Squib Puppet
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma
a sequel to "A Squib's Proper Place"
Chapter 7: Visitors
Everything in this story really belongs to J.K. Rowling



My memories of the first four days after Hagrid carried me out of
the Forest were confused and disjointed. I spent those days mostly under
the influence of an assortment of sleeping draughts and pain-killing
potions.

The Dreamless Sleep Potion was too potent to be taken in anything
except small doses. Whenever that Potion wore off I was trapped in dark
dreams.

Sometimes I seemed to be falling, endlessly, from the West Tower
towards red-and-gold below. Sirius Black tumbled beside me. When the
Animagus fell with me into the Door, the brave dog's teeth slipped from
my aching arm. He was lost inside the Door, forever.

Sometimes I was stumbling through the Forbidden Forest. Draco
Malfoy ran swift-footed ahead of me, eager to find his fate whether it
was doom or salvation.

Sometimes a giant spider clicked menacingly as it chased me
towards a Dark wizard, hooded and masked. Evil magic roiled around him.
Sometimes I faced him, holding Ginny Weasley in front of me, as a
shield. I tried, and failed, to wake up before his Dark spell could
strike her.

Sometimes I stalked the Headmaster through the Castle, driven by a
smooth, relentless voice. Powerless to speak and warn him of my
treachery, I reached out for his silvery, flowing beard. The look of
betrayal in his kind, wise eyes went through me like a bolt from a
crossbow.

Poppy or Winky were always there to calm me when I woke up,
terrified, too weak to scream. They fetched a milder potion to tide me
over until I could tolerate Dreamless Sleep again.

Mrs. Norris and the kittens were allowed to come and go as they
pleased. Mostly they seemed pleased to linger on my bed. Or nearby, if I
was too restless.

(Later, when I was feeling stronger, Poppy told me that she could
always tell how comfortably I was resting by checking on the cats. If
they were at ease, curled up around me, then she figured that I was
doing well.)

Whenever Mrs. Norris, the kittens and I were all resting quietly,
Poppy allowed a succession of other visitors to sit with me, each for a
short time. Though I was too ill to speak, I knew that they were there
and took comfort from their presence.

Lovely Minerva, with worry in her grey eyes.

Alastor Moody, looking far less lovely, but equally worried.

Hagrid, who'd been busy knitting something large and hideous that
I really hoped wasn't meant for me.

Severus, who watched me with troubled eyes and a haunted
expression.

Poor Sirius Black, who looked almost as sore as I felt. In his dog
form, the Animagus limped towards my bed and settled himself gingerly on
the floor.

When Azoth, Paladin and Semyon began swatting at his tail, he
whimpered plaintively. Mrs. Norris hissed at the rambunctious kittens
and they left the poor dog in peace.

Several times I woke to see the Headmaster in the chair beside me.
The sight of his long, silvery hair and beard filled me with almost
unbearable shame.

I did try to speak to Dumbledore, which exhausted me. I kept
mumbling apologies, knowing that I'd done something dreadfully wrong.
The expression in his eyes remained grave and kind as he reaassured me
that there was nothing for him to forgive. I must have been too
incoherent to make him understand.

*******

A few of my visitors came at night. They were students, which
distressed me.

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley came together. The
boys looked awkward and nervous. They played with the kittens while
Hermione murmured comforting things to me, patted my hand and
straightened my blankets a bit.

Though I was touched, I also wondered why there wasn't anyone in
the Castle who was making sure that the children stayed in their beds.

"Sneaking around at night isn't as much fun, somehow. Not when
he's too ill to try and catch us, or even yell," Ron said.

Fun! Wandering around the Castle at night led to all sorts of
horrible things! I would have given them all detention if only I had
enough strength to speak.

Then, I remembered that I had done something terrible and had no
right to punish anyone.

At least Mrs. Norris did make an effort to remind them that they
were out of bounds. But, when she mewed at them scoldingly, Hermione
simply picked up my cat and cuddled her. Rather to my dismay, Mrs.
Norris did not mind this at all.

