Note to Reader's, The Full Title is:
When It's Time to Change, You've Got to Re-Arrange, Who You Are and What You're Gonna Be
(The title also end's with a lot of Sha na na's, and if you understand this, you've must be as old as I am. LOL)
A/N:
IT'S ABOUT TIME, DAMMIT!!
Yes, yes, what can I say, I'm a poophead. The extensive delay in this chapter was not intentional – life got in the way…or should I say an Astronomy class. Word to the wise: if you ever find out a class is front-loaded, run away as fast as you can! If it's front-loaded and an online course, drop the class and blow up your computer. You have been warned. ;)
In no way will I abandon this story, there are too many scenes left to write, and I don't like leaving things unfinished. There may be delays sometimes, as I work full time, am taking 2-3 colleges courses each semester, and have weekend projects to do around the house. I just hope any delays that may occur will never be this long again.
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and emails! Based on your responses, I've decided not to worry about whether or not it sounds like a filler, and just enjoy writing the scenes as they appear in my brain. And a big thanks to cool_cucumber87 for not filling up my mailbox with massive quantities of emails unless I updated soon like they threatened to. LOL
Note to Maven – Could you let me know what references are making it sound AU, or implies later than 4th year? I'm trying to keep it during 4th year, and would like to know which scene(s) you're referring to, so I can either "explain them away" in one of the chapters, or just make note that it's AU. Thanks!!
On another note, this story may go AU later on (aka Harry's 5th year), but I'm going to try and incorporate as much of the OotP storyline as I can. Now, since you all have been incredibly nice about the long wait, I'll shut up so you can get on with the story. Cheers!!
Books, Buttocks, Crying, and Clothes – Or How Many Times Can We Embarrass Snape in One Chapter
A grouch escapes so many little annoyances that it almost
pays to be one.
Kin
Hubbard
"She WHAT?!"
"She has chosen Severus as her 'protector', Sirius. And I am afraid you will be unable to see Miss Elizabeth for some time. Apparently, the spell we performed left a residual taint upon us that is extremely discomfiting for her."
Dumbledore watched the hot-tempered man pacing in front of his desk.
"But…but why did she choose HIM of all people?!" Sirius sputtered, "He's a right bastard! Not to mention the whole Dark Magic Death Eater that clings to him like stink on shi…"
"Sirius! Language!" Professor McGonagall sharply cut off the aggravated man.
"My apologies, Minerva." Sirius had the good manners to look abashed, but jutted out his chin, and firmly continued, "I just can't understand why she would choose that greasy git over someone who isn't touched by Dark Magic. I won't stand for it! Elizabeth doesn't understand that Snape is EVIL! He'll probably hand her over to his Death Eater friends before you kno…"
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore rarely raised his voice, but when he did, everyone stopped to listen. "Elizabeth's reasons are her own, Sirius, though I could venture to guess at a few. She is where she needs to be."
"And what might those reasons be, Albus? You have to admit that her choice is rather…odd." Remus Lupin softly asked, hoping the answers would keep his friend's temper from escalating even more. If there was one thing he knew about Sirius Black, it was that his friend's protective instincts tended to be swift, violent, and very, very messy.
Dumbledore gave the soft-spoken man a small smile of thanks.
"Tell me Remus, if all five of your senses where heightened to extreme levels, where in the castle would you most likely be comfortable?"
The werewolf took a moment to think about that, before responding, "A remote part of the dungeons, I would venture."
"And if your identity must remain unknown, by both students and other teachers, what type of person would you need to stay with?"
"Someone who is solitary, and discourages visitors to their private quarters." Remus's lips quirked, knowing where the Headmaster was taking this.
"And if you needed to be protected, who would you chose?" Albus gave the werewolf a small smile of approval.
"The most powerful witch or wizard available, and if he is not available, the next most powerful witch or wizard…especially one whose wards are so strong, a flea couldn't sneeze without him knowing it."
"And who here at Hogwart's fits all these requirements?" Albus's eyes were twinkling, as he could literally see the scowling Sirius connecting the proverbial dots.
"Professor Snape, of course. Though, I would guess that he is about as pleased at being chosen as Sirius is." Remus gave the Headmaster a quirky grin.
Chuckling, Dumbledore said, "You guess correctly, my friend."
"Sirius does have a point, though. Why doesn't Severus's Dark Mark affect her? I would think that the dark energy used to create it has an even stronger residual taint than the 'grey' spell we did."
"Not everything is known about how magic works, Remus. But it would be my guess that it is because the residue left by the spell is still resonating within our magical aura, and this residue is clashing with the energies currently flowing in Elizabeth's body."
"I don't think I understand, Albus."
"Think of it in terms of muggle magnets, Remus. Are you familiar with them?"
"Only in general terms. I believe a magnet is a piece of metal that carries an energy current which attracts other metals, and are strongest at two ends that are opposite each other. And something about two magnets repelling each other at their similar ends. But what does this have to do with anything, Albus?"
"I believe it will help explain why our presence hurts the young woman." Dumbledore said. "Think of our magical auras, and our magic, as naturally having a north-south orientation. When we performed the spell, it was 'attracted' to our magic, just as metal is to a magnet, and attached itself to our magical aura. If metal is attached to a north-south oriented magnet long enough, it temporarily becomes magnetized itself, but with a south-north orientation. That's where the term 'opposites attract' comes from, by the way. So, using this theory, the spell that attached itself to our magical aura became magically 'charged', so to speak, with a south-north orientation. If you remember, the magical 'charge' was absorbed into the young woman's body. And though it was originally a south-north orientation, it is our magical aura's instinct to be a north-south orientation. So, after a short period of time, Elizabeth's magical aura re-oriented itself."
"Thereby creating a situation where we repel each other." Remus nodded his head in understanding. "But why aren't we affected? And that still doesn't explain why Severus's Dark Mark doesn't affect her."
"Yeah, if anyone was a repelling magnet, it would be Snape." Sirius grumbled.
The Headmaster gave the difficult man a censuring look, but Sirius only crossed his arms and looked away.
"I believe Elizabeth's heightened sense may be the only explanation. By all indications it seems that the young woman went through some type of sensory deprivation for an untold amount of time. It may be that the resonation within our auras is at a level we are unaware of, but that Elizabeth, with her sensitive senses, is overwhelmed by. As for Severus's mark, it could be that it no longer has a magical 'charge', or that the 'charge' is resonating at a different frequency than ours."
"Is this permanent, Albus?" Minerva interjected.
"I am of the understanding that it will fade in time – that it will lose its 'magical charge', if you will. But until that time, none of us will be able to approach her without causing her pain."
Minerva and Remus nodded their understanding and acceptance of the young woman's decision to place herself under Professor Snape's care.
"I want to talk to her." Sirius snapped, still scowling.
"Her difficulties extend to communication, Sirius. One of the things she asked of us, is to help her remember how to speak. She will be unable to understand your words, my dear boy." Albus said gently.
"I don't care! I want to see if she's all right."
Dumbledore sighed, knowing how stubborn Mr. Black could be.
"You will not be able to see her in person because of the magical residue, but I will see if Severus's fireplace is lit."
