Chapter 24
The shivering was a new experience. So were the chills, chattering teeth and dull aches. Demos felt like he was back in the pod again but he wasn't. He was lying in the infirmary under a mountain of blankets. Each blanket was charmed with several warming spells. A veritable bonfire roared in the fireplace. Never again would he venture out into the cold without a heavy cloak. He had spent most of yesterday outside helping Mr. Filch but also finding time to play and explore. In hindsight, it was too much time. That night he had acquired an unusual fever. His skin was scalding to the touch while he exhibited the same general fever symptoms as humans do. The first ever case of demon fever at Hogwarts had everyone stumped.
There was nothing more to do than to let the fever run its course. But one thing hadn't been affected by the fever. Demos' appetite was if anything extremely healthy. Though he skin shimmered with perspiration and his long dark hair was plastered to his back, still he persevered through enormous breakfast and lunches. He was observed from the other room.
"I suppose we have nothing to fear while his appetite stays the same," commented Madam Pomfrey.
"Calliandra and Serjanus are the experts. When did they say they would be arriving?" asked Nicholas Flamel sipping his tea.
"Sometime after dinner," Madam Pomfrey. "This is the first time they're meeting Demos in person. Severus is quite nervous."
"So that's why he was so subdued at breakfast. Well, all children regress to childhood when their parents are about." Flamel observed. "I still remember my parents visiting me. I broke more vials and crucibles when they were around."
Professor Snape came into the room dressed far from his usual fashion. "Has there been any improvement with Demos?"
"I say, Severus, that is an improvement indeed. Muggle fashion certainly suits you." Pomfrey surveyed him from head to foot - shiny dark shoes, gray wool dress pants and dark blue patterned sweater over an unbuttoned white shirt. A light brown trench coat and checked blue and brown scarf completed the ensemble. His hair was slicked back away from his face. While he was not suddenly handsome, the overall look was certainly flattering. "You should wear more color more often. It makes your skin looks less, well, pale."
"Thank you for the critique, Poppy. Even my socks match if you must know." Snape replied drily.
"I cannot imagine that you have dressed so for your parents' visit." said Flamel.
"Hardly. Madam Longbottom and I will be meeting with Ms. Granger's parents within the next two hours. I thought dressing in a manner more familiar to them would set them more at ease." Snape answered.
"It won't hurt," Poppy said. "You know you do look younger and less intimidating this way."
"That was not the effect I was after, Poppy. Perhaps I'll go change into - "
"No, Severus, don't change. You look very impressive."
"I am not out to im- impress anyone." Snape stammered awkwardly. "I need to fit- fit in. Not be so strange to them. They are muggles I can only guess at what their impression of us witches and wizards can be."
"You will fit in like a hand to a glove." Pomfrey reassured him.
~ * ~
Seated in their living room, David and Philippa Granger had long ago lost their awestruck reaction to anything magical. Their guests were profoundly glad of that. Professor Snape and Madam Longbottom had spent the last two hours explaining the Tradition to Hermione's parents. After the initial shock, her parents had settled down and begun to ask real questions.
"We support Hermione in all the things she does. She has told us that this is something she wanted." said Mr. Granger. He glanced at his wife and she nodded back. "Based on what you've told us about the Tradition we can find no real objections."
"I must admit that this eases my mind considerably, Professor Snape. The headmaster has notified us about the threat of -." Mrs. Granger squeezed her husband's hand. "As her parents we want to protect her but we realized long ago that we could not - not in your world. I knew that we would have to let her go once she began university but that all changed when she was accepted at Hogwarts."
Mr. Granger kept one arm around Hermione who was seated on his left on the sofa. "You've caused us to rethink things earlier than we had planned. The letting go was not easy, still not easy."
"I'm not going anywhere, certainly not changing," Hermione said with her eyes just a little misty.
"You'll always be our little girl, witch or no witch." said her father. Mr. Granger gave his daughter a quick hug. "But the professor is right. You have so much potential. We want you to reach that potential."
"Madam Longbottom has said that training will be arduous and extensive." added her mother. "If you say that this is something you truly want to do, then you will have all our support, love."
"It is. I at least want to try." Hermione answered in firm voice full of conviction.
"Well, then fly high my sweet and fly long." Mr. Granger said.
"I'll make you so proud of me." Hermione hugged her mother tightly.
"We already are, heart of mine. We already are." whispered Mrs. Granger.
Witnesses to this touching scene, Madam Longbottom looked at the professor. She said for his ears alone. "You chose well, Keeper."
"She has so many options. She will have to be guided carefully lest in her zeal she stumble on the wrong path." Snape murmured back.
"We will do right by her, Severus, we can do no less." Madam Longbottom said.
"Professor, I assumed that you would be teaching me. Is that correct?" Hermione asked now facing her professor. She had gotten over the shock of seeing his changed appearance. At least to her eyes, it was new. She had been casting covert glances in her mentor's direction all the while he and Madam Longbottom talked to her parents. He should stop wearing those buttoned tunics. It had never seemed to her that anyone could breathe properly in those high-necked tunics. The loose clothing he had on now was much more suitable she thought.
