," said Cecilia, laughing. "Maybe he felt a bit left out!" It was amazing she thought. They had parted on less than friendly terms, but within seconds he had managed to put her at ease.

"So how are you really?" said Remus, a serious tone entering his voice. "This is far from what you signed up for."

"It's had its moments," said Cecilia. "The main thing that's keeping me going is the link to my world, the muggle world, however superficial. Research is a bit slow, though. How's everything at Grimmauld Place? I assume you're still there. How's Tonks?"

"I haven't seen much of her these last few days. She's been at the ministry since she left you last Friday. Everything's quite quiet. Are you well?"

"I am fine, Remus, honestly. A few twinges here and there, thank you for asking. How's Sirius?"

"Oh, er, yes, he's...Sirius. Moping a bit since Harry left for Hogwarts. We've actually found something important, Cecilia. For your work. Raymond Lully is actually one of Sirius's ancestors. Distantly related, as it turned out."

"Really?" She shuffled closer to the fire. "I couldn't find anything out here, there's nothing in any of the books in the library. Who was he?"

"We're not entirely sure, but it looks like he worked undercover with muggles, during the 1950s. The details are a bit sketchy, but I've owled you what we found."

"Oh, thank you," she said eagerly, mentally speculating about this mysterious character.

"Like I say, it's not much..."

"I'm sure it will really help..." She swallowed. "I really didn't thank you properly Remus. Professor Dumbledore said you waited with me when I was unconscious..." There was a pause.

"You're helping," said Remus, "doing everything you can for us. There are few things nobler than selflessness, Cecilia." She laughed.

"It's far from that, Remus. What chance do muggles get to investigate all this? It's a real wonder no-one's done this before."

"Well, you really should take care," said Remus carefully. "I know you are working with Snape, Cecilia, but believe me, there are many things that could still cause you harm, things you may deem innocuous...and should things get difficult I am not entirely convinced your wellbeing will be uppermost in his mind." He paused. "Things aren't like what they are in the muggle world..."

"I am well aware of that, Remus," she said carefully. "But the nature of this work, it does involve awkward questions. But I trust Severus, he's being more than helpful. I mean, where would I be able to get wizard blood samples from?" She smiled. Thank you for caring...

"And everything is all right between you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Remus swallowed. "From what you said before, when he attacked you when he was angry..."

"That was nothing," said Cecilia. "I've been through worse..." she immediately regretted saying the last bit; it wasn't as if Remus wasn't patently aware of Sirius's actions.

"Look," he said after a brief pause. "I've got to go, I just wanted to tell you personally about Lully."

"Thank you, really." She swallowed. "It was...good to see you, Remus." The fire dimmed.

Really good, she thought, staring into the emptiness.

88888888

"How dare you speak to me like that in front of the students. Especially those in my house!" Snape had come to the muggle studies classroom twenty minutes before their meeting with Harry.

He had ignored her requests to leave her to prepare and during his diatribe her exhaustion bought on from teaching another four lessons that day had morphed into half-hearted defence.

"On your first day...the students just turned up, did you think about how that makes me look? If you had just let me take them at the start of the lesson, but no, Mrs Frobisher had a point to prove."

"Listen," Cecilia interrupted, trying to look at him as he paced around her room. "I did what I was supposed to do. Professor Dumbledore wanted me to teach all the students. But when Draco Malfoy pointed his wand in my face my choices were limited. I didn't particularly want to end up as a frog..."

"What?" Snape turned quickly. "And you talk about muggle prejudice. What, pray, provoked the outburst?"

"Absolutely nothing. The other students were engaged in the lesson. Honestly!" she exclaimed when she saw his sceptical expression. "Admittedly asking the students to put their wands down may have unsettled them..."

"You did what!?" He stopped pacing, and bent towards Cecilia. "You asked them to put their wands down?" He threw down her copy of "Magic and Muggles", glaring at it.

"You empty-headed fool..."

"Why? None of the students would need them. And besides, I thought it would be safer."

"You should never, ever ask a wizard to put down his wand. It's dishonourable. Demeaning. No wonder Draco wanted to go to Dumbledore; it took me a lot of effort to dissuade him."

"No-one's ever told me that before," said Cecilia, defiantly. "How was I to know?" Snape snorted and folded his arms.

"We can't talk about this now, Harry will be with us any minute," she continued. " Look, as far as I'm concerned, they don't have to come back, OK. Now, listen," She picked the book up off the floor before continuing.

