I don't own any of it! At all! …DARNET!
Thanks for all the reviews! And now on to the chapter…
Chapter 8
Help Wanted (NEEDED)
Severus wrote nothing in his journal that night. He simply stashed it in a drawer of the desk in his study. About to head off to bed he felt a searing pain in his arm… He was being called
---------------------------------------------------
Sarah awoke the next morning to the first rays of the sun. Reaching for her staff she noticed a piece of rolled up parchment. Opening it she noticed it was written in her grandfathers precise hand:
Meet me in my office after your morning class. You shall have breakfast in my rooms.
Dumbledore
Two hours later she was once again sitting in the giant oval office of the head master. He stared at her not touching his food as she did not touch hers. Sarah could tell by her grandfathers face that for whatever reason he had brought her here it was serious, maybe not life in death as of yet but certainly leaning that way.
"What is it you need to speak to me about Headmaster?"
The elderly man studied her closely for a moment than said, "Severus was called to a death eater meeting shortly after your lesson last night."
Sarah said nothing. Instead she waited for the rest of the tale to unfold.
"I have call your here today to discuss protection." He held up a hand to stop her protest. "Not of you my dear for you have already made it quite clear that you shall have known of that. Severus on the other hand is in regular contact with Voldemort and he has just learned of his power… surly their is some way to help him discuss it?"
The question in his eyes pulled at Sarah's heart. She new he was mad at her for not allowing herself to be warded. Although this seemed different than that, she knew how important Severus was to the order and that he must be protected. Luckily, she had a spell in mind. "Of course their is grandfather, there is a spell for everything. One just has to be smart enough to find it and brave enough to use it."
The headmasters' eyes brightened as she said this then began to furrow again. "This spell," he said questioningly, "does it put you or anyone else in dangers way?"
Sarah looked at him with an emotionless expression. "The only one I believe to be in dangers way is Severus. I hope to relieve him of that."
Dumbledore old jolly smile was back in place. "How long will his training take?"
"For this spell or in general?"
"Both."
"Well the spell shall take a few days to complete. As for the training… It will probably be months before he shall be able to do such things as those that can help you in the war, and years for a full training."
Dumbledore looked slightly saddened. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Sarah new her grandfather desperately wanted to help her out but the fact was that he was not eligible. "You are not a mage." She said. "Their is little you can do to help. I just wish their were other mages here to help me! It's crazy grandfather. I'm teaching over ten students at a time! I don't know of many mages who would even be able to consider me sane for doing so." She looked into his eyes and immediately realized her error. "I do like it here you know? It's nice to try deferent things once in a while."
"Good day, Sarah."
"Good day grandfather." She got up and left. Not noticing the slight twinkle that had appeared in the headmasters eyes.
----------------------------------------------------
Severus was not at dinner that evening. He had yet to return from the Dark One's summons. Sarah figured she would have a peaceful evening to herself when Dumbledore leaned over, "I think I had found a way to help you. If you are done eating would you come with me to my office?"
Sarah knotted and got up from the table Dumbledore right in tale with her.
Upon entering the Headmasters office Sarah seated her self in a chair. Gazing across the desk at her grandfather who, after a long pause decided to start. "How many young friends do you have back at Winding circle?" He asked.
"Of close relation… nine."
"Any how many of them like to travel?"
"Well I don't think that any of them are really against it except for Emma, she hates leaving her plants behind."
"Do any of them know wisarding magic?"
"No, but Scoot is really interested in it. He sometimes has visions of the wisarding world and say it looks inter… Wait, wait just a second. Grandfather are you thinking what I think your-"
"Precisely! Sarah, I want your friends to come to Hogwarts. They can help you teach."
Sarah just looked at him absolutely dumfounded. Her friends here... at Hogwarts! I would be great to have the help and she missed them so much. But… but…
"But what of Voldemort, ten mages and rather strong ones at that in Hogwarts. Isn't that kind of like handing the enemy a target?"
Dumbledore smiled. "On the contrary my dear it is more like a barrier. Now, when Tom was a student here I discovered that he always plans before he strikes. Anyone who researches magery with realize that waging a war against almost a dozen mages plus their students however new they may be is more of a forfeit than target." He looked at her eyes twinkling and smile growing broader all the while. "Now if you will write your friends a nice letter to explain I have a few things to sort out."
