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: I think I took so long updating the last chapter that I lost most of my reviewers. *pout* Hello? Are you still out there? Feed the author? I promise that I don't bite. :)
Thank you to those who did review…you don't know how wonderful your comments make me feel!! Keep them coming'!!
I've left the major Author's Notes for the end, just so you didn't have to wait for the story. Aren't I nice? :)
Enjoy!
A/N 2: Sorry, not an update. This reposting is just to fix a snafu caught by Frolicking_Nomad on its first posting. I finished up really late at night, and was thinking about the story's future segue into the OotP timeline, that I made the error of putting the Golden Trio in fifth year classes in this chapter. It's fixed now. Good catch Frolicking_Nomad!
Timing Is Everything, It's Not Always About Trust
The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust.
Henry L. Stimson (1867 - 1950)
'Like HELL he would let her drive him out of his own quarters!!'
Snape paced back and forth across the abandoned tower, having to shorten his stride in order to get a good stalk in the small room.
'Prancing around half-nude, talking about underthings! She's doing it on purpose, I know it!'
He paused in his step.
'OK, she didn't actual talk about underthings, it was that other infernal woman…but I know she had something to do with it!'
Resuming his pacing, he began muttering under his breath.
"Should I have a room made up here for you specially, Severus? You seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time in this tower." Dumbledore entered the small room, eyes twinkling.
Snape glared at him, then stomped over to one of the small windows, turning his back on the irritating man.
"Oh come now Severus, has it been that long, that you've forgotten how women enjoy making men uncomfortable?"
The dark-haired man gave a heavy sigh, his shoulders drooping, as he placed a hand on the window sill and looked out upon the grounds.
"It has, Albus. Near eighteen years I would think. I have forgotten how to deal with them."
The Headmaster made his way over to the window, and stood companionably next to the younger man.
"Then let me tell you a secret, Severus. A woman who is polite and correct in your presence, shows only that she thinks very little of you as an individual. Whereas, a woman who gently teases and tries to make you respond in some manner, shows that she holds you in warm regard." Dumbledore pat his arm in comfort. "Women, on the most part, are difficult creatures to understand, Severus. When relating to them, remember that they are full of emotions, and do what they can to invoke a response…especially in those who pride themselves in their control, such as yourself."
With one last pat on the younger man's arm, the Headmaster left him to his contemplation.
*******************************************
It was a quiet man that entered his quarters a couple hours later. Though Snape had spent much time in thought, he couldn't honestly say what he actually thought about. The Headmaster had unsettled him in implying that Elizabeth was showing that she "held him in warm regard" by teasing him.
Looking over at the fireplace, he saw that Elizabeth quietly sat upon her cushion, gazing into the fireplace with a content expression on her face.
Taking a quick glance at the clock on the mantle, Snape could see that it was well past the time that he normally started reading to her.
He hesitated a moment, but then made his way to his chair, face expressionless. Sitting, he picked up their book from the side table, and opened it to the marked page.
A small hand gently touched his knee, and he looked up to see Elizabeth looking at him with a sad smile.
She licked her lips, then slowly spoke, "Severus…I…sorry."
Snape's expression softened, and he softly said, "Apology accepted," then began reading.
******************************************************
It was with great relief that some of Elizabeth's new wardrobe arrived three days later, as the slipping knot was driving Snape insane.
On its arrival, Elizabeth swiftly disappeared into her bedchambers, clearly indicating that she too was tired of the same bulky outfit. The excited chattering, and oo-ing and aw-ing, of the house-elves suggested to Snape that the garments were far superior to the knotted mess of fabric Elizabeth had been wearing for the last three and a half weeks.
Snape's relief was short-lived, though, as a house-elf held aside the tapestry, letting Elizabeth exit her room. He almost swallowed his tongue.
She stood before him in an emerald-green gown, with an emperor waistline, no sleeves, and its bodice just low enough to show the swell of her breasts. It was plainly decorated with a silver trim, and draped to the floor, where soft matching slippers peeked out from beneath the hem. The properties of the Acromantula Silk gave the dress a slight silvery gleam.
She looked like Venus emerging from a sea of green.
Snape opened his mouth to say something, but only a squeak emerged. Flushing, he coughed, and tried again.
"Well…you must be pleased to have some clothes that actually fit."
Elizabeth arched her eyebrow as if to say 'And?'
"It's definitely…different from what you were wearing before." The dark-haired man shuffled, uncomfortable.
Elizabeth frowned, then pouted, giving him her patented 'puppy-dog' eyes.
Squirming more noticeably, Snape sighed, then said, "You look lovely, Elizabeth."
She beamed at him.
Snape scowled.
**************************************************
Elizabeth's progress was going well. Both her hearing and sense of smell were much closer to normal, though loud noises and pungent aromas still caused her a lot of discomfort – she was also eating more normal foods, though not as spiced as that eaten by the rest of the castle. The only things still troubling her was touch and sight.
Her eyesight was progressing a lot faster than before, with the help of a veil that Matilda sent along with the first delivery of dresses. Using the same concept as the transfigured blindfold, the light setting could be adjusted with a few taps of a wand, but would very slowly progress to a slightly brighter setting throughout the day, allowing for Elizabeth's eyes to gradually get used to the knew brightness. In addition, as only a fashion expert would think of doing, she only had to touch the veil to an article of clothing, and it would match the color. Elizabeth was ecstatic.
As for her sense of touch, she was able to handle a wide variety of textures with her hands, but pressure on other parts of her body was still giving her problems, as discovered when she accidentally bumped her arm against Snape's side table – it was, literally, a painful moment.
Her hands were the only part of her that managed to be more comfortable when dealing with her sense of touch, as holding and gripping items were an extensive part of her 'retraining.'
All in all, Elizabeth was doing well…and becoming bored.
*************************************************
"Potions."
Snape's head popped up, startled. Giving Elizabeth a confused look, he slowly said, "Yes…that's what I teach."
Elizabeth nodded her head, then lightly tapped her chest, saying, "I…potions."
"I don't understand, Elizabeth. You, potions, what?"
She cocked her head. "I…learn."
Snape looked surprised. "I supposed I could begin teaching you, but I don't think you'll get very far until you learn more words, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth shook her head, repeating, "I…learn."
Shrugging his shoulders helplessly, he could only ask, "How?"
"I…learn…read." She pointed to the wall behind where Snape was sitting at his desk, where a bookshelf stood, overflowing with a multitude of tomes. "I…learn…b-by…read…reading."
Snape look pleased. "Elizabeth, you just said a full sentence!"
She smiled shyly, again pointing at the bookshelf. "I…learn…by reading. Potions?... Ch-charms?...Trans…trans…" she broke of, sighing and giving him a small pout.
"Transfiguration." Snape provided, chuckling at her stumbling over the word.
Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him, causing Snape to smirk.
"Yes. I learn by…reading."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Elizabeth. You need a wand to do most of those."
She gave him an exasperated look
"Read…learn." Elizabeth punctuated her words by tapping her forehead, then waving her hand about, said, "Wand…do."
She cocked her head at him, willing him to understand as she tapped her chest, then her forehead, saying, "I learn."
Snape gave her a piercing look, cocking an eyebrow. He then turned back to his desk, picking up a fresh piece of parchment and his quill. Scribbling for a few moments, he then pulled out his wand, and called out Dobby's name.