So saying, the Headmaster made his way to the fireplace, and picked up a tin of powder. Throwing some into the flames, he called out "Professor Snape's private quarters."
A long moment later, the potion master's head appeared in the flames.
"Yes, Headmaster?" He said, a look of irritation on his face.
"How is your guest settling in to her new home, Severus?"
Snape literally growled.
"Well enough, though my living space looks like an abandoned pillow fight." Snape was momentarily distracted as he yelled at someone in the background. "No! No! Do not touch anything on my side table."
With a muttered 'ídiot elf', the dark-haired man turned his attention back to the Headmaster.
"This is a mistake Albus! We'll kill each other in less than a week, or I'll strangle one of the house-elves that fawn over her," the potions master grumbled, a look of extreme displeasure on his face.
"You'll be fine, my dear boy, though it will take some time to get used to each other," Dumbledore chuckled. "May we speak to her, Severus."
"You know she won't understand you, Albus."
"I understand, but there is someone here who would like to see that she is unharmed."
Snape sighed, "Very well," and stepped back from the fireplace.
After a moment, the young woman's blindfolded head appeared.
"Hello my dear. I know you don't understand me, but I do hope you will recover soon." Dumbledore said gently.
Though the woman looked confused, she seemed to understand what the tone of his voice was trying to convey, and gave him a small smile.
The Headmaster stepped back, allowing Sirius to move forward into her line of sight. He gasped when he saw that she was blindfolded, and turned an angry face toward Dumbledore. Before he was able to speak, Dumbledore held up a hand.
"Her vision has also been affected, Sirius. Her eyes must remain covered, until they adjust to normal levels of light again."
Nodding his head sharply, Sirius turned back to the young woman, and gave her a smile.
"Hello Elizabeth, I'm Sirius…Sirius Black. I'm sorry if we hurt you back in the infirmary, but we didn't know about the residue on our auras. I hope you get better soon. I'd like to meet you."
Elizabeth gave him a small bewildered smile, then turned her face away from the fire, looking at something or someone beside her.
Snape's head reappeared in place of Elizabeth's, and Sirius scowled at him.
"Elizabeth is tired, Albus. Was there anything else you needed."
The Headmaster moved in front of the fireplace again. "No, no, Severus. That is all. Thank you for letting us speak with her."
The potion master nodded, then severed the connection.
"I still think Elizabeth should stay with someone else." Sirius grumbled.
"We all must abide by her decision, Sirius," Dumbledore said firmly. "Now, why don't you spend a pleasant evening with your Godson, since you are leaving come morning."
The scowl left his face as Sirius thought about spending time with Harry, and gave the Headmaster an enthusiastic nod.
Gesturing to Remus that they should leave, he transformed into his canine form and loped after his friend.
As soon as they left, the Deputy Headmistress turned to the Headmaster, "Why didn't you tell him that we are able to communicate with the young woman through the house-elves, Albus?"
"It wouldn't be wise for Sirius to know, Minerva. He would attempt to find a way to speak with her as often as possible, and that would be dangerous for him in his current situation. Until proof of his innocence is made available, Mr. Black needs to attract as little attention as possible."
Minerva nodded her head in agreement at that assessment, and bid the Headmaster a good night, closing the door softly behind her.
With a look of contemplation on his face, Dumbledore quietly said, "Besides, I think it will be good for Severus to have someone depending on him. It has been a long time since he felt needed. Do you not agree, Fawkes?"
The phoenix trilled in response.
***************************************************************
[Four days later]
Scratch, scratch, scratch…
*I wonder if she thinks of anything.*
Scratch, scratch…
*I wonder what she does when I'm not here.*
Scratch…
*She's literally blindfolded. Are her eyes open? Closed? Does she even blink?*
"Argh!"
Severus Snape, renowned for always being in control, lost it. Tossing down the quill he was using to mark 4th year potions essays, he pushed himself away from his desk and abruptly stood.
Stalking over to the silent woman sitting in front of his fireplace, he glared at her.
"What am I supposed to do with you? You just sit there not making a sound, which is supposed to be more pleasurable than hearing a woman yammer on about nothing. I could only wish that my students were just as quiet. But this…this…STILLNESS is positively…eerie. Couldn't you move around, make some noise – sniff, cough, pass gas, for all I care! Just don't sit there! If it weren't for various house-elves popping in for some inane reason or other, I would think someone moved one of the castle statues into my quarters."
The young woman did nothing.
"Dammit!! Say something! How am I supposed to teach you the words if you don't respond in some manner? I can't even tell if you're paying attention! Do something! Anything! Let me know you're aware that I'm standing in front of you!"
The young woman still did nothing, face pointed at a blank wall to the side of the fireplace.
"Gah!"
Snape threw his hands up in the air, then turned and stalked out of his private quarters, making sure to slam the portrait cover behind him. A faint "Pillock!" could be heard from the portrait's occupant, as angry steps faded in the distance.
A small smile graced the lips of the woman left behind, as she thought, "I cannot learn the words unless the dark one talks to me, but he won't talk to me because I cannot respond. Maybe, this time, the Old One would have a solution to this stalemate."
**********************************************
SLAM!
"This is unacceptable, Albus!"
"Come in, Severus. Would you care for some tea?"
This was the fourth time, in as many days, that Albus Dumbledore's potions master came bursting into his office…and he could guess again, for the fourth time, what it was about. Hiding a smile, he gestured for the irate man to take one of the comfortable chairs in front of his desk, and conjured up a cup of Chamomile tea to help soothe his employee's agitation.
"That woman is driving me insane, Albus! She does absolutely nothing…says absolutely nothing…I'm beginning to wonder if she's even alive!"
With that said, Snape dropped heavily into the indicated chair, and grabbed the cup of tea before him. Bringing it up to take a sip, he wrinkled his nose at the cloying scent of Chamomile, before placing it heavily back onto its saucer, untasted.
"Why me, Albus? Why couldn't someone else take care of her, like Flitwick or Hootch – they like to natter on about everything. You know I don't socialize well with regular people, but with her…I feel like I'm talking to a piece of furniture."
Chucking, Dumbledore said, "Surely it can't be that bad, Severus."
"Yes! It is! What am I supposed to talk about? Myself? I thought we were trying to help her remember the words, not scare her away? Potions? Do you want me to confuse her even more? We're literally from different worlds and have little in common. She's from the Muggle world, Albus. What do I know about that?" Sighing in frustration, Severus grabbed the cup of tea again, actually taking a sip, not remembering that it was the hated Chamomile.
"You don't need to know anything about her world to communicate, Severus." Dumbledore said kindly, as he lifted himself up from his chair and moved around his desk to place a gentle hand on the dark-haired man's shoulder. "All you need to do is give her the words."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Snape slumped in the chair in defeat, carelessly tossing the now empty tea cup back on the desk.
"I'm surprised, Severus. I thought you would have figured out the most obvious solution to this problem, but maybe the stress of the situation is clouding your thinking – it's happened to the best of us, at times."
As the Headmaster was speaking, he moved to one of the many shelves in his office and selected an item, seemingly at random, and turned back, placing the item in the potions master's hands.
Staring at it in incomprehension, Snape looked at the Headmaster in confusion.
