Yes, this is what I was doing for most of January 2023. It's probably the longest finished thing I have ever written. Updates will be once a week or so until I've reread and published all 12 chapters.
Warnings:
Mostly canon warnings - blood, scars, minor violence, mentions of breaking someone's spirit, drugging, attempted murder, attempted torture, discrimination (against Muggles and Muggle-borns, members of the LGBTQ+ community, religions and races).
The problem, Albus Dumbledore ruefully reflects, is that he does not feel comfortable invading a young boy's mind.
Mr Tobias Williams sits across from him quietly, far more still than he expected from a boy of eleven or twelve years old. His face is set in defiance, loyalty and Albus' questioning having been the cause of that.
Loyalty is usually a trait Albus greatly admires but it does occasionally get in the way of his machinations. He is tempted to give in, to call for Severus and allow the indisputably efficient Legimens find out exactly who their visitor was and what their relationship with young Mr Williams is.
Yet, Albus is not as callous as that. He cannot condone using such methods on young minds - more impressionable than those of adults.
There have been many cases where wizards who use Legimency become too prone to abusing power and lose their judgement. Albus will never be willing to lose his. Using Severus would not circumvent this - there is no loophole to be exploited.
"Mr Williams,", he appeals once more. "I cannot know what our visitor told you nor what their intentions were. To be able to break through Hogwarts enchantments takes a great deal of skill.".
A snort. Mr Williams' eyes go wide and he claps a hand to his mouth. He looks so mortified at his reaction that Albus is almost amused, but this is not the time for lighthearted antics.
The Headmaster dutifully continues, "Your fellow students could have been harmed. Perhaps not intentionally but such displays of magic can have adverse effects.". He is pleased to see hesitation on the boy's face now. One can have more than one loyalty and it is clear that he is conflicted between his fellow students' safety and his feelings towards the intruder. "So I must ask you again, Mr Williams. Who was our visitor?".
He would also like to know how their visitor entered and why they took the actions they did but there is a time and place. Slowly does it. Being able to pretend that age has taught him patience is nice.
"You'll have to ask them.".
A glance at his student's face reveals an underlying earnestness to this. A puzzle then. Albus rather enjoys puzzles. "How did our visitor enter?".
"I'm not really sure.". Is Tobias Williams deliberately concealing the truth or is he simply speaking? Giving him the benefit of the doubt is probably best. Part of the reason the Headmaster enjoys time with children so much is that their version of hidden meanings are not particularly meaningful - usually a joke or a rude word.
"How are the two of you acquainted?".
"He knows my sister.".
Albus thoughtfully tilts his head, his hat falling slightly askew. He is under the impression that Tobias Williams is a Muggle-born. That would make his sister either a fellow Muggle-born or a Muggle. The latter is more likely but also more improbable, given the circumstances.
What would their visitor know of Muggles? Albus had not been able to see them that clearly but from all accounts, it was a Pureblood and almost certainly a man.
Perhaps it is not as improbable as he first believed. Unlikely, naturally, but love can be so. "How?".
"Intimately apparently.", Tobias scrunches up his nose but Albus is too busy thinking to find the action entertaining.
A lover. It makes perfect sense the more he thinks about it. They clearly cared about Mr Williams and it is reciprocated. No wonder the boy is so loyal to them. He may fancy them brothers.
"Your sister, is she a Muggle?.".
Albus has pushed too far.
"Why?", the boy before him asks, eyes narrowed and posture tense once again in a way that tells Albus he was getting somewhere earlier. "What does that have to do with anything? Just because she can't do the same things as us, doesn't make her any less of a person!".
Who is he referring to in his us? Does he mean all wizards, himself and Albus, or himself and the visitor?
"I would never presume to think so." It is an obvious placation but it does have some effect.
Just not the one he hoped for.
"Muggles have no rights here.", Mr Williams continues. "If you want to know, you'll have to find out yourself.".
It has never been outright stated that his sister is a Muggle, no matter how much it has been implied so Albus allows his pupil this small victory; he is hardly wrong.
"Naturally.", he concedes. Albus does not want to admit to an already unhappy young boy that his sister may be more susceptible to enchantments as a Muggle. The situation reminds him of Tom Riddle.
It could be that Tobias Williams and his sister are fully aware, that the only deception is the young boy's attempts at deflecting. It could be that only the boy is aware and his sister is not. It could be that neither is aware and Tobias is simply defending someone he knows and loves. It could be that magic is involved and that the Williams siblings do not know their visitor at all.
It was apt to describe it as a puzzle. A puzzle Albus must solve and soon.
