Chapter Two: Ginger
Ginger is traditionally used by the Cherokee for heart medicine,to improve circulation and prevent hypothermia. It's a favorite remedy for nausea among mountain granny women.
When the woman and Sirius reentered the room, both looked agitated. She spoke first. "Sirius, you'd better introduce me to your friends."
He looked impatient, but complied, "This is Sapphire McNiven. She has tracked me across fourteen years and an ocean, and into an unplotable house hidden with a Fidelius Charm and covered with muggle repelling charms. Since I obviously can't keep her out, I guess she'll be staying a while." Sirius delivered the quip without mirth, but everyone else laughed nervously except Sapphire, and also Severus, who appeared ready to crucio both Sirius and the muggle who had bested him with his own spell.
"This is highly irresponsible," Severus addressed Sirius haughtily, while making constant, quick glances at Sapphire. "Having this muggle transported into the house on your whim compromises our security..."
"And what would you have done to her if I hadn't brought her in?" Sirius seemed about to draw his wand again.
Ignoring the question, and with his eyes darting from Sirius to Sapphire, Severus continued, "She seems to be here without Dumbledore's knowledge. Considering your redoubtable reputation as a judge of character, Black, I wouldn't be surprised if she's a spy!"
Sirius, clearly incensed, had opened his mouth for a presumed retort, but was interrupted by Sapphire. "A spy?" she gasped, as she looked from one man to the other, "I don't know what you mean, but I assure you...!"
"There are ways of finding out exactly why she's here, and I say we had best employ one or more," Severus interrupted; again addressing Sirius, but not taking his eyes off Sapphire.
"You leave her alone, you..." Sirius began, but Sapphire interrupted again.
"Sirius, why does he think I'm a spy?"
"Sirius," this time Molly spoke, " this is all very strange. Perhaps Severus is right to say we should be cautious."
"What now?" Sirius growled at her. "Can't I even receive an old acquaintance into my own parlor without your permission! I know who..."
Sapphire interrupted again. "I haven't any idea why I should be spying on any of you, but won't you tell me what do I need to do to put you all at ease?" She addressed this to Molly.
"Look at me!", commanded Severus.
"Don't do it!" snapped Sirius. " He wants to look into your eyes so he can see your thoughts."
"You mean read my mind?" Sapphire's eyes grew even wider. "Can he really do that?"
"It isn't mind read...." started Severus in a bored and patronizing drawl, but Sirius cut him off.
"Yes, he probably can, and he's got no business doing so." He was glaring at Severus so that there was no mistaking what was in his mind.
"A man who reads minds!" Sapphire looked both thoughtful and a little amused. "How fascinating! Suppose I let you read my mind, would you trust me then?" she asked Severus, not quite meeting his gaze, but cutting her eyes sideways at him under partly lowered lashes.
For a second, Severus looked a bit disconcerted; whether at the question or the rather "come hither" affect of her occluded glance was hard to determine, but he answered blandly,"Perhaps."
"Sirius," she asked, turning to him, "What harm could come of it if I let him?"
"Plenty I'm sure!" Sirius said sharply.
"None at all, if she is hiding nothing," Severus countered with equal acridity.
"Tell that to me," she said, now looking straight on at Severus.
"Tell you what?", he sneered, still glaring at Sirius.
"Look me in the eye, please, and tell me you mean well; and also tell me just how much of my mind you intend to peek at," she said in a very controlled voice.
Severus opened his mouth as though to say something else acerbic, but shut it again and locked his eyes with Sapphire's. "I'll know if you give true answers to the questions I ask," he replied finally. "You will not be injured."
Sirius made an incredulous face, but Sapphire squinted at Severus, studying his face for a long moment. Then she looked at Sirius again. "I'm willing to try it, provided he'll promise to be discreet."
"Why are you doing this?" Sirius spat. "He has no right..."
"I obviously need to gain the trust of your companions, and particularly this fellow," she nodded at Severus. " At this point I barely have yours, never mind anyone else's; and I can understand why. And by the way, I still want to know why anyone here would think I'm a spy. One might think I've wandered into something shady. " Here she paused and her eyes moved searchingly from one face to another in turn. The others looked at one another with various degrees of discomfort. Getting no answers, she shrugged and continued, " All in good time, I suppose. Well, someone has to disarm first, so to speak. You will do just as you said and also be discreet?" She addressed this last to Severus, again meeting his eyes.
Severus' sneer dissolved to blankness. "If you intend no harm to us, then you will have nothing to fear", he answered flatly.
"This was your idea," muttered Sirius. Molly was twiddling her wand in both hands, but managed an encouraging smile toward Sapphire.
