Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Chapter 37 -- New Year's Eve and other Revelations
December 26th, brought a change in Rowan. She woke with the two friends, and at that moment decided that she would no longer live in fear. The change in her was complete and consuming. Although still phyisically weak, the change in her personality was overwhelming. Rowan, Remus, and Severus continued to stay at the castle throughout the following week.
They would go to the estate for less than an hour a day for appearance sake; citing exhaustion as the main reason for the continued absence. However, as tired as she was, her determination became an obsession.
Each day, upon her return to Hogwarts, she could be found in her quarters or the library outlining study schedules for her group for independent study, owling international contacts reminding them of their promises of help. Each had responded that they would, indeed, come and teach the students. Fighting techniques, weapons, sword fighting, knife throwing, large and small scale warfare strategies, spell research, wandless magic, flying, anger control, demonology, animagus techniques, if she could think of it, they would be learning it.
Remus and Severus watched her as she refused to give in to the memories of the horrific days spent in captivity; she used the anger to push herself harder than ever. She would use what he did to her to push the teenagers to work harder than ever before. She worked nineteen to twenty hours a day before falling into either Severus' or Remus' bed. The men discussed the situation with the headmaster and decided to assist her while all three waited for her to have a complete meltdown.
The three professors also worked closely with liaisons from the American Secret Service Division, a team of International Aurors, Research Teams, Mathematicians, Apparition specialists, and Muggle Agents representing military intelligence specializing in Tactical and Strategic Warfare. Rowan called in every favor her she or her father ever had coming to him to get the assistance from the American Government.
There had been a shift in power in the Coven and Lair recently which brought a young doctor to the power. His name was Michael Corvinus and seemed to be an amazingly intelligent man. He had agreed to continue the covenants of Cowan for both the Lair and the Covens. Relieved, she asked for his help as well; asking that he bring his second-in-command and weapons personnel with him when he came. She was disappointed when she was told that Kahn had been killed during the shift in power. She took no time to mourn Lucian and Viktor, however, assuming that they had both read prophesies and ignored them. Selene and Raze joined Michael when he came to the Cowan Estate for meetings.
Buffy, Angel, and Piper were also in meetings with them. The meetings were held in the late evenings daily as the time drew neared for the teenagers' lives to be changed. Curriculum was developed and as Rowan pushed her memories aside; her obsession to bring about the downfall of Tom Riddle became forefront in her heart. By the end of December, Tonks and Buffy worked closely with an unlimited budget from the Cowan vaults to buy any equipment moved into the Cowan Estate and rooms were being revamped for training.
Each evening, after the meetings, she took her potions. The night of the 28th was her first night to have mixed them with Jack Daniels, however. And it was the first night she did not dream. Later she was glad of the added rest.
December 29th brought an invitation for a ball to be held at the Potter Estate. Apparently there was a large quantity of people who would be attending. When Dobby agreed to bring Katie on morning of the 30th; Rowan took the kids into Diagon Alley to buy new robes. She had not seen Mason happier than when Katie walked into his arms before the big shopping trip. Her questions were not really answered. She was led to believe that this was more of a dream than reality.
Rowan froze for a moment upon entering Diagon Alley again. It was here that she had been taken only weeks before. Mason and Madison flanked their mother, each holding a hand, and encouraging her to face her fears. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione watched closely to be ready if there were reason to fight or fly. She knew that Order members were close by as well. Her fears abated quickly as she began walking with her kids.
The nine entered Madame Mulkin's Robes shop and the boys and girls coupled off in search of the perfect ensemble for the evening. The Aurors and Order members waited outside for their return. Rowan simply walked to the counter and said, "What ever they want - make it expensive and special. Take it out of the Cowan vaults, please." When the four couples were readying themselves to leave, the first signs of commotion began to fill the street. It was under attack again. Curses flew from the death eaters to the innocents screaming and running.