"How far have you got with the books I gave you?" She knew it was provocative, but she was past caring. The teaching was taking it out of her, and she needed Snape to refocus on the research.

"I may just have been able to get round to it had you not sent students to me for work," he said icily. "However I am aware that we need to proceed with this. Is there anything I can do?"

It was amazing, thought Cecilia, how his mood could change when she began to talk about work. She had noticed when she spoke logically to him; he changed and became more objective.

"The work we did Severus, with our blood. I've given it a lot of thought and I think the next step is in an analysis of different types." She looked at him calmly, trying to pace her excited mind in order to explain the theory she had formulated the previous night.

"You see, when I taught the lesson yesterday, Hermione asked me where the energy for spells comes from. Our cells reproduced in the same way under the microscope, but what happens to the blood when you, wizards I mean, perform spells? Is there a difference? And is it different for the blood types of wizards, those you call half-blood and muggle born? And what about squibs?" Snape nodded.

"And I assume you require me to perform spells when I get hold of the samples?"

"Yes, that's it. I left the microscope setup at the back of your classroom under a cloak. The lens is still in focus, so all you will need to do is light the lamp manually."

"It will be done," said Snape, flicking up the corners of his mouth slightly. "Now, I assume you have informed Potter of what is expected of him?"

"I told him he needed to discuss with me the details of his life, his background. I need to know how he felt when he became a wizard, and before, when he lived with his family. Anyway, there's absolutely no reason to begin the practical work until you understand what I asked you to study because I need to be able to discuss it with you."

"Then you won't mind if I leave you to it? Much as I would care for an hour of listening to Potter's tragic life, I can think of much better things to do with my time."

"Be my guest," she replied coolly as he walked towards the door. Maybe she would get a bit more of a quality interview without the inevitable interruptions; Harry may be more honest with just her.

"Potter," intoned Snape frostily, as Harry stepped into the classroom. "Mrs Frobisher will be conducting an interview with you this evening. Try not to bore her to death, will you?"

88888888

At the same time that Cecilia was listening empathetically to Harry and noting down aspects of his life, a conversation of an entirely different tone was taking place in Grimmauld Place.

Dumbledore held his hand to his forehead as the volume and causticity of the conversation began to escalate.

"It is the least you can do, Black, considering what you put her through. I am, of course making allowances for the fact that an infinitesimal amount of loyalty has penetrated the abnormally thick head you have on your shoulders."

"And what about you, Snivellus, " he grinned as he saw Snape rise, "oh but I expect you haven't told her yet that you are a half blood yourself. Want to pass off my blood as your own? Because you've only been trying to do that all your life..."

"Gentlemen, please," Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Severus, what exactly does Mrs Frobisher need the samples for? I am taking for granted that she understands the contentious nature of her request."

"Not as such, Professor," said Snape, darting a look at Sirius. "The samples contain what I understand to be a pattern which she can see with her instruments. What with her teaching, and my having to minimise the damage she may have caused by trying to discipline students from Slytherin house, we have barely had time to discuss it. Nevertheless, time is short, and I feel it is wise to accede to her request."

"But wizard blood!" exclaimed Sirius. "I mean, look what happened to Harry in the summer with You-Know-Who." He stood up, appealing to Dumbledore as he spoke. "Suppose the samples got into the wrong hands?" He looked sideways at Snape, waiting for the inevitable reaction.

"May I interrupt, Professor Dumbledore?" Mr Weasley stepped between the two wizards. "Speaking as a member of the Order, perhaps I can make a suggestion? We have trusted Cecilia thus far; we invited her to join the Order of the Phoenix and she has demonstrated her loyalty to us and the Order many times over, despite adversities."

He looked round at the small number of wizards in Dumbledore's portable office, before continuing.

"Severus, perhaps you could find out whether this test could be performed in any other way? I am not sure whether blood is as sacred to muggles as it is to us. Maybe she has gone for the most straightforward method she knows." He glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded in acknowledgement to Arthur Weasley and gazed round at the bare bones of the Order. Snape had dropped in suddenly in order to gain his immediate consent and the assembled company consisted of the few wizards who just happened to be there at the time.

"That is very perceptive Arthur, thank you. It is a matter of blood, but I feel it is also important to provide Mrs Frobisher with these samples if she needs them." He looked pointedly at Sirius. "We have indeed bestowed on her a highly esteemed position and it would be dishonourable not to extend our trust. If the blood is to be obtained, as Cecilia requests, it is entirely voluntary and I do not compel you."