"Read to her, Severus. Elizabeth doesn't need your personal words to help her understand our language again. She just needs words."
"But Hogwart's: A History? Even I found this tedious at times."
"It doesn't have to be that book in particular. We do have an extensive collection of literature in our Muggle Studies section of the library. I'm sure you can choose something appropriate, and, if not, there are several students from the Muggle world who would be able to suggest suitable books that would be of interest to a young woman."
Snape sneered at the thought of asking a student for help.
"Very well. I suppose this is approach is better than nothing," the potions master said, lifting himself tiredly from the chair.
Handing the large tome back to the Headmaster, he continued, "I believe I will see what the library has to offer, as I wouldn't want to put the young woman to sleep…nor myself."
"I'm glad I could be of service, Severus."
With a slight nod of his head, the potions master exited the Headmaster's office…much more quietly than he had entered.
*************************************************
Hermione peeked over her book for the fifth time, as the figure of her cranky potions professor stalked down the same isle a third time. The man paused every once in a while to peer closely at the titled binding of a particular book, a scowl permanently etched on his face.
She had no clue what he was looking for, but it was apparent that he wasn't finding it. After a brief internal debate, she sighed in resignation. Setting her book gently on the table in front of her, she rose from her seat and reluctantly made her way over to the frowning man.
"Professor?" Hermione began tentatively, carefully trying to word her question to not include the word 'help', figuring the touchy professor wouldn't admit to needing it. "I know these stacks fairly well. Are you looking for a specific book?"
Straightening up, Snape clasped his hands behind his back and glowered at the bushy-haired young woman.
"No, Ms. Granger."
"Oh…uh…well…" Hermione stammered out, cheeks flushed. "Um, I'll leave you to your search then."
Quickly turning on her heels, she returned to her seat, propping the book back in front of her face to hide her flaming cheeks. She signed in relief that her foray into "helpful little Gryffindor" hadn't cost her house any points.
She wondered what he was looking for.
**********************************************
Twenty minutes passed, and Professor Snape still traveled up and down the multitude of Muggle Studies book stacks, his frustration clearly imprinted on his face.
Finally admitting defeat, he reluctantly made his way to the table where Hermione Granger was still sitting submersed in her studies, thankful that it was in a secluded area. He silently watched her for a moment, as she scratched several lines onto her already over-filled parchment.
Clearing his throat, he attempted to garner the young woman's attention, but failed. Rapping his knuckles sharply on the table, he said, "Ms. Granger, may I have a moment of your time."
Her head whipped up, eyes widening in surprise.
"Y-yes, Professor?"
"It seems I have been unsuccessful in my search," he began slowly, "With your particular upbringing, and being of the female gender, you may be of some use in narrowing the field."
"Professor?" Hermione gave him a confused look.
"You're a young Muggle woman, Ms. Granger. What books would interest someone of the same background and gender?" Snape said exasperatedly.
"Oh…Oh!" If possible, Hermione's eyes widened even more. Quickly looking to see if they were alone, she continued, "Is this for…"
"Yes." Snape quickly interrupted, before carefully wording the rest of his response, "The Headmaster suggested that reading would be useful in…this particular situation."
A look of comprehension dawned on her face. "Of-of course. It would be of great help, especially if you aren't used to speaking a lot to other peo…"
Hermione trailed off, her face flushing in embarrassment at what her statement implied.
"Indeed, Ms. Granger." Quirking an eyebrow at her gaff, while scowling – a unique expression that not many people could achieve.
"What…what kind of books are you looking for?" the young girl quickly asked.
"That is where my problem lays, Ms. Granger. I am unaware of the type of reading material someone of your gender may find of interest."
"Um…well, it's different for every girl, just like it is for boys. I could make several suggestions, and you could choose from those?" Hermione offered, making a move to head towards the stacks.
"That will be acceptable, Ms. Granger, but it is getting late. Make your selections and bring them to me after class tomorrow. I will make arrangements with Madam Pince for you to check them out under my name." Snape said stiffly.
"Yes Professor."
"Good night, Ms. Granger."
"Good night, sir."
Snape quickly turned and made his way out of the library.
Hermione sank back in relief, then frowned. 'For a conversation of Can you help me, yes, thank you, it sure took a lot of words.'
********************************************
"Crikey, Hermione! Are you carrying the whole library with you?!" Ron exclaimed, eyeing the, not one, but two book bags that were weighing down his bushy-haired friend.
"No, I am not, Ronald Weasley." Hermione said in a clipped voice, hoping her tone would fend off any other questions in an attempt to avoid the subject of why she was carrying a multitude of books. She was sure that Professor Snape would put Gryffindor House into negative points if it got out that he had had to resort to asking a student from his rival house for help, not to mention a Muggle one at that!
"You have to admit you're carrying around more books than usual, Hermione. What are they for?" Harry, ever the peacemaker, tried to keep the conversation from veering off into another famous Weasley/Granger argument.
Hermione hesitated a moment, not wanting to lie to her friends, but circumstances being as they were, "I just finished up a project for my Arithmancy class, and need to return these to the library as soon as class is over, or Madam Pince may revoke my privileges. I really didn't mean to keep them out this long."
Harry gave her a funny look, but accepted her answer. Ron, of course, was oblivious. Entering the potions classroom, the trio quickly took their seats.
Class proceeded as usual, except that Snape seemed to be in less of a bad mood. Gryffindor House was down by only 30 points, which was a miracle in itself, as they usually had over 100 points taken away each class.
Unfortunately, Neville still had his own personal problems. He may have finished class physically unscathed, but Seamus Finnigan had to lead him from the room, since Neville kept twitching his head and saying "That's OK, everything's all right" over and over again.
Harry snorted at the sight. 'I thought Stepford children were supposed to be perfect?"
Shaking his head at that thought, he called out to Hermione, who was slowly putting her items away. "Coming, Hermione?"
"In a moment, Harry. But I have to go to the library, remember? Don't wait for me. I'll catch up with you in the Common Room, or at dinner."
"OK, if you're sure."
"I'm sure. I'll see you later.
Shrugging his shoulders, Harry grabbed his bag and exited the classroom, catching up Ron, who was waiting outside.
Taking a quick look around the classroom and seeing that she was the only student left, Hermione grabbed the second book bag and approached the potions professor at the front of the room.
Noticing that his desk was covered by several boiling cauldrons and stacks of papers, she stopped at a student desk in the front row, and placed the bag on one of the seats.
"Professor Snape?" She called out tentatively.
The dark haired man looked up from the cauldron he was observing and glared at her.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"I…um…brought the…items…you requested." Hermione shifted her weight from foot to foot in nervousness.
"Yes, yes. Just leave them on the desk."
"Um, sir? Most of them don't have any dust jackets, so I thought I should tell you what they were about, so you are better able to choose." Hermione flushed and looked away, her hand clenching the handle of the bag.
"Very well." Frowning, Snape lowered the flame on two of the cauldrons before making his way to where the nervous girl was fidgeting. Removing his wand from his robes, he waved it at the door to shut and lock it, before turning his attention back to the young Gryffindor.
Hermione had already begun removing the books from the bag, and stacked them haphazardly on the desk in front of her. Some of the books were bound together with twine, some were loose, but most were anonymous in their multi-colored bindings. There were about twenty-five in all.
