Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in the Harry Potter universe J.K. Rowling does. The title "Waking the Witch" is inspired by the Kate Bush song of the same name. I do not own the song either. It can be found on Kate Bush's album Hounds of Love. The name Rosaleen was inspired by the Neil Jordan film The Company of Wolves. I don't own any of the characters in that film, either! I do, however, own my Rosaleen MacDuff Jasper, who is of no relation or incarnation of Neil Jordan's character in his film.
Waking the Witch
by Leah Pensotti
Chapter Five: Strange Phenomena
The next morning, Rosaleen was recruited by Mrs. Weasley to help 'tidy up' Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Evidently, this endeavor had been going on for more than a year. Rosaleen dressed herself in an old pair of jeans and a snug, black t-shirt and helped Ginny and Hermione dust the sitting room.
"So, are you girls enjoying your summer holidays?" Rosaleen polished the mantlepiece thoroughly and waited for an answer. Ginny shrugged lackadaisically and sighed.
"I suppose so. I should like to go somewhere on a trip, like other families do. But with the Order and impending darkness, I suppose this'll have to suffice." Rosaleen smiled at Ginny's answer. Spending the last month of summer holidays at Number 12 did sound a little dreary.
"I can't wait for start of term. All the classes and new challenges. It will be fun." Hermione said matter of factly. Rosaleen heard the serious tone in her voice and chuckled.
"I've heard of your studious nature, Miss Granger. You were much like me as a girl. My nose was always in a book, and usually, it still is."
Hermione smiled brightly at the appraisal of her new professor. She was intrigued by Professor Jasper, because she was only nine years older than herself.
Suddenly, Mr. Weasley and Lupin walked in on the sight of the three young women dusting in messy clothes with their hair tied back into loose knots. Lupin smiled, Rosaleen looked no more than eighteen in that moment. She turned slowly to see him and a grin crept on her face.
"So I see that the two of you have come to make yourselves useful." She raised her eyebrow in mock curiosity.
Lupin looked to Mr. Weasley, who chuckled and smiled and turned back to Rosaleen and shook his head.
"Arthur and I were merely passing through. However, Molly has asked me to tell you about tea." Rosaleen nodded as Hermione and Ginny thankfully threw down their dust rags and made their way into the kitchen.
"Are you going to join us?" Rosaleen asked Lupin. He shook his head and looked her directly in the eye.
"We have some work to do, but if you'd like, you and I could discuss your classes later in the evening." Rosaleen nodded in return and threw her own rag with Hermione and Ginny's.
"I have many questions, as you might imagine. That would be very nice, Remus. Thank you." Rosaleen followed the girls into the kitchen. When she was safely out of earshot, Mr. Weasley leaned to Lupin and whispered.
"I think you should act fast, Remus. Molly's already made plans to have Bill and Charlie to meet the young professor. I can see that you are quite taken with her and she seems to enjoy your company very much. She's a lovely girl, Remus; don't let her slip by." Mr. Weasley smiled and Lupin looked a little shocked by the idea. Rosaleen had only been there for two days; he couldn't approach her in that way.
"I like Rosaleen, Arthur. I want her to do well at Hogwarts. I couldn't do it. I have nothing to offer her." Arthur Weasley looked dissatisfied with Lupin's answer; but allowed the subject to drop as they went to prepare for the meeting of the Order that night.
After taking tea with Ginny, Ron and Hermione; Rosaleen rushed upstairs to change out of her dusty clothes. What should she wear to meet the other members of the Order? She decided upon the same gray dress that she wore upon her arrival with the high collar. She twisted her hair into a messy, yet sophisticated up do that revealed her pale, long neck. She placed her wand in her pocket and walked down the stairs and to the study where Lupin would be waiting for her.
Rosaleen knocked on the door of the study and Lupin bid her to come in. When she saw Lupin leaning against the desk with a book in his hand, looking pale and sickly.