"Good enough," Sapphire said to Severus. "What do you want to know?"
Severus muttered something under his breath, and narrowed his eyes. His voice softened to an unctuous exhalation . "Why did you come here?" .
Sapphire's eyes widened in surprise as, with a little gasp, she clutched at the sword and stepped back on one foot, but she didn't look away. "I was looking for Sirius," she said firmly.
"Why?", he queried again.
Her eyes strayed to the others in the room for several seconds' silence, then she turned back to him and offered, " That's a rather personal question. Let's say I came because I had a premonition that Sirius was in danger."
"A premonition that he was in danger?" Severus repeated.
"Yes, I believe someone, probably three wizards, came to my summer cabin and tried to find him, perhaps to kill him. I think they almost killed me instead. I'm sure I was stunned at least." Her last statement, she addressed to Sirius.
"We will hear more of this later," Severus said, raising an eyebrow. "There is a great deal more you have not told. But first, explain how you came to know this man."
"Long ago, he visited me at that same summer cabin."
"And were you aware then that he was a wizard?"
"Not at first, but after certain events occurred, yes, he told me as much." Sapphire had turned her head a bit and regarded her questioner out of the sides of her eyes now. She had frowned at the question. Sirius was biting his lower lip.
"What events would those be?", asked Severus stepping towards her a bit, but Sirius interrupted.
"That's none of your damned business!"
"They concern only Sirius and myself, not anyone else," Sapphire answered quickly with a gesture to Sirius not to interfere, Ò but since you promised to be discreet, you may know something of them." Sapphire fell silent, but she and Severus looked a long time at each other. Neither moved, but Molly noticed that Severus' fingers were growing whiter against the black of his wand. Finally Severus drew in his breath, as though he had been holding it, and adopted a bored look.
Sapphire returned a knowing smile. ÒHow lonely must you be to envy such an unlucky pair as we were! I'm betting you don't even approve of that relationship. I feel sad for..."
Severus started, his facade shattered. "I don't..., you impertinent...! Wait, how did you know...?" Then to the rest of the company, "This is no muggle, or else that device has given her access to my thoughts! But, no! Witch or muggle, that's not possible!"
Now Sirius looked startled too, but Sapphire laughed and shook her head.
"It's not the sword," she offered with another smile of condescension. "Just feminine intuition- a rather common gift in a woman of my age and experience. The lady there will probably tell you it's true, won't you honey?" She addressed this last to Molly; who first looked surprised, but almost immediately was suppressing a smile.
"But I'm ...you're ..," a deep breath and Severus face recomposed itself. Pointing his wand at her face, he hissed, ÒThis is no muggle!"
"Don't you dare attack her again! Remember who's house you're in!" Sirius produced his own wand and pointed it at Severus, who peered down his nose at it with a look of contempt, but lowered his own a few degrees. Sirius followed suit, and Sapphire removed one hand from the sword hilt . Molly heard herself exhale.
Then, Sirius laughed. "She's telling the truth when she says it isn't magic, or rather it's not the sort of magic that occlumency will overcome." His expression had softened and he seemed to be seeing something very far away. "I'd almost forgotten," he said quietly; as though speaking to himself. "She'll see right through you when she needs to, and you'd best remember that."
Then Sapphire added more gently,"The only magic here is your own ability to share my mind. I'm only reading your feelings as you do."
Severus, eyes back on Sapphire's, was twitching slightly around the mouth and seemed about to say something, when Sapphire spoke again.
"I see you feel uncomfortable with this exchange. Perhaps when we are better acquainted?" The look she turned full on Severus was a mix of triumph and understanding. He flinched, as though a message had been received without her speaking.
"You are perceptive!," Sapphire laughed at him, than added somewhat coyly. "So rare in a male, too. Usually the information goes only one way and I have to explain everything I'm feeling. This telepathic communication is quite stimulating. Sirius, why did we never communicate this way?" She turned her smile on Sirius as he stood beside her. He promptly scowled and looked uncomfortable.
"We will return to the topic at hand!" Severus snapped.
"Right, sure, " Sapphire said and shrugged, still smiling. "You ask the questions."
"How did you find this house?" he asked.
"I've answered that before, as best I can. I didn't find it. The rapier obviously gravitates to Sirius. I still don't know how I entered this room. I felt as though someone reached out and grabbed the sword. It was pulled in here, and I just hung on for dear life!"
"So it lead you here from your home?" Severus asked.