The small elf appeared instantly, as if he had been waiting for this summons.
"Master Snape needs Dobby? Whats does Master Snape needs, sir?" He gave a small wave to Elizabeth, accompanied by a small grin, before snapping his attention back to the potions master.
"I need you to bring this note to Madam Pince in the library, then wait for her to collect the items I've listed here. Bring them back to my chambers once she gives them to you."
"Yes, sir? Dobby will go at once!" With that, the elf disappeared.
It took less than 10 minutes for the house-elf to reappear, carrying a stack of books that was almost as tall as he was. Carefully setting the stack next to the professor's desk, he stepped back.
"Is thats all Master Snape needs from Dobby, sir?"
"That will be all Dobby. You may go."
The elf disappeared again, but not before one last wave at Elizabeth, who smiled in return.
Snape levitated the stack of books over to where Elizabeth sat on her cushion. Kneeling down, he sorted through the books, separating them into three stacks.
Pointing to each, he said, "These are for Charms, those for Potions, and this one for Transfiguration."
Giving him a smile, she repeated the gestures, saying, "Charms, Potions……..stuff."
Snape snorted, lips twitching in a smile.
"Div…in…a…tion?"
He gave her an appalled look.
"I am not teaching you that drivel. If you want to lear…" Snape broke off, catching sight of her mischievous smile.
"Minx."
Elizabeth laughed softly, then picked up one of the potions books.
Snape stood up, and walked back to his desk.
Looking one more time at the young woman, who had place the book in her lap and was peering intently at the first page, a small smile on her face, he shook his head in amused exasperation.
Sitting, he picked up a quill, and returned to his work.
*******************************************
*FLASH*
"Does it ever get easy?"
"You mean life?"
"Yeah. Does it get easy?"
"What do you want me to say?"
(She looks up at him) "Lie to me."
*FLASH*
"Oh, why can't you people just leave me alone?"
"Because you are the Slayer."
*FLASH*
"You can't do it. You can't kill me."
She turns her back on him and walks away.
"Give me time."
*FLASH*
"Why did you come here?! This wasn't your fight!"
She punches him in the jaw, and he spins and falls to the pavement.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
She begins to cry and crouches down to hug him. He cries and hugs her back.
"You can't leave me. I can't do this alone."
*FLASH*
"What is Hell but the total absence of hope? The substance, the tactile proof of despair."
*FLASH*
"Who are you? How could you do this to me?"
"I am deeply sorry, (reaches out to her) and you have to understand..."
She backs away and warns him off with her hand.
"If you touch me, I'll kill you."
*FLASH*
She breaks the dark-haired girl's grip and plunges the knife into her abdomen. Both of them looked stunned for a moment.
The dark-haired girl spoke weakly, but was smiling. "You did it."
The dark-haired girl tosses the blond-haired girl away from her.
"You killed me."
*FLASH*
"You are the Chosen One."
*FLASH*
"You are the Slayer."
*FLASH*
"Death is your gift."
.
.
.
.
Elizabeth screamed.
*********************************************************************
Snape jumped up from his chair, running towards the tapestry that covered Elizabeth's bedchamber. Roughly pushing it aside, he rushed in, wand raised.
Elizabeth was sitting up, her bedcovers pooled in her lap, eyes wide, staring at nothing. Tears streaked down her face.
"What is it Elizabeth? What's wrong?" Snape asked, rushing over to her bed, then sitting on it's edge.
"D-death...kill…lie to me…don't leave me… d-death…death…don't leave me…" the young woman stuttered, shaking.
"Wha…?"
Elizabeth turned her unseeing gaze towards the dark-haired man.
"D-death is…is my gift."
After saying that, the young woman's eyes fluttered, and she passed out, falling back upon her pillows.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth?"
Snape reached out, gently picking up her hand. Checking for a pulse, he noted that it was beating rapidly, but was showing signs of slowing to normal.
As he stretched a hand out to gently stroke her hair, he noticed that several house-elves had, once again, appeared in Elizabeth's bedchambers.
"Is she remembering again? Does she remember nothing of her life before?" Snape asked the small creatures.
It was Dobby who answered.
"She 'members nothing. She is 'membering now. Soon she will 'members all."
"Did she have no happiness in her life before, Dobby? Her memories seem to bring nothing but pain and sadness…it makes me think that she would be better off not remembering." Snape stroked her hair again.
"She must 'members all, or she will nots be able to helps save us."
Snape looked at the small house-elf sharply, but didn't ask any more questions.
******************************************************
"Oh, crikey. She's color-coding again, Harry. Should we make a run for it?"
Ron had turned his attention away from his chess match with Harry, only to notice the parchment with brightly colored dots that Hermione was working diligently on.
Harry's head popped up from where he was concentrating on his next move. Looking over at the paperwork spread out in front of his female friend, his eyes widened at the sheer number of dots covering the grids drawn on each of them.
"Whoa, Hermione, I hope that's not a study schedule for us, or we won't be getting any sleep for the next five months!"
Hermione's head lifted up from her work. She gazed at him blankly for a moment, before his words caught up with her.
"What? Oh…no…this isn't for us."
"Whew…for a moment, I thought I was going to have to hex you for even thinking that we would study that much." Ron gave her a cheeky grin.
She frowned at him, before tartly saying, "It would do you some good if you studied even a fraction of the time listed here. O.W.L.s are only a year away you know."
Harry rolled his eyes, sighing heavily at what he knew was the start of another "studying vs. having fun" argument. Not wanting to hear it again, he interrupted before it even started to get out of hand.
"OK you two, before I have to start taking bets for round seven thousand four hundred and three, why don't you tell us what the study grid is for, Hermione."
Hermione and Ron broke off their glaring match. The young woman looked around nervously, but before she began her response, Harry held up his hand.
"Just by your look, I think I can guess who it's for, Hermione, so just tell us what it's for."
Giving a small glare at Ron, she nodded at Harry. She pulled out her wand, and put a silencing spell around the trio, just in case Ron accidentally shot off at the mouth, like he often did.
"Sorry, I thought I should do that in case one of us slips. I know we're not supposed to speak of this outside the Headmaster's office, but explaining what I'm doing can be done without mentioning certain things."
Harry nodded his head in understanding.
"I was just told that someone began to speak recently, and is making leaps and bounds with both speech and other aspects. I thought I should start putting together a list of things to teach, taking into account limited speech, simpler understanding, and limitations of other senses."
While Hermione was talking, Ron had picked up one of her parchments, and was scanning its contents.
"Blimey, Hermione, isn't this a bit much, especially as she's a beginner too?!" Ron waved a hand at the brightly spotted scroll. "I mean, you've got her learning everything we learned in first year in the first two weeks!"
Hermione snatched the parchment from his hand, giving him an exasperated look.
"I do not! For your information, this grid is not a calendar. The boxes are just to put similar spells, charms, and other things into the same learning period. It wouldn't be prudent to have her learn things that have different theoretical backgrounds, or it will confuse her mindset when performing the spells. One of these boxes will span two to three weeks, not one day! The color codes are for what types of spells, such as charms or transfiguration."
"I think it's a great idea Hermione." Harry placed a hand on her shoulder, slightly squeezing it to show his support of her efforts.
She beamed at him. Ron scowled.
