Chapter Nine
"Where did those three get to?" Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were pacing the Entrance hall waiting for Genevieve and Rebecca. Snape had already given up waiting for his wife and had joined the Halloween feast which was now half over.
From the table where Harry sat he could see his god-father pass in front of the doorway. Fairly full from all the treats he'd eaten Harry abandoned the Gryffindor table to join him.
"What's going on?" asked Harry.
"We're waiting for our women, as always." Sirius' words held disappointment with a hint of sarcasm and bitterness. "What I wouldn't give for the maurader's map now. The hallway with their bedroom moved since yesterday and we can't find it."
"It is near Genevieve's class room now, I can show you."
"Could you?" Remus looked relieved that an end would be in sight. At least if they were banging down the door the women would have to hurry up. Harry led the way, running to keep from being trampled by the eager men behind him. Once they turned the corner for the last hallway Harry stopped so abruptly Sirius tripped over him.
The old oak door to their chambers had been painted black. White mist billowed out from under the entrance filling the hall with murky fog. It swirled around their feet as they walked cautiously to the door, above which a small window could be swung out so Sirius summoned a long, tall bench the three could stand on to peek into the room.
The bedchamber was lit only by a fire under a large pewter cauldron. Three figures danced around it draped in black flowing cloaks that took a moment to catch up with their movements. They gracefully swirled around the concoction they were brewing. Then the three stopped by stools baring potion ingredients. It soon became apparent that Genevieve was at the head of the cauldron with Rebecca on her left and Veronica on the right. Genevieve began reciting while slowly adding ingredients to the potion.
"Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw; Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Swelt'rd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' th' charmed pot."
The other two chimed along in unison.
"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble."
It was now Rebecca's turn for her part in the sinister scene. She began to slowly pour a dark liquid into the cauldron while waving her hand through the fog that originated in the pot and spilled onto the floor.
"Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake' Eye of newt and tow of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,"
Before Rebecca could finish her incantation Veronica screamed. She'd seen the faces in the window and ripped open the door. Unsteady as they were already Harry, Sirius and Remus fell into the room in a heap of body parts and dark cloth.
"What are you doing here?" Veronica demanded. Sirius got to his feet first and tried to stare her down.
"Might I ask you the same thing? Looks like powerful dark magic." A wide grin spread on the three women's faces.
"Oh does it now. We are just celebrating All Hallows eve in our own way."
Veronica's smile turned sinister and she crossed her arms over her chest. "So leave, you have disturbed us."
Remus crept closer to the cauldron sniffing the fumes critically, but Rebecca was no help at all.
"Yes Remus, go on back to your flippant feast. We are just beginning." Her eyes were dark and dangerous.
"But we were waiting for you," was all Remus could squeak out lamely.
"Why? It's not like you asked if we'd be your dates." Genevieve stepped toward Sirius with her hands on her hips, the firelight cast menacing shadows over the women's faces.
"I-I-I'm sorry." Remus apologized to Rebecca, and Sirius muttered something similar. Rather than accepting it graciously Rebecca turned to Veronica and Genevieve.
"Ha, I told you.Ten galleons, now pay up."
"What!" Sirius was confused and outraged, but a dawn of realization hit Harry. Rebecca answered the question smugly.
"We had a bet to see who would be the better gentleman. Since Severus didn't even try and Remus was the first to apologize, I won." Remus' eyes were at first hurt, until Harry's laughter reminded him of his own bet.
"Then you knew." Sirius also put the pieces together and was met with nods from the women in front of him. "Harry, did you tell?"
"I swear I didn't." Harry was still laughing but put his hands up in a placating gesture.
"So you went to all this trouble to get back at us for betting on you?" Sirius really did look sorry.
"No, you git. This is what we do every year for Halloween. We reenact parts of Shakespeare plays just for fun, which you would have known had you bothered to ask. We're doing A Midsummer Night's Dream next if you care to join us."
"You crack me up!" Remus was grinning now, with an arm around Rebecca he examined the liquid bubbling in the cauldron. "So what have you been brewing?"