"Yes for the most part. However there are specific subjects and specialized training that I am ill equipped to instruct. Those areas will be covered by Madam Longbottom and my mother." Snape answered. He was finally beginning to relax. The Grangers had surprised him. He chided himself at that thought. They had raised a fair-minded daughter. What else could he have expected of her parents but to be the same? They had listened intently and asked questions. And, they, he was glad to see, treated Hermione as a responsible person asking her questions and really listening to her.
"Your mother, professor?" asked Mrs. Granger with some surprise.
"She's wonderful, mother. I believe you both would get along famously." said Hermione.
"We would very much like to meet all of Hermione's teachers." said Mr. Granger.
"I'll see what I can arrange about that but her schedule is -" Snape began to feel slightly discomfited by the thought of his mother becoming friendly with Mrs. Granger.
"Calliandra and I would love to visit again with you sometime over the next week perhaps. We can discuss Hermione's training in more depth." Madam Longbottom supplied. Snape shot her a look of inquiry which she chose to ignore. She rose from her chair. "But right now I'm afraid that we must be leaving,"
"So soon? Please stay for dinner." Mrs. Granger invited.
"I wish we could but we do have other matters to attend to. Thank you for seeing us." Professor Snape explained. "Ms. Granger, we would prefer to apparate outside behind your house."
"Of course, professor." Hermione led them through the length of her home. They passed by a small television in the dining room. It was tuned to the news. The announcer was just relaying the latest news on the spate of disappearances in Notting Hill.
"Officer Kenneth Tuckbridge has been missing for the last two days. He was not on an undercover assignment and his disappearance has the Yard baffled." The announcer shuffled his papers and continued on. "Authorities are shy of linking this confirmed disappearance to the recent disappearances of prostitutes, drug dealers and street vagrants within the same general area. For the latest, let's go to our Yard correspondent -"
Neither Hermione nor Snape paid any attention to the broadcast. They reached the back garden. It was a walled garden and so ideal for no one could see them coming or going.
"Here, Hermione, I want you to have this." Madam Longbottom held out a gold necklace with a small charm hanging on it. "The charm will transport you to my home."
Hermione fingered the chain and looked at the charm in her hand. "A portkey?"
"No, not a portkey." Madam Longbottom smiled at her. "This is a wishbringer."
"I've never heard of anything like that."
"I'm not surprised. When portkeys became so popular and useful, wishbringers grew out of favor. A wishbringer can be associated with a place, a person or a thing. In the old days, these were used to transport oneself to faraway places. They were guarded zealously and often never left the body of the owner. It is said that one wizard decapitated an assistant who had been entrusted with his wishbringer then promptly mislaid it. There is even a case where the wishbringer object was a living thing. A wishbringer is a bit old fashioned but effective in its own way."
Hermione looked at the charm. It was heavy, made of copper and its surface sported the tarnish of old age. "This looks like an old roman coin or at least half of one."
"It is a genuine roman coin which has been split apart into two separate items. You take one half with you wherever you go and the other half stays in the place you wish to return to or within the possession of another person or affixed to the thing that you wish to have."
"How would I use it? Do I say a spell or something?"
" First, do not be afraid to hold the charm, Hermione. It will not instantly transport you like a portkey will. To invoke it you simply hold the charm and think with truth and sincerity "I wish to be at the Longbottoms." You and only you will be transported to my home. One has to be sincere in his desires in order to use it. That is one reason why wishbringers fell out of favor. It isn't just a quick ticket to somewhere else unlike apparating or the floo network."
"But doesn't this go against the ban on underage magic?"
"Ah, no. Wishbringer travel is not detectable by the Ministry. A wisher is never stationary like a fireplace nor does one use a specific spell as one does to apparate." Madam Longbottom explained. " I doubt if anyone at the Ministry in these times even knows what a wishbringer is."
"How convenient," Hermione clasped the necklace around her neck then looked down at the charm. "Thank you."
"We want you to feel that you can always come to us if you ever need help or just need somewhere to get away." Madam Longbottom looked at her long and hard. "Hermione, you have shown many kindnesses to Neville. It is time the kindness was returned. I speak for myself as well as Neville."
Professor Snape had remained silent throughout the exchange. Now he fished around his pockets. He held out his hand to Hermione. In his palm were two more coin halves one silver and one gold. "The gold is a wishbringer to your desk in the Eyrie. I've given the same to Neville. This way the two of you can come and go without detection. The silver is from my mother and it is associated with the parlor room at Castell de Remeis."
"But teleportation within Hogwarts isn't allowed."
"Wishbringers use different magical principles than apparating or teleportation." Snape pointed out. "The house heads have numerous wishbringers stationed around the castle. How else do you think we are able to be seemingly everywhere in a very short amount of time? Would you like to have one for your home here? This way you can visit as often as you like."
