Disclaimer: All Harry Potter people, places, things, and ideas (all Harry Potter nouns) belong to J. K. Rowlings. All Elf-related topics, the Elvish language, references to staff magic, and any other Lord of the Rings nouns belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and the Elvish dictionary at Nevrast. The titles of the chapters were inspired by "Once Upon a December" from the cartoon movie Anastasia.
Chapter 2: Figures dancing gracefully across my memory.
As the somber, melancholy Potions Master sauntered through the corridor, he passed the trophy case and then the plaque. He sighed involuntarily, not needing to read the plaque to know what its engraved message read:
In tribute to the brave service of Professor Heryn O'Sheen, Potions Mistress of Hogwarts, who in defense of the school was missing in action.
He could not dispel the bitter taste in his mouth as he allowed himself to think of her for only a moment. That one stolen moment caused him more mental anguish than he would ever admit to. Finally suppressing his morbid thoughts and the nightmare to the back of his mind, he entered the study.
Nothing could have sufficiently prepared him for the sight that met his eyes. She was sitting in the room, sitting there, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to do. Her copper hair had been pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck, revealing her Elvish ears. Her violet eyes only glanced at him as if he were a momentary distraction. He felt as though his heart had skipped a beat and his breath had stopped. Taking a few steps back to compose himself, he looked at Albus and Minerva.
"I would like a word with one of you, now please!" he demanded in an even tone.
Minerva walked over to him and they stepped outside of the room. "What the bloody hell is going on? She's dead!" he interrogated.
The Transfiguration professor placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to calm him down. "It's a rather long story, but if you recall correctly, she was missing in action. Though we assumed her to be dead, she was actually in a hospital with amnesia. She has no knowledge of her past here, or any of us," Minerva explained rationally.
Severus glared at her in frustration. "And why couldn't you bloody tell me instead of letting me just walk in there?"
"I know you're upset, Severus, but it was better this way. Now please, let's go back. We've much to discuss," she persuaded. He reluctantly complied and sat in a chair across from the woman he had recognized.
"Ah, now that we are all here, I feel the need to make the necessary introductions. Moira, meet our Potions Master, Severus Snape. Severus, meet Moira, expert on Elvish culture and Middle Earth history. She has been researching Middle Earth and old staff magic, and is here to assist us with our problems," Albus introduced.
Severus nodded in acknowledgment of the guest and tried not to stare too much. "And I suppose that next you'll enlighten us about these problems, Albus?"
The aged wizard nodded. "We have a new enemy to watch for, someone we were previously unaware of. Perhaps you would care to explain better?" he asked the woman.
She nodded. "This land we are on was once Middle Earth. Important battles were fought here, but have long since been forgotten. Those were in the days of staff magic, which, as we know, is more powerful than wand magic and was banned for the greater good. A few artifacts are hidden and stowed in certain locations. One old storage room was recently broken into and several important items were stolen. Someone is trying to evoke the destruction in the old ways, you see."
The Potions Master's brow furrowed. "I know about all that, but what the deuce does any of it have to do with Hogwarts?"
The Elvish woman eyed him with understanding and reached into her leather duffle bag sitting on the floor. She removed an old map with unfamiliar names and the others gathered around her as she placed it on the coffee table. "New information we have collected showed that Hogwarts was built on top of where Isenguard once stood. And what you would call the Forbidden Forest was once Fangorn Forest. Whoever stole the artifacts from the storage room is headed here thinking that there are things worth finding in this place or on the property."
"And just what, may I ask, are we planning to do about all this?" Severus questioned.
Albus met the younger man's penetrating stare with a patient one. "I thought you might ask that. You and Moira are to work together in an effort to protect the school using older magic while the Ministry of Magic attempts to track down the thief. Minerva and I will be looking into that part as well as checking on your progress. I recommend that you two begin in the forbidden section of the library."
"And I recommend that we all start on this matter as soon as possible," Minerva added.
Severus nodded. "That would probably be a good idea," he paused before continuing. "Might I ask where our guest will be staying?"
The Headmaster placed his hand on his neck, as if massaging it, but then for a moment it looked as though he had moved an invisible chain from around his neck. "I think you know, Severus."
The younger man reached back and felt the chain around his neck in an automatic gesture. Minerva took one last look at the map before speaking. "I suggest we begin the effort to unearth this problem as soon as possible."
Albus nodded. "Then this meeting is adjourned," he stated. He gently placed a hand on Minerva's shoulder as the other two left, wanting to speak with her further.
The Elvish woman wondered why the Potions Master had spent the entire meeting staring at her intently. As soon as she had walked through the door, a hand grabbed her forearm and she wheeled around to face the man about whom she had been curious.
"Heryn," he said almost breathlessly. His eyes seemed to absorb every inch of her face reverently.
(my sincerest apologies for the confusion with the summary, it was cut off so I had to redo it; my thanks to Always Hopeful and Quill of Minerva for reviewing :D)