*******

Draco Malfoy also visited me one night. Moving like a wraith, the
pale boy settled himself into the chair by my bed.

"Mr. Filch? Can you speak to me?"

I couldn't, though I tried.

"You poor, old man," the boy sighed. "I shouldn't have bothered
you. You can't help me. Not in the state you're in. I could have the
world's most powerful Memory Charm on me, and you wouldn't be able to
say a word. Never mind. Rest. I'll wait until you're feeling better."

*******

Ginny Weasley visited me during the day, like a good child. My
small friend tried to comfort me while I mumbled rambling, sorrowful
apologies.

Neville Longbottom and Callandra Moffitt came to see me, during
the day also. The poor children were distraught. Callandra had been able
to sense the Dark magic around me.

"You were right, child," Poppy told Callandra. "The poor man was
Cursed. It was two of the Unforgivables mixed up together; the Cruciatus
and the Imperius."

"We knew he was ill! He promised that he would come to you if he
didn't start to feel better by morning!" Neville said, upset.

"We should have brought him to you!" Callandra added, unhappily.
"Then he wouldn't have been hurt! He could have died. Without Snuffles,
he would have been killed."

"He's going to be all right," Poppy reassured them. "He's getting
a little better every day."

*******

Five days after Hagrid brought me out of the Forest, I woke up,
still weak and in pain, but completely clear-headed.

I felt as if I'd managed to find my way back home after a very
long and highly unpleasant journey.

As it happened, Ginny Weasley came to see me before breakfast. My
small, red-haired friend grinned happily and flung her arms around me.

"You're looking so much better this morning, Mr. Filch! How do you
feel?"

"Ashamed," I confessed, miserably. "I'm sorry, child. I've done
such terrible things."

"No, you haven't! None of it was your fault! I know what it feels
like when something you can't control is making you do things that you'd
never choose to do! I *know.*"

Hearing Ginny talk about the Chamber, as the brave child very
seldom did, made my heart ache.

Upset because I'd reminded her of the worst experience of her
life, I wept inconsolably. Poor Ginny hugged me once more and started
crying too.

Our distress woke Mrs. Norris and the eight kittens, who were
resting all over my bed. The cats started nudging both of us worriedly.
Small, grey Bastet climbed anxiously into the girl's lap.

Poppy came in and found Ginny and me in tears, surrounded by
concerned cats.

She was able to calm Ginny, but I couldn't stop crying. I felt as
if a dam inside me had broken.

"I've done so many terrible things..." I cried, rocking back and
forth in misery. "I couldn't s-save Draco! I nearly got Snuffles killed!
I could have hurt you, my poor Ginny! And, I've betrayed the
Headmaster...!"

"He's talking about the Curse..." I heard Poppy tell Ginny. "It's
an important step forward. He hasn't been able to say a word about it
before."

"Poor Mr. Filch...!" Ginny cried. "You never betrayed anyone!
Please, believe me, please!"

*******

"Why can't we make him understand that he hasn't done anything
wrong?" Ginny said, distressed by my continuing tears. "I thought the
Curse was broken!"

Poppy, Ginny and I had not noticed Mrs. Norris leaving, until my
cat came padding back into the ward, followed by Minerva.

"The Curse is broken," Poppy said. "Mr. Filch is no longer being
controlled. But powerful Curses can leave deep and lasting wounds."

Ginny nodded gravely, clearly thinking of Harry.

"And, Mr. Filch does tend to feel guilty. Even when there is no
need." Minerva added. Her expression was both fond and exasperated.

"Here. You try talking to him, Professor," Ginny said, urging
Minerva forward.

"Please, Argus, you must believe what Ginny's been telling you,"
Minerva said, earnestly.

Her strong, slender hand reached out for mine.

"We know what you think you've done. But, you did not carry any of
Albus Dumbledore's hair into the Forest," she continued in her firmest,
most no-nonsense way.

"The children substituted a few strands of Mrs. Norris's fur and
Transfigured them to look like Albus's hair."