"Yes, very much, professor." Hermione unclasped her necklace and immediately attached her new charms to it.
"Very well. I will show you and Neville how to make one when you both return to Hogwarts."
"Take care, Hermione, and remember you and your parents are not alone anymore. This home is now on the Tradition watch list. I've put a charm on the house and on your parents. If they come to harm, the Tradition will come to their aid." Madam Longbottom said just before she and Professor Snape apparated away.
~ * ~
The storm had ended leaving the grounds blanketed with snow. The lake's frozen surface dully reflected the noonday sun's rays. Three cloaked figures could be seen walking along the lake. The tallest figure walked in between the other two.
"Your grades are holding steady, Hamish. Are you having any particular difficulties in school this term?" Magnus asked.
"Mostly mathematics and numerology. I think I understand it then I do badly on examinations." said Hamish. "Mistress Rowena is a good teacher, sir. I just get all muddled."
"Later show me some of the theorems that you have been working on. Perhaps I can show you a different way to think about it that is more clear to you." said Magnus. "Jarvic, you have been unusually quiet. Last term you regaled me with stories about your adventures."
" I have been doing more studying than adventuring this term, sir."
"I had noticed your marks in charms and runes had improved greatly. Are you having any difficulties in your other courses?
"Alchemy, sir."
"The practical or the theory?"
"Mostly the theory."
"We get by on the practicals, sir. At least our cauldrons no longer explode every other week." Hamish commented wryly.
"I am gratified to hear that." Magnus grinned at his charges. "Your monthly allowances were seriously being depleted with new cauldron purchases every month."
"Sir, about our allowances -" Hamish started.
"We're very grateful that you sponsored our schooling, sir." Jarvic continued.
"We don't know how we can ever repay you for all you've done for us." said Hamish.
"Repay me by getting good grades, Hamish. I may have paid for your schooling but your success here is entirely due to your own efforts."
"We've been thinking about what we're going to do after we graduate." Jarvic said.
"You see, sir, we want to make our own way. But we are at a loss as to how to do so." Hamish explained.
"I do not see myself prospering as a potter or craftsman."
"We have thought about becoming merchants of some kind. The kind that travel about trading their wares."
"Have you considered the options open to you in the magical world?"
"Sir, please do not take offense in what I am about to say. And know that we, Hamish and I, do truly appreciate and am grateful for all you have done on our behalf." Jarvic said. "We were not born into this world of magic and we still do not feel that our place is here."
"We strongly doubt that we could secure places as apprentices with any master given our heritage." Hamish continued.
"Has anyone said this to you? Barred you from contemplating apprenticeships?" said Magnus. He knew very well from what quarter such comments came from.
"Not directly but it is plain nonetheless." Hamish admitted. "That is why we are trying to plan for our future now and -"
"Listen to me both of you." He faced the two young men. He put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I may have allowed you entry into our world but you have earned your place. Any who say otherwise has not endured all that you both have endured. Any who say otherwise is short of sight, narrow of mind and abysmally foolish."
"Thank you for that, sir, but -" said Jarvic.
"You are entitled to your apprenticeships perhaps more than any other. Neither of you is lacking in power or skill. But you do need refinement and more training which you can only get while apprenticing to a master."
"But no one will have us." Hamish lamented.
"You let me worry about that, young Hamish. You keep your mind on your studies." said Magnus.
"We do not want to be given anything, sir, especially from you." said Jarvic.
"You will not receive anything from me freely. You will earn your apprenticeships. Trust me on that." Magnus clasped his hands behind his back. "Off you go. You don't want to be late for Mistress Rowena's class."
The two boys scampered off lighter of heart and mind than when first their walk had begun. Magnus stood silently watching their receding figures. He had always known that Salazar saw those with non-magical births as inferiors and was not about to change his mind at this late date. He genuinely liked the man but his temper always flared when talk came around to the non-magical. There was no reasoning with Salazar on this topic. Dealing with Salazar was always a tiring business. New ideas take time to take root. Future generations should fare better he thought.
Suddenly a snowball hit him square on the stomach. His eyes snapped open and he was immediately on alert. He did not see anyone about. Another snowball hit his back and he whirled to face his attacker. There was no one to confront. But he heard a sound - the crunching sound one's footsteps make over the snow. It was coming from his left.
"Whoever you are you had better show yourself. I am not in the mood to be amused." Magnus waved his left hand in the direction of the sound. At his command, a gust of air blew the snow about like a small cyclone. The snow revealed the outline of his attacker. He strode to confront him.
"Stop! Stop this now, Magnus!" said the figure in a decidedly feminine voice. "You're going to give me a chill."
"Asara, I would have thought you were beyond such childish games." Magnus motioned again and the cycle abated. Asara Slytherin slowly appeared before him brushing snow off her hooded cloak and pulling her cloak tighter about her.
She looked up at him. The light of mischief was still bright in her sea- green eyes. "Games are never childish. You looked so serious. Forgive me, I thought only to lift you from your gloomy idylls."
