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 Eight: Sweetest Tongue Has Sharpest Tooth
"Little girls, this seems to say,
Never stop upon the way.
Never trust a stranger friend,
No-one knows where it may end.
As you're pretty, so be wise,
Wolves may lurk in every guise.
Now as then, 'tis simple truth,
Sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth."
–Rosaleen in The Company of Wolves (1984)
Later that afternoon, Lupin sat by the fireplace with Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny after having a large breakfast that Mrs.Weasley prepared. He looked distracted, as Harry noticed. Thoughts were going a million miles a minute in Lupin's head.
His thoughts bent on Rosaleen and the dream that still haunted him. It had felt so real and started out so pleasant and lovely. Rosaleen had looked like an angel under that tree. But the blood...
Harry caught sight of Lupin's furrowed brow. What could trouble him so that he would shut down? Harry spoke up uncertainly, hoping to gather some of the answers.
"Uh, Professor Lupin? Are you all right?" Lupin broke from his reverie and turned to the young man. He smiled faintly, he should be asking him the same thing.
"I'm fine, Harry." Lupin sat up a little and wore a friendly grin. Hermione looked around to her friends and spoke up a little hestitantly.
"Is Professor Jasper okay? She never seems to eat and she is so pale." Lupin looked at Hermione, no one could get anything past her. She was as sharp as a tack.
"She's well, Hermione. She has a lot on her plate. She's trying to learn all she can about Hogwarts, Ravenclaw and teaching. Not to mention the work that she is doing for the Order." Ron shook his head in understanding, it made sense to him.
Hermione, however, seemed unsatisfied with the explanation. She bit her lip, considering whether or not she should ask more.
"But what work is she doing for the Order? And why did Professor Snape ask to speak with her in private?" Lupin smiled, Hermione was relentless.
"Dumbledore received a letter from Boston. He sent Professor Snape to deliver it to Professor Jasper. It was from the monastery inquiring if she had arrived safely and to see it she had all of her affairs in order." Lupin hoped that this would satisfy the teenagers, but he knew that they had the propensity of solving mysteries and uncovering secrets.
"I assure you, Hermione, that Professor Jasper is trustworthy and someone who is taking great responsibillty for both Hogwarts and the Order." Hermione nodded her head solemnly and felt a little ashamed by her interrogation of Lupin.
As if on cue, Rosaleen walked into the room at a slow pace and she smiled lightly to everyone in the room. Harry took notice of the way she was dressed, which was unlike any professor that he had seen. She wore black dress slacks and a green fitted oxford shirt. Her hair hung loose and unbounded and her face was very young. She looked around the room curiously, like she knew that she had stumbled onto a conversation that concerned her.
"How is everyone today?" Rosaleen looked timidly around the room and tried not to laugh at the dumbstruck look on Ron's face.
"Lovely." said Hermione.
"Wonderful." quipped Ginny.
"Fine." said Harry and Ron simeltaneously and in stereo.
Rosaleen looked to Lupin, who merely nodded. He had been noticably distant since he sampled the potion. She noticed how tired he looked, how tired he always looked. She sat in a chair beside Harry's and silence swallowed the entire room.
Lupin tried not to avoid her eyes, but he proved to be unsuccessful. He could see that she knew that he was purposefully staying away. That seemed not to rest well with her; and for that reason guilt pulled at his chest.. He knew that she lived a lonely life that resembled his own and now even he was pushing her away. He was doing it because he cared and didn't want any harm to come to her.
Rosaleen felt a soft brush against her ankles and looked down to find Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, at her feet. She bent down and pulled the giant orange balll of fur onto her lap and Crookshanks didn't oppose. Rosaleen always had an affinity for animals.
Crookshanks looked up at her curiously and then batted at the piece of jasper hanging from her wrist with his soft paw. Rosaleen chuckled with a childish air and Lupin looked up in time to see a wide smile spread across her face. It was so hard for him to stay away.
"I shouldn't mind having a cat. I have always found them to be quite agreeable." Crookshanks curled up in the crook of Rosaleen's arm and Hermione spoke up.
"I got him at Diagon Alley. There's a great shop there. We're all going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to pick up our school things. You should come with us!" Rosaleen smiled though Lupin took into consideration that she shouldn't be out in the sun.
"I'm sure Professor Jasper has other things to attend to in the afternoon." Rosaleen looked to him at little sternly. She could see what he was thinking and Rosaleen shook her head.
"Actually, I think that sometime in the sunlight sounds lovely, Remus. I daresay I have been experiencing cabin fever in the past few days. She kept her eyes on Lupin and pleaded for him not to disagree.
"Well, there are things we need in the area. Tomorrow will be as good a time as any." Lupin looked her square in the eye and Rosaleen knew what he meant. Diagon Alley must be near Knockturn Alley.