"Remus? Are you ill?" Rosaleen rushed to his side and placed a hand on his cheek. Lupin nearly shuddered at her touch. He could feel her eyes searching him for answers and he looked at her hesitantly.
"I'm well, Rosaleen. Sometimes this happens to me." Rosaleen suddenly connected it. The full moon was less than a week away. Rosaleen smiled and tenderly brushed wild hair out of his eyes. She took him by the arm and lead him near the fire.
"Come on Remus, sit down or you'll exhaust yourself." He sat in a musty, but comfortable stuffed chair. Rosaleen sat in the chair next to his and looked into the fire, "We don't need to talk about my classes tonight. Save yourself for the meeting."
Lupin watched her by the fire; she was so kind even after everything she had gone through. So much in common he had with Rosaleen. He began to wonder; if he'd reach out for her, would she pull away?
"Rosaleen? Won't you tell me your secret?" Lupin whispered hoarsely.
"Only if you tell me yours, though I already know it." She turned to look at him squarely; a surprised look on his face. Lupin smiled wearily and confessed.
"I know yours as well."
Rosaleen's face remained somber and she spoke plainly, "If you know my secret, and I know yours; then why must we speak of it at all?"
"Because trusted friends speak of such things." Rosaleen turned around in her chair, confusion awash on her face.
"Why should you trust me, Remus? You know nothing about me. I have done horrible things and have been put through things that I cannot even speak of. I am the kind that should not be trusted." Rosaleen spoke cooly and Lupin leaned closer to her.
"Do you think that I am trusted? The wizard I trust more than anyone in the world has such faith in you, and so do I. We are more alike than you know. Others have faith in me because of Dumbledore." Lupin watched her intently and her eyes looked fearful.
"You will not tell anyone of my condition, will you? Only Dumbledore and McGonagall know." Rosaleen's eyes bore a hole through him.
"I will not tell, it will be my solemn vow. However, I do believe that we should share our stories with each other."
"I will tell you everything I can physically muster, Remus. You must be patient with me." Lupin could hesitate no longer and took her hand in his. As he clutched it gently, Rosaleen noticed something about Lupin that she had never noticed before. She could hear voices in the hall outside the door. Lupin released her hand and they both sprung from their chairs and to their feet in greeting.
"Oh! Remus, I am so glad to find you and Professor Jasper. The meeting will convene here tonight." Dumbledore smiled kindly at the both of them. Professor McGonagall entered the room followed by a wizard in billowing black robes.
"Ah, Minerva. I suppose we should make introductions. Severus, may I introduce you to Professor Rosaleen Jasper. She arrived two nights ago from Boston. She'll be taking over Ravenclaw for Filtwick as well as his charms class." As Dumbledore made the introduction, the wizard loomed closer to her, an interested sneer on his face. His black hair hung to his chin and his sharp features were heightened by his pale skin. If Rosaleen didn't know any better, she would assume that he was a vampire.
But she knew her kind.
"Professor Jasper will also be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this term, Severus." Lupin added in finality. The wizard sneered even more harshly at the news.
"Rosaleen, this is Professor Severus Snape. He is head of Slytherin house and the Potions Master at Hogwarts." Snape gave Rosaleen a curt bow and looked at her in attempt to appear menacing.
"Professor Jasper, I daresay I was expecting someone a little more 'long in the tooth' with all the headmaster has entrusted you with." Rosaleen smiled in a parry and answered smartly.
"Indeed, Professor Snape. You have no idea how lengthy my teeth can be." She heard Lupin chuckle under his breath and Snape allowed a spiteful smile to pull at the left side of his mouth.
Snape appraised her in the flickering of the fireplace. Her pale skin glowed a translucent white and her mouth resembled a cherubic pout. Her eyes tore through him, revealing not one ounce of fear or intimidation. He watched as she sat beside Lupin, her eyes meeting his every so often.