"In that you have succeeded, milady," Magnus responded. He looked around again but they were alone. "Where is your escort? You should not be traveling alone."
"Pieros and Mikhail are already at the castle. We saw you here and I told them to go ahead without me." she explained. "I am quite sure that you would see me there."
Magnus proffered her his arm. He saw that she was definitely not the young child she had been the last time he had seen her. She came up to his shoulder now. He could not see the rest of her covered as she was with her heavy cloak. "So, tell me what mischief have you partaken of late?"
"Mischief is as mischief does, Magnus." she said. "I have been assisting Pieros in his work rooms for the last year doing accounts and ledgers."
Magnus laughed softly. "Yes, inventive as Pieros is, he is hopeless at figures and accounting."
"The man orders only the best quills, parchments and leather with no thought on making a profit. We stint on the luxuries in order to make better goods. I have heard that you are prospering, too. Not so well known as Pieros perhaps but just as successful."
"I do not need to be famous to be content, Asara."
Asara thought for a moment before she replied making sure her voice did not betray her. "Are you content then?"
"As much as any man would be at this stage of his life. And you?"
She heard the wistful tone in his response and decided to forge ahead. The castle was getting closer and she wanted an answer before they got there. "Being content is not the same as being happy. I am content but I would prefer to be happy."
"What would make you happy then?"
She stopped and she faced him. "Not once have I hidden my admiration and respect for you. I need to know now if I could expect the same from you. It would make me happy, if you could see me as more than just your teacher's daughter. Can you see me as your wife, Magnus, as clearly as I can see you as my husband?"
She had not expected a quick answer but his long silence was unnerving. Her forwardness was one of her failings she knew. After a minute, she took his continued silence as his answer. She turned away and began to walk again towards the castle. She had taken only a few steps when she felt his hand on her arm stopping her. She could not look at him and kept her eyes down. She saw the tips of his boots peering out from under his cloak.
Magnus lifted her chin up with his finger. He pulled off her hood to see her clear. "I can clearly see you as a wife, Asara, but not necessarily mine. One of your social status deserves to marry someone more prosperous with strong family credentials. I am a self-made man. My parents were simple herbalists and healers in the fens of Wales. My schooling here was on scholarship. I have just moved into a modest house outside London. Don't you see I cannot give you anything beyond what I have. I do not have the bright future that Pieros has or the business sense of Mikhail."
"I am not interested in Pieros or Mikhail," she replied. "I have never been -"
"Then you should be." His words came out harsher than he had intended. Looking at her now he was struck by the stormy emotions reflected in her eyes. Her tempestuous passionate nature called out to him inciting his placid stoic self to action.
"You said that you can indeed see me as a wife. Can you see yourself as my husband?" She placed both hands on his chest. Her eyes studied his face - aged by hard study but his dark good looks were still there.
"N-n-no I do not." Magnus stammered.
"You lie badly and you have always stammered when unsure." Asara caressed his cheek. "I wish to stand with you and only you. I wish to my future to be yours. I wish to hear you call me wife. I wish my children to call you father."
"Do not be so hasty I beg of you. Think about your future," he pleaded.
"I am. I am standing right in front of it."
"Asara, please listen -."
"I would if I was hearing anything that I wanted to hear."
Magnus held her face with both hands. "Were we to build a life together, you cannot expect to have the same things that you have now or do the same things."
"Were we together, I would happily want nothing else."
"There will be no luxuries or hope of any or even -" Asara did not allow him to continue. She pulled his head down brushing his lips with her own. Their kiss was light almost innocent but not quite. Magnus ran a hand down her back and pulled her closer to him. He lost awareness of all things around him save for the woman in his arms. They broke apart with some reluctance. "Come visit my home. I want you to see. I want you to be sure first. If it is not to your liking then we will say nothing more of this."
"I am sure, Magnus, but I will do as you say because you ask it of me." Asara traced his lips with her fingers. "Perhaps, I can return with you?"
"That would be ideal. Now as for the chaperone -"
"Magnus! We are long out of the nursery." Asara laughed.
"All proprieties must be followed. I will not have you dishonored through any false or improper accusations." Magnus insisted.
"Very well. I will see if Pieros is amenable. Will he suit?"
"He will do well, milady." Magnus raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Now, we had better get to the castle. You must be tired from your journey."
The two started walking to the castle a little closer and a little slower than before. Occasionally, they stopped to kiss or share a private thought with the other. By the time they reached the castle both radiated an inner joy that was obvious to all who saw them. Of their observers, none was more pleased than her father Salazar Slytherin.
~ * ~
A/N: The wishbringer is an original idea. It was only after I finished writing about it that I realized it was similar to Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz without the heel clicking. As for the roman coins, well, there's a reason for that too. The last 2 chapters are setting up so many things for the third half of the story arc. I hope I haven't lost any readers plot wise. As always thank you to readers and reviewers alike.