"Could I give you a couple of suggestions though?" Harry hesitated to ask, but figured Hermione would appreciate his criticism if it was constructive.
"Of course, Harry."
"Well…First, I think Professor Snape will probably take care of teaching her potions, so you could probably leave that out of your lesson plan. Second, I think you should limit the subjects to just the practical ones, like Charms, Transfigurations, and DADA – I don't think she'll be ready for Astronomy or Arithmancy, if she is still relearning how to speak," Harry said kindly. "You also might want to include learning about Magical Creatures, but leave out the actual 'Care of'…I don't think she's ready to meet a blast-ended skrewt."
Harry's eyes were twinkling in humor as he gave his friend a quirky grin. Hermione giggled and nodded her head, before scribbling his suggestions on another parchment, so she could make changes later.
"I have a suggestion too, Hermione," Ron said, an uncharacteristically serious look on his face.
Hermione gave him a dubious look, but gestured for him to continue.
"Well, you need to remember that her eyesight is really sensitive. You might want to tone down the colors, or you'll blind her with this many dots," Ron said, his lips twitching.
"Ron!"
Harry burst into laughter as the usually calm and collected Hermione grabbed a cushion and began to beat a laughing Ron over his head.
******************************************************
"She dreams of death, Albus."
The Headmaster watched as his potions master paced in front of his desk, a cup of tea lay forgotten before him.
"The house-elves told you she remembers nothing of her past?" Dumbledore inquired softly. "Could this be why Dobby wouldn't reveal anything about her?"
"I don't believe so, Albus. I get the impression that her identity must remain hidden until she is fully recovered. Even should Elizabeth remember everything now, I don't believe we will be told until she is able to protect herself. Protect herself how, or from what, I couldn't even begin to guess."
Snape collapsed in one of the chairs in front of the Headmaster's desk, leaning his head tiredly against the back. Dumbledore waited patiently for him to continue.
"Her memory is coming back to her in dreams, and she dreams of death, Albus!" The dark-haired man closed his eyes, clutching the arms of the chair. "She repeated the word death at least three times, said kill at least once, also something about lying to her, and to not leave her."
Dumbledore stroked his beard while he contemplated the words Snape spoke. Looking at the tired man sitting before him, he could see there was something else that bothered the younger man.
"What else, Severus. I can see something is worrying you."
Snape opened his eyes and sat up straighter. Leaning forward, he dropped his elbows onto his knees, hands hanging with his fingers entwined with each other. He bowed his head for a moment, then looked at the Headmaster before speaking.
"Her eyes, Albus. Her eyes looked so old…older than even yours. She is barely older than a child, yet has seen much more than you or I ever have."
Looking away from the knowing blue eyes, Snape took a moment to breath deeply.
"She said 'death is her gift', Albus."
The two men sat in silent contemplation, their thoughts dark.
************************************************************
She was restless. Her mind was tired, but her body was urging her to do something…anything…to just move.
It was the middle of the night, when all good children and adults should be sleeping peacefully in their beds, but her body wouldn't let her.
Elizabeth slid out of bed, her nightgown swirling around her legs, bare feet standing firmly on the cool floor. Looking around her room, her eyes lit upon the wardrobe that contained her new clothing, the last of which had arrived earlier that day.
Moving to it, she opened it, and gazed upon its contents. Her eyes settled upon the loose trousers and snug shirts that lay folded on the bottom of the cupboard. Grabbing one of each, she swiftly changed, laying her nightgown upon the end of the bed.
Moments later, the house-elf Dobby popped into her room. The small creature smiled at her, and turned to a new door on the other side of her bed. Shuffling over to it, he reached up to the handle, and turned the knob. Pushing the door open, Dobby looked back at Elizabeth and waved his hand, gesturing her to follow.
Elizabeth's bare feet made no sound as she gracefully walked to the opened door. Quietly entering, she noticed the dimly lit candles, whose muted brightness did not bother her unveiled eyes.
The room was bare of contents and had very little ornamentation. Elizabeth made her way to the center. Once she reached the heart of the room, she slowly turned back to face the door.
'You are the Chosen One.'
The room filled with many house-elves, quietly settling against the walls or on the few window sills. They quietly began to hum a soft ethereal tune.
'You fight the darkness.'
Elizabeth closed her eyes…
'You are the Slayer.'
…and began to move.
**************************************************
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Ahh!!"
THUNK!
Elizabeth stared wide-eyed at the dark-haired potions master, clutching a vial to her chest, in order not to drop it in her surprise, as she had done with her book.
Snape stalked over to where the young woman sat in front of an open cabinet.
Kneeling down beside her, he growled, "These are my private potions ingredients, and they are very, very dangerous! What are you doing in there?!"
Smoothing back a strand of hair behind her ear, she glared at him. "I am…looking."
"Looking for what? Your death?!" Snape glared back. "Not all of these ingredients are safe to handle!"
"I know! I only…touch…safe ones. I only…touch…one at a…time." Elizabeth stuttered out exasperatedly, showing him the vial of beetle legs she is holding. "I am not…stupid!"
Her answer startled the potions master, and he looked at her curiously. "How do you know they're safe?"
Elizabeth gently placed the vial back from where she got it, then picked up the book she had dropped. Opening it up, she flipped to the page marked "beetle legs", and found the entry for the type of beetle legs the vial held. Pointing her finger at the paragraph, she indicated the section marked "volatility", under which it read "stable."
Flipping the pages back to the prefaces, she showed Snape the section which gave a description for each volatility level from "inert" to "highly explosive."
Handing him the book, she stood up in front of the tall cabinet. Pointing her finger at each shelf, she identified each of them based on their volatility level, the inert ones being on the bottom three shelves, all the way to the high upper shelves which carried the more explosive ingredients. Her speech had improved greatly since she had begun reading on her own, in addition to the nightly sessions of being read to by the potions master.
Once again pointing to the lower shelves, Elizabeth said, "OK to look and…touch."
Pointing to the middle shelves, she said, "Be very, very…careful."
When she indicated the upper shelves, she shook her head and said, "Do not touch…unless Severus is…here, and says OK."
Elizabeth knelt back down beside Snape who was looking at her in astonishment.
Gently taking the book back from him, she tapped it and said, "Very…good book. Help to un-under…stand other…potions books."
Snape gave her a small smile, and said, "I know it's a very good book…my great-great grandfather wrote it."
She gave him a questioning look. "Use in class?"
"No, I don't use it in class…it's not even published. My great-great grandfather wrote it for his son, just before he entered Hogwarts, to help him succeed in potions class."
Tapping the book, Elizabeth responded, "Publish. Use in class." Cocking her head, she gave Snape a mischievous grin. "Maybe less orange…goo."
She laughed at his affronted look, which eventually made him chuckle also. It's no surprise that Elizabeth had seen the messy results of several Longbottom fiascos, since they happen so often. The funny thing is, all of Longbottom's explosions resulted in an orange colored goo…not blue, not yellow…orange. And to this day, Snape could not figure out why it was always orange.
Still chuckling, Snape said, "It would take a lot of updating, but maybe you're right. There are several other walking disasters in my classes that could use this kind of help."
Elizabeth grinned and handed him the book back, saying, "Do it…for your…safety."
Snape laughed out loud at that.
Startled at the transformation that laughter made to Snape's face, Elizabeth smiled at him. Reaching out a hand, she gently touched his cheek.
