Chapter 5: Questions, Answers, and More Questions
Dumbledore summoned a house elf to show Addy to her chambers, a warm, inviting suite high up in one of the towers. Golden, late-summer light filled each room from the many windows, and Addy marveled as she ran her hands over the beautifully carved masonry surrounding the walk-in fireplace. The gigantic four-poster bed covered in fluffy blankets and duvets took her breath away, for she had never experienced such comfort and hospitality. The vista from her bedroom window encompassed the grounds of Hogwarts including the lake, which was beginning to reflect the colors of the setting sun. In the far distance, she could see the town of Hogsmeade, which would be twinkling in the night sky shortly.
But there was no time for admiring the view just yet. Glammy, her house- elf escort, was waiting outside her door while she quickly changed into her new Hogwarts robes. They were a royal purple, spun from an utterly mysterious, silk-like material that felt both delicate as a spider web and strong as steel mesh.. The dress shimmered ever so slightly as it caught the low, evening sunlight. She saw that several sets had been placed in her armoire, along with additional ones in wool and velvet for the cooler months. The color was actually quite flattering to Addy's auburn hair and brought out the gold in her green eyes. She took a quick look in the mirror, struggled with her curls for a moment, and rejoined Glammy, who would escort her to Dumbledore's office for the staff meeting. They would have to hurry if they were to make it in time, and Glammy politely urged Addy to go faster the entire way. Nonetheless, Addy tried to remember the route so that she wouldn't need an escort each time.
They were rounding the last corner at a full-out run, when she saw someone come around the opposite corner, moving swiftly in their direction. She and Glammy skidded to a halt just short of crashing in to the other visitor, directly across from the gargoyle that guarded the way to the Headmaster's office. The other late arrival was, of course, Severus Snape.
Glammy took one look at the ferocious glint in Snape's eyes and, with a terrified squeak, stammered, "Here you is, Miss Mayhem. Dumbledore's office. Glammy must be off now," and with a snap of her fingers, she vanished in a poof, leaving a breathless and slightly flushed Addy alone with Snape.
Snape let out what sounded like a low growl, then, glaring at her, he snapped, "Fairy Cake!"
"Excuse me?" rasped Addy. Was he suffering some sort of mental disconnect as a result of her spells, she thought.
Just then, the gargoyle sprang aside, revealing the spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office, and Addy realized that "Fairy Cake" was the password. She was about to proceed in front of Snape, being used to "Witches First" courtesy of course, when he jostled her lightly aside and started up the stairs.
'I don't like him,' she thought to herself.
"Where'd you learn your manners?" she said under her breath, as she followed close on his heels.
Snape stopped in his tracks and spun around, crouching down so that he peered at her face to face from inches away through the spiral armature. "From Voldemort, remember?" he spat out with a sneer. "YOU'RE the expert on Severus Snape, aren't you?" With that, he stormed up the rest of the stairs, kicking up a cloud of black robes behind him.
Addy entered Dumbledore's office on Snape's heels. The rest of the staff was there waiting for them, and were surprised to see not only a new face, but also to see Professor Snape looking slightly disheveled and out of breath. Professor Minerva MacGonagall peered at the two of them down her glasses, and said, "Severus, it's not like you to be late for a staff meeting."
"Thank you, Minerva, I know that," he barked. "This is, in fact, the first time I have ever been late. You can thank our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for that," he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder towards Addy.
All eyes were on Addy for just a beat, before the room erupted in questions, and more than a few protests. Dumbledore quieted the room by saying, "Thank you, Severus, for relieving me of the burden of my announcement," with a lightly admonishing look in Snape's direction. "But I believe a more proper introduction of Miss Mayhem is in order."
Snape had sulked down into the last remaining empty armchair, leaving Addy to stand in the corner of the room. Fawkes gave her a welcoming trill, and flew over to her, settling in on her shoulder. The bird was big and heavy, but Addy didn't mind. She was happy to have at least one friend in the room, besides Dumbledore of course.
