Squib Puppet
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma
a sequel to "A Squib's Proper Place"
Chapter 6: Into the Forest
Everything in this story really belongs to J.K. Rowling
Emerging from red-and-gold, I stood, shivering, at the very
boundaries of the Castle's protective spells. My Door could bring me no
further.
Ahead of me lay the Forbidden Forest.
It was after midnight. I was late. The voice's continuous pulling
had left me feeling dazed and weak. But driven relentlessly, I set off
through the ancient trees, soon leaving the path.
Walking was difficult. My legs were unsteady and I ached all over.
My left arm was bloody and mangled. My right eye, slowly swelling shut,
throbbed painfully. Tree roots made me stumble and fall. Each time that
I picked myself up, I checked to make sure that the vial I carried in my
pocket remained unbroken.
A clicking noise echoed through the dark trees around me. I
thought vaguely that I had been hearing it for a while, but I did not
know if it meant danger or not. The source of the noise was between me
and my destination, so I kept moving.
Suddenly a long, hairy vine grabbed me around the middle, flipping
me head-down. I struggled ineffectually against the impediment that was
keeping me from obeying the voice.
A cloud must have moved away from the moon, far above. A brighter
shaft of moonlight shone down through a gap in the canopy of trees. I
saw what was holding me. It wasn't a vine at all.
It was a hairy leg, attached to a spider the size of a carthorse!
I didn't have enough strength to scream. Whimpering softly, I
curled my right hand protectively around the glass vial in my pocket.
Then I heard the smooth voice.
"Avada Kedavra!"
There was a horrifying flash of green. I waited to die. But it was
the huge spider who fell, dead instantly.
Striking the ground headfirst, I lay still with the spider's leg
on top of me.
Strong hands dragged me free from the beast's leg. When the hands
released me, I collapsed in a heap on the ground.
"Lumos!" The voice hissed.
The glow of a wand revealed the owner of the voice. A tall wizard
in a hood, a mask and a long, black traveling cloak stood over me.
Painfully, I pulled myself into a sitting position. Then I reached
into my pocket and withdrew the glass vial. My hand shook as I held it
out for him to take.
"Ah..." the wizard said. "Excellent. But, you..." the voice
lowered, threateningly, "are late."
"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered.
The tall hooded wizard studied me in the glow of the wand.
"Hmm. The Curse seems to have taken quite a toll on you..." he
mused.
"It's your own fault, Squib," he continued. "You shouldn't have
fought the Curse so hard. But then, you've been foolish enough to match
wills with your betters, time and time again. I suppose you've truly
learned your lesson now."
"My fault..." I murmured, miserably, curling up on the ground.
He sighed. "It was not my intent to break you. At least not yet.
You could be a valuable pawn. Pity, to use you only once. Perhaps I
can..."
Just as he started to lean over me a crossbow bolt sliced through
the air, towards us.
The Dark wizard acted swiftly. Hissing "Mororari!" he slashed his
wand through the air in response.
The bolt froze in flight, barely inches from his heart.
The Dark wizard remained calm and icy, though his breathing had
quickened. Another wave of his wand and the bolt deflected. It ended up
stuck, quivering, in a nearby tree.
"That," Hagrid growled, "was jus' a warning. So's this. Yeh'd
better leave him be."
The huge man, another bolt already aimed, was flanked by two
enormous, growling dogs.
At the half-giant's feet crouched a small, grey cat. Her fur
bristled wildly and her golden eyes glowed like lamps.
"My brave girl..." I thought, weakly.
Mrs. Norris had never come into the Forest before. But Black and
Hagrid had clearly told her to find me. Then they'd taken Fang and
followed her. My sweet cat can always find me.
The Dark wizard laughed, mockingly.
"The Forest is your stronghold, Half-Monster," he said, coolly.
"It would be madness to confront you here. I already have what I need.
The Squib is yours, what's left of him!"
He Apparated.
Hagrid strode forward. He paused for a moment, to rest his hand
sadly on the still body of the giant spider. Then, kneeling, he picked
me up.
"It's alrigh, Filch,'" the big man said, gruffly. "He's gone. I'll
bring yeh back ter the Castle. They'll look after yeh, yeh poor old
git."
Unable to answer, I hid my face against his coat to block out the
sight of the Forest around us. I could not stop trembling.
The half-giant carried me easily, as if I weighed no more than
Mrs. Norris. He set off for the path, with Black, Fang and Mrs. Norris
at his side.
