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Chapter 31: The Bheatha Shiori
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Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Hogwarts
Severus and Lena were sitting in their black marble tub, relaxing in the afterglow of having just made love. She was sitting in front of him, between his legs, as he helped to rinse her hair.
"Should I go out and summon Marope to see about breakfast?" Severus asked.
"It would be nicer if we could just stay here all day," she replied. "But I guess we should at least pretend we still care about our classes while we're still here."
"Maybe you can slack off on your studies now, but I can't. Ken will be dropping off the assignments I finished for my non-magical classes today when he returns home for those funerals. Have you made any decision on whether or not you still want to train as a nurse when we get home?"
"I think that I will have enough to do just taking care of you and that huge house, even with Marope's help. And she will be leaving to live with your mother and Paul by Christmas."
What she did not say was that she had left off using the anti-pregnancy potion the week before, and she hoped that news of a pregnancy would be the perfect Christmas present for Severus. They had discussed it, and he had left the decision of whether or not to complete her education and when they welcomed their first child completely up to her. He just wanted her to be happy, and, after all, it wasn't like they couldn't afford to have a dozen children, if they wanted. It was so nice not to have to worry about money anymore.
"We do have a maid service come in every Monday and Thursday to take care of the major cleaning. My Nonna needed the help, and Gramps didn't have the heart to let them go after she died. You'll just have to be careful about using magic when they're in the house because the ladies are non-magical. When we get home, I'll show you how to use the computer to order groceries and have them delivered to the house. Aunt Natalie has been taking care of all that since Nonna got sick, but I'm sure she will be happy to turn all that over to you. I'll have Gramps set up a household account for you. Is there anything else you can think of that you'd like?"
"I would like to have that area outside of the kitchen so I can have my own garden and grow my own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. I also would love to have a small greenhouse and shack built where I could grow other things and brew potions. I would need to have it walled off, of course, so none of the non-magical people Grand-père keeps about the farm can wander in. A nice tall wall, made of stone."
"You can have anything you want. Anything else?"
"I would like for us to move into your mother's room once it is empty. It is larger than ours with more closet space. Also, the windows overlook the area where I want my garden to be. It will be a much happier view than the family cemetery. And I want it redecorated. Your mother's penchant for black is not to my taste."
"Are you going to want it redecorated in pink?" he asked, inwardly groaning. It was bad enough that he'd be wearing a pink vest at the wedding.
"Oh no. I want it redecorated just like how you made the Room of Requirement appear the first time we made love. Your room is just so masculine"
"That would be awesome. Your wish is my command. I think it's time we get out of the bath now though, before we get all shriveled up."
Laughing, they climbed out of the deep tub and pulled on the chain that would open the drain. They hurriedly dried off, and Severus pulled on his pajama bottoms while Lena slipped into her favorite black silk robe. Entering the bedroom, Lena went to the dresser and began to get her hair into order, or at least make the attempt.
"Do you need any help with that?" he asked.
"Oui, s'il vous plaît,"
"Severus took the comb from her hand and stood behind her, drawing the comb through her damp hair with one hand while using his other hand to cause a warm, heated wind to dry it."
"It would be easier if I could use your Dry & Smooth hair potion," she said.
"But then your hair would be straight and I'd miss these long, loose waves. Besides, your hair behaves so much better now. Do you want to leave it loose today or do you want me to braid it?"
"Braid it, please. It is easier to manage in my class in the Hospital wing. We even have a patient there right now, a second year Hufflepuff girl who had a vermungous charfish explode in her hand during Care of Magical Creatures."
"That doesn't sound good."
"It is not very pretty."
Having finished Lena's hair, Severus left the bedroom and entered the sitting parlor of their small suite of rooms. "Good morning, Marope," Severus said as he found the little elf fussing about the room, straightening up and dusting the furniture.
"Good morning, Severus," Marope responded. "What would you and Miss Lena like for breakfast this morning?"
At that moment, Lena also entered the parlor, inserting the pink opal earrings Severus had given her.
"Where are Ken and Lupe?" she asked.
"They left already, Miss Lena," Marope answered. "Harry Potter sent two of his Aurors to protect both of you in their absence. It's the Weasley twins. They used to go to school here. They were much better behaved than the first set, Fredi and Georgia were. Those two were always in trouble. Mr. Fabian and Mr. Gideon are just outside the door."
"I hadn't realized they would be leaving so early," Lena said.
"I wish I could be there to see if the net we cast will catch any fish," Severus said.
"Do not be absurd, Severus. I would never permit you to place yourself in any danger. Sterling and Ken are absolutely correct in keeping you safe. Now, Marope, we will have a pot of coffee for Severus, and I would like a cup of hot chocolate. To eat, let me think...my husband will have an omelette au fromage made with boursin and the usual vegetables added. I will have a bowl of oatmeal with crème and assorted berries mixed in."
"Can you delay breakfast for about twenty minutes?"
"Certainly, Severus," Marope replied.
Once Marope vanished to the kitchens to prepare their breakfast, Severus stepped close to Lena and pulled open the silk belt of her robe. He began to slide his hands over her body.
"Isn't it nice to have the place to ourselves, without Ken and Lupe hovering about? That omelet you requested sounds very filling. Maybe I need to work up more of an appetite for it," he said. "Would you be willing to help me do that?"
"Again, Severus?" she asked, softly biting her lower lip and looking up at him through her lashes.
"Always," he replied, taking her hand and leading her back into the bedroom.
