The Story of Jessica Black
Chapter Two: Jessica's Past
Jessica woke up later that night in a small room, with portraits of ancient wizards and witches dozing along the walls. A fire was crackling in the fireplace, which she was facing in a squashy chair. She turned around to see a desk covered with papers, books, and tools for magic- making. A red-and-golden plumed bird sat sleeping on a perch near the desk. Jessica stretched, then stood, feeling rather stiff from sleeping in a chair in her day clothes. She went over to the window behind the desk and looked out. There was a large, black lake not too far off, then a little to the left as a large, dark forest. A giant tree was swinging its long branches lazily - wait, she thought, do branches swing lazily? Do trees have a conscious choice as to wave their branches? She shrugged, then backed away from the window. A soft click told her someone else had just come in the room.
"Ah, Jessica," came a very soft voice from behind her, "I see you've awaken. It is still dark, however, so your teachers may not be too keen on having lessons now."
Jessica turned around and saw Dumbledore there. "Oh, Professor," she started, "I didn't mean . . ." She stopped when she saw the smile and the twinkle in his eye. He moved behind the desk and sat down in his chair. Jessica walked around to the other side and sat in one of the two chairs there. Dumbledore fixed her with a hard stare. Just when Jessica was starting to feel uncomfortable, he spoke.
"Miss Black," he said, "I believe that you were raised by Muggles."
"Muggles?"
"Non-magic people, as they are called within our world."
"Well, yes, then, I was."
"You are Muggle-born, then, as well?"
She nodded. Where was this going?
"Then perhaps," he said slowly, "You may not be familiar with your own family history."
She shook her head. Dumbledore sighed. "It is not a very happy tale," he began, "You see, fifteen years ago, a man whom people knew as Voldemort was terrorizing both our world and the Muggle world. Bent on global domination is the only reason we can think of for his evil ways. Perhaps he was just evil, many think, but I don't believe that. Can you think why, Jessica?"
Jessica thought for a moment. "Because . . . because every being is born good, and so they stay good somewhere inside, no matter how bad they go?"
Dumbledore smiled. "I was right about you. Yes, that is exactly my belief. But no matter if there was some good inside him or not, Voldemort was killing wizards and Muggles alike without mercy, and one night your family went into hiding. You used a secret-keeper named Sedious Merchant, I think, who was captured by Voldemort and tortured into submission. Your mother, Jessica, was one of the best students we have ever come across here at Hogwarts."
Jessica sat still for a moment. "You mean," she said very slowly, "My mum was a witch?"
"Yes. Your father was a Muggle, and she married him and they had you. Then they went into hiding, but their secret-keeper - the result of a very complicated spell I will not explain now - told their secret, and Voldemort found your parent's hiding-place. Your mother stood and fought while your father ran with you. He would never have done it if he had known she was going to die. Because no one came up against Voldemort and lived.
"Until one boy. A small boy just a few days younger than you, that very same year, came up against him. He was unharmed, except for a scar on his forehead, and Voldemort mysteriously vanished. Since this boy came to Hogwarts, Voldemort has reappeared for four years. He is now back to his full strength and will soon be back to killing Muggles and wizards and searching for more power again."
As Dumbledore finished, Jessica blinked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mother . . . this was the reason she had never seen her mother? She closed her eyes and sank back in her chair. For a long time, neither she or Dumbledore moved or said anything. Finally, Jessica opened her eyes.
"What am I doing here, then?" she asked.
Dumbledore smiled. "Learning to become a witch." He then stood, pulled his long, white bathrobe around him, then walked to the door. "I'll leave you to sleep, but remember to be in the Great Hall for breakfast by eight, so we can continue with Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. This won't be easy, Jessica, I won't lie. But I believe, that if you believe, you can do this. You'll also be sorted tomorrow. Goodnight."
With that he left. Jessica settled down into her squashy chair by the fire again, and slowly drifted off to sleep, trying to not think about anything she had just heard.
The next morning Jessica woke with a start. A school uniform had been lain out beside her. She quickly put it on, pulled her long, jet- black hair into a ponytail. She shoved her wand in her robes, then closed her trunk. A last-minute inspection in the mirror told her she was presentable . . . barely. She hurried down the stairs and out into the corridor - and immediately realized she was lost.
"Why didn't I stay awake last night?" she wondered, going down a random staircase trying to find the Great Hall.
Just as she had gotten herself more lost, a silver-white ghost appeared through a wall on her left. Jessica screamed.
"Oh, dear, I didn't mean to frighten you!" said the ghost in the ruff, "If I may introduce myself, I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. You can call me," he gulped, "Nearly Headless Nick."
Jessica stood with her back against the wall opposite Sir Nicholas. She looked at him curiously. "Erm, begging your pardon, Sir Nick, but you don't happen to know the way to the Great Hall, by any chance?"