*******
The hospital wing is a place that I had become uncomfortably
familiar with, ever since I'd been kidnapped by Death Eaters back in
December.
Though I felt so weak that I was barely conscious, I knew what was
happening around me. The Headmaster and Poppy Pomfrey were both working
on me. Their magic was powerful, either soothing or painful by turns, as
they probed my injuries; physical and magical.
Deeper than any other pain was the certainty that I had done
something very terrible, even if the details were a bit blurry in my
battered mind. I wanted to confess, but speaking was too much of an
effort. The only thing I could do was moan softly, when one of their
probes hurt too much.
"He's suffering from the aftereffects of the Imperius, most
definitely..." Dumbledore said.
"Used in tandem with the Cruciatus!" Poppy sounded apalled. "I
haven't seen anything like this before."
"Whoever's done this to him has created a new variation on the
Unforgivables!" she said, furiously.
"I believe that there was a Memory Charm used on him as well," the
Headmaster murmured. "Removing it would be too much of a risk. He's very
ill."
Poppy terminated the Diagnostic spell.
"At least he'll recover, given enough time and rest..." she said,
softly. "He's a fighter, our Argus."
Sighing, the Headmaster tucked the blankets around me. "He has
certainly proven that. Attempting to resist a Curse so powerful would
have broken many."
"Now, for his arm," Poppy said, briskly. "I've already cleaned the
wound. I woke Severus, just after I woke you. He's started a batch of
that potion he came up with for treating animal bites. He'll start some
bandages soaking as soon as he can. He says that he'll bring them up to
me as quickly as possible."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said, still beside me. His hand felt firm
and cool against my forehead.
"Thank you for your help, Headmaster. You should go to bed now.
You need your rest too."
The Headmaster did sound tired. "I'll go and tell the children
that Argus will be all right," he said. "And I'll send them off to bed."
I could hear the smile in Dumbledore's voice. "I seem to recall a
number of cats out there. It might be best to let them come in. I do not
think that Mrs. Norris and her family will be willing to leave Mr.
Filch. Will you be keeping Snuffles here as well?"
"No, I think he'll be happier back in Gryffindor Tower, with
Harry. I'll give the poor creature a potion for pain. It will help him
sleep. The children should conjure some pillows for him; he'll be
needing a soft bed for the next few days. He's as badly bruised as Argus
is. The pair of them must have taken a dreadful fall."
Their voices faded as they left my side. Soon after that, I
drifted off to sleep under a blanket of purring cats.
*******
My peaceful rest did not last long. Trapped in a nightmare, I
stumbled through the Forest, holding a lantern. I was looking for a
student who was headed somewhere he shouldn't be.
I caught glimpses of him as he hurried along the path ahead of me.
A pale boy, elusive as a will o' the wisp.
Draco Malfoy.
The boy was in danger. Someone he loved and trusted was going to
do him harm. Tear away a piece of his mind and lock it away from him,
"for his own protection."
A split in the path ahead of us had made the boy hesitate. He
clearly did not know which way he should go.
I cried out to him, over and over, desperately.
But the boy had vanished. I didn't see which path he'd chosen.
*******
"It's all right, old man. I'm here."
The boy's soft drawl no longer brought another, far more
frightening voice to mind. I would not mistake any other voice for THAT
one. Never again.
Draco had tried to warn me away. When I hadn't listened, he'd done
his best to shield me. I remembered that much.
What had happened after that? I could remember only pain. And the
boy's frightened face.
"I'm here..." Draco said, soothing me once more. "I'm fine."
The Forest and the path faded. I was aware of my surroundings
again, though I was too weak to try opening my left eye. (My right eye,
blackened and swollen shut, had been covered with a soothing poultice
and a bandage.)
My earlier fretful tossing and turning must have annoyed the cats.
I appeared to have the bed to myself.
"Professor, why was he asking for me? He sounded so afraid. I
don't understand."
"I do not understand either, Draco. But your presence here does
appear to quiet him. That is why Madam Pomfrey sent for you."
"Is he going to die?" The boy asked, very quietly.
"Madam Pomfrey expects that he'll live. Here... take the end of
the bandage roll and start unwrapping. Keep handing the bandages to me."
"His arm is a mess! That black beast of Potter's ought to be put
down. Vicious dog!"
"The creature reportedly saved Filch's life."
This last statement was made in an extremely neutral tone.