Hermione watched the exchange carefully and felt that something was out of place. She pushed the thought away hastily, remembering the conversation she just had with Lupin. Perhaps over the years she had become too suspicious. Maybe she looked for things not to fit.
Mrs. Weasley popped her head in from the kitchen and smiled, "Lunch is ready, dears."
The teenagers rose and filed into the kitchen. Rosaleen gently picked up Crookshanks and placed him on the floor and prepared to follow everyone to the kitchen. She felt a hand on her wrist and she turned to see Lupin looking down at her with a quizzical and concerned look on his face.
"You're sure about tomorrow and going out in the sun..." She cut him off before he could finish and shook her head.
"There's a charm I use, Remus. I like the sun, really, and I can go out in it if I take the proper precautions." She covered his hand reassuringly with hers.
Lupin wallowed in her touch, cold and tender. His first instinct was to pull away, his dream still chasing him in his mind. But he did not pull away. He could not push her away completely, for her sake just as much as his.
"If you are sure, Rosaleen." She nodded confidently and smiled.
"That I am. I will be careful, Remus." Rosaleen squeezed his hand gently and Lupin eased away from her slowly. She saw the look on his face and knew that something still bothered him.
"I'm going to have some tea." Rosaleen stated and went into the kitchen with a perplexed feeling hanging over her and left Lupin standing alone by the fire.
The next afternoon, Rosaleen readied herself for the journey to Diagon Alley with the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, Lupin and Tonks. Tonks was coming for Harry's added protection, not that anyone anticipated anything happening in broad daylight in a middle of a crowded shopping district. However, the Order could make no certainties when it came to Voldemort.
Rosaleen wore a pair of jeans and a white oxford shirt. She pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, charmed her teeth and then performed the charm that would protect her from incenerating in the rays of the sun. She was happy to be going out, really. Number 12 had become a bit closed in, especially since Lupin was no longer talking to her as frequently. In fact, he had been avoiding her like the plague.
She wondered at the specifics of his dream. He had told her that he had killed her in it. But how? And what were the circumstances? What had she been doing there? What had been doing together? Was Snape in it, too?
She put on her waistcoat and tucked the letter from Father McCarthy inside the inner pocket along with her wand. Rosaleen had finished her supply of blood that morning, so the trip could not have come at a better time. She straightened her jacket and she made her way downstairs to the sitting room where she found the others waiting.
She met eyes with Lupin, who had been chatting with Tonks. He looked ragged, but healthier in his coat and cloak. Rosaleen smiled warmly and Mrs. Weasley took her by the arm and patted her hand in a maternal fashion.
"We'll be traveling by floo today dear. We must be hasty so no one can eavesdrop or see where we're coming from." Rosaleen grimmaced a little, because she knew that there would be quite a bit of cleaning up to do afterwards. She nodded and sighed.
"Right then. Shall I go first?" Mrs. Weasley nodded and reached out the bag of floo powder to her. Rosaleen smiled at the teenagers hopefully and raised an eyebrow in question.
"It is Diagon Alley, isn't it?" She made sure that she annunciated clearly and Harry smirked in remebering his misadventure to Knockturn Alley. He, Hermione, Ron and Ginny nodded with amused looks on their faces. She took a handful of the powder and she stood in the fireplace, which was a bit cramped. She spoke clearly and dropped the powder from her fingers.
"Diagon Alley!"
Seconds later, Rosaleen felt her self fall unceremoniously on to a hard stone floor. Two identical faces looked down at her under mops of red hair. She pulled herself up and dusted herself off, her jeans filthy with soot.
"Never seen her before, have you George?"
"Doesn't look a bit familiar to me, Fred. I suppose she's lost. Didn't speak clearly did you?"
Rosaleen steadied herself and shook her head, "Is this Diagon Alley?"
"Number 93 to be exact, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes." Said the young man on the left, George.
"Weasley?" Of course, Molly and Arthur had connected to a familiar place.
Before she could finish, she heard a crash behind her and turned to find Lupin filthy and sitting in the fireplace. Rosaleen offered him her hand and he accepted it quickly. She pulled him up where they stood toe to toe. Lupin straightened his cloak, which had turned completely around and smiled. He had a black smudge of soot near his nose and Rosaleen laughed.
"What?" Lupin looked confused and Rosaleen wiped it away with her fingers. She heard snickering behind her and turned to see the twins wearing wry smiles. Lupin stepped toward them and led Rosaleen by the shoulder.
"Why hello Fred and George. I see that you have encountered Professor Jasper." Lupin shook both their hands and then he turned to Rosaleen.
"Rosaleen, may I introduce Fred and George Weasley, sons of Molly and Arthur and enterprenuers in the world of wizarding joke products." Rosaleen smiled and extended her hand to them as another member of their party falling from the fireplace. She turned around to see Ron quickly followed by Ginny appear. They had almost suffered a collision..