Nick straightened up and said, "But of course. Follow me, dear lady, and all will be well."
Jessica followed the ghost down several staircases, trying to memorize which stairs to skip, and then she suddenly found herself facing two high doors, open to reveal four long tables and another on a raised platform. She turned to thank Sir Nicholas.
"Thanks," she said, "I was really lost. I'm Jessica Black, by the way."
Nick nodded. "Anytime, Miss Black." He disappeared.
Jessica timidly walked into the Great Hall, looking around her as she went. A group of witches and wizards she recognized was sitting at the end of one table. She approached the one with the long silver hair and beard.
"Erm . . . good morning, Professor," she said, standing timidly behind him.
"Good morning, Miss Black, I was wondering where you had gotten yourself to," he said, "Please, eat some breakfast."
Jessica sat down opposite the surly-looking Potions master that had been staring at her murderously on the train yesterday. She smiled weakly at him, and he abruptly excused himself, saying that he had to prepare for the lesson down in his dungeon. Jessica scanned the table for her uncle, but she couldn't find him anywhere.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, sir, but where's Uncle Sirius?" she asked cautiously.
"He was feeling a bit under the weather," he answered, "He'll be back as soon as he is feeling better. I will be instructing you today, so if you'll please come up to my office as soon as you've finished in the dungeons with Professor Snape, that would be most appreciated. The password is 'licorice whip.'"
"Of course, Professor," she said, "But, erm, I don't quite know where I'm going."
Dumbledore laughed slightly. "I'm quite sure that Sir Nicholas, our resident Gryffindor House ghost, would be glad to assist you. Speaking of houses, I nearly forgot. Your sorting will be done in my office, privately, after our lesson. I believe, if Nick is quite ready, you may want to head on to your class."
Nick was standing ready behind Jessica, and they began to make their way down to Snape's dungeon. They found the right one quickly and easily, and Jessica knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a venomous voice from behind the door. Jessica glanced nervously at Nick, who smiled and nodded encouragement. She slowly opened the door and made her way with her cauldron to a spot in the middle of the front row. She placed her cauldron over an already-burning candle, then placed her books and other supplies on the table next to her. Snape swept over to her, sat down on a stool and said, "Listen here, Black, I've no patience for some stupid, big-headed nitwit that thinks she's going to rule the school, and that she's special because she's Dumbledore's pet. I've already got one of those. Name's Potter. So if there is any fooling around, I will inform Professor Dumbledore immediately and be assured, Black, I'll make sure you're shipped home immediately." He swept back up to his desk and said, "You should have a list of ingredients and the proper amounts and order of mixing for a Forgetfulness Potion in the notes that Professor Dumbledore has provided for you. Prove you're not a baby, Black. Prove that no one need hold your hand."
Jessica couldn't believe a teacher was talking like that. The look he gave her shot daggers that would have killed her had they been real. She quickly busied herself in making the specified potion. A half an hour later, a perfectly thickening, acid green potion was sitting in her cauldron. She stirred it slowly, then removed it from the flame with a dull thunk. Snape sat up immediately, looked at the pocket watch on his desk, then over at Jessica.
"Let's just test your potion, then," he said, coming over to her. He took her mixing ladle and let some run back into the cauldron. He investigated the color closely, then smelled it. He glared at Jessica. "Full marks," he choked, dropping the ladle into the cauldron. He looked as if the last thing he had wanted to do was give her a good grade. "Mind you," he said, "I'll take off points because of Dumbledore's help. Leave."
Jessica gladly gathered her things, pouring her potion into a waiting vial, leaving it on the desk for Professor Snape's reference, then left. She quickly found Nearly Headless Nick, and he led her back to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Licorice whip," she declared at the gargoyle statue. He jumped aside, and Jessica made her way back up the stairs.
She knocked politely on the door, and was answered by a "Come in." She did so, and seated herself at Dumbledore's gesture. He looked at her steadily again. She wished he wouldn't do that.
"I believe there is something you would like to tell me, Miss Black," he stated matter-of-factly.
Jessica swallowed. Should she tell him? Should she ask? She decided she would. She wanted to know.
"Professor, when I was in the dungeon with Professor Snape, it seemed as though he . . . he . . . . it seemed like he hated me," she said, feeling a bit ridiculous.
"And you were wondering why," Dumbledore said knowingly. Jessica nodded. "Well, Jessica, you see, your uncle and Professor Snape went to school together. They weren't exactly friends. So, it is my strong suspicion that Professor Snape has transferred some of his enmity to you. Do not take it personally, Miss Black. Professor Snape has . . . a lot on his mind." He looked a little distant for a moment, then said, "Why don't we get on with our lesson?"