Laughter and taunting filled the air as innocents fell in the street outside. Bellatrix' voice came out loud and clear "Rooooooowaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn… come out… he is waiting for you… he wants you to come for a little visit… Come out and face me Rowan… let us do this without any more bloodshed… Rowan?" Her voice echoed in the cold winter air; filling Rowan with a sense of dread that she shifted to anger.
Rowan froze for a split second, her magic shattered the windows before coming to her decision, and she screamed out loud, "I WILL NOT LIVE IN FEAR!" With that statement, she turned to the startled teenagers; her voice strong and fearless; "Harry, you are in charge. Keep them here. When it is safe, go to the Cowan vault in Gringott's. There is a one-way door at the back of the vault leads to the Research Room. Wait for me in the Research Room. ONLY leave to call Dobby to tell Dumbledore and return to the room. It is the only place you will be safe." She looked into Madison's eyes, the teen took a step back as she looked into the orange eyes of her mother, "STAY WITH YOUR BROTHER - DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" Madison nodded numbly at the direct and sharp words.
Rowan turned, walked out of the store, with her head held high, to the death eaters waiting her. The teenagers watched as she was struck with a red light and suddenly the assault was over. Rowan disappeared with the one Draco recognized as Dolohov.
Draco and Mason physically held Madison back when she tried to leave the building. Harry stood resolutely in front of her, squaring his shoulders and said, "You heard her, we have to Gringott's."
Draco asked them to wait before going to Madame Mulkin's backroom. They heard some whispered conversations and scattered words such as "..My father…my mother's temper… you know…. You did it... proof." And finally "OBLIVIATE!" Draco had cast a memory charm on the shopkeeper.
He reentered the shop carrying eight bundles. Hermione, Harry and Ron gaped at him. He had eight invisibility cloaks. Draco smiled when asked how he had them. "She slept with my father and my mother doesn't know. It would be best if Narcissa never knew about the affair. If you think Rowan's temper is impressive, you should see my mother's outbursts. She has quite the temper." He passed them out. Taking their packages, as well as Rowan's, the eight now invisible teenagers walked carefully to the bank.
Once inside, they removed the cloaks and put them in their bags. Addressing one of the goblins, Harry requested to see Griphook. The small goblin met with him and Harry leaned close to the small creature. "I need to go down to my vaults, please." Griphook nodded and requested that they follow him.
Upon arrival to the lowest levels, Katie wretched; Mason helped her as she wiped her mouth, muttering "Never again." They all smiled, having felt that way at least once on the Knight Bus. Harry thanked him and asked to be left there. Without question, Griphook left the teens to return to the bank above.
Turning, Harry said, "Okay, she said that Madison was to lead us into the vault. Do you have the key?" Madison shook her head.
Draco snorted, "The old vaults don't actually need keys. Any you do have are just for show. Look there is 101 - POTTER, 102 - Weasley, 103-COWAN, 104 - BLACK, 105 - Malfoy, 106 - DUMBLEDORE, 108, Hmmmm, did you know that this one has no name?"
Dumbledore's vault opened. The headmaster stepped out and faced them. "That would be because the one who owns that vault has yet to fulfill their destiny. As you know, you currently seek the COWAN vault."
Madison looked like she wanted to faint. Mason took her hands. "Mom said for us to do this. Come on. Hold hands everyone." Madison looked to the headmaster.
"What do I do?"
"Walk into the door. It will allow anything connected to you to enter as well." Dumbledore answered, taking Hermione's hand at the end of the group.
Madison took a deep breath and entered the COWAN vault. Once they were all inside, their hands dropped. Draco found Madison's again, and the couples seemed to find their way back to the correct sides. There was a door at the far end. Hermione was enraptured with a large bookcase that covered the entire side of the room, which was just less than 100 yards deep by 50 yards wide. Dumbledore spoke, "Hermione and Ginny go to the bookshelves. Take what you wish and make your way to the back of the room. Harry and Mason go to that wall and choose swords and defensive pieces each. Draco, see the shelf with potions? Grab what you will. Madison, come with me."
