Small disclaimer: Three lines of "I Would Do Anything for Love" (Meatloaf). Anything who hasn't listened to anything other than the radio edit, the full version is epic and wonderful - just like the rest of his work. (I don't think he believes in a song being under 6-7 minutes. . .)
(Re-beta'ed by Dances With Vampires)
Chapter 7: Adjusting
Janice sat in her kitchen with a cup of coffee, staring at the clock. Something about last night felt wrong - Eliza wasn't one to go off with a stranger, and especially to not say anything to them. But as far as she could tell, she went quite willingly.
But not even saying goodbye, even if she knew the man. . .it just didn't feel right.
She half-wished that they hadn't removed the security detail from her once she resumed full duties. At least then she would have the assurance someone was watching out for her.
As the clock struck eight, she pulled the phone over to her and dialled Eliza's mobile. Even on their days off they were expected to answer, especially with the latest increase in deaths, but the phone rang out.
Janice tapped her foot distractedly. Maybe she was overreacting. . .Eliza was a very capable woman, she had to be to do what she did. She would try again later. Eliza was no doubt sleeping off last night's excitement.
-.-.-
The slow creak of a door pulled Ron out of his pleasant dream and alerted him to danger; growing up in a house with Fred and George honed his early morning responses. He lay stock-still, not wanting to let them know that he knew they were in there. There was a light shuffling of careful footsteps, and the occasional creak of a floorboard, but still he didn't stir. Silence fell on the room, and as time passed he wondered if it had all still been a dream.
A pillow slammed down with enough force to knock the wind out of his chest.
"What the-!" He snapped into a seated position, snatching his wand off the table and pointing it at- "Maddie?"
She stood before him cute as a button in pyjamas with some Muggle cartoon on them, the offending pillow hidden poorly behind her back. "Oh, good!" She smiled. "You're awake!"
"Bloody hell, what time is it?" he yawned, putting his wand away.
"About six," she said cheerfully, climbing onto his bed and sitting cross-legged at the foot, cuddling the pillow. "I have some more questions."
"And they couldn't wait 'til a more humane hour?" he said irritably, but moved back into a seated position all the same.
"Well. . .the sun is up," she reasoned.
"Then thank Merlin, we aren't in Norway," he replied, rearranging his pillow so he was more comfortable. He sighed. "Okay, shoot." He smiled sleepily.
As tired as he was and despite the attack from the previous night, he enjoyed spending time with Maddie. His crush, unfortunately, wasn't lost on the others. . .but he found her just as fascinating as she found him.
"So what do wizards do for work?" she jumped right in.
"Uh. . .well, lots of things, I guess. . .like my brother Charlie works with dragons. . ."
"Dragons exist?" she said excitedly. "Really? Can I have one as a pet?"
Ron frowned slightly, remembering 'baby Norbert'. "They really don't make good pets. . .Let's see. . .well, there's a heap of Ministry jobs-"
"Are unicorns real too?" Maddie interrupted.
"Yes-"
"Can I have o-?"
"No."
"What about a centaur? Can I have one of them?"
"They don't like to be considered animals, much less pets. . ."
"What about Pegasi? Can I have-?"
"No."
"Is there anything I can have for a pet?" she whined.
"A cat, an owl. . .or a toad, but you don't strike me as that type. There's also Puffskeins, and I'm pretty sure that Flobberworms are okay."
"I'd rather a dragon. . ." Maddie sighed, disheartened. "So say, hypothetically, I wanted to work with dragons."
"I suspect that isn't so hypothetical. . .," Ron muttered amusedly, earning himself a friendly slap on the arm.
"I'm new to all this, so be nice," she scolded playfully. "Besides, I've chosen you to be my guide in all things magical." She smiled, causing Ron to blush.
"I suppose I could show you a thing or two; I did grow up with it after all," he gushed. "I can imagine it's all a bit overwhelming for you," he consoled, trying to take advantage of the opportunity and reaching to put a hesitant arm around her shoulder.
"What about mermaids. . .?" she mused, leaning against him. "I'd love to see one. . ."
Ron smiled, happily spending the rest of the morning talking to her.