Nearly an hour later, Severus and Lena entered the Greenhouse for their Herbology class, more than a few minutes late, having hurriedly reheated and wolfed down their breakfast. Gideon and Fabian Weasley took posts near the door of the greenhouse.
"I'm so glad you two could make it," Professor Longbottom said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Sorry, Professor," Severus murmured. "We lost track of time."
Neville noticed the blush and coy look Lena gave Severus and noticed the sly looks the other students were sending each other. He would have to speak with the Headmistress about making a policy against having married couples in the school. It was just too much of a distraction in class. Not one student would have their mind on the lesson today.
"Your papers on the life cycle of the Moly plant are due today," he said. "Do you have them?"
"Yes, Professor Longbottom. We do," Severus said, floating his and Lena's rolls of parchment over to him.
After Herbology, Lena and Tara, followed by Gideon Weasley, went off to the Hospital wing for their Healing Arts class while Severus and James headed up to Defense against the Dark Arts, Fabian Weasley following behind.
"It's a shame that you have to leave so much earlier than expected," James said. "I've become rather used to having you around."
"Yeah, I know, but I'm needed there. First for the final wedding preparations, and then, I have to be a witness at the Rite of Ascension for Glynnis Barton on October 31st."
"Ms. Barton has a Rite of Ascension like yours?"
"Similar to mine, but not exactly. Our High Seeress Rebekka is very ill and infirm. Rebekka's soul will be joined with Glynnis' to assure that the High Seeress will continue to serve the Supreme Coven for another generation. When I ascend, my personality will be the one in charge and those of the previous High Leaders will be under my control. Rebekka will always be the controlling force after her Rite of Ascension. My ascension is fueled by the magic of the Great Pyramid. Hers takes place in her chambers and we don't really know how it works, truth be told. Gramps and I merely witness it so we can give our statements for the official records, to establish legal continuity. From what I understand, Glynnis will be given a potion and enter a sort of twilight sleep. Then, Rebekka will do whatever it is she does to begin the process of Regeneration.
"That's odd. It sounds like the Bheatha Shiori."
"The Bheatha what?"
"Bheatha Shiori. Five years ago, I was doing an assignment for my Magical Creatures class. I found a book on extinct magical creatures in the restricted section of the library. It was a creepy story of this race of magical beings, native to Ireland, that was able to invade and take over the body of a younger woman at will. After taking over the body, they aged somewhat more quickly than normal, and as they aged, they became blind and were only able to perform magic by touch."
"Why was it creepy?"
"They were a race of monsters, totally evil. They would kidnap a young witch, sometimes raising the girl as their own and then, simply take over the child's body whenever the Bheatha Shiori found it expedient to do so. It was called the act of Saol. The Ministry hunted them into extinction during the late 1600's. I told the legend to Lily one night. She had bad dreams for weeks. That was funny."
Suddenly, things began to click into place in Severus' mind. "Did they have the gift of prophesy?"
"The book didn't say anything about that, but I guess it could be possible. It did say that exterminating them had been extremely difficult because they often seemed to know they were coming. The Aurors of the day took to using a Metamorph to pose as a girl or young woman wandering lost in the woods. Then, when a Bheatha Shiori tried to take them, they killed the old hag. The book says they examined them after killing them. They had no...you know...lady bits down there, if you get my meaning, even though prior to being taken, the woman was physically like any other woman. That's how they knew for sure that they had a real Bheatha Shiori when they found one. Maybe if the witches and wizards of America took the study of magical creatures more seriously, you'd already know about them."
"Maybe you're right, James. Can you help me find this book?"
"Definitely. We can go up to the library right after class."
... ... ...
Severus carefully returned the book to its place on the shelf in the restricted area. The description of the Bheatha Shiori was accurate to the nth degree to what he knew of Rebekka's existence.
He made up his mind to do further research into Rebekka's past at the Supreme Coven archives as soon as he returned home on Friday. The records of her past incarnations were there. Each one had been witnessed by the High Leader and, often, the Ascendant at the time. The thought that the old crone had been carrying on a fraud for the past four hundred years, stealing children and then their bodies as they grew into young women, just to maintain her immortal existence was beyond criminal. He was determined to not allow Glynnis Barton to become her next victim.
"You look rather disturbed. I hope you're not going to have nightmares too," James said. "We'd better get downstairs now. It's nearly time for lunch."
They waited in the Entrance Hall for Lena and Tara to return from their Healing Arts class.
"Have you heard anything about the funeral of the two assassins yet?" Lena asked the moment they arrived.
"No. Remember, it's still only six in the morning in Massachusetts, Adalena. The funeral doesn't even begin until one in the afternoon, which will be seven o'clock this evening here. "
"I am just so worried, Severus. I hope they are able to get everyone who was involved in the conspiracy. I cannot bear the thought of losing you."
"I'm not going anywhere. Coven Security knows what they're doing. I have every faith in them, Adalena. What are we going to have for lunch today?"
"You're always trying to distract me from my worries by changing the subject."
"I know," he replied, grinning unrepentantly as they entered the Great Hall. "Want to sit with the Ravenclaws today?"
"Would you mind if we sat with our family?" Gideon asked.
"It'll be like old times, sitting at the Gryffindor table," Fabian added.
"Yeah, that will be fine," Severus said. "We'll be right at the next table. But I'm sure that nothing can happen to us in Hogwarts. I'm sorry that my father made you do this."
"We're not sorry," Fabian said.
"It's rather fun being here again," added Gideon. "We actually find that we miss the place."