As she poked her head closer to the opening of the bag, checking to see if there were any stray books still within, she heard a choked gasp. Popping her head back up, she noticed her Professor drop one of the books in wide-eyed surprise. He then wiped his hand on his robe, as if to clean off residual dirt.
Still staring at the book, Snape carefully picked it up again with two fingers, as if handling something really vile, and held it out to the curious Gryffindor.
"And what, pray tell, is this, Ms. Granger." He asked sharply.
Hermione glanced at the book and flushed. "Uh…well…uh…you said to choose books that a young female Muggle might like, sir. I wasn't sure if she would be reading them herself or not, so…um…"
The potions master glared at her, still holding the book with his two fingers, the cover showing a buxom young red-haired woman, whose dress was practically falling off, being held against an impossibly muscular male body, his face passionately pressed against the young woman's upper chest and neck. The title 'Passion's Fury' was emblazoned across the top of the cover.
"No, she will not be reading them, Ms. Granger." Snape said in a clipped voice, dropping the book in front of her.
Her cheeks still pink, Hermione grabbed the book and stuffed it back into the bag, thankful she had only chosen one of its type.
Calming her flustered thoughts, she began to point at particular books and explaining their contents. The dark haired professor was quick in his decisions, nixing most, and holding off on a couple.
"These bound ones are called trilogies or series. The first are called 'Lord of the Rings', the second "Dune Series'. If you like these, Tolkien has other books that tie into the trilogy, and Herbert has about five or six other books that continue the series. I think these ones are going to be your best choices." Hermione said excitedly.
She continued on to give a general overview of their contents, extolling the fact that Tolkien was a linguist, yet was able to write in a way that held a person's interest. As for Herbert, well, he had a talent for writing stories that used subtle analogy, though his later books weren't held in as high a regard as his first ones were.
She would have gone on, but her stomach had other ideas. With a loud growl, it made its displeasure known.
Raising an eyebrow, Snape smirked at her.
"Uh…well." Hermione flushed. "It must be time for dinner. So…uh…I'll just take the rest of these books back to the library, sir."
"Of course, Ms. Granger." With that ambiguous response, Snape removed his wand and unlocked the classroom door.
Shoving the unwanted books back into her bag, she shouldered it, and moved to retrieve her regular book bag. She headed toward the exit, but stopped in shock as she heard her professor say:
"And Ms. Granger…10 points to Gryffindor."
Turning back in shock, Hermione quietly watched the silent potions master change a quill into a book bag and put the approved books inside.
She quietly said, "I hope it works, sir," as she exited the room.
"As do I, Ms. Granger, as do I." He responded to himself softly.
********************************************
Hermione was quieter than usual at dinner, drawing concerned glances from her friends.
"Are you OK, Herms?" Ron asked.
"I'm fine…just thinking," she responded absently.
"About what?" This came from Harry, who was the more worried of the two boys. To him, excessive silence was never a good thing, especially from a friend who would normally be chastising him and Ron throughout the meal about eating too fast, or not studying enough.
"Nothing important."
"Hermione…" Harry's tone implied that he knew it wasn't 'nothing important', and that he wasn't going to accept that as an answer.
"Harry..." Hermione hesitated a moment before going on, "can we talk about it later…in Professor Dumbledore's office?"
"Why…oh." For a moment, Harry was confused as to why Hermione wanted to talk about whatever 'it' was in the Headmaster's office, then made the connection. "Is this about…"
Hermione gave him a pointed look and nodded.
"After dinner?"
"Yes, that will be fine."
Oddly enough, Ron kept quiet, only nodding his head in agreement of the arrangements.
A short time later, three silent teenagers made their way into the Headmaster's office.
"So what's this about, Herm's?" As usual, Ron was the one to come to the point as quickly as possible.
"I was just thinking about her…Elizabeth…and was worried that we haven't heard anything for several days now. I know that she chose Professor Snape as her 'protector', but I can't help but think that it isn't healthy for her to be so isolated."
"Well, she does need to stay out of sight until she's better, Hermione…at least that's what the visions told me," Harry said dubiously.
"I know Harry, but she doesn't see anyone besides Snape, and that's not saying a lot. I mean, he's only there in the evenings, so what does she do for the rest of the time?"
"I do believe the house-elves are keeping her company, Ms. Granger." The Headmaster said cheerfully, as he entered into his own office. "And, if I am correct in my interpreting their chatter, they are slowly helping her to overcome her disabilities."
"Disabilities, sir? I don't remember her being injured…at least, not after she healed from when she first arrived." Harry said, confused.
"Ah, but disabilities doesn't always mean physical incapacitation, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore responded with a smile, as he made his way to his desk and sat down. "If you remember, Professor Snape mentioned that she was blindfolded, and wrapped in soft cloth, not to mention the blocking of her ear and nasal passages. If I am correct in my assumptions, Elizabeth went through a period of sensory deprivation, and must retrain all five of her senses, so as not to be overwhelmed by everything around her. This is what the house-elves are helping her with."
"Sensory deprivation!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked.
"Quite so, Ms. Granger, which is why she has chosen to be isolated."
The intelligent young woman nodded her head in understanding, but still looked concerned.
"Sir? I know that Harry's vision said that no one was to know about her, except specific people," Hermione began slowly, "but I can't help but feel that isolating Elizabeth in Professor Snape's quarters is not the best solution to helping her recover. I would like to be able to help in some capacity, or at least keep her company during my free time."
"That is very commendable of you, Ms. Granger, but I must decline your offer."
Hermione made to object, but was stopped by the Headmaster's upheld hand.
"Elizabeth is extremely vulnerable right now, and to draw attention to her presence would be to ask for trouble where it must be avoided. Because of her current location, if I was to accept your generosity, someone would eventually notice, and begin to ask questions."
"And, sooner or later, the wrong person would find out, right Professor?" Harry said quietly, his eyes locking with those of the Headmaster.
"Correct, Harry."
"But I want to help, sir." Hermione said agitatedly.
"And you may be able to, when Elizabeth feels recovered enough to emerge from her self-imposed isolation. Remember, she has asked us to help her learn magic. And I personally cannot think of anyone better to assist her in that regard than yourself, Ms. Granger. If she agrees, would you be willing to do so, when the time comes?" Dumbledore smiled softly at her.
Hermione beamed at him and nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll help too, sir!" Harry chimed in.
"Me too!" Ron chirped.
His two friends stared at him, blinking owlishly.
"Uh…well…maybe I can just sit on the sidelines and cheer her on," the redhead said sheepishly, knowing that, since he wasn't that good of a student, he probably wouldn't be that good of a good teacher.
Dumbledore chuckled. "It is good to see you are all eager to help our mysterious guest, but we will see, when the time comes."
Three 'Yes, sirs' were spoken, and the trio said their good-byes, leaving the Headmaster's office.
**************************************
Snape quietly entered his private quarters, just in time to see two house-elves cleaning up the remains of the young woman's dinner.
Unlike the meal served to the rest of the castle's inhabitants, the food given to the young woman was beyond definition, resembling a bowl of grey mush. To Snape, it was understandable that Elizabeth's palate would also be sensitive, thereby necessitating bland food, but he crinkled his nose at the faint aroma of boiled roots.