"You should…laugh more. It looks…nice."
Stunned by her soft touch, Snape stopped laughing and dropped his gaze. After a moment, he looked back at Elizabeth with a pained gaze.
"There's not much in my life to laugh about," he said hoarsely.
Giving him a gentle smile, she softly stroked his cheek with her thumb. "There are many…things to laugh…about. You just have to…find them."
His eyes softened as he held her gaze. Giving her a small smile, he took her hand from his cheek and held it in his own. Lifting it up, he brushed his lips softly across her fingertips.
"You have helped me to find one, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth blushed prettily. Gently extricating her hand, she turned and closed the cabinet doors. Gathering her dress in her left hand, she made to stand.
Although he was somewhat embarrassed by his show of gentleness, Snape quickly stood and, holding the book in one hand, he held out the other to Elizabeth to use for leverage.
Placing her free hand into his, Elizabeth rose from the floor.
"And Elizabeth…I don't think you're stupid," Snape said as turned towards his chair and made to release her hand, but Elizabeth hung on, turning him back with a gentle tug.
"Teach me," she said softly.
"What?"
"Teach me…potions, Severus."
"But you don't have a wand yet, Elizabeth."
"Take me to get a…wand. Then…teach me." Elizabeth quietly implored.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Snape reluctantly asked, knowing that their quiet time would end at the onset of Elizabeth's lessons.
"Yes, it is time." Elizabeth gently squeezed his hand.
Snape sighed. "I will contact the Headmaster then. We will need to make arrangements in order to make sure no one connects your presence here with the incident in the Great Hall."
Releasing her hand, he made his way to the fireplace. Picking up a tin of powder, he grabbed a small handful, giving Elizabeth one last look before tossing it into the fire and calling the Headmaster's name.
It only took a moment for the Headmaster to appear.
"Yes, Severus? What may I do for you?" Dumbledore smilingly asked.
"It's time, Albus. Elizabeth has asked to begin her lessons, and she will need a wand first, in addition to school materials of her own." Snape said neutrally. "Is there a way to make arrangements for a private appointment with Ollivander and Flourish and Blotts? We will also need to figure out an excuse for Elizabeth to be here, while not having it known how she actually did arrive."
"That is good news, my dear boy. I will make the appointments as soon as possible. And I have already been giving Elizabeth's predicament some thought, Severus, and believe that we can have her here under the pretext of needing a place to recover from her ailments. It is as close to the truth as possible, and will therefore be less likely for someone to inadvertently make an erroneous comment, myself included. Oh this is good news!" Dumbledore clapped his hands in excitement. "Will she also be ready for Ms. Granger to begin her tuition?"
"I believe we should start out with having Elizabeth attend a few of my potions classes first, and see how much it tires her. We can take it from there on her other lessons." Snape responded. "Are you sure it is…prudent for Ms. Granger to help, Albus? She tends to be too inquisitive for her own good, which will not bode well for Elizabeth's current reluctance in revealing her identity."
"I will speak with Ms. Granger and the others, Severus. Do not worry yourself." Dumbledore replied in a serious tone. "Now, I will make an announcement at the mid-day meal tomorrow regarding our guest's 'arrival', and her 'condition', which will hopefully keep the children's and staff's questions to a minimum. Will you be having Elizabeth attend your first-year classes?"
Snape looked thoughtful for a moment, before answering. "No, I believe I will have her attend the higher level classes, the morning ones, preferably. That way I will be able to provide better instruction for her, as those classes require less intense monitoring… usually." He smirked. "It will also allow Elizabeth to rest for the remainder of the day, should she become tired."
The Headmaster chuckled. "Very well, Severus. I will also try to ensure that those students in your morning classes avoid any…mischief while Elizabeth is in attendance."
"Thank you, Albus." Snape replied, then muttered, "Though I don't believe it will do any good."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
*************************************************************
*Tink* *Tink* *Tink*
"May I have your attention please. The Headmaster has an announcement to make." Tapping her goblet, the Deputy Headmistress' voice rang out into the Great Hall.
As the murmuring voices of the children died down, the Headmaster rose from his chair.
"Thank you. Later this evening, Professor Snape will be bringing a guest by the name of Elizabeth here to Hogwarts. Miss Elizabeth is recovering from some unfortunate physical ailments, and will be under the care of Professor Snape and Madame Pomfrey. During her stay, Miss Elizabeth will also be attending some of the morning potions classes. I would ask those students to try and avoid any mishaps, purposeful or otherwise, as you may inadvertently cause her further injury." Dumbledore paused to look sternly at the Weasley twins, who nodded their understanding (the Headmaster had never asked them to avoid their pranking, so they took his request seriously). "While I am not asking that you specifically avoid Miss Elizabeth, I would ask that you all be considerate and respectful should you happen to be in her presence. While Miss Elizabeth is recovering quite nicely, her injuries are still in a delicate stage. That is all for now. Please enjoy your meals. Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang."
Harry and Hermione giggled.
"I think Dumbledore has been watching too many Disney programs lately." Harry said laughingly.
"Quite so." Hermione responded with a laugh. "Oh, this is exciting, Harry, Ron! You know what this means, don't you?"
The three friends grinned at each other, happy to know they were going to be a part of helping someone. Usually they found things out by accident, and stumbled their way through it, sometimes getting injured in the process. This time they were actually invited to help.
As they began to dig in to their meal, one of the school owls flew over Hermione's plate, dropping off a rolled parchment. Hermione quickly unrolled it and scanned its contents.
Ms. Granger,
Would you, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley please come to my office after your meal to discuss your schedules.
I will inform Professor McGonagall that you will be late for her class.
The password is Bit O'Honey.
Headmaster Dumbledore
Hermione looked up at the main table. Seeing the Headmaster looking in their direction, she smiled and nodded her head in answer to his request before returning to her meal, passing the message on to her two friends.
***************************************************************
His living quarters felt empty.
It had only been a few hours since she left, but her absence was already felt.
To keep up the appearance that Elizabeth would just now be arriving to Hogwarts, Professor Snape had apparated Elizabeth to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron in the early hours of morning. Giving her instructions to ask for the room being held for her under the Headmaster's name, and to charge her meals to the room, he left her with a small encouraging smile.
And now his living quarters felt empty.
The dark-haired potions master sighed. There were still several hours left before he would go to pick up their "guest", and he didn't feel like going to the mid-day meal. Grabbing one of his potions journals, he sat in his favorite chair.
Less than 30 minutes later, someone knocked on his portrait. Knowing it wouldn't be the Headmaster, as he tended to just rap his knuckles on the portrait frame as he walked in, Snape snarled out, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Professor." A young imperious voice responded.
With a muttered "dammit", the potions master quickly stood and viewed his living quarters. Swiftly transforming Elizabeth's cushion to a small settee, Snape then flicked his wand to hide the muggle novels and other books high up on his bookshelves. Taking one last look around, he didn't see any other incriminating evidence of another occupant, other than the hanging tapestry to Elizabeth's sleeping quarters, which could be easily explained away.
Making his way toward the portrait entrance, he flung it opened and glared at the student outside.
"What do you want, Mr. Malfoy?" the dark-haired man snapped.
"Aren't you going to invite me in…sir?" the blond-haired Slytherin responded, raising his eyebrows at his professor's rudeness.