Chapter Two: Jessica's Past
Jessica woke up later that night in a small room, with portraits of ancient wizards and witches dozing along the walls. A fire was crackling in the fireplace, which she was facing in a squashy chair. She turned around to see a desk covered with papers, books, and tools for magic- making. A red-and-golden plumed bird sat sleeping on a perch near the desk. Jessica stretched, then stood, feeling rather stiff from sleeping in a chair in her day clothes. She went over to the window behind the desk and looked out. There was a large, black lake not too far off, then a little to the left as a large, dark forest. A giant tree was swinging its long branches lazily - wait, she thought, do branches swing lazily? Do trees have a conscious choice as to wave their branches? She shrugged, then backed away from the window. A soft click told her someone else had just come in the room.
"Ah, Jessica," came a very soft voice from behind her, "I see you've awaken. It is still dark, however, so your teachers may not be too keen on having lessons now."
Jessica turned around and saw Dumbledore there. "Oh, Professor," she started, "I didn't mean . . ." She stopped when she saw the smile and the twinkle in his eye. He moved behind the desk and sat down in his chair. Jessica walked around to the other side and sat in one of the two chairs there. Dumbledore fixed her with a hard stare. Just when Jessica was starting to feel uncomfortable, he spoke.
"Miss Black," he said, "I believe that you were raised by Muggles."
"Muggles?"
"Non-magic people, as they are called within our world."
"Well, yes, then, I was."
"You are Muggle-born, then, as well?"
She nodded. Where was this going?
"Then perhaps," he said slowly, "You may not be familiar with your own family history."
She shook her head. Dumbledore sighed. "It is not a very happy tale," he began, "You see, fifteen years ago, a man whom people knew as Voldemort was terrorizing both our world and the Muggle world. Bent on global domination is the only reason we can think of for his evil ways. Perhaps he was just evil, many think, but I don't believe that. Can you think why, Jessica?"
Jessica thought for a moment. "Because . . . because every being is born good, and so they stay good somewhere inside, no matter how bad they go?"
Dumbledore smiled. "I was right about you. Yes, that is exactly my belief. But no matter if there was some good inside him or not, Voldemort was killing wizards and Muggles alike without mercy, and one night your family went into hiding. You used a secret-keeper named Sedious Merchant, I think, who was captured by Voldemort and tortured into submission. Your mother, Jessica, was one of the best students we have ever come across here at Hogwarts."
Jessica sat still for a moment. "You mean," she said very slowly, "My mum was a witch?"
"Yes. Your father was a Muggle, and she married him and they had you. Then they went into hiding, but their secret-keeper - the result of a very complicated spell I will not explain now - told their secret, and Voldemort found your parent's hiding-place. Your mother stood and fought while your father ran with you. He would never have done it if he had known she was going to die. Because no one came up against Voldemort and lived.
"Until one boy. A small boy just a few days younger than you, that very same year, came up against him. He was unharmed, except for a scar on his forehead, and Voldemort mysteriously vanished. Since this boy came to Hogwarts, Voldemort has reappeared for four years. He is now back to his full strength and will soon be back to killing Muggles and wizards and searching for more power again."
As Dumbledore finished, Jessica blinked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her mother . . . this was the reason she had never seen her mother? She closed her eyes and sank back in her chair. For a long time, neither she or Dumbledore moved or said anything. Finally, Jessica opened her eyes.
"What am I doing here, then?" she asked.
Dumbledore smiled. "Learning to become a witch." He then stood, pulled his long, white bathrobe around him, then walked to the door. "I'll leave you to sleep, but remember to be in the Great Hall for breakfast by eight, so we can continue with Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. This won't be easy, Jessica, I won't lie. But I believe, that if you believe, you can do this. You'll also be sorted tomorrow. Goodnight."
With that he left. Jessica settled down into her squashy chair by the fire again, and slowly drifted off to sleep, trying to not think about anything she had just heard.
The next morning Jessica woke with a start. A school uniform had been lain out beside her. She quickly put it on, pulled her long, jet- black hair into a ponytail. She shoved her wand in her robes, then closed her trunk. A last-minute inspection in the mirror told her she was presentable . . . barely. She hurried down the stairs and out into the corridor - and immediately realized she was lost.
"Why didn't I stay awake last night?" she wondered, going down a random staircase trying to find the Great Hall.
Just as she had gotten herself more lost, a silver-white ghost appeared through a wall on her left. Jessica screamed.
"Oh, dear, I didn't mean to frighten you!" said the ghost in the ruff, "If I may introduce myself, I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. You can call me," he gulped, "Nearly Headless Nick."
Jessica stood with her back against the wall opposite Sir Nicholas. She looked at him curiously. "Erm, begging your pardon, Sir Nick, but you don't happen to know the way to the Great Hall, by any chance?"