"Professor, I heard what's *supposed* to have happened," the boy
said. His voice suggested that the `official version' of events could
never be trusted.
"The old Squib has been ill all week. I know that much is true.
Supposedly, he went sleepwalking last night and had a very bad fall. And
the dog grabbed him to stop him from breaking his neck. But, sir, I
think, perhaps, someone hit him."
"I do not know what really happened, Draco. A bandage, if you
please? Thank you..." Snape murmured.
My left arm felt hot and raw and painful. With surprising
gentleness, Snape began wrapping bandages around the aching wound.
"If someone did hit him, perhaps he deserved it. Maybe the Squib
was being insolent..." Draco sounded troubled. "The old man just doesn't
seem to understand that he should keep his mouth shut and his head down!
Around c-certain people..."
"He's not a bad servant, really," the boy continued. "He's very
loyal to you, Professor. Anyone can see that. You know how to manage him
properly."
"Something appears to be bothering you, Draco." Snape observed.
"No, sir, I'm fine! I-It's just that girl. And her Squib-tricks.
She told me that someone had... that I'd been... it's nonsense of
course..."
"Tell me, Draco."
"Well, sir, she says that she thinks my memory's been Modified! As
if I was some inconvenient Muggle!"
The boy sighed, his voice anxious.
"She said that she's been studying how different spells feel, and
that she's certain of it. Well, obviously, she's lying. It's a
Gryffindor trick, that's all."
His voice got softer. "B-but Pansy is worried about me. You know
how Pansy worries."
"At least the poor old man is a more useful sort of Squib," Draco
went on, quickly, before the professor could say anything.
"I haven't forgotten how he dealt with those vines. He's quite
brave... in his way. If he wasn't so ill, I am sure he could tell me if
the miserable girl is wrong. Even though she is his pet. With two Squibs
we should be able to tell if one of them is lying or making a mistake!"
Concern filled Snape's voice. "Draco, do you have reason to
suspect that Callandra Moffitt might be correct about what has happened
to you?"
"No, Professor! Of course not! No one would dare to do such a
thing to me! My f-father would...! H-he'd... He would be furious."
"And how is your father?"
"Quite recovered. He sends his regards."
"Send him mine as well, when you write to him."
Severus had been bandaging my arm steadily, all the while that
Draco had been talking. The painkillers that the bandages had been
soaked in were beginning to soothe the throbbing pain.
I sighed softly.
*******
Shortly afterwards, I managed to wake myself up all the way. Draco
had gone, but Severus was sitting in the chair beside my bed.
Once more I lay under a purring mound of cats. Mrs. Norris and her
kittens were curled up on top of me. All except for Azoth, who was
stretched out on Severus's knee.
"How kind of you to rejoin us," Snape said, when I managed to open
my good eye.
"Professor...?" I murmured, weakly, "I've done something
terrible."
"No, Filch," he said, very stern. "Terrible things have been done
to you."
Bewildered, I gave him an uncomprehending look.
He sighed. "Albus has told me what he and Poppy discovered about
your injuries and what must have happened to you. But neither of them
mentioned anything about Draco. Tell me, what does Draco have to do with
this?"
I remembered the boy in the Forest. How he'd tried to stand
between me and harm. But, when I tried to describe the flash of memory
to Severus, my throat closed up.
Helplessly, I started to shiver.
"I-I..."
"Are you unable to remember? Or unable to speak? Or both?"
I cried out in misery. My shuddering grew uncontrollable.
Snape hissed an oath.
Then, picking up Azoth and setting him on my bed beside his
brothers and sisters, the Potions Master took a goblet from my bedside
table. He supported and steadied me while he helped me drink from it.
The potion was horribly bitter. But it worked. Slowly, my tremors
eased. I slumped against Snape's arm, exhausted.
"Argus. You unmitigated Ass!" Snape said, bleakly. "Didn't I
*tell* you to stay away from Lucius Malfoy? I may not be able to do what
Draco refers to as `Squib-tricks,' but I do know Lucius well enough
recognize his handiwork. He's responsible for your condition. I am
certain of that."
He sighed. "Albus spoke of a merging of Curses, and Lucius has
always been ...creative. Unlike young Draco, I do have faith in
Callandra Moffitt's talents. But why would Lucius work a Memory Charm on
his own son?"
"Rest now. This is my concern. Not yours."
Again, with surprising gentleness, he settled me back onto my
pillow.
