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.
Author's Note: I have read HBP, and even though there are changes concerning main characters in the canon, I will not be including them into my story and Iintend tofinish it as I first dreamed it all up last summer.
Waking the Witch
by Leah Pensotti
Chapter Fifteen: To Put It Right
"Ooh, it gets dark! It gets lonely,
On the other side from you.
I pine a lot. I find a lot
Falls through without you.
I'm coming back, love.
Cruel Heathcliff, my one dream,
My only master.
Too long I roam in the night.
I'm coming back to his side, to put it right."
–Kate Bush
"Wuthering Heights"
A month into the term, Rosaleen had finally reached the day that she would experience the first school weekend at Hogsmeade village. More importantly, she would be meeting Remus Lupin at the Three Broomsticks. They had been corresponding via owl post since the term had began and she was very happy with the prospect of seeing him face to face again.
She dressed simply in black slacks, a gray blouse and her waistcoat while she twisted her hair at the nape of her neck. Rosaleen had come to many realizations during her first month of teaching. First and foremost, she realized that the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class was best preformed hands on and in pairs selected by herself. No pitting them house against house and placing them on opposite sides of the room was key.
Since her first week at Hogwarts, Rosaleen had been meeting Severus Snape nearly every night in his office for tea or in the school library. For some reason, there was this silent understanding that had flourished between them. He asked her no questions and in turn, she told him no lies.
Information about the MacDuff's had moved slowly, and had transpired over time with very much reading. That was how Rosaleen had spent most of her free time out of class–researching, grading papers or writing Lupin. The month had flown by.
As Rosaleen entered Hogsmeade with the students, she felt a smile play at her lips. It looked a little like something from a child's storybook. She walked on amongst the excited teenagers until she saw the sign heralding the Three Broomsticks. As she pushed the door open and scanned the room until her eyes fell on the familiar form that she had not seen in a month.
Remus Lupin had sat sipping his tea when a gentle tap came upon his shoulder. He turned around and saw the face of his ghost smiling brightly down at him. He stood quickly and returned Rosaleen's smile, he hoped that the nervousness did not show on his face.
"Hello, Rosaleen."
"I'm very happy to see you Remus, you look very well." He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down across from him. Lupin surveyed her; she was still pale, but for the moment her sadness was nowhere to be seen.
"Can I get you something to drink?" He asked with his calmest capability. She sighed and mulled over what to order.
"Tea would be lovely, thanks."
As he went to retrieve another teacup from Madame Rosmerta, Lupin scolded himself about his nerves. It was Rosaleen, his friend. He wandered back to the table and filled her cup with the teapot that had arrived much earlier. She murmured a thank you and he sat down once again.
Rosaleen wore her mysterious smile and pushed two books over to his side of the table. He raised an eyebrow and she finally spoke in a low tone.
"I thought you would find these interesting. They came from Rome, via Boston, to aid us in our search for answers concerning a certain family."
Lupin understood her cryptic talk about the MacDuff's. They could not be sure about any shady figures that were around them in the very popular and public place.
"Speaking of business, tomorrow night is the night. I hope you enjoy the opera." Lupin gave her a lopsided grin and Rosaleen looked a little surprised.
"When did you find out?"
"This very morning. Tonks came by with the news. Evidently, there has been two or three spottings in London and talk of an opera." Lupin whispered. Rosaleen thought for certain that Collinwood was more likely to turn up in Paris or Berlin, it seemed that he was set to stay in London, which all in all was very unlike him. Suddenly, Lupin's voice broke her from her reverie.
"Is everything all right, Rosaleen?" She looked up, smiled and sighed.
"I have absolutely nothing to wear. How about you?"
Lupin chuckled happily, and in all actuality, he did not and did not have the money to acquire some. He shook his head, "I'm afraid I don't."
"I'll take care of that tomorrow afternoon, leave it to me. What time should I be at the house?" Rosaleen questioned lightly while taking a sip from the teacup.
"I suppose around five, if we need to dress and go over things with Tonks." He could not help but marvel at the change in her. She seemed like a new person; happier than she was, but still more melancholy than she should be. Yet, his breath still caught in his chest when he saw her.
"I'll be there. This ought to be an interesting experience. Have you ever been to an opera?"
He shook his head, "No, this is a first for me."
Silence fell over them for a moment when she saw three familiar faces enjoying butterbeers at a corner table and were grinning at them. Lupin caught notice of Rosaleen's smile and turned to see who she was looking at.
Harry, Hermione and Ron all waved at Professors Lupin and Jasper. Ron turned back to his butterbeer and chuckled, "So old Moony finally managed to ask her out."
"They may be discussing certain business-related things, Ronald." Hermione hissed.
"In a place like this? They're smarter than that." Ron shot back and Harry only sighed.
"I'm sure it is a little of both and that they are being cautious. The meeting did concern Harry a bit. The Order had a habit of keeping him horribly unaware about things concerning Voldemort. The addition of Professor Jasper and whatever she was aiding in, brought to light many questions on his part about just what he should be ready for.
Harry sighed thickly and Hermione looked at him in a concerned way, "Something wrong, Harry?"
"Aren't you just the slightest bit interested in why Professor Jasper was brought here all the way from Boston? What kind of knowledge or power does she possess that is so valuable to the cause?" Harry looked from Hermione to Ron and then the former spoke.
"I've had odd feelings about her all along. Not dangerous feelings or evil feelings or anything. I've been trying to figure it out since I met her–but it was you two who told me I was imagining things." Hermione reminded them gently.
"I guess this is where we start poking about?" Ron said with a slightly serious look on his face.
Harry and Hermione shot each other an agreeing glance; it was indeed.
A/N: This is the first quarter of the original 15th chapter I wrote. But it was so long that I have chopped it up into smaller morsels. The next section should be up no later than Tuesday! Rosaleen, Remus and Tonks head to the opera, Collinwood makes his grand debut with six brides, someone gets injured and one of Rosaleen's secrets gets let out.
PLEASE R&R!
To Marie: Thanks for the "Moon Over Bourbon Street" suggestion. I am going to use it in a chapter that is a little closer to the feel in the song–perhaps the 16th or the 17th, considering I already have them written out. It's weird that it not only fits Snape and Lupin, but Collinwood as well. I love your reviews! Please keep them coming!
To AstarelUndomiel: I hope you have a safe and wonderful journey! As I have learned on my travels, that there are internet cafe's in the most interesting places! I hope you can read at least the next three chapters, since they will be published within days of each other! Hope to hear from you soon!
To Angel of Harlem: Here's the next chappie, even though the original chapter 15 was 30 hand-written pages front and back. I fear I had to break it up as not to overwhelm. But no worries, the 16th chapter will be up by Tuesday, I promise! There will be action and romance to make up for all the torment! Love ya!