The headmaster then gave the staff an abridged version of Addy's story, telling them that she had been a former Death Eater, but had long since renounced her association with Voldemort and wanted to start a new leaf here at Hogwarts. He told them of her studies in India, and a bit about her experience with the Dark Arts. Addy was glad that he wisely left out the work she'd be doing as a double agent. She knew that Dumbledore trusted his staff, but that information would and should be dispensed only on a need-to-know basis.
Dumbledore made it quite clear that, despite her history as a Death Easter, he trusted her completely, and found her to be highly qualified. "This isn't the first time we've welcomed a former Death Eater into our midst," he reminded them, "and if history repeats itself, we shall be quite privileged indeed." With that, more than a few eyes glanced inadvertently at Snape, who was sitting with his arms folded in front of him, apparently lost in thought. Dumbledore finished with, "Forgive me for making this unilateral decision, when you have all been so helpful in your contributions to our search for a Defense instructor. But, you must believe me when I tell you that it was mostly out of my hands. It was really Fawkes' decision, and who would argue with that?"
When Albus was done, the staff turned to their new colleague, whose hair was being nibbled on affectionately by the large Phoenix. This seemed to satisfy most of them, and they regarded her with new respect.
Albus then introduced Adelaide to each staff member in turn, mentioning their name and their specialty and, where appropriate, the House with which they were associated. Most gave her a cordial, even hearty, welcome. A few questions about her background and plans for the course were directed toward Adelaide, and she answered them eagerly and thoroughly. Madame Pomfrey set up an appointment to meet privately with her once the term began, as she had a keen interest in the healing arts Addy had learned from her old tutor.
After some business pertaining to the start of the new term and a change in the password policy for the House dormitories, the room gradually dissolved into friendly chatter signaling the unofficial end of the staff meeting. It was then that Snape stood up suddenly and strided over to where Addy was talking with Madame Pomfrey and Professor Sinistra.
Before she knew what had happened, Snape had grabbed Adelaide's left wrist, and pushed up the sleeve of her robe to her elbow. He passed his hand over her skin, muttering, "Lividis Speculabilis" over and over, while he ran his long fingers lightly up and down her inner arm, peering closely at her flesh. The whole room fell silent and drew in closer. Addy was at first dumbfounded, but after a few seconds, she realized what Snape was trying to do. He was trying to conjure her Dark Mark for everyone to see!
His grip on her arm was so strong, that she had to snatch it away from him with great force, causing herself to stumble backwards. Fawkes took off with a cry, swooping back to his regular perch. Addy quickly pulled down her sleeve to cover her arm. "STOP THAT !" she shouted at him, "You have no right!"
Addy felt her heart pounding and her hands start to tremble. The room had suddenly become quite small, and the crowd seemed to be pressing in on her. Snape was giving her a penetrating stare, with a strange light in his eyes that Addy didn't understand.
Albus and Minerva came over to break up the disturbance, while the other professors backed off, whispering among themselves. If she had been a Death Eater, then she ought to have a Dark Mark like all the others, including Professor Snape. Yet despite Snape's incantation, no Dark Mark had shown itself - - she didn't appear to have one. But why under the heavens would anyone lie about having been a Death Eater, if they really hadn't been one? And what did this mean for her credibility-should they trust her as one of them, and with their students?
"What's all this, then, when we were just about to end this meeting on a rare, happy note?" Dumbledore inquired. Snape was still looking at her with a smug grin developing across his face.
Addy felt tears threatening and struggled to keep her composure. The last thing she wanted to do, in spite of this humiliation, was to cry in front of the entire Hogwarts staff.
Addy replied, trying to control the quiver in her voice and to sound nonchalant. "Professor Snape was just trying to demonstrate my Dark Mark for everyone." Then she added, with a momentary glare right back in his direction, "I guess he thought that would be quite an amusing show for the rest of the staff."