His face was troubled.
*******
END OF CHAPTER SIX
Author's Notes:
Alchemine: Thank you!! Yes, Filch does have a special place in his heart
for Ginny. Harming her would have destroyed him.
There wasn't time for anyone to go back into the Castle for help. Though
Sirius did send the four children back into the Castle to wake Madam
Pomfrey and tell her that he or Hagrid would be bringing Filch to her
very soon.
As soon as Filch went through red-and-gold Sirius Transfigured and ran,
with Mrs. Norris, to Hagrid's. After Hagrid was awake and armed, Mrs.
Norris led the others straight to Filch.
Minerva is the best one to help Filch in one very important way, which
she'll do next chapter.
Pendragon: Thank you!! Here's the next chapter... I hope to have the one
after this one up in a few more days. Knock on wood. (Not Oliver Wood
though, he's much too cute to knock on.)
Blue Moon: Thank you!!
AET: Thank you!! I enjoyed the scene with Filch at the Quidditch match.
(Yaaay! I have the DVD!!! I have the DVD!!!) David Bradley is wonderful.
I was quite disappointed that the bandaging scene with Filch and Snape
didn't make it into the movie, but the other bits that Filch was given
nearly made up for that. And the extended Potions class scene! (Happy
Sigh!!) I wish the extended version of that scene had been in the movie.
It was a great scene for everyone, especially Alan Rickman!!!
Lizard of Fire: Thank you!! Ginny is going to hug Filch as soon she sees
him.
Saint Fool: Thank you!! I didn't want to romanticize the suicide
attempt. Suicide leaves a great, big mess... in every possible way.
Filch really hated to do what he was doing. He just didn't see any other
way out.
Saphron: Thank you!!
Demeter: Thank you!! Dumbledore, Snape, Black and Hagrid (among others)
know who cast the Curse, but they can't prove it. I think that removing
Memory Charms must be very tricky and dangerous. It destroyed poor
Bertha Jorkins' mind.
Snape and Draco are both back in this chapter. And Severus is not happy
about what Lucius has done; to either Draco or Filch.
Jelsemium: Thank you!! Sirius will eventually apologize for chewing up
Filch's arm and for giving him a black eye. Punching the old git wasn't
as much fun as Sirius thought it would be.
Ginny's tough. She handled the Chamber of Secrets well, all things
considered. Her crying was understandable, but she didn't go all to
pieces. The way that she recovered from the ordeal shows great inner
strength.
I did consider having Filch substitute a silvery white thread for
Dumbledore's hair. (It was my original reason for having Filch go to
Helga's Workroom. You can read my mind!) But then I decided that the
Curse would not allow Filch to knowingly deceive Lucius. Someone else
would have to get Filch to trick Lucius, without Filch being aware of
the switch.
Argus isn't up to questioning the Dream Team yet, but Ginny is. She will
corner them as soon as she can.
Larania: Thank you!!
Ezra: Thank you!! Severus's debt to Lucius is part of a story that is
still in fragments, and still depends on what Rowling may or may not do
in future books.
Rabbit: Thank you!!! (I LOVE the new chapter of BALANCE!!!) Yes, it did
take several weeks for Hermione to recover from the cat hair + polyjuice
potion.
Lucius Malfoy had better not play "chess" with Ron Weasley again, unless
he wants to lose. Ron knows that there's a time when pieces must be
sacrificed, but he also looks for other ways of accomplishing his goals.
Since Filch's (or Callandra's) ability to sense the Transfigured hair
would rely on touch, anything preventing them from touching the hair
directly would block the sense. Squib-Tricks, as Draco calls them, have
as many limitations as regular magic does. Characters are more
interesting when they aren't paragons.
Enfleurage: Thank you!! I'm guessing that the Finite Incantem probably
must be cast by a wizard equal to (or greater) in power than the wizard
who cast the spell that's being canceled.
Harry, Ron and Hermione might have been able to pull it off as a team,
but they didn't think of it. Sirius has enough power, and he did think
of it, but he was still shaky from his fall and wobbly from his trip
through the Door. He was going to knock Filch down and try to keep him
there until he could manage the Finite Incantem. Filch wouldn't hold
still.
Gramarye: Thank you!! Yes, whoever uses the polyjuice is in for a very
nasty shock. ^_^
Elspeth: Thank you!! Poor Ron. I'm getting the feeling that most fan-
writers don't treat him at all well!