"No!" exclaimed Sirius in horror. "Dumbledore, please! Giving wizard blood to a pathetic muggle like her? It's abominable...an effrontery, especially when..." He stopped abruptly and fell silent, glancing over to Remus.

"Severus, what samples does she need? I assume she has some of yours?" Dumbledore looked at Snape.

"She has," said Snape stiffly. "She needs a pureblood sample, half blood, and muggleborn. Also a squib. And," he looked across at Sirius, his eyes narrowing, "she'll probably need a sample from Harry..."

Moving almost automatically, Dumbledore took a step forward between Snape and Sirius, looking at them both and waiting for the soundless explosive atmosphere to subside before continuing.

"I understand," he said slowly, "that Cecilia has sought permission from Harry for this research. Therefore she had demonstrated a high level of integrity." He looked pointedly at Sirius. "Should she require Harry's blood, it is clear to me she will obtain it with his permission. Harry is no longer a child, Sirius. He is participating of his own volition."

"You can have my blood." A voice rang out firmly from the back of the room, breaking the silence.

"That is very good of you Remus," said Dumbledore. "However have you considered that Cecilia may discover your condition?"

"Yes, I know," said Remus slowly. "But my offer still stands, if it is of any use." He looked across at Snape.

"I would urge caution," said Snape. "She does not believe werewolves exist, and I would not like to introduce too many complications into the work."

"In that case," said Dumbledore. "A sample of my own will give you the pureblood sample, and with your own you have the half-blood." Sirius sniggered, then attempted to cover it up as a cough.

"We just need a muggle-born sample then," said Mrs Weasley. "And squib," added Kingsley Shacklebolt. "I'm sure Arabella will be more than happy to oblige."

"As will I," said Sturgis Podmore. "You're right, by the way Arthur. Muggle blood is not sacred to them. My parents used to donate when they could; they transfer it to one another when they are ill..." Molly Weasley turned her nose up in disgust.

"It's marvellous how practical muggles can be," said Dumbledore. "Now, when does she need these samples for, Severus?"

"As soon as possible, however – "

"What about other methods?" interrupted Molly. "If she can test with other samples, maybe you wouldn't need to take blood?" Snape nodded slightly.

"I will attempt to ascertain this," he said, surveying the wizards. "However I do hope that we will not experience such hostility if blood is needed."

However, thought Sirius, should an entirely different set of circumstances alter the height of the quidditch posts there will be no need for hostility...

88888888

Cecilia was thankful when it got to the weekend. The week had gone pretty well on the whole and she had managed to contain most of the lessons and, most importantly, they had been well received. Most of the students had appeared well-behaved and, apart from the dwindling numbers of students from Slytherin house, the rapport was, on the whole, good.

Equally, there had been some interesting adverse situations. In the fifth-years' third lesson, last thing yesterday, Ron was on fire – literally – when she had asked him to light a match, and there had been a fierce debate between Anthony Goldstein and Lavender Brown over the relative merits of muggle historical achievements.

Despite her reservations, she had actually begun to enjoy teaching, and it seemed the lessons were well received.

Today she had come to the potions classroom for a meeting with Snape. He had informed her yesterday as they passed in the corridor momentarily that he had read the book about cells and DNA, and had arranged to meet her today. However he had omitted to tell her the time.

Never mind, she thought, as she leafed through, "Hogwarts – a History" for what must have been the hundredth time. She could spend the time profitably by continuing with her chemical analysis of Snape's potion ingredients. Since she had been shanghaied as a teacher, she had barely looked at the research, much less done any practical work.

Carefully, she uncorked a jar labelled "lacewings", and began to chop them, considering the interesting conversation she'd had with Harry after the lesson. He had been very honest with her on Tuesday, and had detailed the extraordinary events of his life and she had idly mused that it had the makings of a bestselling series of books.

At one point, she even had to make an excuse to leave the room for a few minutes in order to compose herself after he had described how he had been tricked by a fake Mad-eye Moody, and how Wormtail, the friend of his father, Sirius and Remus, had killed Cedric Diggory; how the Death Eaters had appeared when Wormtail had regenerated Voldermort using Harry's blood...

It had only been when she had returned that he had explained that it was his aunt who offered protection to him while he was underage. His mother's sister had the protection in her blood, the ancient spell that had protected Harry when he was a baby...