"Yes," said Snape, his molasses voice dripping with mock curiosity, "but you don't seem to have one, do you? Now . . . I have never heard of a Death Eater who had not been branded with the Dark Mark. Ever. You must regale us, Miss Mayhem, with the fascinating tale of how you managed to escape THAT honor." His eyes were glowing, triumphant.
Adelaide stared at him with fury and loathing. Snape had stumbled on one of Addy's most agonizing and shameful secrets, threatening to expose it before the entire staff on her first day at Hogwarts. She couldn't help but wonder if there was some way he could perhaps know about her Dark Mark? No . . . it was impossible. No one knew, save possibly Voldemort, and she wasn't even sure about that.
This was most likely Snape's way of getting revenge on her for blasting him in his Potions Laboratory earlier. He probably just meant to disgrace her by showing everyone the hideous mark that ought to have emerged on her arm. He must have been pleasantly surprised, she thought bitterly, when it didn't appear, thus adding a whole new layer of suspicion and embarrassing questions to what he thought would be just a simple prank.
Addy blinked back tears and stammered, "I . . . I . . . I DO have a Dark Mark. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that, Snape," she spat at him. "It's just . . . it's just that it . . . it isn't on my arm."
Snape lifted an eyebrow at her, and his eyes darkened. "What do you mean it isn't on your arm?" he spat back, angrily. "Death Eaters ALWAYS get branded on their inner left arm. It's Voldemort's way." Addy thought she saw the briefest flash of something behind his eyes-pain? Regret? She couldn't tell. And then it was gone.
"Yes, well, that's the way it starts out, isn't it?" she replied quietly. "But it's not always the way it ends up. Not always." Addy looked down at the ground. She was beginning to feel that she could no longer take this. That's when Dumbledore interrupted.
"I'm sure Miss Mayhem has many stories to tell - - mostly painful ones - - about her past experiences with Voldemort. But they are HER stories, Severus. She will share them if and when she finds herself ready to do so.
Snape hesitated, and Adelaide could see him looking at her in a very curious way, out of the corner of her eye. She was staring at a spot on the floor in front of her, fearing that she would just collapse in tears if she had to confront anyone or anything else today. Then he turned to Dumbledore and said quietly, "If that is all for tonight, Albus, I still have a good deal of work to do before turning in. Please excuse me."
Dumbledore replied, "I would like to see you in my office tomorrow morning at 9:00. Good Night, Severus."
Snape left the room and the other teachers took his lead, filing out singly or in murmering pairs. Some were kind enough to wish Addy another welcome or good night, others just brushed past her, trying not to look her way. Professor MacGonagall, however, was the last to leave, and came right up to her, squeezing her hand. "Don't let Severus get to you - - his bark is a lot worse than his bite," she said. "If you are Albus' choice, and apparently Fawkes' choice as well, then that's all we need to know. Welcome to Hogwarts." MacGonagall managed a stiff smile, but Addy instinctively knew that it was more than most people got out of her, and she smiled warmly back.
When they were alone together, Albus said, "You've had quite a long and eventful first day on the job, I'm afraid. Get a good night's rest, and tomorrow morning I would also like to see you, along with Severus, here at 9:00." When Addy opened her mouth to protest, Dumbledore silenced her with, "Severus just needs a bit of time to get used to you. The two of you didn't exactly get off on the right foot, you know, but you have a lot in common. There are not many former Death Eaters who live to tell about it. The work you two are doing for the Order of the Phoenix will be quite delicate and dangerous, and I am afraid you will need to rely on one another more than once in the future."
Addy looked at him questioningly, her eyelids starting to droop, "The Order of the Phoenix?"
Dumbledore chuckled and said, with a paternal grin, "Miss Mayhem . . . don't you think you've learned enough for one day? There will be time for more questions and answers tomorrow. Sleep well, my dear."
With that, he escorted her down the spiral staircase, where Glammy was once again waiting to take her back to her room. Addy barely managed to get her robes off before her head hit the pillow and she fell instantly into a deep slumber.