Ignoring the quiet ministrations of the house-elves, the dark-haired potions master made his way to his desk, dropping off the transformed book bag. Emptying it of its contents, he contemplated the selection before him, and quickly made his choice.
Untying the twine from around the chosen books, he plucked up the first one, and made his way to his favorite chair in front of the fireplace. Getting comfortably settled, he opened the book to the first page, briefly scanning the contents.
Clearing his throat, he began, "When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday…"
It didn't take long for the potions master's voice to relax into a richly pleasant lilting tone, which melded nicely with the warmth of the room.
Fifteen minutes later, Snape was pleased to note that Elizabeth had turned her face in his direction, cocking her head slightly as she listened.
****************************************
It had been two weeks with no noticeable change. Snape was beginning to wonder if Elizabeth would ever remember how to communicate, but continued to read to her for a couple of hours each night, stopping when either his voice became strained, or when the young woman became visibly tired.
Though concerned that his own efforts were for naught, he was fascinated with the process the house-elves were using to retrain Elizabeth's other senses.
Though quite by accident, it was inevitable that Snape would eventually be in the same room during the day, when the house-elves were helping the young woman. Slowly and methodically, the elves would work with her on one sense at a time – slowly reducing the amount of substance in her nostrils and ears, then introducing aromas and sounds that ranged from gentle and quiet to slightly sharp (aroma) and just above normal level (sound), introducing a variety of textures and pressure to various parts of her body, and giving her objects to hold and squeeze, either with her hands wrapped or exposed. The food Elizabeth was served had progressed to the more palatable, yet was still fairly bland.
The one thing he had not seen, though, was how the house-elves were helping with her sight. Listening to their soft chatter, Snape was under the impression that this involved a pitch black room, and the lighting of a few (dimmed) candles, but they were not pleased with how that was progressing, and were trying to think of alternatives to this method.
All in all, things were progressing slowly but surely…all except her communication skills.
Feeling a little defeated, Snape sat in his chair, his hands fiddling with the second book, of which they were well over half-way through. Though it had become a pleasant habitual repast, he couldn't help but wonder if he was doing something wrong – though how a person could read out loud incorrectly was beyond him.
He sighed, opening the book to where he had left off. Looking at the young woman who patiently waited for him to begin, he softly said, "I wish you would say something," then began to read.
Elizabeth must have had a rough day – she didn't last much over an hour, before she began to look tired.
When two house-elves popped into the room to help the young woman prepare for bed, the potions master placed a marker in the book and closed it, knowing they were done for the evening.
As the two elves levitated the young woman to a standing position, the dark-haired man stood and began to make his way to his desk, but stumbled to a halt as he heard a soft voice whisper.
"Severus."
****************************************************
Not quite believing what he had heard, Snape stood stock still. Slowly turning around, he looked at the young woman standing silently before him.
Staring at her, he cocked his head slightly in question.
His patience was rewarded when the young woman softly said, "Severus…good… night."
Giving him a small smile, Elizabeth allowed the house-elves to lead her to the tapestry which covered the doorway to her sleeping chambers, and quietly disappeared behind it.
Snape stood gob-smacked for several moments, before a wide smile crossed his face. If anyone had been there to see it, they would have been amazed how the years dropped off his face with the expression. Of course, that would have been right before he hexed them off the face of the earth for even being there.
With steps made lighter by his success in getting Elizabeth to speak, Snape exited his private quarters, and swiftly made his way to the Headmaster's office.
**************************************************
SLAM!
"She spoke, Albus!"
"Come in, Severus. Would you care for some tea?"
It seemed that, no matter what mood the potions master came in to the Headmaster's office with, he was always greeted the same way…with an offer of tea. It must be said that it was lucky Snape was a tea-loving Brit, or Dumbledore would have been stabbed with a tea-leaf strainer a long time ago.
"No." Snape said abruptly, "Didn't you hear what I said?! She spoke!"
"That is good news, Severus. What did she say?" Dumbledore gave him a smile, fixing up a cup of tea for him anyway.
"She said my name, then said good night, just before she went to her bedchambers." The potions master gave him a triumphant smirk at the fact that the first word the young woman spoke was his name.
"That is very good news, to know that she spoke words in a way that showed she understood the context also." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.
"I know it's not much, but it's a start." Snape spoke with an enthusiasm that the Headmaster had never seen in his potions master before. "I wonder how fast she will progress, now that she's spoken her first words? I wonder if I should design a training regimen to help her communicate, depending on certain situations?"
The potions master trailed off, his thoughts racing.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Severus, Severus…Rome was not built in a day. Let her take her time. Elizabeth will progress at her own pace, and pushing her may actually set her back."
Snape frowned, "But…"
"My dear boy, Elizabeth has given you the first indication that she is ready to communicate." Dumbledore smiled at him gently. "Ask her simple questions that require simple answers. Do not overwhelm her with trivialities such as knowing how to ask someone to pass the salt."
The dark haired man sighed, his enthusiasm deflating slightly. "Very well, Albus, I will attempt to keep things slow. I just wish she would progress at a faster pace, so we can find out why she's here."
"That day will come soon enough, Severus. And we will have you to thank for it."
The potions master gave him a small, but genuine, smile. Bidding the Headmaster a good evening, he left.
"Well that was…interesting." An amused voice drifted from the sitting room behind Dumbledore's desk chair. "I've never seen Severus so enthusiastic about anything. And I was under the impression that he preferred women who don't talk."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I too am surprised at his enthusiasm, Minerva, considering his initial reaction to having the young woman chose him as her protector."
Smiling, the Deputy Headmistress emerged from the shadowed sitting room, carrying the book she had been reading in the quiet recess.
"You have to wonder, though, if his enthusiasm will continue once she begins to speak in full sentences…at length."
The Headmaster outright laughed at that. "She is a young, beautiful woman – I would not be surprised if her personality leaned towards the energetic. It will be interesting to see how they will get along when she is fully recovered."
"She's going to drive him up the wall." Minerva grinned evilly.
Uproarious laughter could be heard from the Headmaster's office, if you were close enough.
********************************************
Harry was worried. Frightened, even.
He glanced down at the sealed letter in his hand, the fourth of its kind in the last week and a half. He didn't know what to do. So, he consulted the one person he knew who could help see the situation from every angle at times like this.
"Hermione?"
Tucked away in a corner of the Gryffindor common room, the young girl raised her head from the book she was reading.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Um, I need your help with something." Harry fidgeted where he stood, before sitting abruptly in the matching armchair near his friend.
Hermione took in his nervous countenance, narrowing her eyes at the closed envelope Harry was fiddling with.
"What is it, Harry? Bad news?"
"What…oh…uh, no. Well, yes and no." Harry sighed before running a hand through his already messy hair.
Hermione waited patiently as she watched her friend struggle to come out with whatever was bothering him.
"Harry…" she began gently.
"Snuffles wants me to give this to her." Harry blurted out, thrusting the closed envelope towards Hermione.
Confused, Hermione took the envelope, which had Elizabeth's name carefully written on it.
"So what's the problem?" she asked, puzzled.