Madison followed the old man, silently crying for her mother. He stopped in front of a large armoire and opened it. Turning to the teenager he said "Madison, pick seven boxes from here and come to the back."
Once they had all joined, Madison opened the back door to the vault and they once again found themselves in the Research Room. Madison collapsed on Draco's lap.
Mason, upon entering, looked into the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles before speaking "Tell me what the hell is going on. Tell me now." His words showed no fear to one of the world's greatest living wizards. They did not give any sign of weakness or concern regarding the fact that this man could strike him down or change him into a toad with a whisper. Mason took Katie's hand and pulled her into his lap. When Dumbledore met his gaze, but said nothing, Dumbledore saw recognition in his face. "Now is a good time to start talking. Or it will be a good time to leave to find my mother."
Madison stopped crying; feeding off of her brother's strength, she found her own. She stood from Draco; he made no effort to stop her as the air around them crackled. "Children, sit down," Dumbledore began; Mason looked to Madison who nodded and did as requested, "Rowan is with Tom Riddle. And in all probability is being tortured at this moment."
'He is way too calm to have just said that' the teenagers all thought before he continued.
"How do you know?" Ron asked.
"You know that we have spies in their midst. Severus was called to meet with the other death eaters and we will have news soon." He finished without any emotion at all.
"Did Professor Snape know this was going to happen?" Mason asked with as much calm as he could find.
Harry did not wait for an answer; he looked to Ron, who in turn looked to Hermione. "Headmaster, what do they want her for?" He asked. He sighed before he answered.
Riddle Home, Little Hangleton
Rowan was dropped unceremoniously onto the stone floor of the dungeons beneath the Riddle House. Arms grabbed her before she could get her bearings and the shackles were reattached to her wrists and ankles. Once released, she steadied herself; feeling the red eyes watching her. She raised her gaze to meet his, summoning every moment of righteous anger she could muster she spat at him "Did ya' miss me?" It was all she could ask before Bellatrix hit her with a curse.
Rowan curled up in a ball. 'Damn, that hurts.' As the curse was lifted; she regained her footing and stood again, the physical healing of the past week showed. But she knew that she would have to retain her anger if she was going to survive this.
Ignoring Bella's taunting form, she looked into the snake-like thing she knew was Tom Riddle, "I" deep breath "asked" deep breath "if" deep breath "you" deep breath "missed" deep breath "me?" Exhaling on the last word she wobbled a bit, her magic unusable with the shackles in place. She heard his laugh before she saw his mouth open. 'I have got to get out of here….' She thought savagely.
"Not really, but my faithful servants missed their play toy. Tell me, how are you?" He stayed out of arms length but was close to her, his snake slithering around the vast room.
She looked around to see it slip between the legs of the people standing and watching; determined to kill that snake before she left there today. She was not sure any of them were breathing. "What about you? Did YOU miss me?" Voldemort hit her with a curse; slicing arm sliced from her shoulder to her elbow. The flesh torn apart to the bone, as blood trickled down to her fingertips she looked at it for only a moment. Blinking up at him, she said calmly but quietly "Oh man - that really hurts," before pushing the pain away from her mind.
He came closer to her. She flung her blood at him. It struck his face. He screamed at her "HOW DARE YOU?"
She looked to him, "I should have killed you in the Malfoy Manor when I took their memories." That made the group gasp, she paused before adding, "Tell ya' what Tom, you take these shackles off of me, and we can go for a little one on one. Just you and me; or me and who ever you choose. You win, I stay and we make a baby. I win; you regroup and figure out why you lost. But I warn you, I will defeat anyone you send to me. Of course, you could just leave these on and hurt me that way; because that's the only way someone like you can do it: me with no defenses. A simple Muggle who knows a couple of magic tricks."
She turned to continue facing him; knowing if she was going to survive the loss of blood flowing out of her arm, she needed to leave soon. Her voice louder as she taunted him, "Is that what it takes? You have to bind someone before you can defeat them? I thought the all powerful dark lord could handle himself in a duel with someone like me." She waited. She was not sure what he was going to do. He motioned to Bellatrix. "I don't like her Tom, she is useless to you. You know that. You keep her around to fuck. Her husband isn't too happy about that either - is he Bella?"