"We bloody well never thought we'd ever hear ourselves say that," they said together.
"Sure guys, go sit wherever you want," Severus said. He watched them walk down the Gryffindor table and sit near their siblings. He thought about the twins in his family, and how they were completely different people, both in gender and personality.
"So, what is the plan for getting people to the wedding next week?" Tara asked as he and Lena took their seats.
"After your last class next Friday, Severus and Ken will come here and help everyone who is attending pass through our Mir-Tran link," Adalena explained. "His grand-père has booked two floors of rooms at the hotel where the reception will take place. August had everything organized, right down to what room each guest will be assigned. Your family, Tara, will be staying in a suite with two bedrooms. It is right down the hall from Severus' and my bridal suite."
"What will we be doing that night?"
"It will still be late morning in Boston, so his grand-père has rented a large party bus to take everyone to the church in Salem for the rehearsal. After, we shall embark on a on a tour of Boston that will include a stop at the restaurant Severus' Aunt Sophie owns. Then we girls will be dropped off at the hotel where we will be pampered at the spa while the boys are taken into Salem for Severus' bachelor party, which is ridiculous because we are already married, so he is not a bachelor. I have heard things about these bachelor parties, and I do not approve at all."
"You don't really think Gramps is going to hire strippers, do you?" Severus asked. "You have nothing to worry about. His idea of a good time is consuming copious amounts of prime rib and talking politics with all his cronies he's invited. I'd much rather be at that hotel with you and the girls, enjoying the spa package he's arranged for all of you."
"What about the day of the wedding?" Tara asked.
"The next morning, my maman and grand-mère will arrive to help me and all my bridesmaids get ready. As this will be a completely non-magical wedding, we will travel by a rented limousines into Salem to the church for the ceremony. Then, everyone will make their way back to the hotel in Boston for the cocktail hour while the wedding party is conveyed to various locations for photographs. I am a bit put out by the fact that we cannot leave for our honeymoon immediately because Severus has Supreme Coven duties to see to."
"Where are you going?"
"My gramps has managed to borrow a private island off the coast of South America for us to stay in," Severus replied. "We won't return until Thanksgiving week."
"The family that owns the island will be at the wedding. They are all vampires," Lena added excitedly.
"Vampires? Are you Americans daft?" asked a Ravenclaw fifth year who was sitting nearby.
"Oh, the Cullens are awesome. They don't kill people," Severus explained. "They consider themselves to be vegetarians. In fact, they have teamed up with this pack of shapeshifting wolf people and they hunt down bad vampires."
"Well, I still wouldn't trust them," the Ravenclaw boy muttered.
Severus decided to let it go. He did understand. Even Adalena had been apprehensive about having vampires at the wedding at first. But she trusted his and Gramps' word that it would be completely safe.
"By the way, Adalena, we have to pop over to Coven Chambers after class tomorrow to attend August's funeral service. Afterwards, we will gather at his gravesite in our family cemetery. Your uncle will be attending too. With the time difference, we won't be getting back here until nearly midnight.""
"I am going to miss August," she replied. "However am I going to manage without his help and advice?"
"You have me, my entire family, and Jazz. I know it's going to be strange, not having August around. He's been a valued member of my family as long as I can remember."
Lena's eyes grew misty as she simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak without sobbing.
Severus placed his arm around he to help comfort her and let the rest of the conversation about the wedding and school gossip drift over his head while he pondered his next move regarding Rebekka.
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Friday, October 21st, 2022
Dalton Farms, Massachusetts
Stepping out of the Mir-Tran link into the foyer of his home, Severus was surprised to see that Paul was at the house. He had his mother's full-length chinchilla coat hanging over his arm.
"It's great to see you, Paul. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Your mother wanted me to come pick up this coat from her closet," he replied. "It's good to see you too, Punk."
"I need to head out to the spectral stable and have a phase with Harthar. Do you want to come along, Adalena?"
"Non, Severus. Marope and I will go upstairs and get our things put away in our room. Then I will show her about the house and see about preparing dinner for us."
"Sounds good, but remember, it's only lunch time here. I would like a salad, with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. All the French food I've been eating lately has made me gain weight. "
"That is right, the time difference. At least this is the last time I will have to think about that."
"I'll walk out to the stable with you, Severus," Paul said. "It will give us a chance to catch up."
When Ken stepped forward, as if to follow, "Paul said, "It's fine, Ken. I'd like to have some private time with my son. He's safe with me."
Ken smiled. "Of course, Paul," he replied. "I'll spend some time getting settled back into my room.
As they walked through the house to the rear entrance, Severus said, "Son?"
"There was a time when you asked me if I was your father. You had trouble saying Paul when you were little. You called me Pa.""
"I remember that."
"I would be honored if you would call me Dad. After all, your new brother or sister will be calling me that. It would help him or her to be less confused."
Severus smiled. "It seems much more natural to me than calling Harry that. I have come to care for him very deeply, but there's this lack of history there, you know?"
"It's only been three months, Severus. He's a good man. Give it time."
"I know. Things have gotten a lot better between us since he's given up trying to monitor my moral compass. But tell me more about the funeral on Tuesday. Ken says Coven Security rounded up five men and a women at the funeral."
"Yes, the plan played out perfectly. There we all were, standing around the gravesite in the cemetery outside Savannah, Georgia, eulogizing these two guys. Sterling, appearing as the High Leader. He was giving this ridiculous, flowery speech he wrote about their heroism. We all thought for sure he was going to blow it because we all know that the High Leader has always been short and to the point. Anyone who has really ever listened to him knows that he isn't given to hyperbole."