Rebecca kissed him gently on the cheek before pulling a ladle out of the cauldron and pouring him a draft of dark brown liquid. With the most mysterious voice she could muster and not break out laughing she said.
"Why, it is a seduction potion. Guaranteed to make men go barking mad."
"Well, you sure have the right men for barking, right Moony." Sirius made Remus snicker at the canine puns. "Really, Vieve, what is it?"
"Homemade Root Beer," Genevieve replied handing him a glass then clinking it against her own.
"May I escort you to the banquet my lady" Remus said kissing the back of Rebecca's hand softly. Remus and Sirius escorted their dates arm and arm out of the room. Harry stopped giggling before briefly bowing to Veronica as they were the only ones left. She, obviously hurt for her husband not coming for her, looked at Harry.
"May I?" He extended his elbow to Veronica who gracefully looped her hand around his arm.
************************
Had anyone told Harry at the beginning of the day that he would be escorting a vampire to dinner, who also happened to be Severus Snape's wife, he would have told them they were mad. But as it was, Harry found he enjoyed the experience. Veronica laughed as she told Harry how they had overheard the bet the men made and decided to get even by continuing their tradition and not showing up at all.
Harry realized this was the first time he had ever been alone with Veronica, and that he wouldn't have this opportunity to get some answers again so he stopped walking and turned to her.
"Mrs. Snape, may I ask you a question?"
"You just did." Veronica turned to continue down the stairs but stopped when Harry didn't follow. "Oh alright, ask away."
"How is it that you've never drunk human blood and how did you meet Genevieve?"
"That is two questions.but since the answers are related I'll answer them both." Veronica sat on a bench by a pillar, making it obvious she wanted to be comfortable before continuing.
"In the days after becoming a vampire I was very confused, you see I had been raised as a muggle and didn't even believe such things as vampires existed. A battle began inside my head, one side told me to satisfy my appetite and drink human blood, the other part knew it was wrong. I ran away from my life to the forests where I could drink from beasts and be less dangerous to the humans I loved. The instinct to kill became stronger every day until it was about to consume me, so while staring at the full moon one night I had decided to sit until the sun came and die. Fortunately for me something else came first.
"In the beginning it was only a growl, but as it came closer I saw a wolf followed by a large mountain lion. They sniffed me and I figured being eaten was death so I accepted it, but they just stared at me before running deeper into the forest. It was the eyes of the mountain lion that struck me as the most odd. Curiosity got the better of me so I followed them. Just before sunrise they made their way toward civilization and lay down in a campsite at the foot of the mountains. Yearning to know more about them and watching from the safety of an abandoned mine above I saw them transform into women. They looked exhausted as they just lay there all morning. Finally the woman who had been the cougar got up and nursed the wolf woman back to health. I realized then that these were people who would understand me, maybe even be able to help. At twilight the wolf was strong enough to move and they started to pack up their camp. As soon as the sun set I ran after them, forgetting for a moment my hunger. Catching up with them as they entered the building on Waterfall Drive we finally came face to face.
"It was then Genevieve taught me that just because a person has an appetite or desire for something doesn't justify acting on it. In fact, overcoming those instincts and following higher laws make us better, happier people. She introduced me to Rebecca who told her story about being a werewolf yet overcoming her need for biting humans by exercising her free will and that making such a choice and following through made her free. I resolved then and there never to give in to my craving for human blood, and with their support kept that promise. Genevieve and Rebecca have taken care of me and I them ever since."
Harry sat back against the rough stone wall as he heard the narrative, the full ramifications of it were a little hard to grasp. Among the great life lessons to be learned from it Veronica had also told him that Rebecca was a werewolf. While he had suspected it when Genevieve set her up with Remus, it hadn't been confirmed until now. He chose his next words carefully.
"So a vampire, a werewolf and a boggart become protectors of the mortals it is their instinct to scare or kill."
"You could say it that way but I prefer; three friends trying to carve out their place in this world while leaving it a bit better than we found it."
Noise filled the corridors as full and sugar-high students left the great hall. Veronica saw Snape on the landing below and left Harry with a handshake to join her husband in their quarters. Harry followed a group of red and yellow striped scarves up to his dormitory where he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.