She hurled a curse at Rowan. But this time, Rowan ducked out of the line of fire and threw herself to the ground; blood smeared the floor as she rolled and dirt caked in the wound. The dirt stung, but actually slowed the flow. Someone in the crowd screamed as the missed hit. Rowan raised herself on the arm that wasn't cut open, "Ya' missed Bitch," then rolled up into a standing position. "Wanna take me physical? Wanna show your friends just how tough you are?" Rowan's southern accent rang through the room of refined, old family, English. Her fear was being pushed behind her anger and sense of survival as her adrenaline surged through what blood was left in her veins.
Voldemort was livid. No one embarrassed him; that was not allowed. He quickly calculated just killing her; but just as losing against Potter two years ago, his followers would see him as a coward. That would never do. He made his decision just as Rowan had hoped he would. "As we all know, you are no Muggle, Mrs. Black, Sirius would never have married anyone without power. Besides no Muggle would have survived your last stay with us. Dolohov, remove the shackles. Let's see if she has remembered anything else since returning to our magical world."
Dolohov approached her to remove her shackles; first the ankles, then the wrists. "I owe you, Andy," she hissed to him before he moved away. He dropped the shackles as he left her field of vision. She stepped forward and picked the four up. Intertwining them with each other, she put them in the large pocket of her cloak before removing it and tossing it near the crowd. Remembering her dad preparing for a fight when she was much younger; she made a show of interlacing her fingers, reversing them, cracking her knuckles, and flexing her muscles. She was trying to show physical strength, but only succeeded in making Voldemort angrier. "Who's first Tom? I would like my time with Andy over there since he seems so close to you."
Voldemort summoned Antonin Dolohov and Bellatrix LeStrange, "Take her," he told them simply as he returned to his throne.
The fight did not last long. Rowan raised a magical shield "Protego!" The power of the curses thrown were rebounded and struck Bella who fell quite quickly. Antonin was a bit more cautious, circling her like a cat waiting to pounce. Rowan thought quickly about all that Sirius had taught her in the few months they were together between Mason and Madion's birth… deciding on a curse quickly, she waited to see his wand move slightly. With the speed of desperation Rowan flicked her wrist and yelled "Reducto!" It was aimed low and hit on target, just below the navel. She watched as he fell holding what little was left of his manhood, screaming in pain. She rounded on Voldemort, "How about it old man? Think you can take me?"
Voldemort snapped his fingers and several cloaked figures ran forward to fight her. Once again, her personal shield protected her. Only one curse came through and that was the cutting curse that was used earlier. She tried to shimmer out, but the wards were still up. She began hurling hexes at the group, whether they were fighting or not. After three fell, she looked to him again; half expecting to have to fight them all. Turning to Voldemort, who was sitting on his throne, she asked again, "Now? Would you like to fight me now?" She taunted him.
He rose from the dais; determined to show her that no one could act as she did and escape alive. He stepped towards her. She reestablished her shield behind her to prevent a sneak attack as the fight with Tom Riddle, snake-like thing, began.
She had no doubts of his incredible power. She knew very few curses, and none of them were strong enough to hurt him, even with the temporary block of her powers, the burst was pretty much gone. An idea was forming in her crazed, desperate mind… if she could make him shut down for a moment… he might drop the wards and she could leave.
Her dad's military voice shot through her semi-functioning brain… "fight that asshole… do not let him see you weak… you will survive this… stay calm and FIGHT him… end it fast Rowan… you know what to do…" But she didn't; instead, she calculated the risks: blood loss would be a major factor, the intensity of the duel was not going to go well toward her getting out alive. She knew she needed to leave immediately. Her shield would not last long against that type of magic.