To be continued . . .
Dumbledore summoned a house elf to show Addy to her chambers, a warm, inviting suite high up in one of the towers. Golden, late-summer light filled each room from the many windows, and Addy marveled as she ran her hands over the beautifully carved masonry surrounding the walk-in fireplace. The gigantic four-poster bed covered in fluffy blankets and duvets took her breath away, for she had never experienced such comfort and hospitality. The vista from her bedroom window encompassed the grounds of Hogwarts including the lake, which was beginning to reflect the colors of the setting sun. In the far distance, she could see the town of Hogsmeade, which would be twinkling in the night sky shortly.
But there was no time for admiring the view just yet. Glammy, her house- elf escort, was waiting outside her door while she quickly changed into her new Hogwarts robes. They were a royal purple, spun from an utterly mysterious, silk-like material that felt both delicate as a spider web and strong as steel mesh.. The dress shimmered ever so slightly as it caught the low, evening sunlight. She saw that several sets had been placed in her armoire, along with additional ones in wool and velvet for the cooler months. The color was actually quite flattering to Addy's auburn hair and brought out the gold in her green eyes. She took a quick look in the mirror, struggled with her curls for a moment, and rejoined Glammy, who would escort her to Dumbledore's office for the staff meeting. They would have to hurry if they were to make it in time, and Glammy politely urged Addy to go faster the entire way. Nonetheless, Addy tried to remember the route so that she wouldn't need an escort each time.
They were rounding the last corner at a full-out run, when she saw someone come around the opposite corner, moving swiftly in their direction. She and Glammy skidded to a halt just short of crashing in to the other visitor, directly across from the gargoyle that guarded the way to the Headmaster's office. The other late arrival was, of course, Severus Snape.
Glammy took one look at the ferocious glint in Snape's eyes and, with a terrified squeak, stammered, "Here you is, Miss Mayhem. Dumbledore's office. Glammy must be off now," and with a snap of her fingers, she vanished in a poof, leaving a breathless and slightly flushed Addy alone with Snape.
Snape let out what sounded like a low growl, then, glaring at her, he snapped, "Fairy Cake!"
"Excuse me?" rasped Addy. Was he suffering some sort of mental disconnect as a result of her spells, she thought.
Just then, the gargoyle sprang aside, revealing the spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office, and Addy realized that "Fairy Cake" was the password. She was about to proceed in front of Snape, being used to "Witches First" courtesy of course, when he jostled her lightly aside and started up the stairs.
'I don't like him,' she thought to herself.
"Where'd you learn your manners?" she said under her breath, as she followed close on his heels.
Snape stopped in his tracks and spun around, crouching down so that he peered at her face to face from inches away through the spiral armature. "From Voldemort, remember?" he spat out with a sneer. "YOU'RE the expert on Severus Snape, aren't you?" With that, he stormed up the rest of the stairs, kicking up a cloud of black robes behind him.
Addy entered Dumbledore's office on Snape's heels. The rest of the staff was there waiting for them, and were surprised to see not only a new face, but also to see Professor Snape looking slightly disheveled and out of breath. Professor Minerva MacGonagall peered at the two of them down her glasses, and said, "Severus, it's not like you to be late for a staff meeting."
"Thank you, Minerva, I know that," he barked. "This is, in fact, the first time I have ever been late. You can thank our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for that," he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder towards Addy.
All eyes were on Addy for just a beat, before the room erupted in questions, and more than a few protests. Dumbledore quieted the room by saying, "Thank you, Severus, for relieving me of the burden of my announcement," with a lightly admonishing look in Snape's direction. "But I believe a more proper introduction of Miss Mayhem is in order."
Snape had sulked down into the last remaining empty armchair, leaving Addy to stand in the corner of the room. Fawkes gave her a welcoming trill, and flew over to her, settling in on her shoulder. The bird was big and heavy, but Addy didn't mind. She was happy to have at least one friend in the room, besides Dumbledore of course.