"I came here to look for Sirius because I remembered he was a native of London. Actually, I began my search in Scotland, where he once told me he went to school. That was handy since my visa says I'm here to study the relationship between plants that grow in the Scottish highlands, and ones that grow on the other half of that range, as it were. The Appalachians, where I live, were once joined to them you know."
"That explains nothing about how you came here." Severus said impatiently.
Sapphire sighed and began in an annoyed manner,"Well first there was a plane, and then a train..."
"What lead you to this house?", Severus interrupted sharply. Sirius began to audibly grind his teeth.
"I told you it was the sword." Sapphire took a deep breathe, as though about to exert herself, and continued, Ò When I am near any wizard it responds with a sort of palpable energy; but the way it felt when I approached this house was different. The odd thing is, for several weeks it felt like I was getting closer going north into Scotland. I was working my way up the Great Glen and studying the flora as I went, feeling all the time that this was the right way. But about the last week in June, something felt different. I couldn't think what was wrong at first. Then on my way to Inverness to get a room for a few nights, suddenly I knew that was the wrong direction. Well, as soon as I could, I got on a train headed south. Almost at once, things felt right again, and when I stepped off at King's Cross, meaning to check in at the college, I knew Sirius must be near. When I arrived outside this place, the rapier was almost humming." Sapphire addressed this remark to Sirius. "Just before I was pulled in, I imagined it pointed like a compass needle. That made me hope perhaps...", but she stopped and looked around at the others, then said no more.
"Let me see that sword," Severus said, swiftly stowing his wand and reaching for the hilt.
"Careful!" Sapphire cried, then "Ow!" she and Severus yelped simultaneously. A loud "pop" like an electrical spark came from the weapon, and Severus drew his hand back and shook it, looking pained and angry. Sirius bared his clenched teeth in a grim sort of grin.
"Don't grab at it!" Sapphire spat. "It repels wizards, don't you see?" With that she drew the blade from it's scabbard again and held it before him. Severus recoiled a step, but then leaned forward and studied it several seconds.
"Toujours pur" he read on the blue steel. Then he looked at Sapphire with a crocodilian grin. "Why, Mr. Black!" he purred, ÒWhat a clever way to ensure a long distance engagement. Add a permanent sticking charm, and you've invented a sort of wizard specific chastity belt."
"Why, you low minded...", Sirius began, clenching his fists.
"That was inappropriate!' Sapphire snapped, and stepped forward, one hand on Sirius arm while the other hand planted the point of rapier on the floor at Severus feet. Severus backed up, narrowing his eyes while putting his wand hand into his sleeve.
"That's enough, all of you!" cried Molly. Then added, "Severus, bridle your tongue!" and to Ron and Hermione, "Perhaps you two should go upstairs."
"Oh, mom, we already know what a .." Ron started, but Hermione grabbed his arm and dragged him away saying, "Ron, I think this is turning out to be a private sort of conversation."
Sapphire looked coldly at her interrogator." You promised me to be discreet. You have no requirement to be vulgar." The tension in the room was palpable. No one moved or spoke for several seconds while Sapphire glared at him unblinking. Finally, she shook her head. "It must be difficult."
Severus reddened and clenched his jaw, but only announced, "Well, the muggle - if muggle she is - seems to be telling the truth for the most part. There's more there than she's telling though, and I think it's possible that what she says is being affected by a charm or curse. I will prepare to administer the appropriate potions to allow me to probe for such deceptions. Meanwhile, Dumbledore should be notified immediately. "
Sirius snarled, "You seem very sure of yourself. Have you ever probed for charms in a muggle mind? You wouldn't know where to start with this one. And what guarantee do you give that you won't damage her?"
Sapphire looked apprehensive, as Severus spat back, "Who are you to question my capacity..."
Molly intervened. "Severus, please, you're frightening Miss McNiven. Now I agree with Sirius about the probing, but I do think that Dumbledore should see her. Perhaps he will know better how to tell what's wrong."
"Who's Du..", Sapphire had started, when a great "crack" was heard and a tall, white bearded man in a voluminous purple and silver robe appeared in the room.
Sapphire hopped one way, as if to duck behind Sirius, then almost immediately took a counter step into the open part of the room as though looking for space to swing her blade. Wavering awkwardly between her two options, she gapped at Dumbledore. He looked back with almost as much surprise.
Sirius spoke. "Professor, this is Sapphire McNiven. Sapphire, Professor Albus Dumbledore."
"Well, well, " said Dumbledore. "This is unexpected! Miss McNiven must be the reason for the spectacular collision of three patronuses in my office just now." At this remark, Sirius, Molly and Severus all looked at one another. Dumbledore's whiskers seemed to twitch slightly before he continued with more gravity. "This is most remarkable. How did you get in, young lady? "
"She says the sword I gave her drew her to me," Sirius offered quickly. ÒI summoned her in through the window because she was getting to be rather obvious calling for me in the street."
