The Fifth Marauder
Chapter 7: Journey to Hogwarts:
"Mr. Black, Ms Carter and of course Mr. Potter. For what act of bravery on the way to my classroom are the three of you late this time? Was there a loose centaur with rabies in the castle again? Or maybe you were in one of these fascinating conversations with our…respectable…divination teacher when you lose track of the time?"
"Oh, not this time Professor! But you see there was this group of fanatic Slytherin first-years who had decided, as the offering to a satanic ritual, to jump from the astronomy tower; so we-"
"Spare me Mr. Black! So the usual? Five points from Gryffondor. Go and take your seats."
The rest of the class stopped to laugh at once when their teacher, her face red with anger and despair, turned back to them; resuming the lesson.
The three latecomers headed towards the last row where two other boys were already sitting, exchanging similar knowing grins.
Sam sat next to the tallest of the two who was pretending to take notes when he was drawing a…disadvantageous portrait of their professor.
"Hum…it is very like her, Moony." She whispered, hiding her face behind her textbook.
"Thank you Mildtooth. I can make one of you, if you want."
"Err…I'll pass. What about making one of Padfoot?"
"Oh, I already did."
She clasped one of her hand on her mouth to hide her laughter as he discreetly dropped a strange sketch of their raven-hair friend on her laps.
Sitting on Sam's other side, "Padfoot" grabbed the paper and chuckled, before leaning close to James on his left.
"Here Prongs. A portrait of you, by Moony."
"Hey! Why do I look like Snape?!?"
Sirius groaned before burning the sheet with a spell under his desk.
"Improve your style Moony or I will draw you."
The threat must have been effective for Remus quickly stopped his artistic work.
"So how did it go?"
Sam answered, still pretending to pay attention to the symbols an enchanted stick of chalk was marking on the board and to her teacher's monotonous speech.
"Everything is ready. Results of experiment 451 tomorrow morning when everybody else will have had a shower."
"What color will it turn them into again?"
"Oh, a mix of yellow, purple and green with blue spots. I chose."
The boy shook his head slightly; an evil grin forming on his lips.
"And they say I'm the artist of the group, Mildtooth…"
********
Sam stirred lazily, staying several more minutes in the warmth of her bed before opening her eyes. No nightmares. She smiled as the memory reentered her sleepy mind.
Mildtooth. She liked the nickname. She wondered who had chosen it for her and why…
She had planned to meet the General first to take possession of this emitter and then to say her good-byes to her team. Albus was taking care of everything concerning their journey.
********
"You will have to report every first day of the month to the SGC Major, and wear the transmitter all the time."
"Yes sir."
"Good."
Hammond handed her a box she opened carefully. It was strangely light. Instead of finding the usual machine she had expected to see, there was…
A Bracelet.
Well, what looked like a large silver bracelet with two circular gemstones; a blue and a green one. She gasped.
"General! This is…this is…"
"A Tok'ra comlink; thank you Major. An emitter as well as a transmitter in what looks like a piece of jewelry to us. Very useful stuff. 1000 times more powerful and compact than ours of course. Do you know how it works?"
"Well, yes. You take the blue gem off and put it in your ear to listen; then you push the green one to speak. Simple to use, but I have no idea how you adjust it."
"It is already set on the base frequency."
"How did you get it!?! The Tok'ra does not share its technology with us without a serious reason!"
"Then thanks your father when you'll see him Major."
"My father? He provided this to us?"
"To you."
"How does he-"
"I'll have to leave you now. You understand that I had to give Sg1 another member for those few months; and the officer I chose will soon arrive."
They had already replaced her. But he was right. Ten months was a long time and someone had to take her place within Sg1.
"Yes sir. Thank you again sir."
"Good bye Major."
********
"Sam Carter taking a vacation. I thought I'll never see the day!"
"Each Jaffa warrior is taught that to get one's strength back permits to double one's capacities in the battle field, Daniel Jackson."
"Huh…yeah…but it's still quite surprising! You're leaving with Albus right? Tell me; I'm sure you're not going to rest but work with him for a while!"
"Well yes. Sort of."
"Please Sam! Don't you dare start to speak in riddles like him or I feed you to Teal'c!"
"Daniel Jackson! I do not-"
"Joke, Teal'c, remember? Joke."
"Oh."
"So?"
"I'm going to work with him."
"We'll have to buy you a dictionary once and for all, Sam. Vacation equals no work!"
"Don't worry. I'll have much more fun than you. By the way, do you guys know where I can find the Colonel?"
"He left earlier. We have a mission this afternoon; but it's still free time until Hammond arrives with your substitute. Huh…I mean…until you come back of course."
She was very disappointed.
"Are you sure about that?"
"What? Oh, yeah. Positive Daniel."
"Send us a post card then."