The headmaster then gave the staff an abridged version of Addy's story, telling them that she had been a former Death Eater, but had long since renounced her association with Voldemort and wanted to start a new leaf here at Hogwarts. He told them of her studies in India, and a bit about her experience with the Dark Arts. Addy was glad that he wisely left out the work she'd be doing as a double agent. She knew that Dumbledore trusted his staff, but that information would and should be dispensed only on a need-to-know basis.
Dumbledore made it quite clear that, despite her history as a Death Easter, he trusted her completely, and found her to be highly qualified. "This isn't the first time we've welcomed a former Death Eater into our midst," he reminded them, "and if history repeats itself, we shall be quite privileged indeed." With that, more than a few eyes glanced inadvertently at Snape, who was sitting with his arms folded in front of him, apparently lost in thought. Dumbledore finished with, "Forgive me for making this unilateral decision, when you have all been so helpful in your contributions to our search for a Defense instructor. But, you must believe me when I tell you that it was mostly out of my hands. It was really Fawkes' decision, and who would argue with that?"
When Albus was done, the staff turned to their new colleague, whose hair was being nibbled on affectionately by the large Phoenix. This seemed to satisfy most of them, and they regarded her with new respect.
Albus then introduced Adelaide to each staff member in turn, mentioning their name and their specialty and, where appropriate, the House with which they were associated. Most gave her a cordial, even hearty, welcome. A few questions about her background and plans for the course were directed toward Adelaide, and she answered them eagerly and thoroughly. Madame Pomfrey set up an appointment to meet privately with her once the term began, as she had a keen interest in the healing arts Addy had learned from her old tutor.
After some business pertaining to the start of the new term and a change in the password policy for the House dormitories, the room gradually dissolved into friendly chatter signaling the unofficial end of the staff meeting. It was then that Snape stood up suddenly and strided over to where Addy was talking with Madame Pomfrey and Professor Sinistra.
Before she knew what had happened, Snape had grabbed Adelaide's left wrist, and pushed up the sleeve of her robe to her elbow. He passed his hand over her skin, muttering, "Lividis Speculabilis" over and over, while he ran his long fingers lightly up and down her inner arm, peering closely at her flesh. The whole room fell silent and drew in closer. Addy was at first dumbfounded, but after a few seconds, she realized what Snape was trying to do. He was trying to conjure her Dark Mark for everyone to see!
His grip on her arm was so strong, that she had to snatch it away from him with great force, causing herself to stumble backwards. Fawkes took off with a cry, swooping back to his regular perch. Addy quickly pulled down her sleeve to cover her arm. "STOP THAT !" she shouted at him, "You have no right!"
Addy felt her heart pounding and her hands start to tremble. The room had suddenly become quite small, and the crowd seemed to be pressing in on her. Snape was giving her a penetrating stare, with a strange light in his eyes that Addy didn't understand.
Albus and Minerva came over to break up the disturbance, while the other professors backed off, whispering among themselves. If she had been a Death Eater, then she ought to have a Dark Mark like all the others, including Professor Snape. Yet despite Snape's incantation, no Dark Mark had shown itself - - she didn't appear to have one. But why under the heavens would anyone lie about having been a Death Eater, if they really hadn't been one? And what did this mean for her credibility-should they trust her as one of them, and with their students?
"What's all this, then, when we were just about to end this meeting on a rare, happy note?" Dumbledore inquired. Snape was still looking at her with a smug grin developing across his face.
Addy felt tears threatening and struggled to keep her composure. The last thing she wanted to do, in spite of this humiliation, was to cry in front of the entire Hogwarts staff.
Addy replied, trying to control the quiver in her voice and to sound nonchalant. "Professor Snape was just trying to demonstrate my Dark Mark for everyone." Then she added, with a momentary glare right back in his direction, "I guess he thought that would be quite an amusing show for the rest of the staff."