"W-What? They Transfigured the hair...?" I murmured, looking
anxiously into her lovely grey eyes.

She nodded.

"It w-wasn't really the Headmaster's hair?"

"No, it wasn't."

"Then the Headmaster and the Castle are safe?" I whispered.
"Truly?"

Minerva nodded again.

I knew that I wasn't a particularly pleasant sight at the moment,
even less so than usual, but her eyes never left my battered face.

"Yes, they are," she said. "Truly."

"No thanks to me..." I sniffled, deeply ashamed.

Minerva put her hand gently under my chin. "You listen to me,
Argus Filch. You fought that Curse, doubly strong as it was, as hard and
as bravely as anyone could have done!"

What? Once, Minerva had told me that she thought I was strong. Did
she really see me as brave too?

Perhaps it was natural for someone as fine and strong and brave as
Minerva to see similar strengths in anyone, even a useless Squib. As
always, I longed to be the person that she saw when she looked at me. I
would try to be strong and brave for her. The very least I could do was
try to stop whining.

I knew that I'd been weak and disloyal even though I hadn't meant
to be. Thankfully the Castle and the Headmaster had other defenders
besides me. True harm had been averted.

I managed to smile at her.

Her answering smile warmed my heart.

*******

Severus was my next visitor. When he arrived he was clearly
furious with someone. I only hoped that it wasn't with me.

"Minerva told me that Filch has finally decided to wake up. I want
to speak to him."

Poppy smiled, wryly. "Go ahead, Severus. He's in his bed.
Somewhere under all those cats."

"Are you all right, Professor?" I asked him.

He looked annoyed. "I'm the one who is supposed to ask you if
you're all right, Filch."

Sharp, black eyes raked me up and down. I knew that I still didn't
look particularly well. But, Severus was apparently reassured by what he
saw.

As soon as he'd settled into the chair by my bed, Azoth leaped
into his lap.

"Memory Charms," Snape said, without preamble. "What do you know
about them?"

"Not very much..." I said, shrugging. "Though I've been told that
someone has put one on me."

Snape's expression grew even more angry. "Yes, Argus. I know. I
realize that you may not be able to answer my questions. If you cannot
speak, try either nodding or shaking your head."

The Potions Master looked over at Poppy, who had gone to fetch a
large potion vial.

"He seems to respond best to this one," she said.

Severus nodded his thanks. Poppy moved to stand between us,
holding the potion in one hand, the other on my shoulder.

"We can make some educated guesses about what happened to you. You
went into the Forest last week. You encountered Lucius Malfoy. He
managed to cast two of the Unforgivable Curses on you simultaneously.
Then, he ordered you to bring him a few strands of the Headmaster's
hair. Do you remember any of this at all?"

"Only a few b-bits of it..." I whispered, starting to shiver.

"All right." Severus leaned forward. "Was Draco Malfoy present?"

My throat closed up when I tried to speak. I nodded, shuddering
harder.

"The boy saw everything that Lucius did to you?"

I nodded again, a whimper escaping me.

"Professor," Poppy said, warningly.

"N..no. It's all right..." I whispered.

Severus sighed, looking weary. "Lucius used a Memory Charm on
Draco, then? Nod, if you can't speak."

I nodded, shuddering uncontrollably.

"That's enough." Poppy said, sounding like a woman who did not
intend to be trifled with. "He's confirmed all your guesses."

Snape shook his head. "I still don't know *why!*" he hissed.
"Somehow, I doubt it was because Lucius felt ashamed of what he was
doing!"

"H-He wanted... protect...D-Draco..." I choked out. Each word was
a horrendous effort.

Glowering at Snape, Poppy gave me a few sips of the bitter potion
in the vial. Slowly my trembling eased.

"Protect Draco from what? Guilt by association?" Snape said,
ignoring Poppy's glare.

I nodded, as Poppy helped me lean back against my pillow.

"What a mess!" Severus snarled angrily. "That arrogant..." his
voice trailed off, furiously.