Harry drew out three other closed envelopes from his robes, and silently handed them over to Hermione, his face pale.
"And that's only been in the past week and a half." Harry said shakily.
Hermione's face paled at the implication. "That idiot!"
With that outburst, the young woman jumped out of her seat, envelopes in hand, letting her book fall carelessly to the floor. Grabbing Harry's wrist, she yanked him out of the matching chair and pulled him behind her as they exited the Gryffindor Tower.
Never letting him go, Hermione dragged Harry straight to the Headmaster's office, sharply giving the password to the guarding gargoyle. Harry desperately attempted to keep his feet under him, as his friend took the stairs two at a time in her haste.
Knocking a sharp staccato on the door, she entered after hearing a faint 'Come in', yanking a hapless Harry behind her.
"Good evening, Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter. What may I help you with this evening?" The Headmaster smiled at the pair, eyes twinkling at Harry's dishevelment.
Not trusting herself to speak, Hermione placed the four envelopes in front of the Headmaster, letting go of Harry's wrist in the process.
Picking them up, Dumbledore's smile gradually faded as he shuffled through them. A grim frown on his face, he asked, "How long has this been going on, Harry?"
"I-in the past eleven days, sir." Harry answered, then blurted out, "And he also asked me if I could find out when she was alone during the day, so he could talk to her through the floo."
Hermione looked shocked. "Is he trying to get caught?!"
"I don't know what to do! I wrote back to Sirius, telling him how dangerous it was to send owls so often, but he won't listen to me! If he gets caught, the Ministry of Magic will give him the Dementor's kiss for sure. I can't lose him, sir!"
Shaken, Harry sat down heavily in one of the chairs in front of the Headmaster's desk, dropping his head into his hands.
Dumbledore stood, dropping the letters back on his desk. Maneuvering around the desk, he placed his hands on the young boy's shoulders.
"I will take care of this, Harry. Do not worry yourself," he said gently. "If necessary, I will take strict measures to ensure that he cannot communicate with anyone but myself."
Harry looked up and gave him a relieved look.
"Thank you, sir."
It was a quiet pair that left the Headmaster's office.
Once they were gone, the Headmaster moved towards the fireplace. Picking up a tin of powder, he tossed some into the blazing fire and spoke two words, "Remus Lupin."
****************************************
Dear Harry,
I hope everything is going well with the Tri-wizard Tournament, and that you are well prepared for the second task.
By request of the Headmaster, I have taken care of your canine problem. After much chastising, I believe I have trained Snuffles to understand that it's not mating season right now.
You may want to change his name to Spot, to match the dark circle around his eye.
Yours affectionately,
Moony
P.S. I've threatened to take him to the pound to have him snipped if he doesn't behave. Let me know if you have any more trouble.
Harry laughed. Catching Hermione's attention he handed her the letter. She giggled after reading it.
"What's going on?" A confused Ron asked.
Quickly explaining in hushed tones, Harry gestured to Hermione to hand his red-headed friend the letter. A moment later, Ron's face matched his hair, as he laughed hysterically, occasionally stuttering out 'mating season' and 'snipped' as he rolled on the floor.
His friends laughed at his antics, drawing bemused stares from the other Gryffindors.
**********************************************
Snape sighed. He couldn't concentrate on marking the fifth year essays before him, even though he took great pleasure in ripping apart Potter's papers. No, he kept thinking about her.
After the first time she spoke, Elizabeth slowly, very slowly, began to use more words, as they became understandable to her. To say the least, Snape was pleased.
Oh, she wasn't speaking anywhere near fluently, and he would have been appalled at the disjointed sentences in anyone else, but it was progress for Elizabeth.
Sighing again, Snape gave up trying to work. Gathering up the scrolls, he placed them in his bag. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was a good 2 hours before his and Elizabeth's usual reading time.
Deciding to forgo eating in the main hall, as he wasn't particularly hungry, he made his way to his private chambers.
Upon entering his quarters, he headed directly to his desk, dropping off the bag, before turning his gaze towards Elizabeth's usual place by the fire. Frowning, he noticed she was missing from the large cushion (which he had transfigured from the many small cushions after one of them got too close to the fireplace and almost caught fire).
Looking around, he didn't see her anywhere in the living quarters. Thinking she had just stepped into her bedchambers for a moment, he took the time to remove his outer robe, and hang it up.
Calling up a house-elf, he ordered a light meal, and settled in to wait for Elizabeth's return. A half hour passed, and Snape had finished his meal. Concerned that the young woman still had not returned, he made his way towards the tapestry covered doorway of her bedchambers.
He called her name softly. Receiving no response, he moved the tapestry aside and stepped cautiously into the room, calling her name a little louder.
Again there was no response. The potions master began to worry, then panic as he saw no one in the room.
'I've lost her!'
He rushed back through the living area to his own bedchambers, on the off-chance that she was in there. Empty.
Frantic now, he rushed back into Elizabeth's room, searching for any clue as to her whereabouts. As his eyes anxiously roamed around the room, Snape noticed a door he hadn't seen before in his frenzy. It was tucked away in a darkened corner, unremarkable in appearance.
Quickly making his way to it, he pulled his wand out, unsure of what was behind it, but positive that the doorway hadn't been there before. Slowly turning the knob, he softly pushed the door open, and side-stepped in as soon as the opening was wide enough.
Swiftly scanning the mid-sized room for any danger, his eyes locked on the figure in the middle of the room. He froze, stunned at the sight.
There, in the middle of the room, sitting on a short stool with her back towards the door was Elizabeth…nude.
Unable to remove his gaze, he fell staggeringly back against the wall.
Several small elves moved slowly around her, humming exquisitely as they washed her gently with small wet cloths.
Snape's eyes followed the movement of one elf, as it stroked the cloth down one of the young woman's outstretched arms.
Stroke.
.
.
Stroke.
.
.
Stroke.
He stared at the hypnotic movement, his eyes following the path of the cloth from shoulder to wrist, and over again.
His intent look was only broken when another elf, standing on a stool, poured a small bucket of water over Elizabeth's head, which was slightly tilted back.
Watching the rivulets of water stream down her shapely back, Snape began to breathe heavily as the last droplets flowed down her spine to her well-formed…
Crash!
In his rush to escape the room, Snape ran into the partially opened door, causing it to shoot open and crash against the wall.
Clutching his bruised shoulder, the dark-haired man fled to a safer room…far on the other side of the castle and up six floors.
Back in the bathing room that Snape deserted so quickly, Elizabeth's lips twitched in amusement, until she gave up the fight and laughed softly…for a long time.
*************************************************
*FLASH*
'I know what you're after!'
A large old book with the word "VAMPYR" written in gold leaf on the front cover was placed before her.
'That's not what I'm looking for.'
'Are you sure?'
*FLASH*
'Who are you?'
'Let's just say... I'm a friend.'
'Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend.'
'I didn't say I was yours.'
*FLASH*
'I'm sixteen years old. I don't wanna die.'
*FLASH*
You're the one that sets me free! (gloats) If you hadn't come, I couldn't go. (whispers) Think about that!'
She froze with fear. The Master waits a moment longer and then bends down and bites her at the base of her neck. He drinks a few sips and lets her go.