Enjoy! mavidian
The shivering was a new experience. So were the chills, chattering teeth and dull aches. Demos felt like he was back in the pod again but he wasn't. He was lying in the infirmary under a mountain of blankets. Each blanket was charmed with several warming spells. A veritable bonfire roared in the fireplace. Never again would he venture out into the cold without a heavy cloak. He had spent most of yesterday outside helping Mr. Filch but also finding time to play and explore. In hindsight, it was too much time. That night he had acquired an unusual fever. His skin was scalding to the touch while he exhibited the same general fever symptoms as humans do. The first ever case of demon fever at Hogwarts had everyone stumped.
There was nothing more to do than to let the fever run its course. But one thing hadn't been affected by the fever. Demos' appetite was if anything extremely healthy. Though he skin shimmered with perspiration and his long dark hair was plastered to his back, still he persevered through enormous breakfast and lunches. He was observed from the other room.
"I suppose we have nothing to fear while his appetite stays the same," commented Madam Pomfrey.
"Calliandra and Serjanus are the experts. When did they say they would be arriving?" asked Nicholas Flamel sipping his tea.
"Sometime after dinner," Madam Pomfrey. "This is the first time they're meeting Demos in person. Severus is quite nervous."
"So that's why he was so subdued at breakfast. Well, all children regress to childhood when their parents are about." Flamel observed. "I still remember my parents visiting me. I broke more vials and crucibles when they were around."
Professor Snape came into the room dressed far from his usual fashion. "Has there been any improvement with Demos?"
"I say, Severus, that is an improvement indeed. Muggle fashion certainly suits you." Pomfrey surveyed him from head to foot - shiny dark shoes, gray wool dress pants and dark blue patterned sweater over an unbuttoned white shirt. A light brown trench coat and checked blue and brown scarf completed the ensemble. His hair was slicked back away from his face. While he was not suddenly handsome, the overall look was certainly flattering. "You should wear more color more often. It makes your skin looks less, well, pale."
"Thank you for the critique, Poppy. Even my socks match if you must know." Snape replied drily.
"I cannot imagine that you have dressed so for your parents' visit." said Flamel.
"Hardly. Madam Longbottom and I will be meeting with Ms. Granger's parents within the next two hours. I thought dressing in a manner more familiar to them would set them more at ease." Snape answered.
"It won't hurt," Poppy said. "You know you do look younger and less intimidating this way."
"That was not the effect I was after, Poppy. Perhaps I'll go change into - "
"No, Severus, don't change. You look very impressive."
"I am not out to im- impress anyone." Snape stammered awkwardly. "I need to fit- fit in. Not be so strange to them. They are muggles I can only guess at what their impression of us witches and wizards can be."
"You will fit in like a hand to a glove." Pomfrey reassured him.
~ * ~
Seated in their living room, David and Philippa Granger had long ago lost their awestruck reaction to anything magical. Their guests were profoundly glad of that. Professor Snape and Madam Longbottom had spent the last two hours explaining the Tradition to Hermione's parents. After the initial shock, her parents had settled down and begun to ask real questions.
"We support Hermione in all the things she does. She has told us that this is something she wanted." said Mr. Granger. He glanced at his wife and she nodded back. "Based on what you've told us about the Tradition we can find no real objections."
"I must admit that this eases my mind considerably, Professor Snape. The headmaster has notified us about the threat of -." Mrs. Granger squeezed her husband's hand. "As her parents we want to protect her but we realized long ago that we could not - not in your world. I knew that we would have to let her go once she began university but that all changed when she was accepted at Hogwarts."
Mr. Granger kept one arm around Hermione who was seated on his left on the sofa. "You've caused us to rethink things earlier than we had planned. The letting go was not easy, still not easy."
"I'm not going anywhere, certainly not changing," Hermione said with her eyes just a little misty.
"You'll always be our little girl, witch or no witch." said her father. Mr. Granger gave his daughter a quick hug. "But the professor is right. You have so much potential. We want you to reach that potential."
"Madam Longbottom has said that training will be arduous and extensive." added her mother. "If you say that this is something you truly want to do, then you will have all our support, love."
"It is. I at least want to try." Hermione answered in firm voice full of conviction.
"Well, then fly high my sweet and fly long." Mr. Granger said.
"I'll make you so proud of me." Hermione hugged her mother tightly.
"We already are, heart of mine. We already are." whispered Mrs. Granger.
Witnesses to this touching scene, Madam Longbottom looked at the professor. She said for his ears alone. "You chose well, Keeper."
"She has so many options. She will have to be guided carefully lest in her zeal she stumble on the wrong path." Snape murmured back.
"We will do right by her, Severus, we can do no less." Madam Longbottom said.
"Professor, I assumed that you would be teaching me. Is that correct?" Hermione asked now facing her professor. She had gotten over the shock of seeing his changed appearance. At least to her eyes, it was new. She had been casting covert glances in her mentor's direction all the while he and Madam Longbottom talked to her parents. He should stop wearing those buttoned tunics. It had never seemed to her that anyone could breathe properly in those high-necked tunics. The loose clothing he had on now was much more suitable she thought.