Rosaleen became annoyed, yet riveted by Severus Snape. She wished that he would not scowl at her so; his darkened features pulled her eyes to him, like an artist observing a subject. If she were any good at sketching, she would've chosen him as her model for his scowl and sharp, angular features.
Strange, indeed. Rosaleen thought to herself.
Lupin watched as Snape and Rosaleen traded looks in each others direction. Snape had tried unsuccessfully to intimidate her and for a moment Lupin thought that he might rip off the Potions Master's nose in her defense. However, she had triumphed on her own.
Rosaleen tried to ignore Professor Severus Snape and listen to Lupin, McGonagall and Dumbledore make arrangements for the meeting. She was failing miserably. Snape was practically boring a hole through her with his eyes. When McGonagall and Dumbledore found their own conversation, Rosaleen tapped Lupin on the arm and whispered lowly to him.
"Why does Snape look at me so? I don't think he likes me." Lupin followed her eyes and saw Snape leering at her. He took her hand and squeezed gently.
"Never worry, Rosaleen. Snape doesn't like anybody. Besides, I'm afraid you are his competition. He's been after the Dark Arts position for awhile." Rosaleen nodded in understanding. Snape met eyes again with her and she looked away and into the fire.
Snape watched with interest as Lupin and the girl whispered and he squeezed her hand. Each time she matched his gaze, she'd turn away quickly. Did she fear him? Snape felt the answer come to him quickly. No, she didn't fear him at all.
Suddenly, the door opened and Molly and Arthur Weasley entered followed by an older wizard and a young witch with short, bright pink hair. Rosaleen looked on with interest, thankful that someone or something was taking her attention away from Snape.
Dumbledore rose and greeted everyone warmly. Soon after everyone had settled, he called the meeting to order.
"As you may know, I called from a witch from America. She arrived from Boston two nights ago. This is Rosaleen Jasper. She has worked in Boston most of her life in a monastery with a group of priests that have vowed their lives to eradicate evil."
Rosaleen felt herself burn with embarrassment as Dumbledore continued on.
"Rosaleen, we called for you to come to Hogwarts and teach. However, our organization, the Order of the Phoenix needs your aid." She looked to Dumbledore and then to Lupin and asked meekly.
"How can I help, Professor?"
Dumbledore sighed and spoke cautiously, "Are you familiar with the name Heathcliff Collinwood?"
Rosaleen gasped loudly, her hand covered her pouty lips. She answered a few moments after a pregnant pause and she felt the entire room look at her in curiosity.
"Collinwood is a vampire. He killed my family in cold blood and I have hunted him ever since. But how do you know of him?" Rosaleen's eyes searched for answers and the older wizard by the name of Alastor Moody spoke up.
"Heathcliff Collinwood, Professor Jasper, is working with the evil we oppose; Lord Voldemort." Rosaleen sat up, her face twisted in anger and a low hiss released from her throat.
"Voldemort."
Lupin watched the emotions flicker across her face. She looked violently ill and then filled with rage. She clenched her fists tightly and spoke.
"What does Voldemort want with Collinwood?" Severus Snape stalked forward and emitted a low growl; his arms folded across his chest.
"Voldemort, Professor Jasper, is quite enamored with the idea of immortality. Something that this Collinwood, as a vampire, possesses." Rosaleen watched Snape closely and quickly caught on the implication.
"Immortality." Rosaleen sighed helplessly. She looked to Lupin in a worried way and sighed again. Heathcliff Collinwood, the vampire who had changed her life so dramatically 304 years before, fled from her because she grew more powerful after she turned. He thought he would turn her and she would be his mate in the darkness; but her vengeance overruled and he became the hunted.
"Rosaleen, we need to know everything about him. His methods, his haunts. We will help you track him." Lupin spoke to her softly. Rosaleen nodded and she was stuck in a cloudy haze.