***************
November passed to December with no incidents or dark magic attacks so the school began to breathe easier and focus more on studies than the Dark Lord. The first Hogsmeade visit was scheduled and even though part of the morning was allotted for class the fact that it was to practice apparating more than made up for it.
"Gather around everyone, gather around." All the sixth year students in the school, along with some from the other years wanting to watch, were huddled together just on the other side of Hogsmeade, near the giant's hayfield and colony just beyond the apparating barrier. "As this is very dangerous we will try it only five at a time, everyone will have two chances this trip." Professor Figg, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was there to help supervise, as was the school nurse Madame Pomfrey just in case.
Professor McGonagall lined students up five at a time while telling everyone they were only to apparate a few yards down the road. Only one Ravenclaw girl in the first group managed it, the second group yielded two successful students. Neville Longbottom was the only one to apparate out of his group earning him great gasps and scattered applause from those waiting in line. Harry, Ron and three Hufflepuffs they didn't know, were in the next group.
Harry was nervous but if Ron was he didn't show it. Both of them slowed their breath and Harry began to concentrate on his destination. With his eyes closed he pulled out his wand, tapped himself gently on the chest and whispered, "Apperae." A tingly warm feeling flooded over him and for a moment he could have sworn it was a beautiful summer day rather than wintry. Suddenly Harry felt as though he were freezing. He opened his eyes to see that he had indeed apparated but had failed to bring his cloak, shirt, pants and shoes with him. They lay where he had been, leaving him exposed to the cruel weather and laughter of his classmates. Clad only in his grey boxer shorts Harry looked around for refuge and saw that Ron had also made it down the road, though fully clothed, and quickly dashed behind his friend. His cheeks flushed red as the laughter grew causing his face to turn the color of Ron's hair.
"Don't worry about it Harry. It could have been worse." Ron tried to lessen the embarrassment of the moment, but the only thing that made Harry glad was that Ron was taller and therefore a good shield. Draco's scornful laugh could be heard from where they stood.
Morgain, who was among the gallery of spectators, picked up the fallen bundle of Harry's clothes and carried them over to him who blushed to see her coming.
"Harry, listen to me carefully," Morgain said handing him his cloak. "You've got to go out there and take a bow."
"Are you nutters?" Harry was quite sure she was to be giving such advice.
"Do you want to be hearing about this incident from now until your ten year reunion? They are just glad to see you mess up because of who you are. If you show that you can laugh along with them it takes the wind out of their sails so it won't be such a big issue."
"You are nutters!"
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and they laugh AT you. Just play it off like a big prank. Take my hand, look confident and bow." Morgain pulled Harry out from behind his red haired shelter and still holding his hand raised it into the air. Harry followed along taking his curtain call, and the second time he grabbed Ron's hand and the three of them bowed to the gathered audience. Soon the laughing and teasing morphed into applause, then a standing ovation and a few calls for an encore. Harry threw on his clothes, and slung the cloak over his arm before jogging back to the group with bit more self-confidence.
Morgain took Harry's cloak from him, placed it around his shoulders, then affectionately clasped it for him.
Harry looked down at the wand in his hand and his eyes grew larger than galleons.
"What is it Harry?" asked Morgain.
"This isn't my wand, it's the one Genevieve gave me." He held it up, and they could see that it was.
"That would explain it." Ron acknowledged. "Second time with your real wand should be no trouble then."
"You've got to tell Genevieve! You apparated using Old Magic, she'll be impressed!" It was clear that Morgain was in awe of her friend. Harry stepped back into line, but Ron stepped out of it to join Morgain and the spectators.
"That was a great trick with the bow, Morgain. Where'd you learn it?" Ron asked her seeing people pat Harry on the back.
"When you're as much of a klutz as I am, it pays to know how to handle embarrassing situations," she explained
"I've never seen you do anything remotely klutzy." Ron was looking at her with increased respect.
"You haven't known me that long." They exchanged smiles before Harry came back from his second, more successful, apparating practice.