------------------------------------------------------
Sarah when back to her rooms and wrote an immensely long note to her friends containing explanations on the students, Severus, her lack of sanity at the moment, a brief description of the Voldemort, and her begging and groveling. When finish she went to the owlery and picked the strongest looking school owned owl she could find for it would be a long flight.
She hoped the pore animal would make it there all right for she wouldn't put it pasted a warrior novice to accidentally try and put an arrow through it. If only James were here he would be able to give the animal protection from that sort of thing.
----------------------------------------------------
An hour before dinner the next day there was a knock on Sarah's classroom door. "Come in." She called
The door swung open to reveal Dumbledore. He looked at her over the rim of his half moon spectacles and said, "Will you come to my office?"
"Of course Headmaster." Sarah replied, wondering what it was this time for she was beginning to think that she in the pasted few days had spent more time in the Head office than Fred and George Weasley, two very high spirited Gryffindor.
Dumbledore lead the way to his office and uttered the password. He opened the door allowing her to go in first. She bowed she head slightly in thanks and stepped in. So much of a quite evening studying. She thought. Severus Snape sat in a chair by Dumbledore's desk. As the Headmaster shut the door she sat down in the chair next to Severus. She looked her student over quickly so he wouldn't notice. He seemed thoroughly exhausted. He had bags under his eyes that clashed horribly with his skin which was grayer than usually. His hands were shaking slightly as the rested on his lap. His expression was that of stone, with lips firmly pressed together.
"He almost found out." Said Severus without so much as a glance in her direction.
"Almost," Said the Headmaster from his chair "next time that will not be a problem."
Severus looked at him the air of question in his eyes. "What?"
"Sarah knows a way of which to help you. It shall only take a few days so if you start now by the time of-"
"We start tomorrow." Sarah said forcefully.
Now Severus's gaze turned to her as did her grandfather's who added, "Sarah surly you realize that the sooner this is put into effect the better."
"Yes, of course I do but, Severus is completely exhausted and trying anything tonight would be a waste of time and energy on both are parts. My advice to you Severus," she said turning her gaze to him, "is to eat a good meal and get plenty of rest. It will help you get your magic back."
"I will have you know that I did nothing in the course of mage magic since the last time we had a lesson. Especially not right under Voldemort's nose." Is was obvious he was tired, being more edgy than usual.
"Tell me Severus, is your family strictly British or is their another heritage mixed in." Sarah asked receiving an immediate frown from Snape who was clearly perturbed at her for asking so irrelevant a question- or so he thought.
"My mother was one-forth French. What is it to you?"
Nothing really but to you… it is. Severus, French mages have a knack for hiding their magic. How they do it is not interlay known even to them. However, what is known is that they hide their magic, using their magic."
"My mother was no mage! And neither were ANY of her ancestors." His voice was booming with energy he didn't possess.
"I don't doubt it however, the French will be French. Now if you gentlemen will please excuse me… Remember what I said Severus food and rest … Goodnight."
-----------------------------------------------
The next few weeks were spent rather dully. Sarah continued her lessons with Severus as well as put up the ward for his magic. Hermione refused to be stifled showing up at Sarah's classroom door every few days. The two bookworms were becoming fast friends for it was rare for both of them to meet someone who could keep up with them in a battle of wits. Sarah noticed also that Harry was doing better in her class since she had begun talking to Hermione and she new it was no accident. Although no matter the lessons or the idle chat Sarah continued to fidget and found herself staring out the window at the oddest of time. No reply had come from her friends.
She new it was stupid to worry so much but she did. A million things could be the reason for them not replying, but she found herself imagining the worst.
Dumbledore noticed her withdraw and sought her out. 'Any day now.' He would say over and over again until she had sudden eagerness to shove his beard in a grinder, or through him of the astronomy tower, or even simply just tell him to shut up!
This all continued until one evening at Dinner the brown, barn owl she had sent returned. The bird glowed with the remains of magic that she recognized to be that of her friend James, a wild mage. Dumbledore looked over to smile at her. Sarah smiled back then fled the room. Just before she left she caught Severus leaning over toward the headmaster. He had naught been tolled of the letter Sarah had sent and until she was sure they would come the Headmaster had agreed it best to leave him in the dark.
Within minutes Sarah found herself in her library. She quickly sat down an broke the wax seal…
------------------------------------------------------------
Author: I'm evil I know, but more is soon to come.
Thank you everyone for the reviews. Especially Blackfire!
Not to many notes this time mostly because I want to know what you guys think about the letter…
James is NOT Harry's dad! (It's just I name I happen to like.)