"Yes for the most part. However there are specific subjects and specialized training that I am ill equipped to instruct. Those areas will be covered by Madam Longbottom and my mother." Snape answered. He was finally beginning to relax. The Grangers had surprised him. He chided himself at that thought. They had raised a fair-minded daughter. What else could he have expected of her parents but to be the same? They had listened intently and asked questions. And, they, he was glad to see, treated Hermione as a responsible person asking her questions and really listening to her.
"Your mother, professor?" asked Mrs. Granger with some surprise.
"She's wonderful, mother. I believe you both would get along famously." said Hermione.
"We would very much like to meet all of Hermione's teachers." said Mr. Granger.
"I'll see what I can arrange about that but her schedule is -" Snape began to feel slightly discomfited by the thought of his mother becoming friendly with Mrs. Granger.
"Calliandra and I would love to visit again with you sometime over the next week perhaps. We can discuss Hermione's training in more depth." Madam Longbottom supplied. Snape shot her a look of inquiry which she chose to ignore. She rose from her chair. "But right now I'm afraid that we must be leaving,"
"So soon? Please stay for dinner." Mrs. Granger invited.
"I wish we could but we do have other matters to attend to. Thank you for seeing us." Professor Snape explained. "Ms. Granger, we would prefer to apparate outside behind your house."
"Of course, professor." Hermione led them through the length of her home. They passed by a small television in the dining room. It was tuned to the news. The announcer was just relaying the latest news on the spate of disappearances in Notting Hill.
"Officer Kenneth Tuckbridge has been missing for the last two days. He was not on an undercover assignment and his disappearance has the Yard baffled." The announcer shuffled his papers and continued on. "Authorities are shy of linking this confirmed disappearance to the recent disappearances of prostitutes, drug dealers and street vagrants within the same general area. For the latest, let's go to our Yard correspondent -"
Neither Hermione nor Snape paid any attention to the broadcast. They reached the back garden. It was a walled garden and so ideal for no one could see them coming or going.
"Here, Hermione, I want you to have this." Madam Longbottom held out a gold necklace with a small charm hanging on it. "The charm will transport you to my home."
Hermione fingered the chain and looked at the charm in her hand. "A portkey?"
"No, not a portkey." Madam Longbottom smiled at her. "This is a wishbringer."
"I've never heard of anything like that."
"I'm not surprised. When portkeys became so popular and useful, wishbringers grew out of favor. A wishbringer can be associated with a place, a person or a thing. In the old days, these were used to transport oneself to faraway places. They were guarded zealously and often never left the body of the owner. It is said that one wizard decapitated an assistant who had been entrusted with his wishbringer then promptly mislaid it. There is even a case where the wishbringer object was a living thing. A wishbringer is a bit old fashioned but effective in its own way."
Hermione looked at the charm. It was heavy, made of copper and its surface sported the tarnish of old age. "This looks like an old roman coin or at least half of one."
"It is a genuine roman coin which has been split apart into two separate items. You take one half with you wherever you go and the other half stays in the place you wish to return to or within the possession of another person or affixed to the thing that you wish to have."
"How would I use it? Do I say a spell or something?"
" First, do not be afraid to hold the charm, Hermione. It will not instantly transport you like a portkey will. To invoke it you simply hold the charm and think with truth and sincerity "I wish to be at the Longbottoms." You and only you will be transported to my home. One has to be sincere in his desires in order to use it. That is one reason why wishbringers fell out of favor. It isn't just a quick ticket to somewhere else unlike apparating or the floo network."
"But doesn't this go against the ban on underage magic?"
"Ah, no. Wishbringer travel is not detectable by the Ministry. A wisher is never stationary like a fireplace nor does one use a specific spell as one does to apparate." Madam Longbottom explained. " I doubt if anyone at the Ministry in these times even knows what a wishbringer is."
"How convenient," Hermione clasped the necklace around her neck then looked down at the charm. "Thank you."
"We want you to feel that you can always come to us if you ever need help or just need somewhere to get away." Madam Longbottom looked at her long and hard. "Hermione, you have shown many kindnesses to Neville. It is time the kindness was returned. I speak for myself as well as Neville."
Professor Snape had remained silent throughout the exchange. Now he fished around his pockets. He held out his hand to Hermione. In his palm were two more coin halves one silver and one gold. "The gold is a wishbringer to your desk in the Eyrie. I've given the same to Neville. This way the two of you can come and go without detection. The silver is from my mother and it is associated with the parlor room at Castell de Remeis."
"But teleportation within Hogwarts isn't allowed."
"Wishbringers use different magical principles than apparating or teleportation." Snape pointed out. "The house heads have numerous wishbringers stationed around the castle. How else do you think we are able to be seemingly everywhere in a very short amount of time? Would you like to have one for your home here? This way you can visit as often as you like."