-.-.-
Every muscle in Troy's body screamed in furious protest as he pulled himself out of bed. The noise coming from downstairs suggested that everyone was up and getting ready to go about their daily business. He would have happily stayed in bed and welcome the fantasy that it was all a nightmare, but the pain in his back, limbs, and hands had no intention of letting him forget. Taking one careful step at a time and walking not unlike an old man, he passed the bathroom on their floor as he made his way downstairs. Maddie's off-key shower singing drifted through the gap between the door and floor.
"Will you make me some magic
With your own two hands?
Can you build an emerald city with these grains of sand?"
Troy's heart hurt as he sighed. She didn't know. He was going to be the one to bring reality crashing down around her.
He pounded on the door. "Maddie, there's a lot of people here - don't use all the hot water."
"I can't! The hot water is done magically, so it never runs out!" Maddie shouted cheerfully over the sound of drops hammering on the shower wall and floor. "Isn't that fantastic? God, I wish we had this at home. . ."
"We need to talk, so hurry up," he cut her off. He waited for the sound of squeaky taps turning, and the water stopping. The door opened, Maddie standing there with an oversized towel wrapped around her small frame.
"Well, what is it?" she asked, brushing her wet hair with her fingers. "You look terrible."
Troy closed his eyes, knowing she was happier than he'd seen her in years, her eyes brimming with excitement and possibility. "It's about Eliza."
Maddie's eyes lit up even more as she gasped excitedly. "Is she on her way here? Does she know? She is going to be so excited - a whole other world to learn about, and the different technology, and-"
Troy took a deep breath. "She wouldn't want you to get sick. . .best get dressed and have some breakfast." He couldn't do it. He'd let her enjoy the moment a little longer.
Maddie looked confused and crestfallen. But she shrugged it off quickly and darted into her room to dress, closing the door behind her.
"She's going to find out soon enough," Remus said as he came down the stairs, looking how Troy felt.
"I know, I'll tell her. . ." He wordlessly accepted Remus's hand down the stairs, his hands still too sore to grip the banister. "Has there been any word about Eliza yet?"
Remus grimaced slightly. "None as yet. Did you sleep at all?"
"I couldn't…"
The kitchen wasn't its usual flurry of activity as people entered, still exhausted. Despite the fact that Troy and Maddie knew about magic, Tonks was unusually dull, still wearing the mask of Claire. She didn't dare to make eye contact with Troy when he walked in with Remus; she kept her eyes firmly planted on the morning's Daily Prophet.
"Claire?" Troy asked gently, and Tonks looked up.
"It's Tonks," she replied, slightly ashamed at her deception.
"Tonks, sorry," Troy corrected, taking a seat opposite and forcing her to pass the paper along, as he clearly wanted to talk. "I don't blame you for what happened to Eliza. . .Remus and the Professor explained things."
Tonks gave a weak smile and glanced at Remus. "Thank you. I promise we're going to do everything possible to get her back safely."
Sirius was seated at the end of the long breakfast bench, paper in one hand and a coffee in the other. He glanced at the door as the sound of several pairs of footsteps raced down the stairs. "I suggest the two of you stop looking so grim if you don't want to worry Maddie."
"Troy! Troy! Look what Hermione gave us!" Maddie ran into the room. "Magic books!" She beamed so brightly that everyone's mood couldn't help but lighten. "I know we can't do anything until we get our wands," she said, thrusting a book under his nose, "but we can still learn about it - look at these spells! You'll never lose your keys again with this one, and then there's-" Her eyes fell on Sirius, who was hiding his smile behind his cup and trying not to laugh. She gasped, struck with a brilliant idea. "Can you teach us how to turn into a dog?" She was not unlike someone on a serious sugar rush.
"That is very challenging," Hermione cut in, as Sirius finally succumbed to a chuckle and helped himself to pancakes. "Very few witches and wizards can do that."
"Maddie, sit down and eat something," Troy ordered, pulling her into a seat by the back of her top.
"How can you not be excited by all of this?" Maddie demanded, loading up her plate. "You've always been talking about how much you hate your jobs - and now you're a wizard!"
"I am excited," he lied. "But there are a lot of things that are going to change our lives. We'll talk about it later," he promised, closing the spell book in front of him and pushing it away as though it were something dangerous.
Hermione was directed to distract Maddie whilst Troy and Dumbledore talked. As such, she decided that given her keenness to learn, she - with the assistance of the Weasley twins - would demonstrate some simple spells. Maddie didn't need to be asked twice, practically flying into the spare room they were allowed to "destroy", whilst Fred and George rummaged for some of the more hideous brick-a-brack to use as targets.