Wordlessly, Snape held open the door, a look of irritation on his face. Closing the door after the young boy entered, Snape turned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I ask again, Mr. Malfoy, what do you want?"
After having given the room a quick glance, Malfoy looked over his shoulder and said, "Your room's bigger, and you have new furniture."
The young man moved forward to sit on the new settee, crossing one leg over the other, and attempted to look authoritative, which is hard to do if your feet don't reach the floor.
"I presume you didn't come here to comment on my accommodations, Mr. Malfoy." Snape sneered. Unfolding his arms, he walked to his chair and sat.
Crossing his legs, and placing his arms on the armrests, Snape succeeded in looking authoritative, unlike the young boy sitting across from him. "I will ask you one last time…what…do…you…want."
"It's rare that the muggle-loving fool invites someone to stay here, if they're not attending the school, or are part of its teaching staff. Who is the woman that is coming here?" the boy asked demandingly.
"That is none of your concern, Mr. Malfoy."
"My father would be interested in knowing…sir," Malfoy responded sneeringly. "If the woman was just a recovering patient, she would stay at St. Mungos. And there was no explanation for her attendance to your potions classes. This tells me that there is something more to her coming here. Is she someone powerful?"
Snape gave him a piercing look. Though it was none of the boy's business, he knew if he didn't answer it would only prompt an unwelcome visit from Malfoy Sr., and they really didn't need that right now.
"Not that it is any of your business, Mr. Malfoy, I have no idea if she is powerful, and I have no idea who she is. I only know of her medical condition, and that her name is Elizabeth. The reason she is not at St. Mungos is due to the lack of sufficient facilities necessary to her recovery, that is, a dark dungeon in which she could find solitude when needed, while still having access to a certified medi-witch or -wizard. If you wish to know more, you are welcome to ask the Headmaster," he snapped. "As for her presence in my classroom, her school did not have a proficient potions professor, and she expressed a wish to learn under my tutelage during her stay…that is all."
"What's wrong with her?" Malfoy leaned forward eagerly with a gleam in his eye, as if he was a vulture circling its victim for the kill.
"Even you should know that someone's medical records are private, Mr. Malfoy. And regardless of how important you think you or your father are, that type of information cannot be disclosed to anyone but the attending medical staff or the patient themselves." Snape gave him a serious look, warning him not to press the issue further. "Now, if that is all Mr. Malfoy?"
Malfoy nodded his head sharply as he stood. Making his way towards the portrait door, he paused as the dark-haired potions master called out to him.
"And Mr. Malfoy, twenty points from Slytherin."
The blonde-haired youth turned back towards his professor, a look of shock on his face.
"But…"
"You may be my favorite student Draco, but I will not have you questioning my authority, nor will I have you making threats to me while you are under my tutelage. Is that understood, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, sir," Malfoy said grudgingly.
*******************************************************
"I can't believe the Headmaster asked me not to research something! He basically told me to leave Elizabeth alone!"
Hermione was almost in tears, as if someone had stolen her favorite book.
"I'm sure he has his reasons, 'Mione." Harry put a comforting arm around his friend's shoulder.
"But this is the second time that he's refused to let me research a subject!" she wailed, looking up at him, teary-eyed. "Doesn't he trust me anymore?"
Harry looked surprised for a moment, before a look of realization crossed his face as he remembered what the other subject probably was.
"You know something! You know why the Headmaster won't let me look at, let alone check out, those books, don't you, Harry?!" Hermione pushed his arm off her shoulders, and turned towards him, hands on her hips, as she demanded, "Tell me!"
"I-I…can't, Hermione. I'm sorry." Harry looked down, shuffling his feet.
Wide-eyed, Ron kept silent, not wanting to get in the line of fire.
"You can't?! You can't?! Don't you mean you won't?!" Hermione yelled, then in a pained whisper, "I thought you were my friend, Harry. I can't believe you don't trust me either."
Hermione brushed past him, wiping the tears from her eyes.
For a moment, Harry looked hurt. Then, his face tightening with anger, he stalked after his friend, Ron trotting silently behind him.
Grabbing the young woman's elbow in a firm hold, he pulled her into the nearest empty room, which happened to be an old storage area, then released her arm. After Ron entered behind them he closed the door, then put up the strongest locking and silencing charms he knew.
Harry turned angrily towards the young woman who had crossed her arms and averted her face from him to show her pique.
"You are my best friend, Hermione, and this isn't about trust! Have you ever thought of the danger you could put both myself and Elizabeth in, if you continued your research?!" Harry hissed.
Hermione dropped her arms, looking at him in shock…Harry had never turned his anger on her.
"In the first place, if even you don't know a smidgen about my little display in the restricted section, don't you think that no one else does either?! Voldemort may not physically be around, but he is around, and so are his very high-placed and extremely powerful supporters! If word got out about my oh-so-wonderful new talent, don't you think those supporters would step up their efforts in killing me before I became a further threat?! Second," Harry continued his tirade, "what if you did find out who or what Elizabeth is? If word got out about her identity, don't you think those same supporters, or even the Ministry, would become too interested in her?! And you know she's too vulnerable to protect herself right now!"
"You know I wouldn't say anything to anyone, Harry!" Hermione responded angrily, her fists tightly clenched at her sides.
"You wouldn't have to…because the school library isn't…exactly…private!!" Harry yelled.
Looking as if someone had slapped her, Hermione sat down abruptly on an empty crate.
"Harry," Ron placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, trying to calm him.
Harry's shoulders dropped from its angry stiffness, and he looked over his shoulder and nodded his head in thanks to his red-headed friend.
Moving to kneel in front of his bushy-haired friend, he took her hands in his as he said softly, "All it takes is one person, 'Mione, one Slytherin to notice you checking out every single book on one unusual subject, and it wouldn't take a lot of brainpower to make a connection."
"Oh…Oh God." Hermione whispered. "I-I didn't think about that."
Rising from his kneeling position, Harry sat down on the crate next to her. Gathering her in his arms, he softly said, "I know, Herms…but I'm sure Dumbledore did, and that's probably why he's doing this."
Harry gave her a gentle squeeze, then helped her to stand. "If it's any consolation, I know very little more than you do about my new 'talent', and nothing more about Elizabeth. So you don't have to worry about me beating you on any tests."
Hermione giggled and swatted his arm. Harry grinned.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean…" Hermione looked contrite.
"It's all right, Herms. I'm sorry too." Harry said.
The two smiled and gave each other a quick hug.
Ron, who had been silent until then, cleared his throat and said, "Well, not to break up this touching moment, but we've already missed half of Transfigurations. If we want to learn anything today, we better get going."
Harry and Hermione stared owlishly at him.
"OK, OK…I know that I never look forward to classes. But, I don't want to fail…McGonagall might transfigure me into something really nasty, if I do."
The three of them laughed, and all was right once again with the trio.
************************************************************************
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
"Elizabeth? It's me, Severus."
He heard a small shuffling noise, then the door creaked open. When it was wide enough, he stepped through, and turned to see Elizabeth carefully close it without being seen by anyone traversing the hallway.
"Hello, Severus." The young woman gave him a nervous smile as she smoothed down the folds of her gown.
"Are you ready to go?" Snape asked softly, taking in the tense set of her shoulders.