That had been the most interesting part. Petunia Dursley sounded like a typical person with a secret, keeping up appearances to her neighbours, trying desperately to hide the skeletons of her past under linen tablecloths and gloss-finished woodwork. But what protected Harry? She was not a witch herself, and her parents were muggles. What exactly was it? Ow...

Cecilia's mind suddenly returned to the present and she looked down at what she'd tried to cut instead of a lacewing.

"Mrs Frobisher, I was wondering whether you were busy..." she turned to see Hermione, standing half in, half out of the classroom. "Sorry if I made you jump," she added, looking down at Cecilia's bleeding finger.

"Come in, Hermione," she said, sucking her finger. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering, Mrs Frobisher, I wanted to know..." she looked around at the table behind Cecilia. "Are you doing...science?"

"Hm, yes," said Cecilia, nodding slightly. "Research." Hermione looked back at her.

"I've always been fascinated; I've got some books that were my father's, he worked for a company called Marconi before he became a dentist. He gave them to me before I came here. All that knowledge, the excitement of discovering..." She pulled a tissue from her pocket and gave it Cecilia.

"For your finger. I've always wondered what it would have been like, being at a muggle school," Hermione's eye wandered to the table of ingredients again. "I know it seems strange but I've always wanted to know what it would have been like if I had gone to Wilchester Community School. I was home educated so I didn't go to juniors; mum let me choose. I almost did too; I almost went to Wilchester. I had to run up the road to stop her posting back the letter to Dumbledore saying no. It sounds strange but I just had to come here..."

Hermione looked around the classroom and Cecilia recognised the same contemplative undertones she had used herself. So hard to put into words...almost as if the alternative was unthinkable once you knew about the world of wizards...

"And though I am sure I made the right choice..."

"There's a little part of yourself that just wants to know what it would have been like," finished Cecilia. Hermione nodded.

"What was it like at school for you, Mrs Frobisher?"

"I enjoyed school, though it wasn't the same for everyone" Cecilia smiled as she sat down on one of the student benches. "But for me, there got to a stage, especially with science, that if I were to miss a single thing it would have been the end of the world."

"Me too," said Hermione, sitting next to her. "That's what I feel like here. I would have liked to have gone," repeated Hermione wistfully. "At least at a muggle school I wouldn't be called a mudblood every day."

"There's prejudice in the muggle world too," said Cecilia. "Here you have every creed of person; anyone who is magical is accepted here." She got to her feet; her muscles had begun to ache again.

"In the our world anyone who is different, at one stage or another, has been persecuted by other people who believe they are better, fitter, stronger, cleverer, more pious... I think that our fear and ignorance of people who are different to us is what muggles and wizards have most in common. But I think you'll all experience what it's like being in a muggle school from my lessons."

"My dad told me about the subjects he took, including science. I asked him about it when I went home to pack this summer. He said it was just like potions."

"Well, perhaps not quite as exciting as that," chuckled Cecilia. "School was very similar to here, we have exams, concerts, lessons, sports, hanging out, watching the boys play football and giggling about them..." Hermione shot her a worried look.

"I never had friends until I came here," she said. "I hardly met anyone at home, only my tutor and her daughter, and if it hadn't been for Harry and er,...Ron, I think it would be the same here... Anyway, thank you, it's been nice chatting, sorry to keep you."

"Not at all," said Cecilia. It had been nice chatting to Hermione too, despite the girl's natural tendency to speak to her as an adult.

"Oh," Hermione held out her hand. "Harry asked me to give you this. Bye" Cecilia looked down and took the folded papers from her. She unfolded them carefully, and glanced down at the top sheet, which began, "Dear Harry..."

"Hermione," called Cecilia, but it was too late. She looked at the pages underneath, and the words, "Raymond Lully," sprang out from the page.

Remus, thought Cecilia, thank you. She glanced to the bottom of the letter to Harry, and realised she was mistaken. The pages weren't from Remus, but Sirius.

Perhaps she would have been more productive that day if she hadn't read the letter. If she hadn't read it, she might have missed what she would come to regard as a very important piece of information. But, despite her best intentions, she did.