"Yeah, I know, Dad. Get to the good part, please," Severus said.
"Suddenly, they made their move. They tried to blast Sterling first, of course, but we all had shield manifestations around us. But one of the attendees suddenly came up behind me because he thought I was you. He got zapped by my manifestation. So, I broke the guy's arm and flipped him onto his back, and we stunned all six of them. They all sang like canaries. Instead of assassination, they were planning on kidnapping me...er...I mean you. It turned out that the ringleader of the entire plot was none other than—get this—Armand Sutton, the father of Kiefer Sutton. It seems that old Armand still holds a grudge against the High Leader for using his son's crimes to force him to give up that Supreme Coven seat back in 2004. Agents arrested him at his home that night. All seven are in cells at Coven Chambers."
"Was his son involved at all?"
"Surprisingly, no. We cannot find any evidence of Kiefer's involvement. He actually seems to be keeping his nose clean these days, except for cheating on his wife with a mistress he keeps in an apartment not far from his house. He has already hired his old man an attorney. They have filed notice that they plan to pursue an insanity defense. They're claiming that the old man hasn't been right in the head for years."
"So there's going to be another trial?"
"At least six trials. All of them punishable by Banishment to the Wastes. Armand Sutton began a conservative Republican PAC in 2015, supporting Trump. The others who were arrested at the funeral were all officers in the PAC. They gave up the information on Sutton and have implicated a couple others. Coven security is rounding them up too for questioning. Some have fled the country, but we—I mean they—will get them. It seems they really believe that the High Leader fixed the election for Joe Biden."
"We don't do that. We have enough to deal with just handling our own crap. We take office to influence, but we don't interfere. At least not as much as we used to. And we all know that the 2016 election was fixed by that witch Trump is married to."
"I know, but they cannot accept that the people simply had enough of those four years in the Trump terror dome."
"I'm just glad that it's over. Now Adalena and I can move on with the wedding. Where is Gramps, by the way?"
"He's still staying in his apartment at Coven Chambers until the trials are over. All of them have retained counsel, so it's not going to be over as quickly as Halpern's was. You will have to prepare yourself to banish them. I personally know one of them. He worked for Coven Security at the Southeastern District. It makes me sick that I trusted him."
"I just wish there was a different way. Banishment to the Wastes seems to be so extraordinarily cruel. Nobody really knows what happens after. I'd prefer just to be executed. That way, I'd know it was lights out, over."
"I have to agree with you on that one. It will be hard though for you. Being tasked with ending someone's life is a heavy burden to bear, emotionally. Even when they do deserve it. Your mother and I need to know that you're in a good place mentally."
"Gramps doesn't seem to let it bother him."
"His ability to compartmentalize is astounding, Severus. He actually feels no guilt over any act he commits as the High Leader. I've often wondered if you will be the same when you ascend."
"I'm not looking forward to it," Severus admitted. "You've been called upon to kill. How have you processed it?"
"The first person I ever killed was Hank Lummox, the person who attacked your grandmother Emma in London. I did it on the order of the High Leader. He wanted to test out the potion he planned on using to kill Nikita Khrushchev. He wanted Lummox dead out of pure revenge. Lummox wasn't an American nonmagical, so it did not violate our laws. The others were dangerous men I eliminated under order of the CIA. They were a threat to our national security or that of our allies. I told myself that I was making the world a safer place for everyone."
"Then why didn't we help eliminate Voldemort?"
"The High Leader wanted to, but as the Supreme Coven pointed out to him, the Ministry was not our ally. They voted against getting involved. Even the High Seeress advised against it."
"Why would she be involved with a decision like that? I thought her only purpose was to identify the next High Leader?"
"No, she has traditionally advised the Supreme Coven. At least she used to in her previous incarnations. She hasn't done very much during this one. There are records of all her prophesies in the Archive. I've read most of them, but there is one tome—John Alden's— that is sealed and can only be opened by the High Leader's ring. It's for his eyes only. You will be able to read it one day."
"Do you know if my great-grandfather has read it?"
"I have no idea. Why?"
"I'm just curious. Have all her prophesies panned out?"
"Actually, yes, she was very helpful to Alwin Cuthbert, the second High Leader. Which was good because he was so horribly inept. All he ever wanted to do was eat, drink, and write his bad poetry. She was actually the power behind the throne during his tenure. It was my understanding that John Alden kept her at arms' length. Rumor has it that he did not trust her. She regularly prophesized during the Revolution, assisting the third High Leader. Ben Franklin was able to pass along information about British troop movements to George Washington. Henry Walton even used her prophesies to advise Roosevelt during World War II. She was very relevant to our history right up until this last incarnation. The only thing of real relevance she's prophesized ever since has been your destiny as the tenth High Leader. She has also spoken out against use becoming any closer to the Ministry over the pest few months."
"If I tell you something, would you agree to not divulge it to anyone else?"
"You have my word, Severus. I no longer work for Coven Security. My first loyalty is now to you and your mother."
Severus began to tell Paul about his suspicions regarding Rebekka, including the information he had learned about the Bheatha Shiori.
"So you see, if she is a Bheatha Shiori," Severus summarized, "she would have good reason to advise against us helping the Ministry defeat Voldemort. She'd be outed as a Bheatha Shiori."
After, Paul was silent for a full minute as he processed what Severus had said.