For a moment she hesitated before giving the dark-haired man a terse nod.
Snape walked over and picked up Elizabeth's cloak and veil. Handing the young woman the later, he waited for her to adjust it before helping her don the hooded cape, and ensuring that both her features and hair were hidden.
Grabbing the books the young woman had brought to pass the time, he shrunk them and placed them in one of his pockets. Holding open the door, he gestured her through before exiting himself.
The two descended to the main room of the Leaky Cauldron, where Snape settled the bill, then led Elizabeth to the back of the pub.
Tapping the correct sequence of bricks, he said, "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth watched in awe as the bricks quivered then rolled back to form an archway through which she could see a cobbled street twisting and turning out of sight. As she tentatively stepped through, her view widened to take in the small, compact shops – whose wares almost spilled out into the stone pathway.
While it wasn't crowded, there were still a fair amount of witches and wizards bustling around, and a few shopkeepers called out to them, extolling the quality of their merchandise. Almost overwhelmed by the sights and sounds, Elizabeth stepped closer to the potions master and threaded her arm with his.
Taking care to avoid Elizabeth bumping into anyone, or vice versa, Snape steered them to their first stop, Ollivander's. A small bell tinkled as they entered the shabby narrow shop.
The dingy shop, multiple shelves piled high with small boxes, appeared to be unattended. The two stopped in the middle of the bare waiting area, and Snape's eyes roamed around, searching every shadow for the storekeeper. It irritated the potions master that Ollivander was one of the very few people who could sneak up on the highly skilled spy, paranoia notwithstanding.
Elizabeth took a step forward to peer around the dark-haired man, and stared at a dark area between two shelves. Not ten seconds later, an old man stepped from the shadows.
"My, my…it is very rare that someone can tell where I am coming from. Very rare. I do so pride myself in being able to observe a client before making my presence known. It does help with the choosing." Eyes gleaming with delight, the old man stepped closer. "And just who might you be, my dear perceptive girl?"
Elizabeth looked up at Snape with an expression of uncertainty.
"This is Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Ollivander. I believe the Headmaster set up an appointment for us?" Snape said with a hit of warning in his voice.
"Oh, yes…yes, he did. Where are my manners?" Ollivander chided himself. "I am Mr. Ollivander, Miss Elizabeth. It is a pleasure to meet someone with such keen senses. Please, come this way."
Waving the young woman to the counter, Ollivander pulled a long tape measure from his pocket. "Please hold out your wand arm, my dear, so I can measure it."
With another nervous glance at the potions master, Elizabeth held out her left arm. The tape measure zipped around it, taking various measurements before it abruptly stopped in mid-air.
"Hmmm…are you sure that is your wand arm? The tape measure seems to be uncertain about the measurements. Could you please hold out your other arm?" The old man looked thoughtful.
After dropping her left arm, Elizabeth extended out her right, and the tape measure began to zip around once more. But, just as it had done with her left arm, the tape measure abruptly stopped once more, hovering in place.
"Oh dear, that is odd. Now what could have…" Ollivander scratched his head as he stared at the tape measure in puzzlement. As if remembering something, the old man snapped his fingers, saying, "Ah, yes. Now I remember. Do you happen to be ambidextrous, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"Would you be so kind as to hold out both arms, my dear?"
Following his instructions, Elizabeth held out both arms, and this time the tape measure merrily zipped around both without pausing in its measurements. While this was happening, Ollivander cheerfully gave his well-known recitation of the properties of wands and their cores, as he began rummaging through the boxes.
With a final 'snap', the tape measure crumpled and fell onto the counter, draping itself over the edge in a mockery of exhaustion.
"Oh, are you done already?" Ollivander looked at the tape measure questioningly.
The tape measure quivered in response.
"Hmmm…"
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Ollivander?" Snape inquired, eyebrow raised.
"No, no. It just looks as if this may be more difficult that I originally thought, my dear boy." Ollivander responded distractedly.
"How so?"
"Well, as you know, the wand picks the wizard…" the old man trailed of absently.
"And?" Snape asked, irritated with the old man's vague manner.
"I find myself at a loss as to what to do when every wand wants to choose her."
Snape was dumfounded.
Elizabeth laughed.
Ollivander's head shot up at the sound of the young woman's amusement, and he stared at her, eyes piercing, as if willing the veil to disappear.
"May I look upon you, my dear?" the old man whispered.
"Mr. Ollivander!" Snape spoke sharply, but broke off as Elizabeth placed a hand on his arm. Turning to look at the young woman, he saw that she gave a small nod of approval. "Are you sure?"
Elizabeth gave him a small smile, and nodded again.
"Very well. Would you dim the candles, Mr. Ollivander? Elizabeth's eyesight cannot handle bright lights."
After Ollivander adjusted the levels of illumination, Snape helped Elizabeth to remove her hood and veil. The young woman turned her gaze on the old man, whose eyes widened.
"Oh…Oh my!" the old man whispered excitedly. "Wait here…I know…I know now…"
Ollivander quickly disappeared into the back of the shop, where they heard several drawers being opened and closed, and a muttered 'I know it's here somewhere.'
A crowing 'Ah-ha!' was heard just before the old man reappeared carrying a slim wooden box. He reverently placed the item onto the counter, and gave them both a look of delight.
"Oh this is wonderful! Do you know what I have here, my dear children?" At their confused looks, Ollivander continued excitedly, "This is the oldest wand currently in our care…one that has been waiting over 2,000 years to choose its owner, though I believe it to be much older."
Elizabeth and Snape exchanged surprised looks before returning their attention to the shopkeeper. The dark-haired potions master was amused at seeing the old man so animated, as that particular level of excitement was usually reserved for small children who were in the presence of candy.
"As you know, Ollivander's has existed since 382 B.C., though my ancestors were making wands for far longer than that. Regardless, it was the third caretaker of Ollivander's, Moncreiffe Ollivander, who came across this wand. Or should I say, it came across him," the old man whispered mysteriously. "On one of his trips to find new wood, Moncreiffe happened upon a man on the road…a humbly-dressed man with 12 men who followed him on his journey…and for a short while he traveled with this group on their way to Bethany. Careful of what he said, though still friendly, Moncreiffe told the man of what he sought, but it wasn't until they reached a fork in the road that the man responded…"
.
.
.
"I know of where you come from, my child, and why it is that you seek what you do. Your path does not lie with mine, and this is where we must part. Your journey lies along the other path, though it will be many days before you find what you are looking for." The soft-spoken man said.
"I would travel with you for a while, if you would allow it," Moncreiffe replied.
"You must not, or your journey will come to its end. Seek the other path, my friend."
"As you wish, my friend. Good journey, and may we meet again."
Moncreiffe turned to go, but was halted by the man before he could take a step.
"I have a parting gift for you, my child, if you would take it."
The man pulled out a long piece of wood from his sleeve. Dark and straight as an arrow, its polished length gleamed lightly in the waning sun.
"It will not be claimed in your lifetime, nor in your children's. A long time will pass before one comes for it…one who will bring the only core it will accept. Will you and your children care for it? And your children's children, and on down your line until they come?"
"We will, my friend." Moncreiffe reverently took the piece of wood from the man. Startled at its weight, he looked at it closely before turning a confused face towards the man. "This is not wood."
"It is wood, my friend. It is a wood so old it has become stone."