Troy sat in the kitchen opposite what he guessed to be a council made up of several of the adults he'd met - Remus, Tonks, Arthur, and Sirius (who seemed in all honesty to be there purely because this was his home). There was also a new woman, introduced as Professor McGonagall, and a stern-looking man most of the others simply referred to as Snape.
"I have discussed your current situation with the other professors at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began. "While we see now reason why Maddie cannot attend Hogwarts as a student-"
Troy interrupted. "Maddie's already enrolled a school. I can't just pull her out."
"Please, wait 'til I am finished. We are able to make the necessary arrangements for her to attend without arousing Muggle suspicion. She would, theoretically, graduate only a few years after the others her age, provided that she is committed and receives private tutoring between classes. Given the enthusiasm she has demonstrated thus far, I believe she will do well. She will learn enough to defend herself, and to apply for work within the Magical community." Troy remained silent as he absorbed the information. "You, on the other hand, are a different matter entirely. Naturally I would not place your education alongside the students. However, it is vital that you learn magic."
"Why?" Troy asked finally.
"Pardon?" McGonagall said, shocked.
"Why do I have to learn magic? I've managed this far without it; my mother is happily oblivious to being a witch, yet I don't see you talking about her re-training; you say my father lived five years without. So I hardly see any vital reason that I learn." Troy folded his arms.
"Your father knew how to control his magic, and your mother's is virtually ineffective because of the spells on her house," Snape replied with a clear and cold voice. "Your powers are far too unstable for us to allow you not to be trained."
"Severus is right," Dumbledore said. "The spells on your mother's home protect her from Voldemort. What happened last night to the furniture could have easily happened to a person under different circumstances. If left untrained you are a danger."
"Fine. Put spells on my house, the same as my mother's."
"Troy, we all understand how difficult this is for you," Remus stressed. "Like it or not, magic is a part of you. Yes, your mother is managing without, but you can see how unhappy she is. She may not understand that unhappiness, but she feels it - just as you, your sisters, and no doubt your brother did. Would you really want to explain to Maddie that you're renouncing a part of what you are?"
"Part of what we are got us into this whole goddamned mess in the first place!" McGonagall flinched as a stack of plates in the sink exploded. Troy closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly, relishing in the pain searing through his palms and up his arms. "I am over thirty. Almost half my life has passed, and I have nothing to show for it," he said, his throat tight.
Someone applauded, startling everyone. They turned to Sirius, whom they'd all forgotten was there.
"Good for you, kiddo'," Sirius said bitterly. "I'm thirty-five and have even less to show for it, aside from a Most Wanted poster." He moved away the corner he'd been hovering in. "Sorry to be harsh, but your life isn't the only sob story at this table. I grew up with magic, and every privilege that comes with being a Pureblood, and look what happened to me - my family kicked me out; I got my best mate killed; I was accused of murder, and locked away in wizard prison for twelve years. You think a Muggle prison is bad? It's paradise. Yeah, I'm innocent, and yeah, I'm out of there, but the reality is that I can't leave this cursed house until the bastard who did kill my mate - and let's add to it that he was a friend too - gets caught. If I do, I have to have my arse sniffed by every dog on the street. So while you're sitting there feeling sorry for yourself, you might just want to remember you still have some semblance of a life and a bloody good offer on the table. You're a fool and a disgrace to all wizards, especially your family, if you walk away from it." Sirius walked out, closing the door loudly behind him.
Remus stood, looking very uncomfortable as did everyone else. "I'll go talk to him, he's not normally-"
"No, I want to," Troy said, standing. He left the room before anyone had the chance to protest.
He found Sirius standing in the lounge room, arms folded, staring at a tapestry titled 'The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black'. Sirius didn't acknowledge Troy's presence, as Troy moved cautiously toward him.
Despite the assurance that he was harmless, there was something else about him that Troy couldn't put his finger on. Was he furious about his outburst, or thankful? Since being told everything, Sirius was the first person to tell him exactly how it was, and his words flicked a switch inside his head.
"There are always casualties of war," Sirius said. "Every single person in this house is one. And if you can't find something to live for, you might as well have been strangled as a child in your crib. It might not feel like it right now, but you're being handed back your life."