"For four days Lucius has ignored my owls! Today, finally, he sent
me a reply. It seems that this matter is `none of my concern!' I am
interfering in `a family matter!' `My son is perfectly fine!' he
writes!"

"He does not have to look at the boy, growing steadily paler day
by day! Though he continually denies that anything is wrong, Draco is
struggling against something that is making him ill! Even if he is not
quite sure what he is fighting."

"Used stronger Charm..." I gasped. "On the b-boy. Than me."

Severus nodded, looking at Poppy, bleakly. "Can you help Draco?"

She frowned. "Memory Charms are tricky to remove. If the one
placed on the boy is strong enough to be illegal, then attempting to
take it off could cause permanent damage. Probably, not even Lucius
Malfoy himself could take the Charm off safely."

Severus had his head in his hands.

"What can we do? What do you recommend?"

"First, Severus, you should tell the poor child the truth. He
won't like it, but he may accept it, from you. Then, we have to treat
his symptoms and build his strength up. Drag him in here, if necessary!"

Snape nodded grimly. "Prognosis?"

Poppy sighed. "I can't be sure until I've examined him."

"Professor?" I whispered, shuddering as I fought to get each word
out. "Draco... h-he... tr-tried... protect... m-me..."

"From Lucius?" Snape asked, softly.

I nodded.

Severus pressed my shoulder gently. "Thank you for telling me,
Argus. Poppy, I'm going to fetch Draco now."

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN






Author's Notes:


Pendragon: Thank you!! Hope you liked chapter seven too!!

Blue Moon: Thank you!!

Jelsemium: Thank you!! "Soup Planet," eh? I've been that tired...

Draco doesn't like Snuffles. It's hard to like a dog the size of a bear
who always gives you dirty looks and growls at you whenever you look at
His Boy the wrong way.

Draco is suspicious of Callandra's motives. He doesn't believe that she
would simply help him out of the kindness of her heart. Therefore, she
must be lying.

Though, Draco did refer to her as a Gryffindor. Subconsciously, he is
acknowledging her right to be a student. He has not placed her in the
"servant" category, with Filch.

Yes, we will find out what happens when the polyjuice potion gets
used...

RowanRhys: Thank you!! I think that there are no easy fixes for the
Imperius/Cruciatus mix. Filch just needs to heal slowly.

Draco sees both Filch and Hagrid as servants, rather than equals. Part
of it is what he considers their "menial" positions in the Castle. And
then there's the fact that Hagrid isn't completely human, and Filch is a
Squib.

Part of Draco's protectiveness towards Filch stems from the fact that
the boy thinks of him as a "good servant" who is loyal to Snape.

Your thoughts on Filch's Stewardship to the Castle match mine exactly!
Though, Filch himself has a hard time believing that he's an equal to
the Wizards and Witches around him.

Ariana Deralte: Thank you!! Welcome Back!! Your vacation sounds very
cool! Where did you go to find those wonderful chambered tombs? WOW! You
reviewed every chapter!!! Thank you!!!

Yes, Filch was ordered "Not to Speak" about what he'd been asked to do.
Now, with great effort, thanks to Poppy's and Dumbledore's healing
spells, he can speak "around" what he was asked to do.

Yes, finding Filch acting like a scared child definitely spooked poor
Harry. Both he and Callandra had pieces of the puzzle. When Harry put
the pieces together he knew what was wrong. Though it took him a couple
of days.

Ron is a delightful person. I've been wanting to give him a chance to
shine for ages.

Filch is still suffering from the effects of the Imperius, but Lucius
has not given him any more commands. Filch already knows that Lucius
presents a terrible danger to him, so he's not in a hurry to meet up
with Lucius again in a hurry.

It was one of Aragog's children (grandchildren?) who died. Hagrid would
have been a lot more broken up over Aragog. The old spider is too canny
a creature to mess with a Dark Wizard.

Your ideas for "Squib" titles made me laugh!

Rabbit & Jinx: Thank you!! And Thank you!!