He was as powerful as she had feared, using curses that she had never seen before. Fighting the voice in her head to "FIGHT HIM!", she racked her brain as her shield weakened, she could think of only one. She had seen Sirius use it on James once. Just as he raised his wand and began his final curse "Avada…" she raised her right hand and screamed "Vorimitus!" Praying she had remembered the word correctly. The light hit him just before he could complete his curse; he dropped to his knees and vomited all over the floor. When he fell, the wards which were associated with him personally dropped for a moment.
Taking that as her queue, she snapped her fingers and left the dungeons, arriving in the safe point of the Potter estate. She was dirty, bloodied and bruised, not to mention exhausted; adrenaline pumping through her body. Molly screamed as Rowan ran past her and the other Weasleys who were eating dinner, only muttering a small apology and headed straight for the library.
She entered the Research Room with a bang of the door. Looking around, she found all eight teenagers and the headmaster around the table in deep conversation. Everyone stood, wands drawn, and realizing it was her, hurried to greet her. Rowan, taking the hands of her children, sat for a moment, before she passed out cold. The cut on her arm was gushing blood and the one across her thigh that she had gotten earlier was turning her jeans crimson.
Ron could hear shrieks from the Potter library. He pulled Harry away and they went up to calm Molly. "MUM! STOP YELLING" Ron said to his mother. Molly shut her mouth for a moment. "She's okay. She's with Dumbledore and will be fine."
Harry gave a brief explanation of what had happened and looking into the eyes of the only mom he had ever known, reached out to her mind, trying to calm her mentally. "Trust us, Mrs. Weasley."
The library door opened, Snape entered, looking around, he said "Where is she?" Both boys pointed to the open bookcase. He made no move to enter it. Harry grabbing his cloak, said "Follow me."
They entered the Research Room, Molly being calmed somewhat, Ron left with them and was the last one to enter. Without speaking, Snape tossed her cloak on the table in the direction of the headmaster. He walked to Rowan, picked her up and carried her back to the library, where he stepped threw floo powder in. He said "Hogwart's Potions Dungeon", as the emerald flames engulfed them.
Everyone had followed them out of the Research Room, each quiet, expecting him to take her to the hospital wing. No one expected him to take her away. This was getting ridiculous. Why did he keep taking her away? A great uprising began as Dumbledore tried to keep this group of powerful witches and wizards from using their collective power to regain the unconscious woman.
Molly got their attention, however, and when calm was restored, she suggested that they eat. "You have to trust Severus to take care of her." She knew he would bring her back the following day. They nodded but were very angry about it, each determined to be with Rowan when she needed them.
Return to School
He entered his quarters and set her on his bed. Remus was waiting for them in an arm chair beside the fire. Rising, he helped Severus banished her clothes from her body. He gave her several healing potions, before changing out of his own dirty clothes. Remus examined her arm. He cleaned the wound and once satisfied that it was clean, began closing layer after layer of tissue with his wand. There would be a scar, but she would live.
He then turned his attention to her thigh. He carefully tore the jean material away from the deep cut. It was as deep as her arm and oozed green gore as well. They considered taking her to St. Mungo's for this one that seemed to go deep to the bone, but with a secondary hex associated with it. After a moment, Snape grabbed a vial of orange thick liquid and poured it into the wound. It fizzed and bubbled eliciting a scream of agony from the patient, but once it finished, the blood was a healthy red and there was no more green. From there, they treated it as they had treated the cut on her arm.
Severus gave her a blood replenishing potion. Remus watched over her as Severus changed clothes, putting on a pair of matching pajamas and lay with her. He could feel her drawing her needed energy from him. They both slept the rest of the evening and part of the next day. Remus never left their side. She woke several times, screams that echoed off the walls of the Potion Master's bedroom. Each time she was comforted by the sounds of the two men who pledged their time and energy to protect her. Each time, she returned to an uneasy but safe sleep.
The next afternoon, she woke with a stretch rather than a scream. Both men were tense as they felt her move between them. There was no sexual movement. They were both waiting for her shrill scream to take voice once again. She looked down to see him grimace at her fear.