"I'd like to say I'm surprised, but I had been suspicious of her too after the day of your mother's 21st birthday. It just didn't add up. She was inside Rebekka's chambers for well over an hour, yet she thought she'd been in there for only ten minutes. That was when I went to the archives and read what was available about Rebekka. I tried like hell to break into that sealed tome, but failed."
"And when my mother suddenly became pregnant, you didn't suspect that she was behind it?"
"No. She had been dating Kiefer Sutton. Like everyone else in the family, I assumed you were his son. I'd had no idea that Rebekka had also been offered the opportunity to hex Harry too. What would her motive for doing this possibly be?"
"Adalena thinks that perhaps she'd had a prophesy that Destiny wanted me to be born to be named the next High Leader."
"That could be possible, I guess. I don't know what to do with this. I know I promised not to tell anyone, but your mother carries a heavy burden of guilt regarding Harry. Being a party to adultery has always bothered her. She deserves to know that it wasn't her fault, Severus."
"I just ask for a little more time to look into Rebekka a bit more. Then you can tell her everything. I'll have to let Harry and Ginny know too, of course."
"Understood. If what we suspect is true, they both deserve to know. It will help them place their remaining feelings of guilt in the past where they belong."
They had reached Harthar's stall and Severus removed his saddle from the pinewood stand near the door. "One last question. Did you know Harry was my father?"
"Yes, your mother came clean with me when we fell in love. She didn't want me finding out later. By that time, I didn't really care. In fact, I was relieved that Kiefer Sutton would never be coming around to make any claims on you. I wanted her to marry me and put my name on your birth certificate, but, of course, she was afraid of your grandfather finding out about us.
"And he knew all along, and the two of you wasted so many years."
"He should have said something, but I don't consider those years a waste. We were together, after all. I lived in the house. I got to raise you. I have no regrets. So where are you going to phase today?"
"Just over to the racetrack. I feel like a good hard gallop today. Harthar needs the exercise and so do I. I've gained nearly five pounds this month. I don't have nearly enough time to work out like I did before. I'm worried I'll have to use magic to fit into my tux next week. Ken and I are going on a five mile run every day until the wedding. Then I'm going to hit the club and swim laps."
"Marriage will do that to you. Speaking of which, I'd better get back to your mother in Ireland. Then we're off to the Continent. We'll see you next week at the wedding."
"Definitely. See you then, Dad."
... ... ...
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022
Supreme Coven Chambers, Salem, Massachusetts
Severus walked down the long corridor toward the Archives of the Supreme Coven. Inside, he saw his cousin Tomas studying a thick tome of coven legal codes regarding capital crimes.
"Hey Tomas, how are you doing?"
"Severus. Hi. I'm good. With all these trials coming up this week, I wanted to brush up a bit on our laws about crimes that can result in Banishment to the Wastes."
"Right, it's important to give them a fair trial before we end their lives as they know them, isn't it?" Severus replied, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Er...right...what are you doing here?"
"Rebekka's regeneration is approaching. I want to read up on her previous ones to make sure that I'm prepared."
"Oh, right. That makes sense, I guess."
"Where's Mrs. Robb? I thought that she works a half day on Saturday."
"She said she was going to run up to the museum gift shop to get a soda. She should be back any moment."
Just then, Linda Robb, the Supreme Coven Archivist, entered the archives, a can of Coke in her hand.
"Hello, Ascendant," she said. "How can I help you?"
"I would like to see all the materials you have regarding Rebekka, including any that cover her previous regenerations."
"Of course. They are in the restricted section. I will let you inside.
"I can get inside on my own, thanks," Severus said.
"Yes, of course you can," Mrs. Robb replied. "You will not be able to read John Alden's until you ascend. I'll leave you to it, then."
The metal gate opened at his touch. He sat at a long table set up against the rear wall of the area. A light magically turned on at his approach.
He began reading the accounts of Rebekka's interactions with the Supreme Coven beginning with that of Alwin Cuthbert. All of the entries had been penned by his Auxiliary, Harlan Chapel, who began every entry with the phrase, "Under the direction of the Second High Leader of the Supreme Coven, I, Harlan Chapel, Auxiliary, do enter the following on this the..." and included the date.
Nearly every entry mentioned Rebekka and some prophesy or guidance that she had provided to help the small, fledgling magical community survive. She was able to predict when and where Ministry Aurors would be arriving to kill or kidnap wizards living in the colonies. There were also lists of people who had gone missing. It seemed that Alwin often couldn't be bothered to even preside at gatherings and trials, in which case, Rebekka herself would sit in his seat during Coven gatherings and trials. The most interesting entry was the fact that Rebekka had demanded to magically seal John Alden's records after his murder. High Leader Cuthbert had signed off on the demand, and the Archivist of that time had magically sealed the book.
Severus began to wonder if Rebekka was saving some witches and wizards while forfeiting others. Why hadn't she warned John Alden about the Aurors coming to kill him and his son? He tried to find some proof that the consciousnesses of the women whose bodies she had already used were still living on inside her, but there was nothing. In all, Rebekka had taken over the bodies of nineteen young women over the course of the last three hundred years. Glynnis would be the twentieth. He remembered that day in London when his great-grandfather had admitted that after she had regenerated into Florence's body, that she had no memory of them having ever been lovers.
Severus continued to read through the records of all the other High Leaders. The names of all the young women she had used were there, along with a clear record of verifiable prophesies. They seemed to halt when she took over Florence's body just before Florence's nineteenth birthday.