"Yes, I'll tell everything that I know. But you must promise me that I will be able to capture him. Collinwood and I have unfinished business to attend to." Rosaleen's eyes flickered with a steely fire that Snape took notice of; she nearly burned with revenge.
"All I ask is that I am not hindered avenging my family's death." Rosaleen searched the eyes of Albus Dumbledore and he nodded cautiously.
"We'll help in every way we can, Rosaleen. However, I do worry about the dark place your vengeance stems from." Rosaleen half smiled and answered reassuringly.
"My darkness stems from Collinwood. He pushed it upon me. My motivation is pure. I shan't fall into darkness; rather I believe that it will be lifted." She felt the others in the room scrutinizing her and deciding upon her trustworthiness.
Nymphadora Tonks, the witch with the bright pink hair, spoke up in a brisk manner.
"I say we agree. Jasper's got what we need and we can help her. I can't say that I wouldn't be happy if the likes of Collinwood were wiped out of the wizarding world." Tonks gave Rosaleen a confidence-filled grin and Lupin nodded in agreement.
"If Rosaleen leads us to Collinwood and in turn to Voldemort; then we all win. I will help her in anyway possible." Rosaleen felt a smile pull at her lips and she wanted nothing more than to take his hand in thanks.
Molly Weasley smiled, "Arthur and I have faith in Rosaleen. I have no doubt of her allegiance and mettle."
Rosaleen saw the looks on McGonagall's and Alastor Moody's faces. She knew that Minerva McGonagall would be a hard sell and that she did not fully trust Rosaleen. She looked away from McGonagall and her eyes fell on Severus Snape. He glared at her, not so much in distrust but in a mixture of interest and disbelief.
"I think that we should give Rosaleen our full backing. She has done much in the way of our own cause; she will be a great asset to us. What she and Heathcliff Collinwood must settle should stay between them." Dumbledore smiled his mysterious smile and Rosaleen knew that he had issued the last word.
"We'll keep you notified of our news and sightings of Collinwood, Jasper. You must be prepared at a moment's notice." Moody gruffly offered.
"I will be ready, I assure you that." Rosaleen nodded sternly. When it came to Heathcliff Collinwood, she was always ready.
Dumbledore dismissed the meeting and Molly Weasley announced that supper was waiting for everyone down stairs. Rosaleen couldn't think, too many thoughts bumped about in her head. Lupin extended his hand to her and she took it. He helped her to her feet and smiled weakly.
"Are you alright, Rosaleen? You look rather shaken up." Lupin searched her face for emotion and saw a vacant look. She didn't know what to think.
"I'm well, Remus. I am a little shocked by the news, is all." She smiled in return and looked up at his kind face, "Thank you for your defense. I am grateful for your faith in me."
Rosaleen held on to Lupin's hand and felt someone else in the room. While everyone else had filed downstairs, Severus Snape had remained behind. Rosaleen turned her head to look at him and Lupin followed her eyes. Snape stepped forward slowly, his eyes fastened on her and then finally drifted to Lupin.
"You wanted to speak with me, Remus?" Snape nearly snarled. Lupin's head nodded in answer.
"Yes, Severus, I did. Professor Jasper needs a sleeping draught. Something that will produce a dreamless sleep." Lupin felt Rosaleen's slender grip tighten around his hand. Snape raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes drifted from Lupin to the new professor.
"Suffer from nightmares, Professor Jasper?" Snape asked in a sly way. Rosaleen stood firm and nodded.
"Yes." She looked at the Potions Master, daring him to say something suspicious or unkind. However, Snape nodded in an apathetic way.
"I have something that will do. I'll bring it along in the next few days. Now if you'll both excuse me, I have other duties that beg my attention." Snape turned quickly and his robes billowed out behind him and he disappeared from the room.
"Rather enigmatic; isn't he?" Rosaleen commented dryly. Lupin chuckled lightly and smiled down at her.