"Is it important?"
"It is. Though, only the one who comes for it will know why, but not until they remember. Farewell, my friend."
.
.
.
"And from there, Moncreiffe traveled down the other path, eventually making his way to Tibet…a very peaceful place, or so his journals say." Ollivander seemed to lose himself in his memories until Snape cleared his throat. "Oh, yes. Now where were we? Ah, yes, the wand."
The old man stroked the wooden case reverently before lifting the lid, exposing his prize. The dim candlelight glinted on the surface of the hardened wood.
"There is only one question I ask you," Ollivander said as he gently picked up the heavy wand and held it out to Elizabeth, "do you have the core this wand will accept?"
Elizabeth reached out a hand to stroke the smooth surface, giving him a small smile and nodding her head.
Snape gave her a look of confusion when she moved her hand from the wand and placed it over his heart.
"It is here."
"Wha…?"
The young woman tapped the area where her hand had been, causing something to thump against his chest.
Reaching in, he pulled out a slim box, and looked at in puzzlement. When he opened it and saw the contents, a memory flashed through his mind…
.
.
.
Slowly, the newly restored woman painfully struggled to her hands and knees, her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders. Looking up at the orb still hovering over her, the young woman stretched out her hand to the soft light. The glowing orb hovered just out of reach, bobbing gently.
Crying tearfully, the young woman whispered in a scratchy voice, "M-Mom?"
For a brief moment, the orb shone brighter. Fading back to its normal soft glow, the orb began to rise higher and drift toward a broken window. A soft glow pulsed from the direction of the orb, which then disappeared through the opening and immediately ascended into the clearing sky.
The others returned their attention to the young woman, but Snape stared at the window through which the orb disappeared, which is why he was the only one who noticed the white object slowly floating back into the room. It drifted on a slight breeze, eventually falling to the floor at Snape's feet.
Kneeling down, the dark-haired man began to reach out for it, only to pull his hand back quickly. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a handkerchief, and used it to pick up the small object.
Bringing the contents in his hands closer to his face, he was surprised to see a small white feather, approximately three inches long, which gave off a slight glow.
As the young woman's cries of despair echoed in his ears, the dark-haired man folded the square fabric around his prize, hiding it from sight, then placed it in a secure pocket over his heart.
Later that night, he placed it into a small box, and put it into his breast pocket. From that time forward he carried it wherever he went.
.
.
.
"I'd forgotten I had this," Snape softly said, as he peered at the small feather, then held out the open box towards the old man.
"The feather of an angel…freely given," Ollivander whispered in awe. "Oh…it is not for ones such as you and I to touch, my dear boy, for we are simple mortals."
Confused, the dark-haired man began to pull his hand back, but was stopped by a small hand holding his wrist.
Taking the heavy wand from Ollivander, Elizabeth gently picked up the small white feather, bringing it towards the tip of the long piece of wood.
When it touched the tip, a small compartment opened. The three watched as, by its own volition, the feather swiftly disappeared into the opening. When it was no longer visible, the compartment closed, leaving no trace that it was ever there.
A warm breeze blew through the small shop as the wand began to faintly glow. When Elizabeth raised the wand and gave it a wave, a shower of soft fairy lights rained down upon the trio, and the two men felt a sense of peace flow over them.
As the breeze picked up, Ollivander's eyes pierced into Elizabeth's through the falling lights, and he whispered, "You will you know ... what's to come ... what you are. And soon it will begin."
On the last word, the lights disappeared and the breeze stopped completely, returning everything in the dingy shop back to normal.
Giving her a formal bow and a gentle smile, the old man said, "It has been an honor to serve you, my lady," and disappeared into the back.
Elizabeth and Snape quietly left the small shop, somehow knowing that payment would not be accepted for the wand.
And after that…Flourish and Blotts seemed quite tame.
***************************************************************
"You must not…tell him."
Snape drew his gaze from the window of the carriage, and looked at Elizabeth. The young woman was holding her new wand in her lap, and looking at him with a serious expression.
"The old one…cannot know yet. Only…you."
"Why not, Elizabeth?"
The young woman's eyes dropped to the length of wood, and she stoked it as she whispered, "It is not…time yet."
"When will it be time?"
"For you…soon. For others…later. You must not…tell."
Snape was pleased that he would be the first to know her secrets, but was confused as to why the Headmaster should not be permitted that privilege also, especially since it was by Dumbledore's leave that Elizabeth would be allowed to stay at Hogwarts.
"Do you not trust the Headmaster, Elizabeth? Out of everyone at Hogwarts, he is the most trustworthy."
"This is not about…trust." Elizabeth struggled to make the potions master understand, but she barely understood it herself. "I cannot be his…tool…yet, Severus."
The dark-haired man was surprised. Elizabeth hadn't even formally met the Headmaster, yet she already seemed to understand his manipulative ways.
"If you are sure, Elizabeth, though I don't understand why you would allow me to know – I am not without certain…faults, which makes most people avoid trusting me," Snape said softly, absently rubbing his left forearm.
"I trust you, Severus," Elizabeth replied just as softly, resting her hand on the arm the dark-haired man was rubbing, and giving him a knowing look, "and so does he."
Squeezing his arm in comfort, she continued, "You will know…soon, so you can…tell the old one where my…loyalties are."
"Why would the Headmaster question your loyalties, Elizabeth?" the dark-haired man asked, confused.
"He knows…n-nothing about me. How can he not help but…qu-question it?" Elizabeth responded with an understanding smile. "I am…re-remembering more, and will…soon know…everything. You will soon know…why I can be trusted, Severus…and you will be able to tell the old one…without a doubt…that I am trust-trustworthy."
"If you say so, Elizabeth." Snape said uncertainly. "I do have one question, though…why do you call him 'the old man'? Why not 'the Headmaster' or even 'Dumbledore'?"
"Too many damn…syll..a..bles, the young woman responded, lips twitching.
Snape laughed.
****************************************************************
It must be said that the curiosity of children are whetted when told very little about something interesting. And so it was found to be in the case of Hogwarts' newest tenant, an unknown entity to said children, whose presence had nothing to do with the school, and, as such, was unwarranted.
Professors Flitwick and McGonagall were somewhat confused at the number of students who came to them that evening with questions regarding homework or projects, unknowingly giving the children an excuse to be on the ground level nearest the main entrance.
Several children from each house lingered in the hallways and stairwells leading to the dungeons, huddling together on the pretence of having academic discussions, though the Slytherins were the only house that actually dared to be in the dungeons.
When carriage wheels were heard, shortly followed by the creaking of the giant main doors as they were opened, a hush briefly befell the loitering children, only to having the chattering quickly resume as the students realized that they needed to keep up appearances of having a valid reason for being where they were.
The sight that beheld the children kindled their curiosity even more. The small figure, positively identified as female by her delicate hands (and other more obvious attributes), had her features completely covered, and walked with a grace that could almost be termed 'floating.'
Each group observed as best they could, without appearing to do so, and attempted to avoid the sneering gaze of their potions master as the two passed. There were a few soft gasps of shock from the more fashionable and wealthy students.
Whispers followed the two as they disappeared down a stairwell.
'… she was wearing…'
'She walks so gracefully…'
'…like he's escorting someone important…'
'…acromantula silk!'