Finally, he opened his great-grandfather's book. It was much thinner than the other books. It, too, was written in August's hand, as if Gramps couldn't be bothered to do it himself. The first entry was dated in July, 1964, and specifically stated that President Johnson would defeat Goldwater. Well, that was true, but Johnson was the incumbent and, if Severus remembered his US history right, Johnson's win had been completely expected. Anyone could have seen that coming.
In 1966, she predicted that Walt Disney would die by the end of the year. Old Walt was a wizard, and had served on the Supreme Coven for nearly two decades. Severus knew that the Community had been well aware of his health concerns. So that was a pretty lame prophesy as well. On and on it went, one non-prophecy after another. He read August's account of her warning that the Supreme Coven not allow themselves to be sucked into the Wizard War caused by Voldemort.
Of course, if she was a Bheatha Shiori, then she would want to limit any interaction with the Ministry lest she be recognized for what she is.
Severus skipped ahead to September of 2001. There was nothing about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He began to page backwards to see if it was ever brought up at all. It wasn't. The only thing recorded relating to it came later, in December 2001 when she said that the war in the middle east would drag on for many years. Another non-prophesy. All wars based on religion and politics drag on for years and years. Everyone knows that.
Then he went back, looking for the entry that covered Glynnis Barton's selection as the next High Seeress. Glynnis was nearly eight years older than him. He found it in an entry made on December 4th of 2003. August had written:
Today, the High Seeress had proclaimed that she had experienced a vision regarding a now six-year-old magical child born to Non-Magical parents who was being abused by her birth family. Glynnis Barton's existence had been reported to us by a teacher in the Montpelier, Vermont school district as exhibiting occurrences of magical ability and neglect and at the hands of her family. Following an investigation at the local level, it was determined that the child be removed from her family of origin and be made available for adoption by a magical family. However, during this Supreme Coven gathering, the High Seeress interrupted to say that she'd had a vision that this child was the Destined next High Seeress of the Supreme Coven. A vote was taken and the Supreme Coven decreed that the child would be brought to Supreme Coven Chambers and turned over to the High Seeress to be raised and trained.
The last page held two prophecies. The first, announced two days following his birth, was that Severus was the destined tenth High Leader of the Supreme Coven. The final one, entered after his fourteenth birthday, was when she warned the Supreme Coven that the High Leader was coddling him during his training sessions, saying that Severus would not be strong enough to take over as High Leader in seven years because of this. At that point, it seemed like the old hag just gave up even trying to pretend.
Severus heard voices behind him. He turned to see that it was his great-grandfather. Jazz was with him. The two of them seemed to be pretty chummy. But Jazz had always admired and looked up to his great-grandfather.
"Severus," he said, spying him sitting in the restricted area. "It's nice to see that you're diligently reading Supreme Coven archives without me having to tell you to do so. What has you so enthralled?"
"I'm reading all the records about Rebekka, in preparation for her regeneration next week, Gramps. Have you ever read the book of John Alden's dealings with her?""
"I never read any of them, truth be told. I tasked August with making entries on my behalf. As my predecessor, Asshole Number 9, once told me, Rebekka was, is, and always will be. She never changes."
"It doesn't seem like she has prophesized much of anything since you have been the High Leader. Just a lot of generalities."
"Maybe she hasn't needed to because my term has been one of unprecedented stability and economic success."
"Is that your opinion or just your conceit, High Leader?"
Jazz took a sharply indrawn breath that was fully audible in the quiet of the Archives.
"That is a highly disrespectful thing to say to the High Leader," Jazz said.
"It's all right, Jazz, I have always given the Ascendant leave to question and challenge me," Michael said.
"Besides, Jazz, you're my Auxiliary, not his."
"Since the August's death, my bond has realigned to serve the High Leader. And that is not you, Ascendant. At least not yet."
"What is your problem, Jazz? Why are you copping this attitude with me?"
"My attitude is not in question here. Yours is. You have never taken your position seriously. You have been so blessed in life. You were raised in the lap of luxury, heir to a great destiny, yet you show no sense of propriety, and your sense of entitlement is so deep I'm surprised you haven't drowned. I bet you haven't had to go to bed hungry one single time in your life. All you've ever cared about is getting laid as often as you could."
"The same as you, at least as of three months ago. What's the matter, Auxiliary? Jealous? My blood has been shed for my position. I suggest that you not forget that. And while you're at it, don't forget it's me who put you where you are now."
Severus turned his back to Jazz, effectively dismissing him. "Gramps, would you be willing to open John Alden's book of records concerning Rebekka?"
"I don't see the harm," he replied. He stepped forward and placed his onyx signet ring on the cover. The bindings released and vanished. "Let me know if you find anything of real interest."
"Thank you, Gramps. When will the trials of the six conspirators commence?"
"Monday morning at nine. There will be two each day, at nine and two. We're saving Armand Sutton for the last, Thursday morning. Do you think you're ready?"
"I'll be there. I would like to read whatever information we have on them before the first trial."
"I'll bring the files home tonight."
After his great-grandfather left, with Jazz following like an obedient puppy, Severus sat and opened the over three-hundred year old book. He was so pissed off at Jazz at the moment that he had to remove his glasses, close his eyes, and rub his temples for a few minutes. For the first time, he wondered if, perhaps, he had made a mistake in selecting Jazz as his Auxiliary. Well, perhaps Jazz is just feeling conflicted, what with his newly altered allegiances. I can't do anything about it now, so I'll just try not to let this whole thing bother me, Severus thought.
He put his glasses back on and began to read.