Severus reached to her and drew her back to his embrace. He felt her relax a bit when she heard his words, "You're safe. The children are safe; although I am sure they are VERY angry with me. Dumbledore has your cloak and the shackles. You're safe with us. However, Poppy is on vacation, and you really do need to see a healer, if you are up for traveling." She looked horrified at the thought of leaving, but Remus promised to stay with her. Remus joined their embrace, holding her hand and her breathing relaxed a bit.
Rising and dressing, the three went to St. Mungo's for a check-up. Severus did not enter with them as it would compromise his position in Voldemort's ranks. Remus was relieved to find out that they had done everything exactly as the healers would have. Healer Richardson was not there, but a member of his team that had worked on her at Hogwart's was and she was thorough about her examination. She was also abrupt about not bringing her in immediately. She was released just hours after their arrival to return to Hogwarts. Once settled, they talked about what had happened with Tom. He reassured her that the kids were okay. They had done exactly what they were told to do and Dumbledore and the Weasley's were with them.
The morning of New Year's Day, they rose, dressed and with dread, returned to the Estate.
New Year's Day
The party had lasted until dawn. The Weasley's, Harry, Hermione, Draco, Mason, Katie, and Madison were joined by most of the DA, as well as anyone in sixth or seventh year that any of them trusted. They drank Butterbeer, danced and enjoyed being sixteen and above for the first time.
Draco asked Katie to dance, leaving Mason and Madison to discuss the earlier events. "I don't understand why he took her AND I don't get why we aren't with her instead of playing this charade to be good hosts at a party with people I don't give a rat's ass about." Mason drawled.
Madison met his eyes before speaking. "Look, I don't like it either. Hermione tells me that Dumbledore has his reasons, and we have to trust him."
Harry and Ginny slid quietly next to them and entered their conversation. "You two okay?" Ginny asked them.
"Nope; and until I see my mom again, I am not going to GET any better either. How can that old man expect us to just stand here and pretend everything is OKAY?" Mason's voice was getting dangerously loud again.
Harry put a hand on his shoulder, "I understand, believe me I do. He is THE most irritating man I have ever met - without exception. But he is always right - damn it." Mason turned and walked to the dance floor, interrupting Draco and Katie. As they parted, he danced with Katie held very close in his arms. By the time Draco arrived back at the group, Ron and Hermione had joined them and were telling Madison about some of Dumbledore's secrets that were revealed too late to be of any use. Draco laughed silently at Madison's indignation. Before the conversation could continue, the great clock in the foyer began to strike the first of its twelve bells. "Three….Two….One…. HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!" The house rang with guest's laughter and coupled off, first New Year's kisses.
When breakfast was finally served, the bedrooms were once again filled with sleeping people. Harry and Ginny retreated to his room for some much needed rest. Ron and Hermione, too tired to do anything else, went to her room and slept in each other's arms. Mason and Katie went to her room, and Draco and Madison went to his. Freeing four bedrooms, others crowded into them and slept.
Katie was hesitant to leave before she knew how Rowan was, but with Mason's promise to write as soon as he knew anything, she said goodbye and was taken home by Dobby. The house elves woke each guest with coffee and/or tea before noon. Ordinarily, there would have been a continuation party from the night before, but Molly had asked the elves to escort each guest home as soon as possible. The house was empty except for the ones who lived there before noon.
Severus, Rowan, and Remus returned to the estate New Year's Day around eleven o'clock in the morning. They were waiting for the children to wake up and tell all that had happened. The potion's master would need to apologize for taking her so abruptly from the Research Room.
Hermione was the first of the teens to enter the dining room. Seeing Rowan, flanked by Lupin and Snape, were sitting at the now small table talking quietly with Molly and Arthur, she backed out of the room and ran as fast as she could to get the others.