"Where did those three get to?" Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were pacing the Entrance hall waiting for Genevieve and Rebecca. Snape had already given up waiting for his wife and had joined the Halloween feast which was now half over.
From the table where Harry sat he could see his god-father pass in front of the doorway. Fairly full from all the treats he'd eaten Harry abandoned the Gryffindor table to join him.
"What's going on?" asked Harry.
"We're waiting for our women, as always." Sirius' words held disappointment with a hint of sarcasm and bitterness. "What I wouldn't give for the maurader's map now. The hallway with their bedroom moved since yesterday and we can't find it."
"It is near Genevieve's class room now, I can show you."
"Could you?" Remus looked relieved that an end would be in sight. At least if they were banging down the door the women would have to hurry up. Harry led the way, running to keep from being trampled by the eager men behind him. Once they turned the corner for the last hallway Harry stopped so abruptly Sirius tripped over him.
The old oak door to their chambers had been painted black. White mist billowed out from under the entrance filling the hall with murky fog. It swirled around their feet as they walked cautiously to the door, above which a small window could be swung out so Sirius summoned a long, tall bench the three could stand on to peek into the room.
The bedchamber was lit only by a fire under a large pewter cauldron. Three figures danced around it draped in black flowing cloaks that took a moment to catch up with their movements. They gracefully swirled around the concoction they were brewing. Then the three stopped by stools baring potion ingredients. It soon became apparent that Genevieve was at the head of the cauldron with Rebecca on her left and Veronica on the right. Genevieve began reciting while slowly adding ingredients to the potion.
"Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw; Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Swelt'rd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' th' charmed pot."
The other two chimed along in unison.
"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble."
It was now Rebecca's turn for her part in the sinister scene. She began to slowly pour a dark liquid into the cauldron while waving her hand through the fog that originated in the pot and spilled onto the floor.
"Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake' Eye of newt and tow of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,"
Before Rebecca could finish her incantation Veronica screamed. She'd seen the faces in the window and ripped open the door. Unsteady as they were already Harry, Sirius and Remus fell into the room in a heap of body parts and dark cloth.
"What are you doing here?" Veronica demanded. Sirius got to his feet first and tried to stare her down.
"Might I ask you the same thing? Looks like powerful dark magic." A wide grin spread on the three women's faces.
"Oh does it now. We are just celebrating All Hallows eve in our own way."
Veronica's smile turned sinister and she crossed her arms over her chest. "So leave, you have disturbed us."
Remus crept closer to the cauldron sniffing the fumes critically, but Rebecca was no help at all.
"Yes Remus, go on back to your flippant feast. We are just beginning." Her eyes were dark and dangerous.
"But we were waiting for you," was all Remus could squeak out lamely.
"Why? It's not like you asked if we'd be your dates." Genevieve stepped toward Sirius with her hands on her hips, the firelight cast menacing shadows over the women's faces.
"I-I-I'm sorry." Remus apologized to Rebecca, and Sirius muttered something similar. Rather than accepting it graciously Rebecca turned to Veronica and Genevieve.
"Ha, I told you.Ten galleons, now pay up."
"What!" Sirius was confused and outraged, but a dawn of realization hit Harry. Rebecca answered the question smugly.
"We had a bet to see who would be the better gentleman. Since Severus didn't even try and Remus was the first to apologize, I won." Remus' eyes were at first hurt, until Harry's laughter reminded him of his own bet.
"Then you knew." Sirius also put the pieces together and was met with nods from the women in front of him. "Harry, did you tell?"
"I swear I didn't." Harry was still laughing but put his hands up in a placating gesture.
"So you went to all this trouble to get back at us for betting on you?" Sirius really did look sorry.
"No, you git. This is what we do every year for Halloween. We reenact parts of Shakespeare plays just for fun, which you would have known had you bothered to ask. We're doing A Midsummer Night's Dream next if you care to join us."
"You crack me up!" Remus was grinning now, with an arm around Rebecca he examined the liquid bubbling in the cauldron. "So what have you been brewing?"