"Sure. And please don't hesitate. If you need anything contact me straight away."
"Take care Sam." She hugged her friend and turned to Teal'c.
"Thank you for being so comprehensive Teal'c; and not considering me as…well, weak, for leaving."
"I know better than to think such a thing Major. Come back with the strength of the imperturbable combatant of Shulak."
"See you soon too, Teal'c."
********
Morning had fled. She was now at her house. Packed. Ready. Waiting for Albus…
Impatiently.
She was passing her living room, preparing mentally the questions she was going to ask him during their flight. Because they were going to England by plane, right?
She practically flung herself to the door when the bell rang. But behind it was Cassandra.
"Cassie! What are you doing there? Shouldn't you be at school right now?" She greeted the teenage girl with a hug.
"How did you get here?"
"Jack picked me up. He said you were leaving and I wanted to say good bye!"
Only then did she realize that her CO was standing behind Cassie.
"That's sweet." She smiled at him. "Are you coming in? Can I give you two something to drink?"
"No time Carter. We're taking you to the airport. Are you all packed?"
Her suitcase was soon in the trunk and the house locked. She sat in the back with Cassie and looked a last time through the window as Jack started the engine.
********
'Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story;
there's the man I chose; there's-'
"Cassie. We've been listening to your music for the last 45 minutes now. Don't you think we should give Sabina a break and put another CD on?!?"
"Shakira, Jack! SHA-KI-RA!! Really, you must be spending too much time in the other worlds. You are 'out' of everything! She has been chart-topping singer for the last two weeks!! Besides, Sam does like it."
"Well, I do like this song."
"See?"
Actually, Jack also liked the song. Especially the lyrics…
'Underneath your clothes, there's my territory;
and all the thing I deserve for being such a good girl, honey!'
But he was certainly not going to tell the girls.
He sighed. Cassie had started to sing again.
"Then sing along Carter."
"Huh…I'll have a go after you, sir."
She saw him looking at her and grin through the rear-view mirror. For a second, she thought he was actually going to do it.
"Really? Hum…what about a little bet then?"
Cassie stopped to sing at once.
"Yeah! I love bets!!"
Really. He had to speak to Janet about her adoptive daughter's exaggerated integration to the American teenager society…
"Next time we see each other, you sing Sha-ki-ra –well enough for you Cass? – just for me and I'll give you my special interpretation of 'I love rock n' roll' in front of Sg1, Hammond AND your father. You don't; it's two weeks with me in Minnesota instead of one. Deal?"
"You may regret it later Colonel. I take you at your word. Deal."
"You'll slope off."
"You wish."
********
"Saaammm?"
"Yes Cass?"
"Well, Jack told me not to ask but you know, as an adult to be and all, it's my duty to contradict the paternal figure-"
"To the point Cass."
"Sorry. So, how long are you staying in England? Could you bring me something back? Are you going to shop often in London? Can you recognize a Spice Girl if you see one? Ask an autograph? Do you want to see some pictures to make sure?"
Sam had to laugh at that one.
"I'm sorry. I don't think I'll have time to go to London or to run after British pop stars. I'll be working you know. But I'll bring you something back, I promise."
"You can't bring me with you, can you?"
"No, Cassie. I wish I could."
"You're sure? What about just visiting during the winter holidays?"
"Next time you'll come with me and we'll do nothing else but look around for Spice Girls and members of the royal family, okay?"
"Especially Prince William?"
"Especially Prince William."
"You know there's something different about you Sam. You'll be far. I don't only mean far away. I can feel that you'll be facing something important; that you're impatient to go back to something, someone you miss. And I…I am just afraid this person might be more important to you than I am.
Humpf. I don't make any sense, do I? Just don't forget me, all right?"
"It does make sense. But you'd better put that in this cute head of yours, Miss. I could n-e-v-e-r forget you even if I wanted to."
The young girl smiled and a pang of guilt sized her. Harry would be her priority for the months to come and she couldn't think of anything else but the time she wanted to spend with Lily's son; the bond she already felt for him. Yes. It was very close to what she felt for Cassandra; almost more if she considered that she had already lost Cassie to Janet for the army. But she still loved her as a daughter and this could never changed.
And Harry? Who were his adoptive parents? Sirius? Remus? Peter? A wizard family? Did he like them?
Jack's voice interrupted her daydreaming.
"Denver International Airport right ahead girls!"
Her journey was about to begin.
********
"Carter. C-A-R-T-E-R, Samantha. Could you check again?"
"Of course ma'am. No, I was right. You are on flight BA233 to London leaving in 40 minutes. Please check your luggage in right away. You are boarding at gate 51."
"Concorde. I'm taking the Concorde."
"I am sorry ma'am but do you want to change your ticket? Or leave another day?"
"Oh, no, no. Concorde is fine."
