Chapter Nine
"You're spending all your time in the library now," Ron complained on the way to Potions, their only shared class. "You're getting worse than Hermione."
"I think it's great she's taking initiative and furthering her studies, unlike some," she looked pointedly at Ron who just shrugged. They kept climbing the steps to the lower castle, shuffling closer together as it got colder and darker.
"I don't know how you manage to sleep in the dungeons, it's bloody freezing down here," Ron said.
"I agree with him, for once," Hermione said, pulling her cloak tighter around her. "It's cold."
Sarah had been silent through their arguments, reluctant to say anything lest they catch on to what she was actually doing in the library. Now that the subject safely out of the way, she shrugged.
"You get used to the cold," Sarah replied, and it was true. Like snakes, the Slytherins seemed to be cold blooded, and didn't feel so much as a chill.
"I guess you have to," Hermione said sympathetically.
"Yeah," Sarah said offhandedly, wondering whether Ron would kick up another fuss if she went to the library again.
She knew that they, Hermione especially, would be a great help researching, but they didn't need to know. And she'd told them the Tenures was a dead end, so if Sarah wanted their help, she'd have to explain why she lied, and that was something she didn't want to burden them with. Especially since Hermione was showing signs of liking Ron back.
Small signs, like lingering gazes, little smiles at his stupid habits. It was adorable, and it had Sarah pondering if she would ever have anyone special enough to gaze at. She didn't find herself attracted to anyone lately. There were a few boys in the past whom she'd been interested in, but no one in their right mind would go out with a Slytherin, except for a Slytherin. And all the Slytherins hated her.
"I think you should tell them mistresss," Methuselya hissed from her sleeve. He had been adamant on this since he found out. He had been absolutely no help in the Library, refusing to until she told her friends.
"No, stop asking," Sarah snapped. Ron and Hermione looked at her. She smiled apologetically at them and continued talking in a soft hiss. "You could be more of a help you know."
"Yes, I could help you leave me," Methuselya hissed back. Sarah stopped walking.
"You think I would leave you?" she hissed gently, letting him slide onto her palm so she could see him better. He wriggled uncomfortably, his black scales shining. "You're coming with me wherever I go. I won't leave you. Ever. Unless that's what you want?" The last part had never occurred to her before. What if Methuselya didn't want to come with her? He'd been with her all his life, she just assumed he would. Now it was her turn to be uncomfortable.
"I go where you go mistress," Methuselya said happily. Sarah relaxed.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. He nodded back and then slid into her sleeve once again.
"Are you done yet?" a voice complained.
Hermione elbowed Ron in the ribs.
"Sorry, yeah," Sarah said.
"What was that about anyway Sarah?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Nothing, he's just upset about Harry," Sarah said to them, well aware of Methuselya shifting on her arm, hissing amusedly.
"Oh, yes, everyone is," Hermione sighed. "They're all starting to lose hope."
Indeed the students had been trudging along dejectedly the past few days. Harry had been missing for three weeks now, and usually when you're missing for that long, it meant you were never going to be found. It was getting bad, and everyone was getting really worried. Dumbledore had been gone for a week now too, which didn't help quiet the nervousness around the castle.
They took their seats on a quiet bench in the corner of the room, so they could whisper to each other without being told off, and started setting up. Slughorn was running unusually late. The rest of the class started chatting, Parvati and Lavendar doing each other's hair, not the least bit interested in setting up their cauldron and getting ready. When he finally made an appearance he looked haggard, like he hadn't slept properly. As soon as he set his briefcase down, he pointed at Sarah, Hermione and Ron in turn.
"You three are to go to the Headmaster's office immediately," he said. The rest of the class looked curiously at them. Parvati and Lavendar were listening intently to Slughorn now. "Don't take your bags, you'll be returning."
With that he turned his back on them and started writing on the board. "Today class, we'll be making Amortentia, more commonly known as a love potion. If you turn to page …"
Sarah exchanged looks with Hermione and Ron before standing and leaving the room, several eyes following their progress. Once safely out of earshot, they started talking.
"What do you think he wants?" Sarah asked. "We can't be in trouble, we haven't done anything."
"Who cares? We get out of Potions!" Ron said happily. Hermione glowered at him.
"It could be bad news about Harry," she said, causing Ron to deflate quickly. He scratched his head, looking worried now.
"We'll soon find out. We're nearly there," Sarah said.
Professor McGonagall was waiting for them next to the gargoyles at the entrance to Dumbledore's office. She greeted them with a nod, and then said the password 'Acid Pops.' She escorted them up the steps in silence. A silence which increased the uneasiness of the trio. When they got to Dumbledore's door, she knocked once and went in. They followed her.
Dumbledore was waiting. He looked older than Sarah had ever seen him. His silver beard glistened just as much as his blue eyes. He smiled warmly at each of them.
"Sit down," he said, gesturing to three chairs in front of his desk. They sat obediently. Professor McGonagall took her place beside Dumbledore. "Would any of you care for some Sherbet Lemons?" Hermione and Sarah shook their heads while Ron accepted. McGonagall looked like she was restraining herself from rolling her eyes impatiently.
"I think you know why I've asked for your presence here," Dumbledore said clasping his withered hands together. "We need to find Harry, and we need to find him quickly. He's probably told you of the prophecy, and you know how important he is to the survival of half the population."
"No offense sir, but it's 'cos of the prophecy he went off in such a snit, sir," Ron mumbled, his mouth full of sherbet lemon. Hermione looked disgusted.
"I told you Albus," McGonagall scowled.
"I know it's been a great weight in his mind, and I'm sorry for that. But there is no other way. He had to learn of it sometime. It's best if he accepted it. I expected you to help him do that." Twinkling blue eyes stared hard at them for a second.