"Enigmatic is among other and more unfriendly things I could say about Severus Snape." Rosaleen smiled in return and saw the weariness on Lupin's features.
"You should sit down, Remus. I'll ask Mrs. Weasley to send up your supper." Before she could turn away, Lupin caught her by the shoulder.
"Rosaleen, wait. I have never been this honest with anyone in my life. There is something that I need to tell you. I....I..."
She waited patiently as he struggled to make his confession. He looked flabbergasted, even though she said that she already knew, it didn't make the words any easier to form.
"I'm a werewolf." He said it quickly and it all ran together. Rosaleen chuckled and he turned a little pink.
"I know, Remus. I'm a vampire and together we are literally as different as night and day. I am allergic to the sun and you are affected by the moon." Rosaleen cracked the brightest grin possible to alleviate the weight of the subject.
"You're not afraid of me?" Remus asked in a relieved way.
"No. Besides, it is you who should fear me. You only change once a month. I'm this way every day." Rosaleen smirked; she had him there.
"I don't fear you, Rosaleen. We're so alike. Since I have met you I felt like I have found someone who truly understands me." She felt warmed by his words, but reminded herself that she should not tell him everything just yet.
Some of her story was just too much. The witch trials, her true aga, the innocents she had fed on, her lineage, the torture by the Puritans and the work she had done in the name of God and Redemption. He knew enough, for now; he knew about Collinwood and her condition. At the moment, that was as far as she was willing to go.
Rosaleen lifted her hand to his cheek and rested it there for a few moments. She met eyes with him and whispered, "Thank you."
Lupin could not combat it any longer and ran his fingers down the side of her face. Her skin was so cold. He took her hand from his own cheek and clasped it in his own.
"I will have to go away for a few days, Rosaleen." "When?" Remus couldn't pull his eyes from her and answered.
"Two days from now, when the moon waxes and becomes full." She watched him carefully and inched a little closer.
"Do you get very ill? Is there anything you can take?" Lupin still held her hand; he wondered why she hadn't yet pulled away.
"There is a potion I use. It stays off some of the effects." Rosaleen nodded and looked at the fire.
"You'll be missed, Remus. Know that when you are gone. I'm sure it gets rather lonely." With those words, Lupin exacted a measure of bravery he hadn't chanced in a while; he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
Rosaleen felt the warmth of her hand, the very blood moving beneath his skin. She stood still and counted the pounding of his pulse. Lupin stood up straight and released her hand and wondered if he had the courage to pull her to him.
Before he could find out, there came a muffled chuckle from the door. Lupin and Rosaleen turned to see Hermione and Ginny at the door, wearing surprised and embarrassed expressions. Ginny spoke up purposefully.
"My mum sent us after the both of you. She says that your supper is getting cold." Rosaleen smiled at them, but Lupin looked a bit flustered.
"Thank you, girls. Remus and I will be down in a moment." Rosaleen nodded in a happy tone. Ginny and Hermione smiled and exited the room quickly.
A/N: In the next chapter; Lupin takes his leave, Snape delivers the potion, Rosaleen has confusing and vivid dreams and Harry Potter arrives. Please read and Review!
To rainbowpegasus: Thanks for the review! I am glad you liked the opening scenes, there is more bloodlust and vampirism to come. Remus and Rosaleen have a strong bond and I love them as characters. I hope I will be able to convey the complexity of their relationship. Please keep reading and reviewing! Tell 5 of your friends to read and review as well!
To Fallen Angel of Hell: Here is the next chapter! I hope I deliver! Please stay tuned!
To Angel of Harlem: You can read the signs very well! Snape always fascinated me and he and Rosaleen share that feeling of overcoming darkness, while Lupin and Rosaleen have afflictions that almost nobody else can understand. I can't wait to hear back from you. I'm working on and editing the new chapter of Halla and Boromir at the moment. Oh, and about Sirius; I wouldn't count him out just yet. At least in my version of the story! Love ya!