Nick straightened up and said, "But of course. Follow me, dear lady, and all will be well."
Jessica followed the ghost down several staircases, trying to memorize which stairs to skip, and then she suddenly found herself facing two high doors, open to reveal four long tables and another on a raised platform. She turned to thank Sir Nicholas.
"Thanks," she said, "I was really lost. I'm Jessica Black, by the way."
Nick nodded. "Anytime, Miss Black." He disappeared.
Jessica timidly walked into the Great Hall, looking around her as she went. A group of witches and wizards she recognized was sitting at the end of one table. She approached the one with the long silver hair and beard.
"Erm . . . good morning, Professor," she said, standing timidly behind him.
"Good morning, Miss Black, I was wondering where you had gotten yourself to," he said, "Please, eat some breakfast."
Jessica sat down opposite the surly-looking Potions master that had been staring at her murderously on the train yesterday. She smiled weakly at him, and he abruptly excused himself, saying that he had to prepare for the lesson down in his dungeon. Jessica scanned the table for her uncle, but she couldn't find him anywhere.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, sir, but where's Uncle Sirius?" she asked cautiously.
"He was feeling a bit under the weather," he answered, "He'll be back as soon as he is feeling better. I will be instructing you today, so if you'll please come up to my office as soon as you've finished in the dungeons with Professor Snape, that would be most appreciated. The password is 'licorice whip.'"
"Of course, Professor," she said, "But, erm, I don't quite know where I'm going."
Dumbledore laughed slightly. "I'm quite sure that Sir Nicholas, our resident Gryffindor House ghost, would be glad to assist you. Speaking of houses, I nearly forgot. Your sorting will be done in my office, privately, after our lesson. I believe, if Nick is quite ready, you may want to head on to your class."
Nick was standing ready behind Jessica, and they began to make their way down to Snape's dungeon. They found the right one quickly and easily, and Jessica knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a venomous voice from behind the door. Jessica glanced nervously at Nick, who smiled and nodded encouragement. She slowly opened the door and made her way with her cauldron to a spot in the middle of the front row. She placed her cauldron over an already-burning candle, then placed her books and other supplies on the table next to her. Snape swept over to her, sat down on a stool and said, "Listen here, Black, I've no patience for some stupid, big-headed nitwit that thinks she's going to rule the school, and that she's special because she's Dumbledore's pet. I've already got one of those. Name's Potter. So if there is any fooling around, I will inform Professor Dumbledore immediately and be assured, Black, I'll make sure you're shipped home immediately." He swept back up to his desk and said, "You should have a list of ingredients and the proper amounts and order of mixing for a Forgetfulness Potion in the notes that Professor Dumbledore has provided for you. Prove you're not a baby, Black. Prove that no one need hold your hand."
Jessica couldn't believe a teacher was talking like that. The look he gave her shot daggers that would have killed her had they been real. She quickly busied herself in making the specified potion. A half an hour later, a perfectly thickening, acid green potion was sitting in her cauldron. She stirred it slowly, then removed it from the flame with a dull thunk. Snape sat up immediately, looked at the pocket watch on his desk, then over at Jessica.
"Let's just test your potion, then," he said, coming over to her. He took her mixing ladle and let some run back into the cauldron. He investigated the color closely, then smelled it. He glared at Jessica. "Full marks," he choked, dropping the ladle into the cauldron. He looked as if the last thing he had wanted to do was give her a good grade. "Mind you," he said, "I'll take off points because of Dumbledore's help. Leave."
Jessica gladly gathered her things, pouring her potion into a waiting vial, leaving it on the desk for Professor Snape's reference, then left. She quickly found Nearly Headless Nick, and he led her back to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Licorice whip," she declared at the gargoyle statue. He jumped aside, and Jessica made her way back up the stairs.
She knocked politely on the door, and was answered by a "Come in." She did so, and seated herself at Dumbledore's gesture. He looked at her steadily again. She wished he wouldn't do that.
"I believe there is something you would like to tell me, Miss Black," he stated matter-of-factly.
Jessica swallowed. Should she tell him? Should she ask? She decided she would. She wanted to know.
"Professor, when I was in the dungeon with Professor Snape, it seemed as though he . . . he . . . . it seemed like he hated me," she said, feeling a bit ridiculous.
"And you were wondering why," Dumbledore said knowingly. Jessica nodded. "Well, Jessica, you see, your uncle and Professor Snape went to school together. They weren't exactly friends. So, it is my strong suspicion that Professor Snape has transferred some of his enmity to you. Do not take it personally, Miss Black. Professor Snape has . . . a lot on his mind." He looked a little distant for a moment, then said, "Why don't we get on with our lesson?"