"Harry, I hope this letter finds you in good health. Dumbledore tells me you have conceded to participate in the Mrs Frobisher's research. I know what I said before you left for school, but I must impress on you that what you are doing is indeed very honourable thing. Endeavour if you can to discover the true nature of intent and should anything happen to me, you are the only hope for the Order. I enclose two pages from the Black Family Tome which may assist Mrs Frobisher. Tell her I know nothing more than what is written; Lully was a distant relative who worked with muggles, so it is little wonder my mother never spoke of him. Just remember not to do anything foolish that would put yourself in danger. I would strongly advise you to remember what is in the blood, as the limit of her conception is her weakness; she is a muggle, after all. I am proud of you Harry, as would be your father. Sirius."

Cecilia read the letter through again. It seemed simple enough and his care for Harry pervaded every sentence. But what did he mean by remembering what's in the blood? And what about that veiled attempt to disparage her?

"...the limit of her conception is her weakness..."

Glancing over the pages from Sirius's book, she folded them in half and threw them in her pocket. Her eagerness to analyse the potions samples had faltered; the sentence form Harry's letter having replaced objectivity.

How dare you Sirius, she said to herself, as she made her way back to her room. What do you know of it?

She turned the knob of the door and sat down on the bed.

"...she is a muggle, after all..."

Well sod you, Black. I don't treat these children any different because they think that ten minutes is a good time for tying shoelaces.

"And when are you going to make an appearance, Severus?" she said aloud, looking at the door in case magic happened to be a disease you caught and a fully educated Snape would walk right in now.

When it didn't happen, Cecilia unfolded the paper again. She should really return this to Harry, she though, taking the letter off the top of the pile, but then she glanced down at the sentences again, willing herself not to read the sentence about her.

"...the true nature of intent..." she glanced across the page "...remember what is in the blood..."

What is in the blood...quickly, she knelt down and pulled out "Mysterious Mythology" from under her bed. Cecilia recalled a story that had contained just those words...remember what is in the blood...

She leafed over the first few pages...Grimelda...the Princess and the Every-flavour bean...The house-elves and the wand-maker...

"Where is it, she said aloud, scanning from page to page. Then she stopped, and gasped in horror. Three pages were missing from the book. And what was more horrific was they had been torn out; the fibres of the pages hanging limply close to the spine...

Cecilia turned the book to the front and exclaimed aloud...the title of the story had been obliterated; a small burn mark, in the exact shape of the letter outline betrayed its assaulted state.

However she didn't need to know the title; in her first lab notebook, when she was recuperating at Grimmauld Place, she had made notes and speculations about the stories, when she had decided to give it back to Remus.

Looking inside her desk drawer, she found the notebook underneath the pile of new notes she had made. There it was, page 394, she had written. A story about knowledgeable industrialists who met once a month, when the moon was full, in order to exchange stories about their technological pursuits. She had written underneath, "the stories grew taller and taller, and they would demonstrate their more ludicrous ideas..."

She looked up. Why on earth would anyone...and more to point how did someone do this? Who had come in here? The book had been under her bed since she had got back to Hogwarts three weeks ago.

"Who would do what?" A voice was addressing her from the corner of the room. Cecilia put her notebook down and made towards the chair.

"Remus?"

"Wotcher! Who would do what, Cecilia?"

"Oh Tonks," said Cecilia. "I've just been reading Mysterious Mythology," she gestured to the bed. "But, oh God, some of the pages have been removed...torn out."

"Remus's book?" asked Tonks. "I thought you said you were giving it to him back...?"

"I was," sighed Cecilia. "He told me to keep it. I said it was a long-term loan. Who would do such a thing?"

"I don't know, but if I know Remus, he won't be too bothered. It could easily have been a spell, anyway; some books have articles and stories that self-destruct – copyright." She added airily.

"How are you, anyway, apart from stressing over work? I don't think it's that good for you, to be on the go the whole time, you need some time to relax."

"It's what I thrive on," said Cecilia, looking back over to Mysterious Mythology. Self-destructing stories? Well, anything's possible here, I suppose.

"Talking from experience?" asked Cecilia, settling down cross-legged in front of the fire. "Remus said you were busy."

"You've talked to Remus?"

"Yes, he popped his head in on Tuesday" said Cecilia. "Literally," she added, chuckling. "It's good to see you Tonks, I wanted to thank you for last week. The Three Broomsticks was just what I needed."

"It was great, wasn't it?" said Tonks, excitedly. "We'll have to do it again sometime, that is, if you think you can handle Snape and his warm and welcoming ways." Cecilia giggled.