She fell to her knees, then fell face down into the pool of water.
*FLASH*
'I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop.'
'Me, me, too. I can't either.'
They start to kiss. After a moment he breaks off.
'Maybe we shouldn't...'
'Don't. Just kiss me.'
*FLASH*
'What's happening?'
'Shh. Don't worry about it.'
She brushes her fingers over his lips and across his cheek. She lays her hand on his cheek and kisses him softly. He returns the kiss, and it becomes more passionate. Behind them the vortex has grown to about five feet across and continues to get larger. She breaks off the kiss and looks deeply into his eyes.
'I love you.'
'I love you.'
She touches his lips with her fingers again.
'Close your eyes.'
She nods reassuringly, and he closes his eyes. She tries hard not to start crying, and kisses him again gently. She steps back, draws back her sword and thrusts it into his chest. His eyes whip open in surprise and pain, and a bright light emanates from the sword. She steps away from him. He reaches out to her and looks down at the sword thrust completely through him. He looks at her imploringly, completely bewildered by this turn of events. She can only stare at the sword protruding from his chest, and slowly steps further back.
'Buffy...'
.
.
.
.
Elizabeth woke up abruptly, shooting up to a sitting position, sobbing, "Nooooooo!"
********************************************
It was a much calmer Severus Snape that entered his private quarters, after avoiding it for the past five hours.
Quietly entering, he was relieved to notice that Elizabeth had already retired for the night, and softly tip-toed towards his bedchamber.
His stealthy steps were abruptly halted when he heard a loud sobbing 'Nooooooo!'
Whipping out his wand, he raced towards Elizabeth's bedchambers, tossing aside the tapestry. Quickly scanning the room, he saw nothing that would constitute a threat, only the young woman sitting up, sobbing into her hands.
Putting away his wand, he made his way over to the bed, and gingerly sat down. Unsure of what to do, he softly called her name.
At the sound of his voice, Elizabeth launched herself at him, grasping the front of his robes, softly crying into them, whispering 'No, no, no…'
Perplexed, Snape hesitantly rubbed her back with gentle strokes, and attempted to get her to tell him what was wrong, but Elizabeth wouldn't respond. Eventually, she cried herself out, and became quiet.
Snape noticed that she had fallen asleep, and gently laid her back upon the bed, covering her with the blankets.
Looking down upon the sleeping woman, he saw lines of strain creasing her brow and eyes, and wondered what could have caused her breakdown.
"She is 'membering."
Snape's head whipped up, only to see that several house-elves had somehow snuck into Elizabeth's bedchambers without him noticing.
"Remembering what?"
"Her life before Forever." Dobby looked sadly at Elizabeth's tear-streaked face.
"What was her life like, that it should cause her to cry with such pain?" Snape couldn't help but be curious, but knew that it was unlikely that he would get a detailed answer.
"Very, very hard, with lots of pain and hurt." The house-elf gently stroked the young woman's hair. "Master Snape must not talk about it to Lady Elizabeth. She will speak when ready."
Dobby gave him a sad look, and disappeared, as did the rest of the house-elves.
"Who are you?" Snape whispered, giving the young woman a piercing look.
He shook his head in bewilderment, then left Elizabeth to her sleep. There was lot to think about.
***************************************************
She was beginning to look tattered…or at least her clothing was (if you could call it that).
It began to bother Snape, a lot – especially when the knot of fabric at Elizabeth's shoulder slipped off again, reminding him of the embarrassing episode in her private bathing room.
"Oh for God's sake…DOBBY!" Snape called out loudly for the house-elf, who appeared quickly.
"Whats can Dobby do for you, Master Snape?"
"Elizabeth's outfit is atrocious! Have you no other clothing for her?"
Dobby shook his head, dropping his gaze in embarrassment. "We's have no clothing that will fit her…'cept socks."
"Have you no other fabrics to make her some clothes either?" Snape glowered at the drooping elf. "I'm sure you can steal someone else's curtains if you wanted to."
Dobby cringed at the word 'steal', saying, "Master Dumbalee-door mades us promise not to take more fabrics."
The small elf then perked up, "Buts we's can gets some silk for Master Snape, but its will nots be fabric silk, but the house-elves can makes it into fabrics. Would you's likes some silk, Master Snape, sir?"
Snape almost went into convulsions at the small house-elf's atrocious grammer, but was able to control his response to a minor twitch.
"Yes, that will be acceptable. How soon will you be able to acquire it?"
"We's can gets the silk today. We can makes the fabrics for tomorrow." Dobby looked at him hopefully.
"Very well. I will see to acquiring a seamswitch to make Elizabeth some new clothes."
Dobby perked up at that. "Oh! Thank you's, sir. Thank you's!"
The annoying house-elf disappeared on his errand, leaving Snape to, once again, watch as Elizabeth adjusted the knot back onto her shoulder. She gave him a small knowing smile, causing him to flush, then scowl.
"Stop that!" he growled, picking up their book and began to read out loud to her.
*************************************************
"Why are you here, elf? We have no dealings with your kind," a rumbling voice said from the shadows.
"You's knows why I'm here. You's have felt her come." Dobby stood in a small eerie clearing, looking towards the area where the voice came from, but still keeping a close watch around him.
"And what has that to do with us?"
"She has need of your webs."
"And what will we receive in return, elf? You certainly have nothing we need. Why should we give you that which provides food for us?"
A large form heaved itself menacingly closer to the small elf. Several small to mid-size forms scampered around the outskirts of the clearing, making clicking noises, which caused Dobby to tense.
"You's knows what she is. You's knows what she will think you's are." Dobby gave the dark shadow a knowing look, holding himself with a confidence never seen by wizards or witches.
There was silence for a moment, before the rumbling voice responded, "We do."
"Dobby makes no promiseses, but Dobby will 'slpain to her 'bouts the gift. She may see you's differently, if Dobby tells her where the gift come from."
A heavy silence greeted him, as the large form contemplated its answer.
"We agree to your request on one condition. You will ask her to speak with us in peace, so that we may negotiate a truce with our kind."
"Dobby will ask her."
Waving one large spindly leg, the massive spider gestured his children to bring the requested webs (silk). Many spiders of varying sizes brought bits and pieces of webbing into the clearing, dropping it in front of the house-elf, until there was a pile ten times the size of the elf.
Several house-elves popped into the clearing, grabbing armfuls of the webbing, and disappearing again, until it was all gone.
"Dobby thanks you's, Aragog."
"Remember your promise, elf."
"Dobby will."
With that, Dobby disappeared from the clearing.
***********************************************************
Dumbledore arranged for a seamswitch from his extensive family to come to Hogwarts, which ensured that Elizabeth's presence would be kept secret. The middle-aged woman, Matilda Quarterstaff, almost fainted in ecstasy when she first glimpsed the raw Acromantula Silk, proclaiming it to be very rare because of the risks involved to acquire it.
The Headmaster politely handed his great-great-great-grandniece a handkerchief when she began to drool over the tall stack of fabric, gushing over its no wrinkle, no stain qualities.
It was unfortunate that neither Snape nor Dumbledore had taken measures to ensure that Elizabeth was adequately dressed when she met Matilda, who arrived in Snape's quarters via the inter-castle floo system.