Rumors abounded the next morning, ranging from the young woman being from an extremely wealthy family from somewhere in Europe, to being a descendent of Merlin, to being a royal princess wrongfully exiled.
The Golden Trio would have laughed at some of the tales, but even they didn't know what could be true or not.
*****************************************************************
Elizabeth's presence in the Gryffindor/Slytherin fourth year potions class was a major distraction, causing even Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy to botch their potions, as every student was paying more attention to the young woman than they were to their cauldrons. Thankfully, the potion wasn't the exploding kind, no matter how bad it was messed up, so even Neville Longbottom (whose potion turned orange yet again) didn't create a catastrophe.
Luckily this happened early enough in the class for them to start over from scratch. And after several scathing remarks and plenty of point deductions (even from Slytherin!), the children studiously kept their attention where it was supposed to be, though Draco Malfoy could be seen to shoot curious glances at the young woman every once in a while, then whispering to his two large sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle.
It wasn't until several days later that something happened to cause even more rumors to run amok among the houses.
*******************************************************************
The dark-haired potions master was uncomfortable with letting Elizabeth out of his sight when she wasn't ensconced in his personal quarters. Unfortunately, the time between classes did not allow him to escort her back to their rooms, so he had to depend on other resources.
The oddly dressed house-elf, Dobby, provided a solution…a house-elf would take care of Elizabeth during her walk between the potions classroom and their living quarters. This also provided a solution to Dobby's own problem…what to do with Winky, a troubled house-elf with no self-esteem who had accompanied him to Hogwarts looking for work.
Giving Winky the important task of being her personal house-elf, and escorting her from place to place, and being the front line of protection for her, did wonders for Winky's confidence. The young female house-elf literally bounced with excitement whenever called upon to perform a duty.
And that was what she was doing now, as she and Elizabeth waited for the Gryffindor/Slytherin fourth year potions class to empty.
Once the last student left, Elizabeth bid farewell to the dark-haired professor, and exited the room. Making her way further into the dungeons, she smiled softly at the chattering house-elf, happy to see the small creature's enthusiasm, especially since Winky seemed so down-trodden when Elizabeth first saw her.
Their progress was halted by three figures blocking their path…two were fairly large, both in height and mass, but the third had a slim form and only topped Elizabeth by an inch.
"Well, well, well…what have we here?" said the mocking voice of the slim young boy.
The young woman stood silently as the blonde-haired boy circled her, his hair shining brightly in the dim light of the corridor.
"There are some very interesting rumors going around the school about you. Would you care to confirm any of them?"
Elizabeth tensed, but kept silent. At her side, Winky was shifting uncomfortably.
"No? Well, no one denies a Malfoy, So, I guess I'll have to take it upon myself to get my answers."
Draco reached out a hand to lift the young woman's veil, but she took a step back out of reach.
"Why so shy, pet?" Draco said, raising an eyebrow. A malicious gleam appeared in his eyes as he continued, "Are you deformed? Are there scars on your face? Or do you have something else to hide, eh?"
Elizabeth had frozen on hearing the word 'pet', a memory flashing through her mind of something, or someone…another blonde man. Lost in her confused thoughts, she didn't notice the three boys drawing nearer.
Winky become agitated at the nearness of the trio, and placed herself in front of her charge, softly chanting, "No, no, no…go away. Leave her alone."
"Crabbe, Goyle, hold her while I have a look-see," Draco ordered, smirking in anticipation.
With a muttered 'outta my way, runt', Goyle kicked Winky away. Both large boys went to grab Elizabeth's arms, and the moment their grips tightened, Elizabeth fell to her knees with a long scream of pain, which echoed up and down the dark corridor.
Draco stepped back, startled at the young woman's response to the very mild manhandling. The two larger boys, still holding Elizabeth's arms, looked confused.
"Lets her go!" Winky screamed, grabbing Goyle's arm and biting it in hope of making him release her.
Goyle dropped the young woman's arm, and tried to shake the house-elf off. Crabbe soon followed, not wanting to be bitten also. Elizabeth fell to the floor, breathing heavily, pain still throbbing in her arms.
The three boys stared at the figure huddling on the floor with the small house-elf hovering over her protectively. Their stares broke away as they were started by several loud continuous thunderclaps, followed by a multitude of pounding footsteps.
Quickly moving to place their backs against the wall, the trio huddled together as the pounding steps came closer and closer, until their owners appeared only seconds later.
The trio paled, trembling in fear as they found themselves surrounded by over 100 snarling house-elves, both on the ground and clinging to the walls, their large angry eyes gleaming fiercely in the dim lights.
They all looked as if they were about to rip the three boys into shreds if they even dared to breathe.
The three boys held their breath.
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Well, at least I didn't take as long updating this time, though I know two months is a long time to wait for an update. ;) You can blame the various holidays and finals for that. By the way…Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year, and Happy/Merry whatever other holiday I may have missed!
First I want to make a statement…this fic will not go overboard with religious connotations. I will not be preaching, nor will I be giving my opinions one way or another. The purpose of any scene that mentions Catholicism, religious aspects, or people from the Bible, are for the benefit of originality in a storyline only. For as many fanfictions that I've read, I have not seen anyone explore this route. For those who are deeply religious, please do not take offense with my previous statements…I am in no way mocking religion, nor will I be frivolously throwing biblical characters in left or right. These scenes do serve a purpose, which will not be seen until the story comes to its conclusion. Please be patient. If you should find fault with something, I welcome your comments as long as they are constructive and not for the purpose of flaming. Thank You.
For the people who want to know the pairings…sorry, no can say. I think I've finally decided on one, and may have one or two others, but it's not definite yet. Besides, I like to keep you guessing. ;P While you can continue to plead your case, I make no guarantees. :)
For the people who have made any requests…sorry, I don't do windows. Oops…meant to say that, while your suggestions are great, I've already made plans with various characters, and any deviations on a character's attitude/demeanor will change the path of the storyline. This is not to say that I have or have not already planned on a character being the way you want…you will just have to wait and see. Though, as with the response to "pairings" above, you can continue to plead your case. :)
Can you believe that I blathered on so long on the wand choosing scene? The original was only supposed to be half as long, but when I re-read Harry's visit to Ollivander's, I couldn't help but make it longer, especially since I always wondered…how are you supposed to know which is your wand arm? In Buffy's case especially, since (I assume) she can use weapons in either hand, I though this was important. I had her choose her left first as a subconscious reaction to leaving her dominant hand free for staking/stabbing/punching/etc. The tape measure's reaction was due to Buffy/Elizabeth needing the freedom to be able to use her wand with either hand as the situation merits.
On a final note, I thought I should let you know that Buffy will not be called "Elizabeth" for the entire story. I saw a couple of comments that expressed confusion as to why I wasn't using the name "Buffy" by now. If you remember from Chapter 5, Buffy took on the name "Elizabeth" until it was safe. Since she is still relatively vulnerable, and she is still hiding her identity, she will continue to go by the name "Elizabeth." I don't see this changing until later, but I believe her normal personality will start making a comeback before too long…I really miss all her "Americanisms" and her botching of the English language. And, hey…since Giles isn't around, she has to ruffle some British guy's feathers, and Snape is just so…so…handy, isn't he? evil grin And if that doesn't bring back snarky Snape, nothing will.
Up next…I can't tell ya, or I'll have to kill ya. ;)
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