Rebecca kissed him gently on the cheek before pulling a ladle out of the cauldron and pouring him a draft of dark brown liquid. With the most mysterious voice she could muster and not break out laughing she said.
"Why, it is a seduction potion. Guaranteed to make men go barking mad."
"Well, you sure have the right men for barking, right Moony." Sirius made Remus snicker at the canine puns. "Really, Vieve, what is it?"
"Homemade Root Beer," Genevieve replied handing him a glass then clinking it against her own.
"May I escort you to the banquet my lady" Remus said kissing the back of Rebecca's hand softly. Remus and Sirius escorted their dates arm and arm out of the room. Harry stopped giggling before briefly bowing to Veronica as they were the only ones left. She, obviously hurt for her husband not coming for her, looked at Harry.
"May I?" He extended his elbow to Veronica who gracefully looped her hand around his arm.
************************
Had anyone told Harry at the beginning of the day that he would be escorting a vampire to dinner, who also happened to be Severus Snape's wife, he would have told them they were mad. But as it was, Harry found he enjoyed the experience. Veronica laughed as she told Harry how they had overheard the bet the men made and decided to get even by continuing their tradition and not showing up at all.
Harry realized this was the first time he had ever been alone with Veronica, and that he wouldn't have this opportunity to get some answers again so he stopped walking and turned to her.
"Mrs. Snape, may I ask you a question?"
"You just did." Veronica turned to continue down the stairs but stopped when Harry didn't follow. "Oh alright, ask away."
"How is it that you've never drunk human blood and how did you meet Genevieve?"
"That is two questions.but since the answers are related I'll answer them both." Veronica sat on a bench by a pillar, making it obvious she wanted to be comfortable before continuing.
"In the days after becoming a vampire I was very confused, you see I had been raised as a muggle and didn't even believe such things as vampires existed. A battle began inside my head, one side told me to satisfy my appetite and drink human blood, the other part knew it was wrong. I ran away from my life to the forests where I could drink from beasts and be less dangerous to the humans I loved. The instinct to kill became stronger every day until it was about to consume me, so while staring at the full moon one night I had decided to sit until the sun came and die. Fortunately for me something else came first.
"In the beginning it was only a growl, but as it came closer I saw a wolf followed by a large mountain lion. They sniffed me and I figured being eaten was death so I accepted it, but they just stared at me before running deeper into the forest. It was the eyes of the mountain lion that struck me as the most odd. Curiosity got the better of me so I followed them. Just before sunrise they made their way toward civilization and lay down in a campsite at the foot of the mountains. Yearning to know more about them and watching from the safety of an abandoned mine above I saw them transform into women. They looked exhausted as they just lay there all morning. Finally the woman who had been the cougar got up and nursed the wolf woman back to health. I realized then that these were people who would understand me, maybe even be able to help. At twilight the wolf was strong enough to move and they started to pack up their camp. As soon as the sun set I ran after them, forgetting for a moment my hunger. Catching up with them as they entered the building on Waterfall Drive we finally came face to face.
"It was then Genevieve taught me that just because a person has an appetite or desire for something doesn't justify acting on it. In fact, overcoming those instincts and following higher laws make us better, happier people. She introduced me to Rebecca who told her story about being a werewolf yet overcoming her need for biting humans by exercising her free will and that making such a choice and following through made her free. I resolved then and there never to give in to my craving for human blood, and with their support kept that promise. Genevieve and Rebecca have taken care of me and I them ever since."
Harry sat back against the rough stone wall as he heard the narrative, the full ramifications of it were a little hard to grasp. Among the great life lessons to be learned from it Veronica had also told him that Rebecca was a werewolf. While he had suspected it when Genevieve set her up with Remus, it hadn't been confirmed until now. He chose his next words carefully.
"So a vampire, a werewolf and a boggart become protectors of the mortals it is their instinct to scare or kill."
"You could say it that way but I prefer; three friends trying to carve out their place in this world while leaving it a bit better than we found it."
Noise filled the corridors as full and sugar-high students left the great hall. Veronica saw Snape on the landing below and left Harry with a handshake to join her husband in their quarters. Harry followed a group of red and yellow striped scarves up to his dormitory where he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.