"What are you living for?" Troy asked, not sure if it was too private.
Sirius looked at him, pulling out a newspaper clipping from his pocket. "My godson." He carefully and lovingly unfolded it so Troy could see the picture. "Harry. He is everything to me." He carefully refolded the clipping and put it away. "You said it yourself - almost half of your life is gone. I'm not going to waste any more of your time holding your hand while you take baby steps. I'm just telling you how it is, you don't have to like it. Merlin, if I was told I had to learn how to become Muggle, I'd run like hell. If I was told I had to do it for Harry's sake, I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd do my damnedest to make it work. You can't help Corey, and at the moment there's nothing you can do for Eliza but hope she's alive. But right now, there's a whirlwind of excitement upstairs that will no doubt drag you kicking and screaming into the magical world if she has to, if for no other reason than the fun of it. If you want to protect your family, this is the only way."
Troy sank onto the couch, his face in his hands. "She would. . .wouldn't she?" He smiled grimly at Sirius, who smiled and nodded in return.
Sirius gave him a pat on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's see what they've got planned for you."
-.-.-
Troy mulled over the information provided, deep in thought. "And I can check in on Maddie any time?"
"You will share some private lessons each week," Dumbledore replied. "It will - as they say - kill two birds with one stone. You can send letters to her via owl post, and provided that she is committed to her education there is no reason why she cannot visit on Hogsmeade weekends. However, I cannot have you disrupting the other students or lessons." Troy nodded uneasily. "As I said, accommodations can be arranged for you within the castle; you would be closer to Maddie, as well as significantly safer-"
"No. Thank you, but no. A castle full of kids is a lot more than I can handle, and if this house is as close to the school as you say it is, Maddie won't be far."
"Professor, I would like to volunteer to help Troy with his training, as well as his protection," Sirius spoke up. "I can live there with him."
Severus snorted. "You're hardly qualified to teach a mouse to run on a wheel, let alone a student."
Troy couldn't help but feel Sirius's hackles rise, despite his human form. "And I suppose a Death Eater would be?"
Severus stood, wand out.
"Enough," Dumbledore ordered, and Snape reluctantly sank back into his chair, eyes never leaving Sirius. "Additional arrangements would have to be made, but they can be done. I think that covers everything for now; the professors and I will return to the school and arrange a study plan for the pair of you, as well as what materials you will need, which I will send you later."
-.-.-
The list of study material seemed endless as Troy went through it with Hermione, who only added things she believed they would need. "Oh, and you definitely need to get these books too-" She scribbled another five titles under Potions.
"Am I to understand that I'm buying a small library?" Troy asked, his stress levels rising again.
Everyone was starting to make their way into the kitchen for dinner.
"Trust me, this is fine as a standard list for someone with a history of magic in their family. . .that they know about. . .but for those of us who knew nothing about it growing up, you will really find the extra books a help. Now, Transfiguration. . .I would also get these. . ." She scribbled another six titles. "I know it seems a little overwhelming, but your lessons will be one-on-one, and. . .well, not to brag. . .but I am an excellent tutor, and Harry is very good at defence."
"You are going to help teach me?"
"Of course! For crying out loud, this one probably wouldn't have passed half his subjects if it wasn't for me." She jerked her head at Ron, who gave her a less-than-appreciative glare. "The teachers will be helping you too, as will Sirius. Dumbledore wants me helping Maddie for the most part, but you'll have some lessons with her too."
Ron smiled as Maddie walked in and chose a seat next to him. "I'll be helping too, of course," he added.
"As a target, maybe," one of the twins snickered; Troy wasn't sure if that was Fred or George. He had long since given up trying to identify them. Now, they were called Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, a reference completely lost on the pair, though it seemed to entertain them all the same.
Ron's ears went very red. Maddie giggled slightly and he blushed deeper, making him look like a giant hairy tomato, which only made Maddie giggle more.
"Hey, I can do that look too," Tonks announced, shifting into Ron's likeness before their eyes. That sent Maddie flying off her seat in laughter. Ron, completely humiliated, went upstairs muttering about checking his book list.
"You are all so mean to him." Hermione tried to sound stern, but couldn't keep her face straight.