The book began with a recounting of the formation of the first Supreme Coven, which consisted of thirteen representatives, one from each colony. Meetings were held in secret locations, and never in the same place twice. The narrative, penned in Alden's own hand, described the Ministry raids conducted in the dead of night. In the ten years between the witch trials and Alden's death, twenty-three witches and wizards vanished or were killed. Severus quickly perused the pages, looking for Rebekka's first appearance. It came in February, 1696.
Proceedings of the Supreme Coven being opened, there was brought before the Coven an aged wench who had been found on the beach at Plymouth dressed in rags. With a manner of speech that betrayed her Irish descent, she gave claim of a ship carrying not less than seven and thirty adult wytches and wyzards and not less than twenty of tender years that had suffered a fatal lightning strike as if from the hand of God Himself.
The wench stated her name was Rebekka, and that she was fifty years of age, although she appeared much older. She spun a tale of having stowed away on the ship after experiencing a prophesy that her Destiny lay in the New World. When questioned of her people, she proclaimed herself an orphan whose family had died at the hands of the Ministry of Magic for assisting local Muggles during the Famine. She claimed for herself the gift of Prophesy and immediately gave warning that Samuel Hodges, the Representative from Maryland, needed to hide his wyfe and progeny for his home would be attacked within a sennight.
Captain Hodges scoffed at the wench, and proclaimed that he had made his domicile unplottable. We dismissed the wench's claims, but determined to keep her safe. We turned her over to Goodwyfe Symons, whose late husband had been a wizard and who operated an inn of good repute in Salem where she would be employed as a serving wench in exchange of room and board plus two new dresses per year.
The next few pages were unremarkable, just observations about rumors of Ministry Aurors being seen in and around New York. Then, just six days after Rebekka's appearance in the colonies, came this entry.
The home of Captain Hodges, though protected with charms and magyck, was set ablaze on the evening of 3, March, in the year of our Lorde 1696, killing the muggle wyfe of the good Captain and his babes as they slept. Under my direction, the young wench was recalled to stand before this governing body, along with Goodwyfe Symons to answer whether the wench had any opportunity to set this fyre herselfe.
Goodwyfe Symons testifyed that the wench had not been out of her inn since her arrival and was, indeed, in her presence laundering the inn's bedding the entyre night afore. The Supreme Coven voted to provide the wench with lodging here at Coven Chambers and record all further prophecies. This was done without my approval, having been passed by unanimous vote of the Supreme Coven. I greatly mistrust this old crone, and cannot abide to have her near me as she reeks of the stench of many corpses. No one but myself seems to be able to smell the stench, however.
Severus continued to read the recorded prophecies. John Alden continued to question Rebekka's veracity, and fought against the Supreme Coven's attempts to name her High Seeress of the Supreme Coven. Although many of her prophecies did come to pass, not all did, but it was claimed that happened because the Supreme Coven had altered their plans in response to the prophecies.
Then, in an entry dated just months before his assassination, John Alden wrote, "Four years ago, Rebekka took upon herself an orphaned younge wytch whose family had been killed by the Ministry, by the name of Mary Blythe. On this day, younge Mary, a girl of but thirteen tender years, came to stand before the Supreme Coven and testified that Rebekka had called her to her bedside the night before and, previous to passing from this realm, had transferred to her, the gift of Prophesy before breathing her last.
I, accompanied by the rest of the Supreme Coven, went to Rebekka's chambers and verified that the olde woman was, in fact, no longer living. I find it odd that younge Mary now demands to be called by the name of Rebekka, and that she seems particularly unaffected by the passing of the person who had cared for her these past four years. The younge maiden, however, now carries the same stench that had permeated the body of Rebekka.
Severus turned the page to find the next one blank. However, he also saw that several pages had been torn out.
After finally closing John Alden's book, Severus left the Archives and made his way to the Supreme Coven's Gathering Chamber. Stepping inside, he saw that Jazz was still there, sitting next to his great-grandfather, in Severus' seat on the dais.
"Gramps," he said, "Could I have some time to talk with you?"
Michael smiled. "Always, Severus. Come, sit with us a while. Are you hungry? I could have Gretchen fix you up a snack."
"I'm good, Gramps. Adalena is making dinner and I don't want to ruin my appetite."
"What do you want to speak with me about?"
"I prefer that this be kept private, Gramps."
"Jazz, would you mind?" Michael asked.
"Of course not," Jazz said getting up. He made his way down from the dais. As he passed Severus, he stopped.
"Sev, about before, what I said..."
Severus smiled. "It's all right, Jazz. I know this has to be an unsettling time for you. I understand."
"Thanks, the High Leader explained to me how the two of you often challenge each other, and that he encourages you to do it. You know how much I've always admired the High Leader. I have to learn not to take disparaging remarks made to him personally."
"In politics, people are never going to fully support anything all the time. You have to let some things go, Jazz. Just remember, in the end, he's the boss. I don't ever forget that."
Jazz nodded and left the Gathering Chamber closing the doors behind him, but making sue to leave one slightly ajar. He stood just outside, listening.
"Gramps, have you ever heard of the Bheatha Shiori?" Severus asked.
"No, I cannot say that I have," Michael replied. "What is it?"
"Not what, but who."
Severus went on to explain all he had learned from the book at Hogwarts as well as his suspicions regarding what Rebekka had done to both Harry and his mother on the day he was conceived.
"This is all just speculation, Severus. Your Consort may very well be correct that Rebekka had a prophesy that you had to be born to be the destined tenth High Leader. What other motive could she have had?"