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma
a sequel to "A Squib's Proper Place"
Chapter 6: Into the Forest
Everything in this story really belongs to J.K. Rowling
Emerging from red-and-gold, I stood, shivering, at the very
boundaries of the Castle's protective spells. My Door could bring me no
further.
Ahead of me lay the Forbidden Forest.
It was after midnight. I was late. The voice's continuous pulling
had left me feeling dazed and weak. But driven relentlessly, I set off
through the ancient trees, soon leaving the path.
Walking was difficult. My legs were unsteady and I ached all over.
My left arm was bloody and mangled. My right eye, slowly swelling shut,
throbbed painfully. Tree roots made me stumble and fall. Each time that
I picked myself up, I checked to make sure that the vial I carried in my
pocket remained unbroken.
A clicking noise echoed through the dark trees around me. I
thought vaguely that I had been hearing it for a while, but I did not
know if it meant danger or not. The source of the noise was between me
and my destination, so I kept moving.
Suddenly a long, hairy vine grabbed me around the middle, flipping
me head-down. I struggled ineffectually against the impediment that was
keeping me from obeying the voice.
A cloud must have moved away from the moon, far above. A brighter
shaft of moonlight shone down through a gap in the canopy of trees. I
saw what was holding me. It wasn't a vine at all.
It was a hairy leg, attached to a spider the size of a carthorse!
I didn't have enough strength to scream. Whimpering softly, I
curled my right hand protectively around the glass vial in my pocket.
Then I heard the smooth voice.
"Avada Kedavra!"
There was a horrifying flash of green. I waited to die. But it was
the huge spider who fell, dead instantly.
Striking the ground headfirst, I lay still with the spider's leg
on top of me.
Strong hands dragged me free from the beast's leg. When the hands
released me, I collapsed in a heap on the ground.
"Lumos!" The voice hissed.
The glow of a wand revealed the owner of the voice. A tall wizard
in a hood, a mask and a long, black traveling cloak stood over me.
Painfully, I pulled myself into a sitting position. Then I reached
into my pocket and withdrew the glass vial. My hand shook as I held it
out for him to take.
"Ah..." the wizard said. "Excellent. But, you..." the voice
lowered, threateningly, "are late."
"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered.
The tall hooded wizard studied me in the glow of the wand.
"Hmm. The Curse seems to have taken quite a toll on you..." he
mused.
"It's your own fault, Squib," he continued. "You shouldn't have
fought the Curse so hard. But then, you've been foolish enough to match
wills with your betters, time and time again. I suppose you've truly
learned your lesson now."
"My fault..." I murmured, miserably, curling up on the ground.
He sighed. "It was not my intent to break you. At least not yet.
You could be a valuable pawn. Pity, to use you only once. Perhaps I
can..."
Just as he started to lean over me a crossbow bolt sliced through
the air, towards us.
The Dark wizard acted swiftly. Hissing "Mororari!" he slashed his
wand through the air in response.
The bolt froze in flight, barely inches from his heart.
The Dark wizard remained calm and icy, though his breathing had
quickened. Another wave of his wand and the bolt deflected. It ended up
stuck, quivering, in a nearby tree.
"That," Hagrid growled, "was jus' a warning. So's this. Yeh'd
better leave him be."
The huge man, another bolt already aimed, was flanked by two
enormous, growling dogs.
At the half-giant's feet crouched a small, grey cat. Her fur
bristled wildly and her golden eyes glowed like lamps.
"My brave girl..." I thought, weakly.
Mrs. Norris had never come into the Forest before. But Black and
Hagrid had clearly told her to find me. Then they'd taken Fang and
followed her. My sweet cat can always find me.
The Dark wizard laughed, mockingly.
"The Forest is your stronghold, Half-Monster," he said, coolly.
"It would be madness to confront you here. I already have what I need.
The Squib is yours, what's left of him!"
He Apparated.
Hagrid strode forward. He paused for a moment, to rest his hand
sadly on the still body of the giant spider. Then, kneeling, he picked
me up.
"It's alrigh, Filch,'" the big man said, gruffly. "He's gone. I'll
bring yeh back ter the Castle. They'll look after yeh, yeh poor old
git."
Unable to answer, I hid my face against his coat to block out the
sight of the Forest around us. I could not stop trembling.
The half-giant carried me easily, as if I weighed no more than
Mrs. Norris. He set off for the path, with Black, Fang and Mrs. Norris
at his side.