"Whoa Sam! You'll be there in less than three hours!! Oh it's so not fair! I wish I was taking the Concorde! How rich is your friend?!?"
Jack was as surprised as Sam.
"Well, yes, you're indeed lucky Carter. Your Albus really takes care of you…"
"Ah! What wouldn't an old headmaster do for a former student!"
They all turned around with a start.
Albus was standing behind them dressed in his gray tweed suit and holding his attaché case. His beard was hanging freely but a melon hat was hiding his hair. Cassie had a priceless look of incredibility on her face as the stranger shook hands with Jack and hugged Sam.
"And who is this fine young lady I have the pleasure to meet?"
"Cass…Cassandra Frasier, sir"
"Good morning Ms Frasier, I am Albus."
"Good…good morning, Mister…Albus."
"Ah, any relation to Doctor Janet Frasier?"
"She…she's my mother."
"I see. Salute your mother for me."
"I will. Oh, and wait Sam; I almost forgot! Can I have your address or a phone number so I can keep in touch with you?"
She turned to Albus, asking silently what to answer. He reached inside his pocket, pulling out a business card.
Which was made of a thick yellow parchment and was twice time bigger than a normal one. He handed it to the teen.
"There, child."
"Thank…thank you." Cassie was so busy inspecting suspiciously the strange card that she, thankfully, did not notice the old man calling her a child.
Albus Dumbledore
C/O Hogwarts
MOM Official Owlery
25, Churchill Avenue
Holland Park
London W11 4IZ
"You should be checking your suitcase in Samantha."
"Yes."
Time for the good-byes.
********
Jack watched Albus disappear through the gate 51, leaving tactfully Sam some privacy to say her good-byes.
She hugged Cassandra tenderly, placing a kiss on her forehead; and turned to him.
Sadly enough for him, she did not give another kiss but hugged him tightly instead.
"I'll contact the base as soon as I get there."
"You're sure they won't detect that bracelet thing?" He asked, pointing at the airport security agents.
"No. Don't worry. Too advanced for them."
"I trust you on that one."
He took a step away and gave her a military salute; imitated by a sad but amused Cassie.
"Major Carter, you have ten months day for day to complete your mission and come back to me. Oh, and that's an order. Be on time or I'll come and bring you back myself. "
She smiled, saluting, and tried to reply in her best stoic military tone.
"Yes sir. Good bye sir."
And she was gone.
********
"Ah, we can remove our seatbelts, now. The sign does not flash anymore. So, what was it you wanted to give me?"
"A present from Cassandra. She asked me to hand it to you after having boarded while you were busy with your luggage."
Sam opened carefully the pink with tiny shiny shooting stars wrapping paper. Inside, was a photograph in a pretty heart-shaped frame. She remembered the picture. Janet had taken it for Cassie's last birthday. Cassie and Sam were sitting on the couch, one arm wrapped around each other shoulder, doing the 'peace' sign to the camera with their fingers; while Daniel, Teal'c and Jack were standing behind. Jack and Daniel were laughing like mad because of the small birthday party hat on Teal'c's head. The Jaffa was raising an inquisitive eyebrow at them.
There was a small note. She laughed. It was a picture of the Spice Girls. Cassie had written "just in case" below.
Albus took the frame and chuckled softy before handing it back to her.
"Speaking of Cassandra, she is not Dr. Frasier real daughter, is she?"
"No. Did she tell it to you?"
"No, just an intuition. There is something special about her."
"She is special."
"Mm, yes. That is not what I meant. I'll have to speak a little more with her someday."
"Well, you will. If I don't bring her with me next time I come to England, I'll never hear the end of it!"
He became serious again at once.
"Samantha."
"Yes?"
"Samantha, you understand that our plans against the Dark Lord must be kept a secret?"
"Yes, of course. You…you want me to hide?"
"Not at all. Hogwarts is a school in the first place and nobody can hide anything there. Especially with Harry as a student…
We have to find you an adequate cover."
"What do you suggest?"
"Have you ever considered teaching Samantha?"
"You…you want me to teach at Hogwarts!?!"
"Exactly."
"And you think that's the best cover to stay unnoticed? Teaching 200 students?!?"
"Yes."
"Y…yes? Whatever Albus. And what do you want me to teach them! I don't even remember what classes I had! Astrophysics maybe? Or military techniques?" She asked sarcastically.
"You could. But I need a new Defense Against The Dark Art teacher. I have a good substitute for the moment but he is too involved in our little resistance group to teach two subjects at the same time."
"Who is it?"
"An old acquaintance of yours."
"Albus, do you realize that I have NO idea what you want me to teach them? If not considering that, won't a whole school taught by a woman who can't do any magic, or does not know anything about their world, be suspicious?!?"
"This is why we are not going to Hogwarts straight away."
"We are not?"