Up until now, their visitor has been an ally. From what little Severus can tell him, they simply retrieved the winners of the Triwizard Tournament before making their way over to the boy across from him. The rest he knows.
Apparation should have been impossible. How did they do it?
"Mr Williams, Apparation is impossible on Hogwarts grounds.". He shrugs. "Very well. If you will not answer my questions, at least listen to my warning. Such power is dangerous.". Albus does not enjoy trying to scare the child but he must impress upon him the gravity of what happened, must make him understand . "I do not know our visitor like you do but it can be very dangerous to be around such people. Be careful.".
Tobias Williams eyes him shrewdly and raises both eyebrows, one slightly more than the other. Albus cannot deny that the same warning could be applied to himself and once more finds himself wrong footed.
Fawkes trills amusedly and the young boy's eyes turn fascinatedly towards the new arrival. He smiles in wonder but does not attempt to either approach the phoenix or move away.
"Thanks,", Mr Williams says, "but I'm not worried. If there's danger then it's too late anyway. We met a long time ago.". He turns towards Fawkes and speaks to the him now. "Hello.".
Albus watches as his phoenix and student bond before the latter leaves, still not having satisfactorily answered any of the questions he posed.
Other means are going to be necessary. The safety of his students, all of his students, is his foremost concern.
Minerva arrives in his office no more than ten minutes later, unhappy at being rushed but still present. Albus offers her a seat - which she takes primly, her manner never belaying the language she is capable of if provoked.
She eyes him curiously and rather impatiently taps her foot in the ground.
Albus does not waste any time in asking her for the details of her visit to Tobias Williams and his family.
"I suppose you want to know about his sister?".
He must look surprised because she calmly informs him that she had been quite close by when the stranger informed them that they were acquainted with Mr Williams' sister.
"She introduced herself as Sarah Williams. When I mentioned Hogwarts, she almost fainted and then she told me her… I cannot remember what term she used… she said he was a Squib. I thought it was foolish at the time, to tell a girl you are only seeing about the Wizarding World but I suppose if he knows her brother so well that it is not that strange.".
"A Squib?", Albus parrots. "I find that a little unbelievable.".
"Do you think she knows?".
"What else did she say, Minerva?".
"Well there was nothing more but something did strike me as odd. When I was leaving, she wished that my dreams be guarded well.".
He does not laugh, though he wishes to. His mind was thinking up much wilder possibilities and Sarah Williams' way of saying goodbye is far from all of them. Truth be told, he does not believe it to be important.
"I am sure it was simply her way of wishing you well.".
Minerva looks unconvinced. It is clear she thinks that there is some depth to this statement. Maybe she is right. Nevertheless, Alnus decides not to focus on it.
"I think", he says, "that I would like to meet Miss Williams.".
"Under what grounds?". It is an excellent point. "She is not her brother's guardian. And she is a Muggle to boot!."
"But, my dear, what if they are a danger to her? To her brother, one of our students.".
Minerva wants to argue, wants to defend the young woman that she met. She had struck her as having a good head on her shoulders.
It is not unheard of for such a sensible woman to choose a bad lover. Perhaps Albus is right, as he so often is, and the lovely woman she met could be in a precarious position. She thinks of green eyes and their dead owner and all of that wasted potential and makes an instant decision.
"How?", she asks, "How can we protect her?".
There is fire burning in her eyes now, this brave lioness ready to protect her students and a Muggle woman caught up in this mess. He is gratified to see it.
"You will help then.", it is a statement more than a question but Minerva still confirms it. "Good.". It will be so much easier with his deputy by his side.
"I believe we need to find a way to talk to Miss Williams without their presence in order to ascertain what sort of effect they have on her.".
"We cannot approach her randomly, Albus; we need a reason.".
There is not much for a Muggle to do in their world but an idea slowly begins to form in Albus' mind. If it does indeed work, it will place her under his protection.
"Minerva,", he begins, "have we any open positions?".
She misinterprets his words: "Surely Albus, you cannot mean to employ that strange wizard? It would be rather ill-advised to allow them into a school full of children!".
He has not been forgiven for his mistake with Quirinus, it seems. Albus accepts the rebuke with grace.
"I was not think about him, Minerva. I was considering Miss Williams.".
"Sarah?". Minerva asks in surprise. "She's a Muggle Albus! You and I may not have a problem with that but how do you expect her to keep the students in line?".
"Have we any open positions?".
"Irma is thinking of retiring. Although if you are serious, perhaps she could help with Muggle Studie-".
"Dumbledore!".
His deputy headmistress frowns at his fireplace disapprovingly. Cornelius Fudge (he knew he recognised that voice and address) has his head in said fireplace.