When they were all seated in the dining room, Dumbledore entered. He sat near the opposite end of the table, away from Rowan's children. They were still very angry with him and would occasionally send nasty looks his way. He understood, of course, but there was little to be done about it. He sat and politely ignored them. His attention was focused on the man who had been his friend for almost twenty-five years. The dark haired man rose to speak to the crowd. First he apologized to Madison and Mason for taking her without speaking to them. He explained that she was in no condition to talk and she needed to be healed before any one else spoke to her.
Harry yelled at his professor first, "YOU had no right to take her away from here. There is a perfectly good hospital wing here. Who the hell do you think you are?"
Sneering at the boy, he replied "I am your teacher. I am her friend. I am the one who watched her take on Bellatrix LaStrange and Antonin Dolohov. I am the one who secured her cloak as she threw it away with the shackles she had talked her way out of, by TAUNTING the Dark Lord. I am the one who saw what she was hit with. I am one who… cares… about her. I knew what I was doing was going to make all of you angry, but it had to be done."
Ron waited for a moment before asking "And what exactly, Professor, needed to be done that couldn't have been done here?"
Snape looked at the red-head, knowing his explanation would not be one that they would accept, but it was all he could give. "I have potions in my quarters for most of the curses that are hurled in the Dark Lord's presence and by him. I needed to get her there in order to get the proper ones into her as soon as possible. She also was suffering from a severe loss of blood from two very deep cuts across her arm and thigh, where her shield failed."
His eyes met Rowan's for a brief moment before continuing. "She was also exhausted before the fight. I am surprised that she lasted as long as she did. She used a curse I have only seen Sirius and James use, and she was lucky enough to hit the Dark Lord with it. When he fell vomiting, the wards were dropped for a few seconds, that's when she left. It took several more moments before I could follow. Take that with repeated Cruciotis curses, and other various hexes that got through her shield, she needed immediate medical attention."
He saw Madison rise from his seat and kneel before her mother. She reached to her, putting her hand on her arm. "How did you get out of there?" Madison asked calmly. Rowan's eyes were filling with the quiet uncontrolled tears of a woman who needed to be alone again. She couldn't answer the question asked by her daughter. The tears rolled down her bruised cheeks. She made no movement and seemed unable to answer her.
Remus answered for her. "Rowan is a proud woman. One who believes that she can handle anything. One who draws a silent strength from those around her. She is the one who stands up to help others, but asks nothing in return. Am I correct?"
Mason nodded, still looking at his mom, "And?" he asked.
"And, anything else is not mine to tell!" He finished with a snap.
Rowan was now sobbing into a napkin. "I'm so sorry guys." she shuddered, trying to fight the tears. Finally, making that decision to put it all aside again, she said "Look, I'll be okay, I promise. I always am, right? Just give me a little time." She rose, heavily limping from the damaged muscle that had been repaired hours before, and with as much dignity as she could find, left the house to return to her private quarters in Hogwart's.
The others did not follow. Dumbledore waited until the whispers ended before rising. "Thank you for the explanation Remus, Severus. Now, we must address a few things before my departure," he surveyed the room, ignoring the indignation of the teenagers who had just seen their mother in a state of near collapse. "None of you will be returning to Hogwart's for the term." Hermione gasped. He ignored her. "You will be staying here. Rowan, before her latest adventure into… what does she call him again? 'Oldy-fart,'" he laughed a bit before continuing, "Oldy-fart nightmare, put together an outline of what she felt you should be studying. Before you say a word, Hannah Abbott and Neville Longbottom will take over the Head's duties in your absence."
He produced several copies of parchment and passed them out. He waited for the teen-agers to read over it before continuing. "As you can see, you will have first thing, an early morning run. This will help your endurance for the fights ahead. You will need to know more now than ever. Voldemort is getting stronger and more insane by the day. Neville will be joining you for several classes and your morning run. The run will be followed by breakfast. Classes will start at 7:00 AM, every morning. For now, there will be no weekends off. Rowan feels that you are all running out of time and will need to be prepared."
Ron asked, "Six A.M.? Bloody hell professor, this schedule is worse than NEWT's." Dumbledore nodded his agreement.