***************
November passed to December with no incidents or dark magic attacks so the school began to breathe easier and focus more on studies than the Dark Lord. The first Hogsmeade visit was scheduled and even though part of the morning was allotted for class the fact that it was to practice apparating more than made up for it.
"Gather around everyone, gather around." All the sixth year students in the school, along with some from the other years wanting to watch, were huddled together just on the other side of Hogsmeade, near the giant's hayfield and colony just beyond the apparating barrier. "As this is very dangerous we will try it only five at a time, everyone will have two chances this trip." Professor Figg, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was there to help supervise, as was the school nurse Madame Pomfrey just in case.
Professor McGonagall lined students up five at a time while telling everyone they were only to apparate a few yards down the road. Only one Ravenclaw girl in the first group managed it, the second group yielded two successful students. Neville Longbottom was the only one to apparate out of his group earning him great gasps and scattered applause from those waiting in line. Harry, Ron and three Hufflepuffs they didn't know, were in the next group.
Harry was nervous but if Ron was he didn't show it. Both of them slowed their breath and Harry began to concentrate on his destination. With his eyes closed he pulled out his wand, tapped himself gently on the chest and whispered, "Apperae." A tingly warm feeling flooded over him and for a moment he could have sworn it was a beautiful summer day rather than wintry. Suddenly Harry felt as though he were freezing. He opened his eyes to see that he had indeed apparated but had failed to bring his cloak, shirt, pants and shoes with him. They lay where he had been, leaving him exposed to the cruel weather and laughter of his classmates. Clad only in his grey boxer shorts Harry looked around for refuge and saw that Ron had also made it down the road, though fully clothed, and quickly dashed behind his friend. His cheeks flushed red as the laughter grew causing his face to turn the color of Ron's hair.
"Don't worry about it Harry. It could have been worse." Ron tried to lessen the embarrassment of the moment, but the only thing that made Harry glad was that Ron was taller and therefore a good shield. Draco's scornful laugh could be heard from where they stood.
Morgain, who was among the gallery of spectators, picked up the fallen bundle of Harry's clothes and carried them over to him who blushed to see her coming.
"Harry, listen to me carefully," Morgain said handing him his cloak. "You've got to go out there and take a bow."
"Are you nutters?" Harry was quite sure she was to be giving such advice.
"Do you want to be hearing about this incident from now until your ten year reunion? They are just glad to see you mess up because of who you are. If you show that you can laugh along with them it takes the wind out of their sails so it won't be such a big issue."
"You are nutters!"
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and they laugh AT you. Just play it off like a big prank. Take my hand, look confident and bow." Morgain pulled Harry out from behind his red haired shelter and still holding his hand raised it into the air. Harry followed along taking his curtain call, and the second time he grabbed Ron's hand and the three of them bowed to the gathered audience. Soon the laughing and teasing morphed into applause, then a standing ovation and a few calls for an encore. Harry threw on his clothes, and slung the cloak over his arm before jogging back to the group with bit more self-confidence.
Morgain took Harry's cloak from him, placed it around his shoulders, then affectionately clasped it for him.
Harry looked down at the wand in his hand and his eyes grew larger than galleons.
"What is it Harry?" asked Morgain.
"This isn't my wand, it's the one Genevieve gave me." He held it up, and they could see that it was.
"That would explain it." Ron acknowledged. "Second time with your real wand should be no trouble then."
"You've got to tell Genevieve! You apparated using Old Magic, she'll be impressed!" It was clear that Morgain was in awe of her friend. Harry stepped back into line, but Ron stepped out of it to join Morgain and the spectators.
"That was a great trick with the bow, Morgain. Where'd you learn it?" Ron asked her seeing people pat Harry on the back.
"When you're as much of a klutz as I am, it pays to know how to handle embarrassing situations," she explained
"I've never seen you do anything remotely klutzy." Ron was looking at her with increased respect.
"You haven't known me that long." They exchanged smiles before Harry came back from his second, more successful, apparating practice.