The Minister of Magic briefly recoils from Minerva's look and then concentrates his attention on Albus himself.
"Cornelius.", he greets.
"Terrible, simply terrible!", the Minister of Magic wrings his hands uncomfortably. "An intruder on Hogwarts grounds! And what nonsense they made those boys spout! Peter Pettigrew a Death Eater! What nonsense! And all that business with Barry Crouch! An imposter on Hogwarts grounds!".
"Cornelius.". The Minister of Magic pays him no attention.
"We are all concerned about the state of Hogwarts! There must be a problem with the enchantments of some sort. It has been suggested to me that we might place one of our own agents in the place since you cannot be trusted to-".
"Cornelius!".
Here the Minister of Magic is shaken enough to stop, to realise who exactly he is talking to and where.
"Have you already forgotten the incident from two years ago?". Minerva strikes. Cornelius Fudge immediately flushes and shakes himself a little.
"Apologies,", he blusters, "I was…".
"Extremely dedicated to the safety of our students?".
The Minister seizes Dumbledore's olive branch fervently. "Of course! I did not mean to imply that you do your jobs less than adequately.".
"What did you mean then?", Minerva presses but Cornelius Fudge is a politician.
"I was only worried about the students, my dear Professor. To have someone simply appear like that when it should not be possible!".
The Minister turns to Albus once again, the reason for his intrusion becoming increasingly clear.
"Have you discovered how it was done?", he asks.
"I believe the wizards the Ministry sent in are at this very moment trying to find an answer to that. They will know better than I, I am sure.".
Cornelius Fudge shuffles slightly and removes his bowler hat, presumably clasping it behind his back as he is wont to do. "Come now, do you have any idea Albus?".
"I am afraid not, Cornelius.", Albus smiles calmly, "Even I am thrown by the events that occurred.".
"Oh dear.", the Minister mutters, face pale. If even Dumbledore does not know, what could that mean? Nothing good for sure.
"Minister.", the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts has had enough of being silent. "Have you truly not discovered anything yet? Your employees have already been here for a day; the students are beginning to talk.".
"Err, yes.", Cornelius finally comes out with it here. "It was reported that the intruder approached one of your students. How are they?".
"The student in question is perfectly fine.", Minerva says stiffly, unwilling to give anything away.
"Yes, a young boy, wasn't it? First or second year, I thought. What a shock for a young child…".
She does not move to fill in his purposeful silence, face impassive and expectant and no one can blame Cornelius for sweating a little in the face of such an expression.
"I am surprised his parents didn't get involved, Dumbledore. You would think that they should be a little more worried.".
"Or prohibited.". Albus dearly cares for Minerva but he also wishes she had not made this little slip. The cat, however, will soon be out of the bag so he moves to impede the Minister's next line of inquiry.
"I would be more that happy to meet with the student's parents but they are unable to come here.".
Cornelius frowns. "Are they ill?".
Minerva shakes her head and realisation dawns on Cornelius rather quickly.
"Muggles!".
As Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge could be far harsher on Muggle-borns and Muggles. He could also be far kinder. "Are you sure?", he asks, "Adoption is not unheard of, particularly when it comes to Squibs.".
"Perfectly.".
He shakes his head in bewilderment. That their obviously powerful magical visitor recognised a Muggle-born child on sight makes no sense and his sponsors are going to be far from pleased with what he has found out.
"Normally, I would not suggest this…". It would be utterly foolish to do so with any parents of their world but Muggles, that he might be able to work with. "But could we perhaps glean any information from the child's parents?".
"I may have a solution.", Dumbledore returns and under the deputy headmistress' disapproving eyes, they set about plotting a way for Sarah Williams to enter Hogwarts.
Cornelius is soon on his way, cheerfully thinking about their brewing plot. It should satisfy all of his benefactors.
Minerva McGonagall watches him leave and then turns to Albus Dumbledore, finally breaking her silence.
"I don't like it Albus.".
"I know my dear. Nor do I but we can protect Miss Williams here.".
"What if there is no need? Perhaps she already knows and we would simply put her in more danger by bringing her here. Sarah is not a witch. She isn't really part of our world.".
Perhaps it sounds prejudiced in the moment because Minerva McGonagall flushes in embarrassment. It is not that she thinks Sarah Williams somehow lacking, she hastens to clarify, just is unsure how she will deal with being a larger part of another world - should she accept naturally.
With a glance at the time, Minerva makes her exit: leaving Albus to ruminate over her words.
Sarah Williams agrees to meet with him the very next day.