"...Mrs Frobisher, is that butterbeer in your hand? Oh dear, I do hope you've brought enough for all of us..."

Tonks broke into hysterics at Cecilia's imperfect impression of Snape.

"We've definitely got to do that again. Anyway, how's the work? Snape mentioned you were going to test wizard blood..."

"That's right," said Cecilia. "But fat lot of use that will be unless Snape actually gets his arse in gear and gets through some of the theory. I never thought I would say this Tonks, but this is the first time I'm actually at a dead end." She sighed. "I need him to understand science because it ties in with magic. I can't do the magic that I need for these tests. That's what's slowing it all down."

"Is there any other way of testing for what you're looking for? I mean, if you're looking at different types of wizard..." she paused, as Cecilia gave her a puzzled look.

"Snape," admitted Tonks. "Heavens, Cecilia, do you lot get taught that look when you're training to be teachers? It's like...well...you could have asked me anything..." Cecilia arched her eyebrow.

"He mentioned you using an instrument, a device, looking for patterns in blood..."

"Cellular reproduction," said Cecilia, annoyed. "You see what I mean? He needs to understand about genetics and DNA so we can proceed with this..." she glanced at Tonks. "I can use other samples, such as hair, but it's the tests we need to go through..." A hint of uncertainty entered her voice.

"What's the matter?" asked Tonks.

"Nothing," said Cecilia, shaking her head. "It's been a long day. Look Tonks, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to bore you."

"You're not, " said Tonks, kindly. "I just wish I understood what you were talking about, that's all. What would it take to test hair samples? Is it complicated?"

"A bit," said Cecilia. "You see..." but you don't see, she thought sadly. "If only I was working with Nick..."

"Nick?" said Tonks.

"My research colleague, when I worked in the muggle world as a scientist. We got on well, it was like we could have a laugh..." she paused, thinking of Nick...the night shifts, the pranks and practical jokes ...

"He was such a good friend. No, I'd need to go back to a muggle laboratory to test the hair. I'd have to call Nick and arrange it..." A thought entered her mind. Then I could visit home, she thought, make sure everything was all right...and the detail would be far superior...

"Well, if you need someone to come with you, you only have to ask," she winked. "So, when do you want to go out again? "

"I can't see it being any time soon," said Cecilia, sighing. "I really need to get to the bottom of this...it's so frustrating...I'll be 29 and we'll still be on binary fission and mitosis, I fear..."

"When's your birthday? Sounds like the ideal time for a drink," said Tonks, eagerly.

"Is that all you think about?" laughed Cecilia. "October...the 8th. A Monday,so I can't go out drinking all night..."

"Well it's decided then. I won't take no for an answer..."

"In that case...yes?"

Tonks and Cecilia chatted for a bit longer, and it was only when Tonks said she had to go on Auror duty that they broke off, and Cecilia was left feeling somewhat buoyant. Tonks always managed to do that...just like Remus had a few days before and she mused at how suited they were for each other. Two personable people.

Right, she thought feeling somewhat annoyed that Snape hadn't shown up, I'm going to have a bath. She grabbed her shampoo and felt the cool air on her bare flesh, anticipating the warming pampering she would now indulge in.

Just as she pushed open the bathroom door, Sirius's head appeared in the hearth. He smiled as he realised he could see into the room; Cecilia had neglected to replace the chair, and he scanned the room, noticing the door swung closed behind her.

Does it occur to you that spying on her is wrong, he asked himself, when she's doing a favour for the Order?

But...she was so...his gaze caught her nightie draped over the end of the bed...he mentally cleared his throat...she was a muggle goddammit, who could be doing Merlin knows what to Harry...he scanned the room again...anything else was just a bonus...

He jumped as the door opened.

"Cecilia!" Snape strode into her room. "This..." he held a book in his hand, then looked round the room for the absent Cecilia. Sirius opened his mouth to call out as Snape made his way towards the bathroom, then closed it again...

...this was an upside, definitely, the bathroom facilities, thought Cecilia as she massaged shampoo into her hair. Well, that's better than last week. Two more positives. Maybe she was getting used to...

"This," bellowed Snape. "How dare you give me this...this child's book..." Cecilia jumped as Snape thundered into the bathroom.

"I suppose you think that's funny, after all, muggles are supposed to have a weird sense of humour..." He stared at her, exigently.

"No," said Cecilia "How dare you! There's nothing whatever wrong with the book, it's got everything you need to know. Anyway listen," she began, "Harry..."