*******
The hospital wing is a place that I had become uncomfortably
familiar with, ever since I'd been kidnapped by Death Eaters back in
December.
Though I felt so weak that I was barely conscious, I knew what was
happening around me. The Headmaster and Poppy Pomfrey were both working
on me. Their magic was powerful, either soothing or painful by turns, as
they probed my injuries; physical and magical.
Deeper than any other pain was the certainty that I had done
something very terrible, even if the details were a bit blurry in my
battered mind. I wanted to confess, but speaking was too much of an
effort. The only thing I could do was moan softly, when one of their
probes hurt too much.
"He's suffering from the aftereffects of the Imperius, most
definitely..." Dumbledore said.
"Used in tandem with the Cruciatus!" Poppy sounded apalled. "I
haven't seen anything like this before."
"Whoever's done this to him has created a new variation on the
Unforgivables!" she said, furiously.
"I believe that there was a Memory Charm used on him as well," the
Headmaster murmured. "Removing it would be too much of a risk. He's very
ill."
Poppy terminated the Diagnostic spell.
"At least he'll recover, given enough time and rest..." she said,
softly. "He's a fighter, our Argus."
Sighing, the Headmaster tucked the blankets around me. "He has
certainly proven that. Attempting to resist a Curse so powerful would
have broken many."
"Now, for his arm," Poppy said, briskly. "I've already cleaned the
wound. I woke Severus, just after I woke you. He's started a batch of
that potion he came up with for treating animal bites. He'll start some
bandages soaking as soon as he can. He says that he'll bring them up to
me as quickly as possible."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said, still beside me. His hand felt firm
and cool against my forehead.
"Thank you for your help, Headmaster. You should go to bed now.
You need your rest too."
The Headmaster did sound tired. "I'll go and tell the children
that Argus will be all right," he said. "And I'll send them off to bed."
I could hear the smile in Dumbledore's voice. "I seem to recall a
number of cats out there. It might be best to let them come in. I do not
think that Mrs. Norris and her family will be willing to leave Mr.
Filch. Will you be keeping Snuffles here as well?"
"No, I think he'll be happier back in Gryffindor Tower, with
Harry. I'll give the poor creature a potion for pain. It will help him
sleep. The children should conjure some pillows for him; he'll be
needing a soft bed for the next few days. He's as badly bruised as Argus
is. The pair of them must have taken a dreadful fall."
Their voices faded as they left my side. Soon after that, I
drifted off to sleep under a blanket of purring cats.
*******
My peaceful rest did not last long. Trapped in a nightmare, I
stumbled through the Forest, holding a lantern. I was looking for a
student who was headed somewhere he shouldn't be.
I caught glimpses of him as he hurried along the path ahead of me.
A pale boy, elusive as a will o' the wisp.
Draco Malfoy.
The boy was in danger. Someone he loved and trusted was going to
do him harm. Tear away a piece of his mind and lock it away from him,
"for his own protection."
A split in the path ahead of us had made the boy hesitate. He
clearly did not know which way he should go.
I cried out to him, over and over, desperately.
But the boy had vanished. I didn't see which path he'd chosen.
*******
"It's all right, old man. I'm here."
The boy's soft drawl no longer brought another, far more
frightening voice to mind. I would not mistake any other voice for THAT
one. Never again.
Draco had tried to warn me away. When I hadn't listened, he'd done
his best to shield me. I remembered that much.
What had happened after that? I could remember only pain. And the
boy's frightened face.
"I'm here..." Draco said, soothing me once more. "I'm fine."
The Forest and the path faded. I was aware of my surroundings
again, though I was too weak to try opening my left eye. (My right eye,
blackened and swollen shut, had been covered with a soothing poultice
and a bandage.)
My earlier fretful tossing and turning must have annoyed the cats.
I appeared to have the bed to myself.
"Professor, why was he asking for me? He sounded so afraid. I
don't understand."
"I do not understand either, Draco. But your presence here does
appear to quiet him. That is why Madam Pomfrey sent for you."
"Is he going to die?" The boy asked, very quietly.
"Madam Pomfrey expects that he'll live. Here... take the end of
the bandage roll and start unwrapping. Keep handing the bandages to me."
"His arm is a mess! That black beast of Potter's ought to be put
down. Vicious dog!"
"The creature reportedly saved Filch's life."
This last statement was made in an extremely neutral tone.