If she was surprised by the appearance of his phoenix, Albus is unable to tell. Her handwriting is even but messy and Fawkes is not gone for very long.
Furthermore, the phoenix is calm. He clearly likes Sarah Williams and the Headmaster feels a little better at this.
"You like her then, old friend?", he asks his phoenix fondly. "Perhaps you may soon see her more often.".
A delighted trill is Fawkes' response and Albus cannot help the gentle curve of his mouth at the sound. He was already hoping that Miss Williams would agree and this strengthens his resolve.
Consideringly, he looks at his friend: Fawkes is hardly a pet. Should the meeting go as planned, he may have some idea of how to keep his newest employee safe.
The phoenix would certainly not complain about roaming the halls and corridors of the school more and he is sure that the bird will enjoy the library. Yes… that might just work.
If he can convince her.
"Come in.", Sarah Williams invites warmly.
He follows her to the sitting room (do they call it a lounge now?) and gestures graciously, bidding him to sit. When he spots the man already sat comfortably nearby, he cannot help but start.
Not for a moment does he doubt that this is indeed their visitor. Cornelius would prefer intruder but Albus Dumbledore is more than willing to give him a chance. They did, after all, rescue two of his students.
Miss Williams' voice draws him out of his thoughts, "As you know, I'm Sarah. This is Joe King, my…".
"Paramour.". Joe's voice is unexpectedly regal and reminds Albus of many of the Purebloods he has come across. Sarah laughs fondly. Just as fondly, Joe smiles.
This interaction reassures the Headmaster somewhat, presumably because it makes it more likely that Joe King truly cares for Sarah Williams. It should not have any bearing but the fact that she is not an exceptionally attractive woman contributes to this conclusion.
"It is a pleasure to meet you.". He holds eye contact with Joe King for slightly longer than Sarah, gaze hard but not aggressive.
Speaking of Sarah, she eyes him with barely hidden curiosity. He may have forgotten to specify the post so it is hardly undeserved. "Our librarian would like to train up an assistant before she retires. I was wondering if you were interested in the role?".
Sarah's eyes light up in wonder the second after he says 'librarian'. He can almost feel the passion radiating off of her. Joe King is not so enamoured, watching him cautiously. Albus had anticipated this reaction.
"What would I have to do?". Sarah wants to ask so many questions but it seems that this is a good starting point.
"It would be your duty to maintain the Hogwarts' library. For more specific details, you will have to ask our current librarian, Irma Pince.".
She nods her head in acknowledgement and then frowns, as though an idea has just occurred to her but says nothing. Eventually, she begins to ask more questions: what will her salary be?, when are her holidays?, will her brother being enrolled in the same place as she may work pose a problem?.
He answers them all to the best of his ability and it is then that she reaches the one question she truly wants to ask.
"Why did you choose me? Why ask me?". Albus stiffens but she continues, oblivious. "I would love to work in a library, especially a magical one but I'm not a witch. Or wizard. Isn't that a requirement?".
"No.", he answers the second question, still debating over how to answer the first.
Mr King gives him a probing look, unsatisfied and that gaze is deeply unnerving. Those pupils survey him carefully, the contrast between the permanently dilated left and normally functioning right only furthering Albus' feeling of unsettlement.
Unintentionally, Sarah delivers him. She is still overlooking the obvious tension in the room and he is grateful for small mercies as she nonetheless interjects.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is why are you offering the job to me: a Muggle woman who only knows about Hogwarts because my younger brother is a wizard?".
How does he answer her? Honesty is his preferred method here but Joe King is in the room and it is a little difficult to explain. The man in question sends him a slightly gleeful look and Albus knows he is enjoying watching him squirm. But he is not without ways of his own.
"Did your brother tell you about the end of this school year?".
Miss Williams stares at him, completely thrown but evidently willing to play along because she mumbles something about a competition involving other magical schools and Hogwarts winning.
"Youth!", Albus chuckles, "The interesting ways they tell tales!". How exactly this is relevant, Sarah is not sure. She tells him so. "We had a visitor that day.", he continues and is sure he sees Mr King's face pale.
"How much do you know about magic?".
"Not much.". Her eyes dart quickly over to the increasingly anxious man, as though checking his reaction. He smiles tightly at her and she reassuringly grips his hand.
"Then I will not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say that they performed a feat that should have been impossible.".
"Nothing is impossible.", Sarah counters. Her words are wise: her taste in men perhaps less so. In that moment, he feels a sort of kinship with her.
"Improbable then. It has since occurred to me that a change in perspective may be necessary. There are not many foreign wizards, much less ones who desire such a role so I decided to seek someone a little…".