"Yes, very much, professor." Hermione unclasped her necklace and immediately attached her new charms to it.
"Very well. I will show you and Neville how to make one when you both return to Hogwarts."
"Take care, Hermione, and remember you and your parents are not alone anymore. This home is now on the Tradition watch list. I've put a charm on the house and on your parents. If they come to harm, the Tradition will come to their aid." Madam Longbottom said just before she and Professor Snape apparated away.
~ * ~
The storm had ended leaving the grounds blanketed with snow. The lake's frozen surface dully reflected the noonday sun's rays. Three cloaked figures could be seen walking along the lake. The tallest figure walked in between the other two.
"Your grades are holding steady, Hamish. Are you having any particular difficulties in school this term?" Magnus asked.
"Mostly mathematics and numerology. I think I understand it then I do badly on examinations." said Hamish. "Mistress Rowena is a good teacher, sir. I just get all muddled."
"Later show me some of the theorems that you have been working on. Perhaps I can show you a different way to think about it that is more clear to you." said Magnus. "Jarvic, you have been unusually quiet. Last term you regaled me with stories about your adventures."
" I have been doing more studying than adventuring this term, sir."
"I had noticed your marks in charms and runes had improved greatly. Are you having any difficulties in your other courses?
"Alchemy, sir."
"The practical or the theory?"
"Mostly the theory."
"We get by on the practicals, sir. At least our cauldrons no longer explode every other week." Hamish commented wryly.
"I am gratified to hear that." Magnus grinned at his charges. "Your monthly allowances were seriously being depleted with new cauldron purchases every month."
"Sir, about our allowances -" Hamish started.
"We're very grateful that you sponsored our schooling, sir." Jarvic continued.
"We don't know how we can ever repay you for all you've done for us." said Hamish.
"Repay me by getting good grades, Hamish. I may have paid for your schooling but your success here is entirely due to your own efforts."
"We've been thinking about what we're going to do after we graduate." Jarvic said.
"You see, sir, we want to make our own way. But we are at a loss as to how to do so." Hamish explained.
"I do not see myself prospering as a potter or craftsman."
"We have thought about becoming merchants of some kind. The kind that travel about trading their wares."
"Have you considered the options open to you in the magical world?"
"Sir, please do not take offense in what I am about to say. And know that we, Hamish and I, do truly appreciate and am grateful for all you have done on our behalf." Jarvic said. "We were not born into this world of magic and we still do not feel that our place is here."
"We strongly doubt that we could secure places as apprentices with any master given our heritage." Hamish continued.
"Has anyone said this to you? Barred you from contemplating apprenticeships?" said Magnus. He knew very well from what quarter such comments came from.
"Not directly but it is plain nonetheless." Hamish admitted. "That is why we are trying to plan for our future now and -"
"Listen to me both of you." He faced the two young men. He put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I may have allowed you entry into our world but you have earned your place. Any who say otherwise has not endured all that you both have endured. Any who say otherwise is short of sight, narrow of mind and abysmally foolish."
"Thank you for that, sir, but -" said Jarvic.
"You are entitled to your apprenticeships perhaps more than any other. Neither of you is lacking in power or skill. But you do need refinement and more training which you can only get while apprenticing to a master."
"But no one will have us." Hamish lamented.
"You let me worry about that, young Hamish. You keep your mind on your studies." said Magnus.
"We do not want to be given anything, sir, especially from you." said Jarvic.
"You will not receive anything from me freely. You will earn your apprenticeships. Trust me on that." Magnus clasped his hands behind his back. "Off you go. You don't want to be late for Mistress Rowena's class."
The two boys scampered off lighter of heart and mind than when first their walk had begun. Magnus stood silently watching their receding figures. He had always known that Salazar saw those with non-magical births as inferiors and was not about to change his mind at this late date. He genuinely liked the man but his temper always flared when talk came around to the non-magical. There was no reasoning with Salazar on this topic. Dealing with Salazar was always a tiring business. New ideas take time to take root. Future generations should fare better he thought.
Suddenly a snowball hit him square on the stomach. His eyes snapped open and he was immediately on alert. He did not see anyone about. Another snowball hit his back and he whirled to face his attacker. There was no one to confront. But he heard a sound - the crunching sound one's footsteps make over the snow. It was coming from his left.
"Whoever you are you had better show yourself. I am not in the mood to be amused." Magnus waved his left hand in the direction of the sound. At his command, a gust of air blew the snow about like a small cyclone. The snow revealed the outline of his attacker. He strode to confront him.
"Stop! Stop this now, Magnus!" said the figure in a decidedly feminine voice. "You're going to give me a chill."
"Asara, I would have thought you were beyond such childish games." Magnus motioned again and the cycle abated. Asara Slytherin slowly appeared before him brushing snow off her hooded cloak and pulling her cloak tighter about her.
She looked up at him. The light of mischief was still bright in her sea- green eyes. "Games are never childish. You looked so serious. Forgive me, I thought only to lift you from your gloomy idylls."