"I think we need to ask her," Severus said. "Confront her with all of this, and of what John Alden wrote about her, if only to gauge her reaction."
"Rebekka is very weak, Severus. We cannot take the chance that we tax her and she dies before her regeneration. We would be left rudderless."
"We have been rudderless since you took over as High Leader. All of her prophecies since have been bullshit, things completely foreseeable to anyone and everyone. Why wasn't she able to prophesize the 2001 terrorist attacks? Or any other important world events since your ascension? Something happened, Gramps, something went wrong when she took Florence's body. And if she is a Bheatha Shiori, then she has been serially killing young girls for hundreds of years just to take their bodies, sending them into the dying body of her last victim."
"You have no proof of this, Severus. If the Ministry of Magic records that they exterminated the Bheatha Shiori, then I take them at their word. They were very good at hunting down whoever they wanted dead and killing them back then. Besides, I have personal knowledge that Rebekka's current body has all the requisite parts."
"But that was before she had her Rite of Ascension, Gramps. If I'm right, then Glynnis..."
"But you're wrong, Severus. Rebekka was very helpful to my predecessor. The Allies would not have won World War II if not for her."
"The fact remains that she has not been at all helpful since her last regeneration. The only thing she predicted was my status as the next High Leader, and there is every indication that she engineered my existence in the first place. My parents were victims of a sexual assault. Who does that?"
"I think you are over-reaching. She will be questioned following her upcoming regeneration. And that is that. We will not speak on this until then."
"But Gramps..."
"I said no. I order you to stand down on this issue. You have nothing but suspicion and conjecture while Rebekka has centuries of proven worth to our Community."
"Yes, High Leader. I will obey," Severus said sullenly. "I'm going home now. I'll see you later?"
"I will continue to live here for the rest of this week, Severus. It will be more convenient for the upcoming trials if I'm already here. Remember to be here early so we can go over the evidence on Monday. First up will be Darren West, Chief Financial Officer of Armand Sutton's political PAC. We have him dead to rights; he's the one who tried to blast Sterling at the funeral."
... ... ...
Monday, October 24th, 2022
... ... ...
Severus and Ken arrived at Supreme Coven Chambers together. Severus quickly knocked on the door to his great-grandfather's apartment, then opened the door and entered. He saw that the entire Supreme Coven had gathered there for breakfast, along with Jazz and Sterling.
"Severus, so glad you could join us," Michael said. "Do you and Ken want some breakfast?"
"We've already had breakfast at home, Gramps. I wouldn't mind another cup of coffee though," he replied, taking a seat at the long table that had been summoned into the room. A strong cup of black coffee appeared in front of him.
Severus listened as the representatives resumed their conversation about the upcoming trial. His stomach was actually churning at the thought of having to perform the Rite of Banishment today. He had hoped to have a few minutes alone to ask his grandfather if he would do it himself. It would probably be for naught though. He suspected that Gramps wanted him to actually experience what it was like to end someone's life. All he knew is that this was something he would never, ever want a child of his own to deal with. He and Adalena had decided that she would leave Massachusetts to actually give birth to their children so not one of them could ever be named as the next high Leader.
As if he had somehow picked up on Severus' thoughts, Representative Sherman Sturgeon turned to him and asked, "I bet you're looking forward to today, getting the chance to actually perform the Rite of Banishment, Ascendant."
Severus couldn't admit his heart wasn't in it, so he lied, "Well, we do have to give him a fair trial first."
The man burst out laughing. "That's a good one!. Hey everyone, did you hear that? Our Ascendant says the would-be assassins deserve a fair trial before they are banished."
Severus was disconcerted to see that even Jazz laughed along with the others. The only ones not laughing were his great-grandfather and cousin Tomas.
"I was there to see August's killer be banished," Jazz said as the laughter died. ""It was the most incredible thing I ever witnessed. Seeing his entire body just...dissolve...like that. Having that kind of power...it's just amazing to think of."
Severus was appalled by what Jazz had said.
Some of what he was feeling must have shown on his face, because Jazz asked, "What's wrong, Ascendant, don't you have the stomach for it?"
Severus saw that his great-grandfather turned to look into his eyes, and that he hadn't had his mind closed.
"The Ascendant knows his duty and will perform whatever is required of him, won't you, Ascendant?"
"Yes sir. Of course I will, High Leader," Severus replied.
"All I know is that if I had your position, it wouldn't bother me in the least," Jazz said.
"Their guilt is a foregone conclusion, Severus," Michael said.
"But they have a right to a fair trial by an impartial jury."
"This is the Supreme Coven, Severus, not a non-magical courtroom. If you wish to enact change after you ascend, then make the attempt. I can assure you, however, that you will not find much support among the Supreme Coven. I am satisfied with the rules and laws we established in 1693, which was long before the American Bill of rights was drafted. We reserve the authority to handle criminals among our own kind. It has worked out well for us for over three hundred years. They knew the consequences for their crimes before embarking upon them. Understood?"
"Yes, sir. I understand."
Michael looked around at the people gathered in his Coven Chambers apartment and said, "It is time. Let us proceed to the Gathering Chamber. Sterling, please bring up the first of our scheduled prisoners."
Sterling left the apartment as the twelve representatives of the Supreme Coven began their walk to the Gathering Chamber. Michael grabbed hold of Severus' arm, detaining him, and motioned to Ken and Jazz to move on.
"If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times, you never show weakness in front of the Supreme Coven, or anyone else for that matter, he hissed. "Now walk in there and do your job."
... ... ...