Sarah looked down ashamed.
"Never mind that now," he continued. "We have to get him back. If there is anything, anything whatsoever you know that could be of some help, please tell us."
Hermione shifted a bit in her chair. This was not missed by McGonagall.
"Miss Granger, is there something you would like to say?"
Ron's eyes widened, but Hermione refused to look at either of them. "Ron and Sarah went into the Forbidden Forest to try and find some clues, Professor," she said, her cheeks reddening with each word. Ron's mouth was wide open, and Sarah was filled with dread. Dumbledore was going to find out about the Tenures. He would know. He would tell them and they'd know she had lied. "I told you so mistressss," Methuselya hissed softly.
"They met the centaurs. They did something to Harry. Bane and the rest. They said something about the 'Tenures,'" Hermione ploughed on. Dumbledore stiffened at the word. Ron had his head in his hands. She was going to tell them everything. "We researched it, but it was a dead end." There it was. Dumbledore knew. He knew what the Tenures meant. Sarah could read it in his face.
"Dead end?" he murmured questioningly.
"Sarah read the books we borrowed and she said it was no good," Hermione replied, trembling. Ron looked furious. So did McGonagall. Sarah's heart sank. There it was.
"I see." Dumbledore looked speculatively at her. Sarah refused to meet his eyes.
"Well you have been busy," McGonagall said tightly. "May I remind you how many school rules were broken just thinking about doing what you did?"
"We just wanted to find Harry!" Ron said angrily.
"You think that you're more capable than fully qualified Ministry wizards?" McGonagall breathed. "Detention for a month, all of you, and you can forget about being in the Quidditch team Weasley. As much as I care for Gryffindor's prospects, this cannot go unpunished. You are banned from the team."
It was an unpleasant scene. Ron glared furiously at Hermione, and looked like he would break something. McGonagall looked on the verge of expelling them, and Hermione looked on the verge of tears. Only Dumbledore remained calm.
"I think that's a bit harsh Minerva," Dumbledore said. "At least let him be on the team. Something to look forwards to in these dark times shouldn't be kept from them."
"They're in my house Albus," McGonagall said coolly. "I do not condone any such behaviour."
"I'm not," Sarah said quietly. They all looked at her.
"Pardon?" McGonagall narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not in your house," Sarah repeated.
"I will talk to Professor Snape, Miss Selwyn, make no mistake about it," McGonagall said sharply.
"You may all go," Dumbledore said somberly. They got up. "Except you Sarah. I want to talk to you." Sarah cursed inwardly. She thought she had gotten away scot-free. "You can go with them Minerva."
Dumbledore waited until the others had left. Sarah stared at her knees. Ron was too angry, and Hermione too upset to be interested in what Dumbledore wanted with Sarah.
"Miss Selwyn," he started gently when the others had gone, "you and I both know the Tenures is not a dead end."
Sarah looked up with tears in her eyes. She nodded at a now blurring Dumbledore.
"I take it you know what it means, what it is?" he asked simply. She nodded again, the tears rolling freely down her face. "Tell me."
She looked at him confused. She knew he knew. Dumbledore knew everything.
He seemed to understand her confusion. "Tell me what you know, and I'll tell you what you don't know. I'm not going to stop you from carrying out your plan, your very brave in considering it. I want to help you."
Sarah nodded again. "Okay, she said clearing her throat. No good. Her voice still wobbled. "I've read most of the books about the Tenures, and they all say the same thing. T-They say that it's an ancient spell that takes the person it's casted on back through time. And it says that the person, Harry, must then be a permanent resident of that time. B-because it was meant to be. A-and if we want him back, someone has to take his place."
Fresh tears welled in her eyes of the implications that her plan involved. She would have to leave everything she knew and everyone she loved.
"Correct Miss Selwyn," Dumbledore. "Now, don't cry," he said kindly, handing her a wad of tissues from a drawer. She took them and wiped her eyes and nose, sniffling. "I know you're scared, but if you're going to go through with this, you must be sure. Do you want to do this?"
"Yes," Sarah said hesitatingly. She wanted Harry back. She wanted the Wizarding World saved from the Dark Lord. But she was scared.
"This is very brave of you," Dumbledore said, staring down at her, his blue eyes twinkling with emotion. "You're willing to go through with this for the people you love, despite your fear. Harry could learn a lot from you," Dumbledore sighed. "And he could also learn a lot from the past. You must pick the right time to send him back."
Sarah blushed at the compliment.
"May I ask you one last question?" Dumbledore said, looking interestedly at her.
"Yes, sir," Sarah replied.
"Why aren't you in Gryffindor?"
Sarah stiffened at the question.
"You needn't answer if you don't want to," Dumbledore said.
"N-no, I will," Sarah said. She took a shaky breath. "I asked to be in Slytherin."
"Why?" Dumbledore asked keenly.
Sarah smiled sadly. "Isn't that two questions?"
"My apologies. I'm an old man now, and I sometimes let my curiosity get the better of me."
"It's fine Professor," Sarah said. Dumbledore was silent, regarding her sadly.
"Maybe you'll be able to start anew," was all he said, and there wasn't much to say. She was in Slytherin now, and she couldn't change that.
"Maybe," Sarah replied. She changed the subject. "So you'll help me?"
"There's not much to do, the spell to take you back is not difficult," Dumbledore said.
"Is it the Tenures?" Sarah asked.
"No, we can't send you back with the Tenures, for one thing, the spell is obscure, and very difficult. And for another, it would only create another permanent place in time. You wouldn't be replacing him then, you'd be joining him."
"Then what are we going to do?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Have you ever cross enchanted a time turner with a portkey?"