"Pah!" Snape threw the book onto the bathroom floor. "You did that deliberately, didn't you? After what I said to you last week. Of all the..."

"Actually no. I'm not that petty. We would have been miles ahead with our research by now if you'd only just bothered to..." It was Snape, in here, and she was...in the bath...oh God...

"That is not the..." he glanced at her, then lowered his gaze.

"If you just..."

"Right..."

"In there..." she pointed towards the bathroom door quickly.

Without looking back, he walked hastily through it.

Ten minutes later, Cecilia peered round the door. Snape was sitting, with his back towards her, head bent over her book. Dressing gown round her tightly, she scuttled behind the wardrobe, throwing open the door.

"Tell me again Severus, what you were saying about the book? I presume then, that you have read it now?"

He turned quickly. "Cecilia?" He cleared his throat. "Mrs Frobisher?" His voice had lost some of its bitterness.

"Just here," she said, leaning round the corner of the wardrobe door, hair still wrapped up in a towel.

"I'm, er..." he swallowed. "I can see now why I needed to read it. Tell me, do muggle children really learn about this at twelve?"

Cecilia nodded as she sat herself down. Jeans and tee-shirt was so much more suitable than birthday suit...

"Listen, I didn't mean to insult you. I knew you were busy; this was the most suitable book and you've managed it in week..." My word, thought Cecilia. I think that really shocked him...

"A day, actually...so, how does this relate to the blood samples?"

"You've got them?" Cecilia got up, shaking off her towel, and began to brush her hair. She moved the tall chair back in front of the fire and sat down on it.

"Yes, " said Snape, glancing at her. "Not physically as yet, but they're on their way. However, there is something you must understand. Wizard blood, it is precious, unique. It can be used by wizards in binding spells, compelling other wizards to do their bidding..." he paused. "Being a wizard, it truly is in the blood."

"That is the exact reason I wanted you to conduct the research," said Cecilia levelly, she looked down. "Look, about Draco Malfoy, I really didn't know about wands. Admittedly, I didn't think either..."

"I have contained it, " said Snape, coldly. "Do not concern yourself with it, Cecilia. Now, you mentioned Mr Potter, perhaps you could enlighten me..."

Cecilia paused. OK. This is it. As close to the slate being wiped clean as it was possibly going to get, and they spent the next half an hour discussing her theory and she had to admit, Snape had picked up the everything and more from his short study session. She was actually impressed.

But, as usual when things were going well, Murphy and his legislation always made an appearance to make the "well" turn into "not well"... It was only when Cecilia realised she had compared muggles favourably to wizards that "not well" turned into "catastrophic".

"You can't seriously expect me believe that Dumbledore will allow you to visit Potter's relatives and obtain a blood sample? There has to be another way..."

"There is, said Cecilia. I could take a hair sample. If one of the Order were to visit the Dursley's, get hold of some, then I could have that analysed..."

"How? You've already said that blood is the only way to test magical energy. Does this involve another children's book?" She could detect the bitterness in his voice.

"DNA fingerprinting." She returned to the bathroom and retrieved the book Snape had thrown on the floor. "This will give us more insight into the link between Harry and his aunt. I mean, have you never thought why this has transferred? The fingerprint relates to amino acids, and we can see which have been inherited..."

"But you haven't got this equipment," said Snape, pointing to the picture. "I agree it certainly would add to our knowledge and understanding. We can't do it here, though..."

"I've already thought of that," said Cecilia. "Nick, my former colleague. He thinks I'm working for the patent office, in London. He knows the work's confidential, and won't ask questions. All I'll need is a sample of pureblood hair for comparison. Then we'll know for sure..." He nodded, then stopped abruptly.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Snape, getting up, suddenly looking uneasy.

"Why do you think? It wouldn't need much," she looked across his hair. "If you cut it from underneath, it wouldn't be seen..." She stopped, looking at his expression. His face was pale, his eyes beady, analysing her.

"You presume too much," he said, in a voice like liquid nitrogen pouring over granite, rubbing his left forearm, and glancing down. Glancing at her sharply, he turned and hurried out.

"Wha..." said Cecilia, as the door closed. She crossed the flagstone floor lightly, and watched him stride swiftly down the corridor.

"Not this time," she said aloud and, grabbing a cardigan and a pair of shoes, Cecilia hurried after him...

88888888