"Sir," John began, undaunted by Dumbledore's immense amusement, and I stepped back so he could come out from behind me, "we've been -"
"Mr. Weasley, it's three-thirty in the morning. Whatever you two have been doing about Neborth should be explained as fast as possible. I am exhausted." Dumbledore sounded slightly irritated, but I was somehow sure that Gryffindor wouldn't lose any points from this - points. Something else I'd forgotten to include in my "clever" plan - and wait! How did he know about Neborth?
"Who is Neborth?" I inquired, surprised at my boldness. Somehow, students always ended up being the one who asked the questions, and Dumbledore did the telling.
"Miss Jasper, Neborth can wait. I need to hear your account of the story - and what Neborth has cooked up recently. I will explain everything after you tell me. But first, I believe you have Layered Spell Syndrome." He chuckled and raised his wand again, making us normal again. I suppressed an enormous sigh of relief - I didn't want him to think I was weak.
John looked at me, and I nodded, so he started to tell the story with me adding in little tidbits. He also told Dumbledore about the elf charms - I was proud of casting them, but I wished I had thought a little more about the layered enchantment effect - it made me feel quite stupid.
Dasher?
I'm here, Jadey. Don't worry - everything will be okay. Fawkes tells me Dumbledore is quite pleased with you.
Really?? I was amazed. Fawkes...the phoenix...I looked past Dumbledore and John to the small cage where Fawkes was watching me in amusement. I nearly screamed with shock when he actually winked at me!!
Checking myself, I turned back to Dumbledore. He looked amused.
Yes. You're amazing, Jadey.
Oh, Dasher - what would I do without you?
"Casting three Elven Charms is no small feat, Miss Jasper. Especially the ones you did. I'm surprised."
I beamed. Praise from Dumbledore!! "Thank you, Professor. But there's still the problem of Neborth - who is he? What does he mean to do by enchanting Patrick with stage presence and making him rouse Snape's Shade?"
"Professor Snape's Shade, Jade."
"Whatever." I could sense Dasher's chuckle - he was listening in on us. I couldn't believe I was talking like this to Dumbledore!!
"Neborth is the Leader of the Superies."
"Excuse me?" both John and I asked at the same time, even more confused than we'd ever been.
"The Superies - not as rabidly anti-Muggle as Voldemort," and here John shuddered, "but anti-Muggle nonetheless. They think that Muggles should live as servants to us wizards, but still be allowed to live. They believe that no Muggles should learn wizardry, thinking it is too high a study for them." Dumbledore chuckled. "Obviously they're wrong - look what you were able to do, Jade! Casting three Elven Charms...for a first year, that's amazing. But Neborth wanted Snape's Shade roused because he is the only Supery that has full knowledge of the Hogwarts grounds, inside and out. Even the small chamber beneath the Whomping Willow..."
John gasped. "My great-grandfathers told me about that chamber! It leads to Hogsmeade, doesn't it?" Dumbledore nodded.
"The Shrieking Shack. But that is a different story entirely, John. Neborth wants to bring all Muggle-borns out of Hogwarts. He thinks it is the first step in his rise to power."
I had been right. A parallel Voldemort - he sure did sound like one. Again. I shivered, not wholly knowing why, and suddenly John's arm was across my shoulder and I stopped, not daring to look at him or Dumbledore.
Fawkes says Dumbledore knew all along that you two were a perfect pair, Dasher told me smugly.
Oh, shut up. Like I haven't noticed how flirty you've been getting around Mary Martin's rabbit!! I shot back. Mary Martin was a Ravenclaw, and her rabbit, Quizza, had been getting very interesting looks lately from Dasher, which amused me tremendously. Dasher didn't respond; I figured he'd decided to ignore me and sulk by himself in a huff.
I looked up at Dumbledore cautiously, and he was smiling. He seemed to know what I was saying to Dasher, and, startled, I wondered if he could hear when we were talking. I'd have to try and keep my thoughts quieter.
"So what should we do, Professor?" John asked, keeping his arm comfortingly and protectively around me, and I relaxed my shoulders as much as I could so he wouldn't think I didn't enjoy it. I loved it - only Neborth kept me from complete happiness right now. I still couldn't wait until the Santa Swing in a week!!
"First, postpone all Quidditch matches until I can get Professor Flitwick to come with me and take a closer look at that field." At the mention of Quidditch, John's arm tightened slightly around my shoulder, but I snuggled slightly closer to him and he relaxed. Dumbledore continued. "Then, we call Patrick up here tomorrow and question him about Neborth. I'll tell you what happens next after we find out what he has to say."
"Can we come when you question Patrick?" I asked, more eager than I expected to sound.
"That's why I said 'we,' Jade." Dumbledore smiled. "But the sooner you two get back to the Gryffindor common room, the better. You are to come up here with Patrick after breakfast in the morning." John and I exchanged glances that clearly meant, no classes!! It was our lucky day - or rather, night.
"Goodnight, Professor," John called as we left.
"And sorry for the lateness of the hour..." I added, almost humorously.
"Nothing to be sorry about, Miss Jasper. Have a good night," and that was it. John and I made our way back to the Gryffindor common room, relieved and grateful to Dumbledore. Just as I was about to leave the warmth and comfort of his arm and shoulder, he spun me halfway around and kissed me tenderly. I was surprised but euphoric...everything was so perfect now...
"STOP IN THE NAME OF NEBORTH!!"
A/N: YES, I know it was short. But I can't reveal *that* much of the plot in ONE SEGMENT, now can I?? *winks* Please review. Oh, and I'm sorry to leave it at such a cliffhanger. I feel evil tonight. ;)