"A Muggle who lives here.", Miss Williams says flatly.
Next to her, Mr King relaxes a little and his own guard is instantly up. It does not make much sense but emotions rarely do.
"For example.".
"So this will be a new project and if it goes wrong, it can be written off and I will take the fall.".
The bitterness in her tone surprises him although it shouldn't, given that Joe King is claiming to be a Squib. Some part of him must have sensed that this would happen; it explains why he felt as though he must brace himself and also why Joe King relaxed.
"Miss Williams, I can assure you that should there be a problem, I will do my best to protect you.". She does not look very convinced. "I acknowledge that this is a gamble but there is no reason it should fail.".
"And", he adds, "if a Muggle is able to work in Hogwarts, it could be transformative.".
It occurs to him as he speaks that this could be beyond Sarah Williams. He thinks of many Muggle parents, cut off from their children. He thinks of Muggle-borns, often not recognised and their education wasted. He thinks of pointless cruelty.
Albus came here for questionable purposes but this, this is a cause worth fighting for. Cornelius has approved it already and Sarah William's connection with Joe King has eased her way.
He must convince her first.
"If you are so amenable, I will arrange for you and Irma to meet. I suggest that you take some time to think over and discuss,", he sends a pointed glance at Joe King here, "my proposition.".
Albus Dumbledore turns to leave.
"Wait!", Sarah calls, "How can I contact you?".
"An owl will be the best way or otherwise you may call for Fawkes but I cannot guarantee he will answer.".
"Fawkes is the phoenix?". Her tone is soft and her eyes fond. It seems the affection is reciprocated.
"Yes.".
Joe King gets up. He is a tall man but quite thin. "I'll walk you to the door.". From his mouth, the words sound almost threatening rather than polite, prodding against some hidden boundary.
They walk in silence through the house.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts is hesitant to start a conversation, does not know what to ask. This is far from apparent in the way he amusedly remarks:
"I did not know you were a Squib, my boy.".
His companion focuses on the second part of his statement. "I am not a boy.".
Albus smiles serenely at his, blue eyes twinkling. "At my age, everyone else is a boy.".
For a second, he could almost swear that Joe King is finding this entertaining but the scowl on his face quickly dispels that notion.
Albus may not have gained many answers but he leaves the house feeling far more reassured than when he first arrived. For now, that will have to be sufficient.
Robert Williams is not at all surprised to find his daughter standing in their little garden and looking up at the stars. He remembers when she used to stay out in the park on her own, worrying them all. There is one near this house that's much smaller so now his daughter tends to come to the garden instead.
The stars aren't limited, not like parks. Sometimes, he comes out to watch them with her. She would have hated it when she was younger.
Most fathers wouldn't be as pleased about their daughter's choice of partner. Robert is an exception to this, sees every day how meeting Jareth has let Sarah grow, has even made the two of them closer. Marriage may be off the table but Robert considers the goblin a son anyway.
This time, however, is for the two of them: father and daughter, taking in the stars.
Everyone respects this unspoken agreement, goblin or human. Irene likes to spend this time with Toby or with Jareth after the first goes to bed.
"I don't know if I should go.", Sarah confesses. "Toby wants me to and it would make him happy. Jareth told me that's what he wished for when he blew out the candles, for me to consider it.".
It is Toby's twelfth birthday today and Sarah wants to grant his wish. It reminds Robert of when all that Sarah wanted was to see her mother, to see Linda. She used to latch onto the gifts she sent like a lifeline and Robert was worried that one day, Linda would drop back in and take the daughter he'd raised away.
"Do you think I should go?".
The truth is that Robert doesn't know.
"Do you want to go?". He tells Sarah that this is something she has to do for herself, that she shouldn't just go because Toby wants her to. He points out that they will never be far away, not when she's got a quick route home. Mostly, he holds her as they look up.
The next night, when they are looking up at the stars again, she tells him she knows what she wants to do. "It's thanks to Irene, really. She reminded me that if I go, I'll be safer that most Muggle-borns.".
Irene Williams has dark skin, a feature many are unwilling and unable to get past. It is not the same thing as the prejudice against Muggle-borns but it is something that she understands better than the two of them. If Sarah can make just a little difference, why shouldn't she? She will be safe in a way those who champion change often aren't.
Sometimes, it is not about what you want to do. Sometimes, it is about what you should do.
Resolutely, Sarah calls for Fawkes. The phoenix takes her letter of acceptance straight to Albus Dumbledore who is glad to see that the dice have rolled in his favour for this round.
Sarah Williams will be coming to Hogwarts.
Cornelius Fudge, a prime example to politicians everywhere.