Ron and Ginny hugged their siblings and the four of them chatted until the five other members arrived. Once Molly, Arthur, Hermione, Harry and Tonks had appeared; they all collected themselves and the teenagers poked about the store.
Mr. Weasley patted his sons on the shoulder and asked, "How's business, boys?"
"Steady." Fred answered.
"We're going to see a spike in sales once the school term begins. It's a little early yet." George replied. Mrs. Weasley patted them on the cheeks and asked in an overtly motherly tone.
"You'll be eating with us tonight at the Leaky Cauldron? Bill is coming after work." Fred rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Still fancy setting Bill up with the new professor, Mum? I haven't seen you crusade for anything so hard since the battle of Bill's hair." Mrs. Weasley made a 'tisk' sound with her tongue and Rosaleen kept her back turned and tried to act like she didn't hear the exchange. George smiled at the outraged look on his mother's face and then patted her lovingly on the shoulder.
"Of course we'll be there, mum."
Soon after saying goodbye to Fred and George Weasley, the group (completely covered in soot) made their way onto the streets of Diagon Alley. It was an assault on Rosaleen's senses. She blinked in the bright sun, she had not been out in it for awhile. There were street vendors everywhere and so many colors that Rosaleen had a hard time focusing on anything. She felt a hand on the small of her back and turned to see Lupin at her side.
"Are you alright?" He whispered lowly and in a concerned tone. She nodded solemnly and felt glad that he had seemed concerned with her.
"I'm very well. It's so bright, though. I do miss the sun, sometimes." She still felt his hand on her and he whispered again.
"When the others go to Flourish and Blotts, we will have our chance. But we must be quick.
Rosaleen nodded once more and Lupin relinquished his touch. They walked in back of Harry while Tonks walked before him, each keeping eager eyes for anything that seemed suspicious. However, Rosaleen was not really sure about what was normal and what was suspicious about the occurrences at Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley led them into a bookstore, which Rosaleen realized was Flourish and Blotts.
It was packed with students and their parents and Rosaleen realized why Lupin had suggested it as the apt time to make their way to Knockturn Alley. It would take the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione at least an hour to fight through the mess. She made brief eye contact with Lupin, who nodded to her and then tapped Tonks on the arm to tell her that he and Rosaleen would be staying outside while the others shopped.
Tonks nodded and followed Harry closely as he entered the store. Rosaleen felt Lupin's hand on her wrist and he tugged lightly. She quickened her pace and heard him whisper.
"We must be quick. If something happens to Harry while..." He trailed off, not really wanting to fiinish the statement; though Rosaleen knew how it would finish. They had to hurry and hope nothing critical happened in their absence.
Lupin led her past witches and wizards that freckeled the streets of Diagon Alley and then they took a sharp left on to another street. As Rosaleen looked around, she knew that they had made it to Knockturn Alley. The street was darker, alomg with those who walked it. A chill passed through her briefly, she felt the tinge of evil crawling up from the base of her spine. Only those who were up to no good would find any sort of warmth and commraderie there. When they came to a stop, Lupin let go of her hand and looked around wearily.
"What is the address, Rosaleen?" Lupin asked in a hurried tone and she reached inside her pocket to retrieve the priest's letter.
"Number 8." Rosaleen looked around and saw the number on the door the were looking for across the street from where they stood. She pointed and put the letter back in her pocket, "It's over there. I can go by myself, Remus, if you feel uncomfortable."
"No, I cannot let you go alone. Besides, it would do neither of us any good if we were spotted around here by any unfavorable wizards." He took her by the arm again and they hurried across the street and through the door.
Inside, Rosaleen attempted to catch her breath after the mad dash to their destination. The shop was dimly lit with black candles and deep crimson velvet draperies. She looked to Lupin and waited for him to respond. Instead, he looked on a little warily and suddenly a rickety voice popped up behind them.
"You must be the one the priest writes of. Yes, Rose, your legend precedes you." Rosaleen snapped her head around violently, detecting a sinister lilt in the strange voice. A slight man with a hunched back, long black hair and extremely long cainines leered at her in an interested way.
He was a vampire.
"Yes, Father McCarthy sent me. I believe you have something that I need." Rosaleen felt Lupin tense beside her, but still looked the vampire in the eye. The little man sighed and turned to the fireplace.
"Yes, well, why don't you both sit. I'll be able to help." Rosaleen shook her head, rebuffing the offer.
"I fear we haven't the time. You know why I have come. I am prepared to pay you whatever Father McCarthy has promised." The vampire smiled at her wickedly and raised a bony finger in the air.
"I must ask a question, before we preform the transaction. Is it true that you hunt your own kind? You kill vampires?" Rosaleen kept a netural look on her face and she shook her head.