"Samantha, I am giving you one week. One week of intensive training to recover your entire memory and all your former abilities. Understand that we have very little time. If you can't be effective in one week, there is no need to continue. Because you'll be more a burden to us than an ally."
She sank into her seat, shocked by his rough words.
"That was straight."
"I am sorry; but I needed to be honest. Don't you agree?"
"As if I had any other choice. Do you think I'll do it in one week?"
"I believe in you more than anybody else; and I will be at your side with some other helpful people."
She sighed.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll find soon enough. We have the whole flight to talk. Now, rest Samantha. "
The days to come are not going to be the easiest of your life.
=================================================================================
Author's Note:
I made it!!!!
I am finally giving you Chapter 7!!! I am so sorry for the delay!! (Am I not saying that in every Author's note?!?)
This year, school takes a LOT of my time. Come on Jaina! One more year and high school is over!!
I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. So, what do you think? Will Sam sing Shakira and Jack 'I love rock n' roll'??
Hehe… I am soooo evil; ending with a major cliffhanger…
Where the hell will Sam be staying for the week to come??
Oh, I wanted to ask you if you wanted special pairings for the Hogwarts students. I mean, I'm concentrating on Sam/Jack so I'm definitely not going to do a Snape/Hermione; or I don't know, Slash for example. I really read everything; all pairing and rating; but it wouldn't fit here.
So I think I'll keep the formal Hermione / Ron if you tell me you want some romance.
For Harry, I was thinking about something more creative than putting him with Ginny or Cho. I don't think Rowling will make him go with any of them anyway (personal opinion).
What would you think about…Harry meeting Cassandra???
TELL ME!!!
And about Cassandra. Re-reading my work, I realize that I made a VERY bad stereotyped picture of our poor Cassie…
But it was so funny to do it that way; even if I love that character!! Don't worry. She is not THAT superficial. She is just trying to go through her teen years (like *cough, cough* some other people I know…)
I am going to try putting an interesting character as substitute to Sam within Sg1. That would be cool. Going back to what is happening at the SGC sometimes in the story.
Oh, and maybe I forgot to say that the Goa'ulds are never too far from our favorite team…
Okay, One last thing.
My idea of Albus thinking that Voldemort can be killed because he has his body back actually comes from a VERY intriguing sentence in book 4.
Everybody check their book, page 754 for the British pocket version:
Harry told Dumbledore. 'He said the protection my – my mother left in me – he'd have it, too. And he was right – he could touch me without hurting himself, he touched my face'
Wait here you go:
For a fleeting instant, Harry thought he saw a gleam of something like triumph in Dumbledore's eyes. But next second, Harry was sure he had imagined it, for when Dumbledore had returned to his seat behind the desk, he looked as old and weary as Harry had ever seen him.
So. We discussed it with my cousin a lot; because one of her friends now thinks that Dumbledore is evil.
Could that be possible? What do you think.
I am going to open some kind of forum on my site to discuss that, but it would be very interesting if you told me what you think of it.
And to end this note, what about a little spoiler?
- The order of the Phoenix will indeed appear in this fic; but who are those we call by this name? I give you a tip: it goes back when Sam was an Auror, and ended with her leaving the Aurorship…
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO: Whisper, Jill, MoonFairy, LMiC2001, Xanpetuk, Orion, Sabrina, Europa, Sarah B, Moon Fox, A.M., Moon-Bunny, Sleepy, Elwen, Brian, Becca, Hexchen and Kirstyfor reviewing!
PPPPLLLLLEEEEAASSEE do so!!!! (*Pleading on both knees*)
Answers to your questions:
- Sarah B: Is Jack coming to Hogwarts? Sorry, can't answer to that one, would spoil the suspense! (which means certainly yes…)
- My faithful MoonFairy: A stolen kiss between Sam and her past lover, seen by Jack!?! *Laugh* you're as evil or maybe romantic as I am… I'll keep your idea in mind
N.B to everyone: What to you think of Sam's nickname: 'Mildtooth'? I'm sorry, couldn't find anything better; and you'll see that it correspond to her Animagi form (Hahaha *spoiler, spoiler*)
Corrected Version of this chapter and of previous one coming soon. (Keep on with the good work, Lara baby!)
A Bientôt!!
This story is dedicated to my best friend Lara.
And this Chapter is dedicated to Jill and Brian to thank them for their excellent Mac&Cheese recipes!
I made soon and I was REALLY pleased!! And also to the ones, who helped me, correcting my English mistakes. Thank you!
Jaina.
Disclaimer:
I own nothing but my birthday is on the 25th October (I'll be 17!!) and I'm going to ask God for my personal Harry. You know real size and all…
Just kidding. J.K Rowling is the big boss on earth.
Oh, and the song "Underneath your clothes" by Shakira belongs to Shakira. (^-^!)