"Professor, I heard what's *supposed* to have happened," the boy
said. His voice suggested that the `official version' of events could
never be trusted.
"The old Squib has been ill all week. I know that much is true.
Supposedly, he went sleepwalking last night and had a very bad fall. And
the dog grabbed him to stop him from breaking his neck. But, sir, I
think, perhaps, someone hit him."
"I do not know what really happened, Draco. A bandage, if you
please? Thank you..." Snape murmured.
My left arm felt hot and raw and painful. With surprising
gentleness, Snape began wrapping bandages around the aching wound.
"If someone did hit him, perhaps he deserved it. Maybe the Squib
was being insolent..." Draco sounded troubled. "The old man just doesn't
seem to understand that he should keep his mouth shut and his head down!
Around c-certain people..."
"He's not a bad servant, really," the boy continued. "He's very
loyal to you, Professor. Anyone can see that. You know how to manage him
properly."
"Something appears to be bothering you, Draco." Snape observed.
"No, sir, I'm fine! I-It's just that girl. And her Squib-tricks.
She told me that someone had... that I'd been... it's nonsense of
course..."
"Tell me, Draco."
"Well, sir, she says that she thinks my memory's been Modified! As
if I was some inconvenient Muggle!"
The boy sighed, his voice anxious.
"She said that she's been studying how different spells feel, and
that she's certain of it. Well, obviously, she's lying. It's a
Gryffindor trick, that's all."
His voice got softer. "B-but Pansy is worried about me. You know
how Pansy worries."
"At least the poor old man is a more useful sort of Squib," Draco
went on, quickly, before the professor could say anything.
"I haven't forgotten how he dealt with those vines. He's quite
brave... in his way. If he wasn't so ill, I am sure he could tell me if
the miserable girl is wrong. Even though she is his pet. With two Squibs
we should be able to tell if one of them is lying or making a mistake!"
Concern filled Snape's voice. "Draco, do you have reason to
suspect that Callandra Moffitt might be correct about what has happened
to you?"
"No, Professor! Of course not! No one would dare to do such a
thing to me! My f-father would...! H-he'd... He would be furious."
"And how is your father?"
"Quite recovered. He sends his regards."
"Send him mine as well, when you write to him."
Severus had been bandaging my arm steadily, all the while that
Draco had been talking. The painkillers that the bandages had been
soaked in were beginning to soothe the throbbing pain.
I sighed softly.
*******
Shortly afterwards, I managed to wake myself up all the way. Draco
had gone, but Severus was sitting in the chair beside my bed.
Once more I lay under a purring mound of cats. Mrs. Norris and her
kittens were curled up on top of me. All except for Azoth, who was
stretched out on Severus's knee.
"How kind of you to rejoin us," Snape said, when I managed to open
my good eye.
"Professor...?" I murmured, weakly, "I've done something
terrible."
"No, Filch," he said, very stern. "Terrible things have been done
to you."
Bewildered, I gave him an uncomprehending look.
He sighed. "Albus has told me what he and Poppy discovered about
your injuries and what must have happened to you. But neither of them
mentioned anything about Draco. Tell me, what does Draco have to do with
this?"
I remembered the boy in the Forest. How he'd tried to stand
between me and harm. But, when I tried to describe the flash of memory
to Severus, my throat closed up.
Helplessly, I started to shiver.
"I-I..."
"Are you unable to remember? Or unable to speak? Or both?"
I cried out in misery. My shuddering grew uncontrollable.
Snape hissed an oath.
Then, picking up Azoth and setting him on my bed beside his
brothers and sisters, the Potions Master took a goblet from my bedside
table. He supported and steadied me while he helped me drink from it.
The potion was horribly bitter. But it worked. Slowly, my tremors
eased. I slumped against Snape's arm, exhausted.
"Argus. You unmitigated Ass!" Snape said, bleakly. "Didn't I
*tell* you to stay away from Lucius Malfoy? I may not be able to do what
Draco refers to as `Squib-tricks,' but I do know Lucius well enough
recognize his handiwork. He's responsible for your condition. I am
certain of that."
He sighed. "Albus spoke of a merging of Curses, and Lucius has
always been ...creative. Unlike young Draco, I do have faith in
Callandra Moffitt's talents. But why would Lucius work a Memory Charm on
his own son?"
"Rest now. This is my concern. Not yours."
Again, with surprising gentleness, he settled me back onto my
pillow.