"In that you have succeeded, milady," Magnus responded. He looked around again but they were alone. "Where is your escort? You should not be traveling alone."
"Pieros and Mikhail are already at the castle. We saw you here and I told them to go ahead without me." she explained. "I am quite sure that you would see me there."
Magnus proffered her his arm. He saw that she was definitely not the young child she had been the last time he had seen her. She came up to his shoulder now. He could not see the rest of her covered as she was with her heavy cloak. "So, tell me what mischief have you partaken of late?"
"Mischief is as mischief does, Magnus." she said. "I have been assisting Pieros in his work rooms for the last year doing accounts and ledgers."
Magnus laughed softly. "Yes, inventive as Pieros is, he is hopeless at figures and accounting."
"The man orders only the best quills, parchments and leather with no thought on making a profit. We stint on the luxuries in order to make better goods. I have heard that you are prospering, too. Not so well known as Pieros perhaps but just as successful."
"I do not need to be famous to be content, Asara."
Asara thought for a moment before she replied making sure her voice did not betray her. "Are you content then?"
"As much as any man would be at this stage of his life. And you?"
She heard the wistful tone in his response and decided to forge ahead. The castle was getting closer and she wanted an answer before they got there. "Being content is not the same as being happy. I am content but I would prefer to be happy."
"What would make you happy then?"
She stopped and she faced him. "Not once have I hidden my admiration and respect for you. I need to know now if I could expect the same from you. It would make me happy, if you could see me as more than just your teacher's daughter. Can you see me as your wife, Magnus, as clearly as I can see you as my husband?"
She had not expected a quick answer but his long silence was unnerving. Her forwardness was one of her failings she knew. After a minute, she took his continued silence as his answer. She turned away and began to walk again towards the castle. She had taken only a few steps when she felt his hand on her arm stopping her. She could not look at him and kept her eyes down. She saw the tips of his boots peering out from under his cloak.
Magnus lifted her chin up with his finger. He pulled off her hood to see her clear. "I can clearly see you as a wife, Asara, but not necessarily mine. One of your social status deserves to marry someone more prosperous with strong family credentials. I am a self-made man. My parents were simple herbalists and healers in the fens of Wales. My schooling here was on scholarship. I have just moved into a modest house outside London. Don't you see I cannot give you anything beyond what I have. I do not have the bright future that Pieros has or the business sense of Mikhail."
"I am not interested in Pieros or Mikhail," she replied. "I have never been -"
"Then you should be." His words came out harsher than he had intended. Looking at her now he was struck by the stormy emotions reflected in her eyes. Her tempestuous passionate nature called out to him inciting his placid stoic self to action.
"You said that you can indeed see me as a wife. Can you see yourself as my husband?" She placed both hands on his chest. Her eyes studied his face - aged by hard study but his dark good looks were still there.
"N-n-no I do not." Magnus stammered.
"You lie badly and you have always stammered when unsure." Asara caressed his cheek. "I wish to stand with you and only you. I wish to my future to be yours. I wish to hear you call me wife. I wish my children to call you father."
"Do not be so hasty I beg of you. Think about your future," he pleaded.
"I am. I am standing right in front of it."
"Asara, please listen -."
"I would if I was hearing anything that I wanted to hear."
Magnus held her face with both hands. "Were we to build a life together, you cannot expect to have the same things that you have now or do the same things."
"Were we together, I would happily want nothing else."
"There will be no luxuries or hope of any or even -" Asara did not allow him to continue. She pulled his head down brushing his lips with her own. Their kiss was light almost innocent but not quite. Magnus ran a hand down her back and pulled her closer to him. He lost awareness of all things around him save for the woman in his arms. They broke apart with some reluctance. "Come visit my home. I want you to see. I want you to be sure first. If it is not to your liking then we will say nothing more of this."
"I am sure, Magnus, but I will do as you say because you ask it of me." Asara traced his lips with her fingers. "Perhaps, I can return with you?"
"That would be ideal. Now as for the chaperone -"
"Magnus! We are long out of the nursery." Asara laughed.
"All proprieties must be followed. I will not have you dishonored through any false or improper accusations." Magnus insisted.
"Very well. I will see if Pieros is amenable. Will he suit?"
"He will do well, milady." Magnus raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Now, we had better get to the castle. You must be tired from your journey."
The two started walking to the castle a little closer and a little slower than before. Occasionally, they stopped to kiss or share a private thought with the other. By the time they reached the castle both radiated an inner joy that was obvious to all who saw them. Of their observers, none was more pleased than her father Salazar Slytherin.
~ * ~
A/N: The wishbringer is an original idea. It was only after I finished writing about it that I realized it was similar to Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz without the heel clicking. As for the roman coins, well, there's a reason for that too. The last 2 chapters are setting up so many things for the third half of the story arc. I hope I haven't lost any readers plot wise. As always thank you to readers and reviewers alike.
Enjoy! mavidian