"Brothers' birth right." The twins fist-bumped. "Just wait 'til we find Ginny, she's got herself in a tizzy with Harry coming around."
"I thought she would have grown out of that by now," the other twin commented. "Found herself someone a little less danger-prone."
"Ooh, tell me about this Harry boy," Maddie said flirtatiously.
"You, madam, don't need to add any more danger to your life," Troy scolded. Maddie replied with a sisterly tongue poke, still unaware.
"So how exactly do we pay for all this stuff?" Troy asked, pulling the list back toward him. "I'm guessing by your reactions to plastic they don't take Visa." He pulled out his wallet, looking through them all. "Or Diners. . .MasterCard. . .AMEX. . .pity, wouldn't have minded the miles. Oh, look, a Hatchards voucher. . .well, that's useless too now, I imagine." He scrunched it up as Hermione reached out to save the bookstore voucher.
"Gringotts can exchange Muggle cash, however because of your situation, Dumbledore has given you a loan until the ministry has released your father's estate to you." Hermione informed, looking scandalised at the scrunched-up voucher on the floor. "Anyway, I've kept all my old notes, which you will have full access to," she assured. "It's going to be a tough year, but we will pull you through it."
"Wait, he left us an estate? Like a mansion? Oh my god a castle – do we have a castle?" Maddie's eyes widened.
"Not that kind of estate Maddie," Troy interjected before her excitement got the better of her. Dumbledore had already glossed over the details however had mentioned something about the ministry of magic being involved. He didn't want to risk getting his sisters hopes up.
"Actually –" Sirius started but quickly stopped after a look from Troy. "I have no idea."
-.-.-
Any time Janice worked on-call, it seemed that she always received one. She grabbed her things - a ritual followed for many years - kissed her dog Bruno on the snout, and drove to the address. Lights guided her way to the crime scene, a small suburb park less than a ten-minute drive from her home. Reporters had already flocked.
A man looked horribly distressed, holding his dog's lead. It seemed he was the unfortunate soul to stumble on a body during a late-night walk. Lloyd pulled up just as she did, and they approached the nearest officer.
"Where's the M.E.?" Janice asked. A white sheet poked out from the bottom of a tree, hiding the feet and preserving whatever dignity the victim had left.
"Dr. Raveien was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago, we were about to call Dr. Anders-"
"Did she answer her phone?"
No, but a message was sent to her, and we haven't heard anything back-"
Janice wasn't listening anymore. The park wasn't unlike the one where they found Corey. She ran to where the body was, tearing the sheet back, terrified of who it might be staring at her. Eliza never missed a call, it was one of the reasons she was so reliable - her commitment to her work was second-to-none.
The blonde, battered, and bruised woman sent a wave of relief crashing into her. Lloyd stood by her side.
"Looks like a rape and murder," he commented darkly.
"Are you okay to take the lead on this one?" she asked, ignoring the quizzical look he gave her. "I've been trying to get in touch with Eliza all day, it's not like her to miss a call. I want to check on her, she only lives a few minutes from here."
"I'll be fine, you go. Anders won't be here for another ten minutes. Let me know, okay?"
"Sure," Janice said, dashing back to her car.
She pulled into Eliza's driveway and noticed that an upstairs light was on. She walked to the front door and glanced at Eliza's car - the locks were up.
"Eliza, open up!" Her knuckles connected with the door, and it swung open unhindered. "Eliza?"
Eliza's bag and things were on the kitchen counter, and Janice's heart began to pound. "Eliza!"
She opened every door on the ground floor, but no answer came. She dashed upstairs, starting with the room where the light was on. It was Eliza's - her wardrobe was open, most of the clothes pulled out as though someone had been looking for something.
"Eliza!" she called out more urgently. Something was wrong.
Back in the kitchen, she pulled out her phone. "Lloyd, she's missing. . .no, I mean she is missing - her stuff's here, her car, the place wasn't locked. . .yeah, I'm calling the C.O. now. Might want to call in another detective to cover for me, I'm going to be here a while. . .I hope so too."
She hung up and sank into a couch, dialling the number for a call she was dreading. "Sorry to interrupt your evening, Sir, but it's urgent. Dr. Eliza Raveien is missing."
-.-.-
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a short message telling me what you think of my story, what you like and what you didn't like, etc. Con-crit is (as always) most welcome.