Upon spotting the young woman's appalling garments, she chewed off Snape's ears with her anger, before carefully whisking Elizabeth into her bedchambers. Chattering non-stop about what she could do with the silk, the seamswitch waived her wand, causing a tape measure to appear, along with a large piece of parchment and a Quick Quill.
As the tape measure zipped around Elizabeth's body, the measurements taken were automatically scribbled onto the parchment. While this was going on, Matilda rummaged through her carry sack for a variety of booklets on current wizarding fashion.
Pulling them out triumphantly, her face fell when she realized that the young woman would not be able to look at them, not while blindfolded anyway. Crossing her arms before her, a finger on one hand tapping against her lips, she tried to think of a solution.
With a gleeful 'Ah-ha', and a snap of her fingers, she pulled out her wand.
"Now just hold still dear, this won't hurt a bit." With that, Matilda gently tapped the blindfold which covered Elizabeth's eyes.
There was a moment's pause, then the blindfold gradually transformed into an opaque veil, magically attached, which covered most of Elizabeth's face, but left the rest of her head bare.
"Much better, honey. Now just let me see if I can adjust your view through it. Let me know if it gets too bright for you dear."
Matilda began tapping lightly on the veil, waiting for Elizabeth to indicate when to stop. After the fifth tap, Elizabeth gestured for the seamswitch to stop.
"Your eyes really are sensitive, aren't they, my dear? Ah, well, this should help with that. Once you get used to this level of light, you can have Professor Snape adjust it to the next level. I'll be sure to show him how it's done."
Elizabeth gave her a small smile that showed her delight at being able to see again, but then her face fell.
"What's wrong dear?" Matilda noticed the change in the young woman's expression.
"H-hide." Elizabeth swiped her hand in front of her face.
"No, no, my dear. I can see you quite clearly. I made the veil so you would only be able to see out to a certain degree, but everyone will still be able to see you.
Elizabeth shook her head in confusion, giving Matilda a sad smile, repeating, "Hide."
Giving her a look of understanding, Matilda said, "Of course, Albus told me that you must remain a secret for now. Now hold still while I fix this." Pausing a moment, Matilda gave her a questioning look. "Do you wish this to include Professor Snape also?"
Elizabeth gave her a confused look.
Matilda gave her a gentle smile, and kept it simple, "Snape, hide? Snape, no hide?"
The young woman's expression cleared, and she smiled, saying, "Severus, no hide."
************************************************
Snape was never going to live this down if anyone found out.
After a half hour, the seamswitch exited Elizabeth's chambers quite flustered, shaking her head, muttering about using superior fabric for inferior fashions.
"Professor Snape, you must make Elizabeth be sensible. As a highly sought professional seamswitch, I cannot stomach using Acromantula Silk to make…to make….trousers! It's unthinkable!" Matilda sputtered, outraged.
Elizabeth had quietly followed the upset seamswitch, and gave the potions master a look of amusement.
Snape looked bewildered, "Why would Elizabeth want trousers?"
"She asked for them! Most upstanding witches wouldn't even think of wearing such things! And she wants to make them out of the Acromantula Silk!" Matilda looked about ready to cry.
Extremely uncomfortable, Snape floundered. "Well…um…she is from the Muggle world, Ms. Quarterstaff. Things are different there. Uh...um…what would you suggest?"
Matilda's tears instantly cleared up, and she gave him a happy smile. "I would use the Acromantula Silk to make dresses and two or three cloaks. And if Elizabeth must insist on having trousers, I could use other soft cloths to make them, along with matching shirts. I'm sure Albus won't mind paying for a few other things. "
"I will pay for Elizabeth's garments, Ms. Quarterstaff, and whatever else she may need. See to it that you send the bill to my attention."
"Of course, Professor Snape, as you wish. But now, I need your help in choosing the styles. Albus is hopeless when it comes to fashion, but being much younger, you must have a better sense in these matters."
Matilda thrust several booklets in front of him, and began chattering about the benefits or drawbacks of certain styles. Snape's mind whirled in confusion, flushing when specific feminine attributes were mentioned.
After fifteen minutes of this, he interrupted the seamswitch's monologue, flustered.
"I have no idea what you're speaking of, Ms. Quarterstaff. Choose whichever styles you believe will suit her."
Matilda beamed at the idea of having a free hand with such superior fabric, and had the Quick Quill make notes of the styles she felt would best suit the young woman.
"Now about colors…"
"Green…to match her eyes." Snape, still flustered, blurted out.
"Yes, yes, green would suit her superbly, but we don't want to make all her garments green. No, no, we must have a variety of colors, so she can wear them to suit her mood. Fashion is all about mood, you know." Seeing the potion master's dazed look, she took pity on him. "How about I make a couple of the dresses and one cloak green, and I'll choose the rest of the colors."
Snape gave a sharp nod, looking relieved.
"Now about Elizabeth's undergarments…"
Snape let out a small whimper, and fled to a safer room. Yes, you know where…far on the other side of the castle and up six floors.
"Well I never!" Matilda said with a clearly fake affronted voice, before turning to the young woman, giving her a mischievous grin. "I just love doing that to men, especially when they are so obviously uncomfortable."
Elizabeth's shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.
"Now, how about we choose which styles of trousers and shirts you would like. Contrary to what I said before, I am up to date on the current Muggle styles also – my daughter loves their clothing, and I just happen to have some of her magg-i-zeens with me."
Wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, Elizabeth nodded, even though she only understood less than half of what the delightful woman said.
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OK, OK, I know the storyline didn't actually go anywhere, but many of these scenes have been boiling in the back of my head, causing me to laugh out loud at inappropriate moments, and I really wanted to share them with you. I had planed on writing more scenes into this chapter, but it got quite long with extra scenes that popped into my head at the last moment (e.g. Sirius sending letters to Harry to give to Elizabeth, and Remus Lupin's subsequent letter to Harry).
To those who are wondering… Yes, there will be an action/adventure plot eventually. I'm still in the "setting the scene" mode, which will eventually incorporate the Scoobies. I don't think the major action/adventure plot will actually begin until the end of Harry's 4th year, and the next several chapters will encompass mostly "meeting people", more "getting to know you"s, some "confrontations", and very few answers for poor Dumbledore.
I hope you liked it. :)
Some of you may think I'm portraying Snape "out of character" in this chapter, but I'd like to believe that his reactions these types of situations would be very similar to how I've written them. You have to remember that, while he interacts with the other professors (female ones included), he is a solitary person, and has been for a while – It's unlikely that he would feel anywhere near comfortable when dealing with female stuff (think Xander and "the tampon" in one of the BtVS episodes). Don't worry though, Snape will get back into his "snarky git" character soon enough…you can only embarrass someone so much, before they become blasé about it. And you know how Snape likes to be in control. :)
Some of what's up next: (and this may change) Elizabeth gets her new clothes, Snape finds out a little more about his mysterious flat mate, Elizabeth makes her first venture out of Snape's private quarters, I think she may also get her wand, and it may be possible that Draco Malfoy makes an appearance (if the chapter doesn't go on too long taking care of the other stuff an any extra scenes that may pop into my head).