"Yes," said Snape, his molasses voice dripping with mock curiosity, "but you don't seem to have one, do you? Now . . . I have never heard of a Death Eater who had not been branded with the Dark Mark. Ever. You must regale us, Miss Mayhem, with the fascinating tale of how you managed to escape THAT honor." His eyes were glowing, triumphant.
Adelaide stared at him with fury and loathing. Snape had stumbled on one of Addy's most agonizing and shameful secrets, threatening to expose it before the entire staff on her first day at Hogwarts. She couldn't help but wonder if there was some way he could perhaps know about her Dark Mark? No . . . it was impossible. No one knew, save possibly Voldemort, and she wasn't even sure about that.
This was most likely Snape's way of getting revenge on her for blasting him in his Potions Laboratory earlier. He probably just meant to disgrace her by showing everyone the hideous mark that ought to have emerged on her arm. He must have been pleasantly surprised, she thought bitterly, when it didn't appear, thus adding a whole new layer of suspicion and embarrassing questions to what he thought would be just a simple prank.
Addy blinked back tears and stammered, "I . . . I . . . I DO have a Dark Mark. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that, Snape," she spat at him. "It's just . . . it's just that it . . . it isn't on my arm."
Snape lifted an eyebrow at her, and his eyes darkened. "What do you mean it isn't on your arm?" he spat back, angrily. "Death Eaters ALWAYS get branded on their inner left arm. It's Voldemort's way." Addy thought she saw the briefest flash of something behind his eyes-pain? Regret? She couldn't tell. And then it was gone.
"Yes, well, that's the way it starts out, isn't it?" she replied quietly. "But it's not always the way it ends up. Not always." Addy looked down at the ground. She was beginning to feel that she could no longer take this. That's when Dumbledore interrupted.
"I'm sure Miss Mayhem has many stories to tell - - mostly painful ones - - about her past experiences with Voldemort. But they are HER stories, Severus. She will share them if and when she finds herself ready to do so.
Snape hesitated, and Adelaide could see him looking at her in a very curious way, out of the corner of her eye. She was staring at a spot on the floor in front of her, fearing that she would just collapse in tears if she had to confront anyone or anything else today. Then he turned to Dumbledore and said quietly, "If that is all for tonight, Albus, I still have a good deal of work to do before turning in. Please excuse me."
Dumbledore replied, "I would like to see you in my office tomorrow morning at 9:00. Good Night, Severus."
Snape left the room and the other teachers took his lead, filing out singly or in murmering pairs. Some were kind enough to wish Addy another welcome or good night, others just brushed past her, trying not to look her way. Professor MacGonagall, however, was the last to leave, and came right up to her, squeezing her hand. "Don't let Severus get to you - - his bark is a lot worse than his bite," she said. "If you are Albus' choice, and apparently Fawkes' choice as well, then that's all we need to know. Welcome to Hogwarts." MacGonagall managed a stiff smile, but Addy instinctively knew that it was more than most people got out of her, and she smiled warmly back.
When they were alone together, Albus said, "You've had quite a long and eventful first day on the job, I'm afraid. Get a good night's rest, and tomorrow morning I would also like to see you, along with Severus, here at 9:00." When Addy opened her mouth to protest, Dumbledore silenced her with, "Severus just needs a bit of time to get used to you. The two of you didn't exactly get off on the right foot, you know, but you have a lot in common. There are not many former Death Eaters who live to tell about it. The work you two are doing for the Order of the Phoenix will be quite delicate and dangerous, and I am afraid you will need to rely on one another more than once in the future."
Addy looked at him questioningly, her eyelids starting to droop, "The Order of the Phoenix?"
Dumbledore chuckled and said, with a paternal grin, "Miss Mayhem . . . don't you think you've learned enough for one day? There will be time for more questions and answers tomorrow. Sleep well, my dear."
With that, he escorted her down the spiral staircase, where Glammy was once again waiting to take her back to her room. Addy barely managed to get her robes off before her head hit the pillow and she fell instantly into a deep slumber.
To be continued . . .