Sirius would deny that Filch owes him a Wizard's Debt. From his point of
view, Filch saved him from Voldemort's Cruciatus Curse, rescued him from
the Death Eaters and the collapsing tower, And, Filch saved the two of
them from going SPLAT on the grass underneath the West Tower. He thinks
that they're even.

On the other hand, Filch firmly believes that he "owes" Black. Black got
between Filch and Voldemort, and nearly died for it, immediately after
Black prevented Filch from drowning. And Black's presence prevented
Filch from going through with his suicide attempt. He remembers enough
to piece together what happened.

Filch remembers that Black prevented him from harming Ginny. Filch
thinks that's definitely worth several Wizard's Debts, far outweighing
any small service that he might have done for Black.

Yes, the Debt situation is very complicated.

You're right, Lucius didn't consider the Memory Charm's side effects. He
didn't think that Draco would fight the Charm. He underestimated his
son.

Poppy knows that Snape is competent at first aid. (She examined his
Fluffy-scars long after the fact, and can attest to his competence with
the bandaging and the potion he used.) She'd already cleaned out Filch's
wound. She knew that Snape could handle the bandaging.

Poppy left Snape alone with Draco for several reasons. One of her
reasons was that the boy was clearly troubled. She knew that he would
talk more freely to Snape if she was not there.

Besnaped: Thank you!! I hope your finals went well!! Poppy left the
bandaging to Snape because she was totally exhausted. The work that she
and Dumbledore did, (diagnosing all the things that were wrong with
Filch) took a considerable toll on both of them.

Even Filch, as bad off as he was, noticed that Dumbledore sounded tired.
Poppy was just as tired. I thought of it like a Doctor, leaving a task
for a Nurse/Assistant to do.

(Snape is probably the closest thing that the Castle has to a second
medi-wizard, with his knowledge of Potions.)

I'm glad that you asked, since I may not have thought to mention this
otherwise. It's the sort of detail that I find hard to fit in, when
telling a story from first-person POV.

Gramarye: Thank you!! I'd guess that Hagrid is pretty quick and accurate
with his crossbow. Any man who can fire magic through a broken wand
concealed in an umbrella, must be a fantastic shot. He didn't want to
kill Lucius. He was just "warning" him.

Elspeth: Thank you!! Draco is going to be quite upset when he learns
about the Memory Charm. The Memory Charm isn't going to be removed; it's
too strong. (I'm thinking of the effect that having a strong Memory
Charm removed had on poor Bertha Jorkins.) Draco is going to have to
accept the fact that it's there. He may never retrieve the memories.

Lizard of Fire: Thank you!!

Andolyn: Thank you!! Yes, Pansy is worried over Draco. Though she would
find it hard to openly confess that she believes "the Squib-girl," she
really does. Because she's observed that something's wrong with Draco
too.

ThePet: Thank you!! Draco's reaction is coming up next chapter. I don't
want to give too much away, but I hope that chapter will answer some of
your questions.

Demeter: Thank you!! Yes, poor Draco is just a child. And he has some
horrible choices to make. (Not that I'm going to have him choose,
because I don't want to contradict Rowling. I'm just trying to
illustrate the conflict going on inside the poor kid.)

AET: Thank you!! No, Lucius is definitely NOT going to be calm when the
"tainted" polyjuice hits the fan. He will blame Filch, not having
another obvious target.

Alan Rickman lost the Tony? Not Fair!!! My family watched "Die Hard"
last night. Every time Alan Rickman was onscreen I squeaked happily.

I am very much looking forward to the movie version of "Chamber of
Secrets!!!" Oooh, Snape's Dueling Scene with Lockhart (who's going to be
played by Kenneth Branaugh -I've seen one picture of him in costume and
he looks PERFECT!!) is going to be GREAT!!!

I'm also looking forward to seeing poor Filch deal with Mrs. Norris's
Petrification. I wonder if they're going to have a "bit" added, where
Hagrid tells Filch to "pull himself together?" It would serve poor Filch
right, after his total lack of sympathy over the matter of Norbert.