"I help rid of the wicked and evil and it is not lost on any breed. Though, I fear that they have not all been vampires. Now sir, if I may have your name..."
"Matthais Grubb. And may I ask your companions name? He does reek of wolf." Rosaleen looked at Lupin beside her and the shocked look on his face. She shook her head and stepped forward.
"He is none of your concern, Grubb. Now if you please, we must be on our way." Rosaleen pulled out her velvet coin purse and waited for the man to relinquish the blood.
"The priest tells me that you'll need four quarts every two weeks. Make sure to keep it cold." He pulled two round, green wine jugs from behind the counter and placed them infront of her.
"No worries, girl. The glass is charmed not to break. You may want to shrink them, however." Rosaleen held out her coin purse to him and he reached in and took the money for his services. Rosaleen pulled out her wand and tapped it lightly against the glass and murmured quickly.
"Reducio." She then returned her coin purse, her shrunken jugs of blood and wand into her pocket and nodded toward Matthais Grubb, "I will return in two weeks, Mr. Grubb. I appreciate your service and hope that you will keep my patronage a secret."
"I shan't tell a soul, but you must tell me some more about your travels, Madame Jasper. I have heard of you for so long now from the priest and none other than Heathcliff Collinwood himself." Rosaleen spun on her heel and she felt Lupin do the same.
"What?" Lupin sputtered in shock. Rosaleen stuck her hand out to stop him from arising suspicion. She raised her eyebrows curiously and gave him an intrigued smile.
"Tell me, does Heathcliff speak of me fondly? I have not seen him in some time and I fear that our last meeting ended on bad terms." Grubb smiled in return and nodded.
"Oh yes, he is quite fond of you. If I didn't know any better, I should say that he is heartsick over you. Why you are not with him is a mystery to me. He is very powerful." Rosaleen nodded and avoided Lupin's intense stare.
"Ah, but you see, Mr. Grubb, I am not interested in power. Has Heathcliff come in recently? I daresay that I would like to see him." Grubb scratched his head, trying to remember the last time Collinwood had come in.
"He hasn't been in for more than a year. If I see him, shall I tell him that you are looking for him?"
"No. That is not necessary. I wish it to be a suprise. I will come back twice a month. If he reappears, please let me know. "
She thanked Grubb again and turned to find a very upset Lupin behind her. She took him by the arm and ushered him out of the store in a cool manner. Once they were outside, Lupin questioned her in a restrained manner.
"What exactly were you doing in there?"
"Getting a lead on Collinwood." Lupin shook his head at her and continued making their way to Diagon Alley.
"We should have taken him to headquarters and called an emergency meeting." Rosaleen sighed and pulled Lupin to a halt as they reached the entrance of Diagon Alley.
"Don't you see, Remus? If we did that, we would have to explain to the entire Order what we were doing in 'dodgy' Knockturn Alley. If Collinwood returns, I will alert Dumbledore immeadeatley. However, I have worked very hard to gain trust and I am not willing to throw it away just yet. This is the perfect opportunity to bait Collinwood. He wants one thing above all more than power." Lupin looked down at her, knowing exactly to what she was referring to.
"You. He wants you." Rosaleen shook her head, affirming his statement.
"Indeed. I am the one thing he could not have. The one thing that he could not will into submission completely. If I go to him and make him think..."
Lupin could hear no more. This talk made him ill. He knew that she was right, using Grubb as an unknowing informant could work to their advantage. However, putting herself in such a situation would be...
He didn't even want to think about it.
A/N: Up Next-- Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Mrs. Weasley introduces Rosaleen to Bill. Rosaleen encounters Snape and confronts him about the potion. Lupin finds out more about Rosaleen's past and just about how old she really is. As the school year draws near; will Lupin make his move?
To Sheriff of Nottingham: Here's the next chapter for you! Make sure to review! Muchos Gracias!
To Erlina Elf: Rosaleen uses a charm to get around outside, although she is still quite light sensitive and it makes her tired and lethargic. She does really love the sun and misses being able to go out in it all the time. Thanks for the review!
To The Lost Duck: Rosaleen has more sad stories and memories to come, but I want to make her happy (or at least distracted until she finds happiness, hence Snape). The story will become a little more twisted from now on.
To Loopy: I love your idea of the Knockturn Alley scene! Haha! However, Rosaleen is not Voldemort...but she may be able to tango with him later!
To Angel of Harlem: Sorry for the delay, I visited some friends in Michigan for the past two weeks before school started again and they kept me pretty busy at the lake, the Warped Tour in Detroit and a lot of shopping! I may end up having Snape have a dream at some point. I am working on the next chapter of Halla and Boromir...Faramir gets some smoochies and there is a city-wide celebration for the birth of the twins, but Owynvan crashes the party! Hope to hear from yous soon!