"You will follow breakfast with research of old magic. Every other morning, there will be a research class will last approximately two hours. The next day, you will study charms and hexes and other defenses for the first hour with a practical the second hour. Saturday mornings will bring Buffy and her team will join you for more intense study. She will work with you on physical confrontations. Willow will then work with you on Wandless magic.
"Sunday will bring the Charmed ones. I look forward to their visits. These classes will be on potions and other uses of Wandless Magic. In exchange you will teach them things such as how to ride a broom…" He raised a hand to stop her questions. "Ginny, I have no doubts as to your ability to fight but you are part of this and you have to be ready as well." He met her eyes, no hint of a twinkle behind his glasses any more.
She backed down at once, "Yes sir."
"Now, after your first class, you will have a one hour work out time. This will be spent in the gymnasium, one day with an Auror who will be supervising you, other days you will meet with Michael, Selene, Raze, Angel, and others to learn. Once they decide you have mastered one, then you will study the text you learned the previous day. Following showers, you will have lunch. Potions will be from one until three every afternoon. These hours will be spent making potions that will help with the curses that you will likely be encountering. It will also be spent, later, brewing whatever you discover in the old text or what Piper feels you will need. After that class, you will spend thirty minutes in the chapel learning of the higher powers.
"From 3:30 until dinner time, you will meet in the back yard for dueling. Each of you will learn to fight utilizing swords, knives, fists, karate, and other 'handy' items from a group of teachers that Rowan has secured in the past week. After your proficiency develops with your wandless magic, your wands will only be used in public for show."
There were mutters of "COOL!" around the table.
"After dinner, you will return to the books you took from the vaults. You will each pick one randomly and write reports on each page you read. The book will attract the proper person based on his or her abilities. At 9:00 each night, you will return here to discuss what you have learned that day. It is a time to wind down from the day." He looked to each person at the table.
"It is imperative that you follow this schedule. The aurors will join you each day for supervision and practice. I don't hesitate to tell you that Rowan heard many things while she was being held. We must trust that she knows more than anyone else about what it happening." The headmaster concluded.
"Professor," Ginny asked, "what about our friends? What about our classes at the school? What about the DA? What about… Quiddich?"
He smiled. "As for your friends, no one will notice that you are all gone," the twinkle returned to his blue eyes, "as for the DA, that class will continue as well. Many more students have joined the club and Neville will be overseeing it. He will consult with the staff supervisor if there is any problem he cannot handle. Neville will begin a less intensive routine with the students of Hogwart's. The endurance and fitness areas of Hogwart's students will become an absolute requirement. Do not worry; they will not have the same schedule you do. Your studies will be more intense than anything they will have. As for Quiddich, I believe that you can return to the castle for the games, if you choose, but take into account that you will be missing a training session in order to do so. That being taken into consideration, I believe that there will be a single weekend which will consist of a single Quiddich tournament later this spring."
Harry stood and crossed his arms before speaking to the Professor, "Why should we do this?"
"There is a prophesy, and you all already know it. I will not waste anymore time with the details. It is this or be expelled. It is that simple."
Harry was not happy, but realized that he was not going to win this. Hermione would have a heart attack if she were expelled because of his actions, and he loved her too much to do that to her. Resigned, he walked out of the room for a moment. When he returned, he handed Dumbledore a piece of parchment. "This is the outline for the things I wanted them to learn this term. I have all the books in my trunk if he needs reference material on any of it."
The parchment pocketed, he said a word of thanks before turning to the group once again, "You all know it is for the best?" They nodded their agreement. No one seemed able to argue with him. He turned and being followed by Professors Snape and Lupin, Molly and Arthur, left the room.
The teens talked for a few minutes about what the future held. It was all being thrown at them without reason. Mason talked about his mom's neurotic past behavior, and belief that whatever happened to her when she was held captive has returned her to 'survival mode'. It wasn't the first time he and Madison had dealt with her when she was obsessed, but he hoped that the others would not hate them at the end of it.