His face was troubled.
*******
END OF CHAPTER SIX
Author's Notes:
Alchemine: Thank you!! Yes, Filch does have a special place in his heart
for Ginny. Harming her would have destroyed him.
There wasn't time for anyone to go back into the Castle for help. Though
Sirius did send the four children back into the Castle to wake Madam
Pomfrey and tell her that he or Hagrid would be bringing Filch to her
very soon.
As soon as Filch went through red-and-gold Sirius Transfigured and ran,
with Mrs. Norris, to Hagrid's. After Hagrid was awake and armed, Mrs.
Norris led the others straight to Filch.
Minerva is the best one to help Filch in one very important way, which
she'll do next chapter.
Pendragon: Thank you!! Here's the next chapter... I hope to have the one
after this one up in a few more days. Knock on wood. (Not Oliver Wood
though, he's much too cute to knock on.)
Blue Moon: Thank you!!
AET: Thank you!! I enjoyed the scene with Filch at the Quidditch match.
(Yaaay! I have the DVD!!! I have the DVD!!!) David Bradley is wonderful.
I was quite disappointed that the bandaging scene with Filch and Snape
didn't make it into the movie, but the other bits that Filch was given
nearly made up for that. And the extended Potions class scene! (Happy
Sigh!!) I wish the extended version of that scene had been in the movie.
It was a great scene for everyone, especially Alan Rickman!!!
Lizard of Fire: Thank you!! Ginny is going to hug Filch as soon she sees
him.
Saint Fool: Thank you!! I didn't want to romanticize the suicide
attempt. Suicide leaves a great, big mess... in every possible way.
Filch really hated to do what he was doing. He just didn't see any other
way out.
Saphron: Thank you!!
Demeter: Thank you!! Dumbledore, Snape, Black and Hagrid (among others)
know who cast the Curse, but they can't prove it. I think that removing
Memory Charms must be very tricky and dangerous. It destroyed poor
Bertha Jorkins' mind.
Snape and Draco are both back in this chapter. And Severus is not happy
about what Lucius has done; to either Draco or Filch.
Jelsemium: Thank you!! Sirius will eventually apologize for chewing up
Filch's arm and for giving him a black eye. Punching the old git wasn't
as much fun as Sirius thought it would be.
Ginny's tough. She handled the Chamber of Secrets well, all things
considered. Her crying was understandable, but she didn't go all to
pieces. The way that she recovered from the ordeal shows great inner
strength.
I did consider having Filch substitute a silvery white thread for
Dumbledore's hair. (It was my original reason for having Filch go to
Helga's Workroom. You can read my mind!) But then I decided that the
Curse would not allow Filch to knowingly deceive Lucius. Someone else
would have to get Filch to trick Lucius, without Filch being aware of
the switch.
Argus isn't up to questioning the Dream Team yet, but Ginny is. She will
corner them as soon as she can.
Larania: Thank you!!
Ezra: Thank you!! Severus's debt to Lucius is part of a story that is
still in fragments, and still depends on what Rowling may or may not do
in future books.
Rabbit: Thank you!!! (I LOVE the new chapter of BALANCE!!!) Yes, it did
take several weeks for Hermione to recover from the cat hair + polyjuice
potion.
Lucius Malfoy had better not play "chess" with Ron Weasley again, unless
he wants to lose. Ron knows that there's a time when pieces must be
sacrificed, but he also looks for other ways of accomplishing his goals.
Since Filch's (or Callandra's) ability to sense the Transfigured hair
would rely on touch, anything preventing them from touching the hair
directly would block the sense. Squib-Tricks, as Draco calls them, have
as many limitations as regular magic does. Characters are more
interesting when they aren't paragons.
Enfleurage: Thank you!! I'm guessing that the Finite Incantem probably
must be cast by a wizard equal to (or greater) in power than the wizard
who cast the spell that's being canceled.
Harry, Ron and Hermione might have been able to pull it off as a team,
but they didn't think of it. Sirius has enough power, and he did think
of it, but he was still shaky from his fall and wobbly from his trip
through the Door. He was going to knock Filch down and try to keep him
there until he could manage the Finite Incantem. Filch wouldn't hold
still.
Gramarye: Thank you!! Yes, whoever uses the polyjuice is in for a very
nasty shock. ^_^
Elspeth: Thank you!! Poor Ron. I'm getting the feeling that most fan-
writers don't treat him at all well!