"I was anything but obvious -- at least to strangers." Sapphire said somewhat distractedly, as she continued to stare at Dumbledore.
"She was caterwauling about dog stars and basil." Severus interjected.
"I think she has a nice voice," snapped Hermione, who, along with Ron, had reappeared with suspicious promptness at the sound of Dumbledore's apparating.
"Did you see the house?" Dumbledore asked Sapphire, quite ignoring the last remarks.
"Well, I don't know really." Sapphire replied, shaking her head. ÒI couldn't make out any door or window where I thought there ought to be one. I touched something like glass, but it didn't look like a window. It's very hard to describe. Then suddenly I was inside. I certainly don't remember anything outside looking like this." She gestured at the open window from which she had entered.
Dumbledore, looking thoughtfully at first Sapphire and then Sirius, said to no one in particular, "I believe we have here a sort of magic that is too often underestimated." Then turning to Sapphire,"May I see that blade?" he asked.
Sapphire looked at Sirius, who said, "Go ahead, but lay it down and let him pick it up.
"I charmed it in 1981 to protect her from wizards," he explained as Dumbledore stooped till his beard brushed the floor and lifted the blade." I knew it deflected spells, but apparently it has acquired the habit of warning her when wizards are near. Also, if anyone - any wizard I mean- touches her while she's holding it, it gives a nasty jolt."
"It deflects spells?" inquired Dumbledore, eyeing Sirius and then the blade again with interest. "Where did you learn that charm?"
"Actually, James originated the spell as part of a game we would play. I would hurl hexes at him and he would beat them off with a charmed beater's club."
"Ah, yes!" said Dumbledore, his eyes squinting at something only he could see. "That would explain the detentions for two broken quidditch lockers and leaving scars on the changing room walls."
"Er, um, probably." Sirius said, looking momentarily sheepish. He continued. "When I tried to think of how she could protect herself in my absence, it just came to me that she had quick reflexes and could learn to use a similar device. So I took my great great uncle's cavalry rapier - imagine if my mother had known it was in the hands of a muggle!- and I devised a similar charm. "
"He made me practice too," Sapphire said, giving Sirius a hard look. "If I've had my legs jinxed gelatinous once, I've suffered it a hundred times. "
"And you got very good at using the sword, didn't you?" said Sirius, looking rather righteous.
"Actually," Sapphire said, "I was pretty out of practice by the time the frightening events of two summers ago occurred, having not had anyone to hurl hexes at me for a dozen years. Racquetball helps, but it isn't the same..."
"That's a muggle sport where they hit inanimate bludgers at one another in a small room," interjected Sirius. Hearing this, Ron's eyes lit with interest, as Molly and Hermione looked rather horrified.
"Um, something like that," Sapphire resumed, looking a bit amused. "As I was saying, I went to the drama coach at the college and got a referral to an expert on handling swords. Of course, I didn't say exactly what I wanted. I think the fellow was a bit concerned about my interest, but I told him I was into S.C.A. reenactments, and he seemed to accept that."
"This is an egregious breech of muggle secrecy statutes! It's obvious ..." began Severus, but Dumbledore interrupted.
"You mention frightening events?" he asked.
Sapphire looked a question at Sirius, who nodded. "I can't remember it all. I think someone tried to alter my memories, but here's what I know. I awoke from a nightmare that it was unnaturally cold and dark and some horrible death angel attacked my mule. I heard at least three people - I believe they were wizards -talking outside my house. They mentioned Sirius," here she threw him another glance, and he nodded again, "They said something about searching for murderers, and Sirius not being there. When they were gone, my mule was sick with something that made him just waste and die in a few days, and the rose..." she stopped and closed her eyes as a shiver ran over her.
"Dementors." interjected Sirius. "It seems as though they kissed the mule."
"An obliviation charm!" Severus murmured. "Poorly done if she remembers that much." He studied Sapphire with a new interest.
Dumbledore spoke to Sapphire. "It seems that you are in danger because of your association with Sirius."
"He told me I would be when last I saw him." she said, turning and looking boldly into Sirius' eyes. "That was why he gave me the sword and warned me not to look for him. However, staying home didn't turn out to be so safe either, did it?"
Dumbledore looked soberly at Sapphire, then at Sirius, who bit his lips and looked at nothing. Turning back to Sapphire, he laid the blade at her feet. As she reached for it, a ginger cat emerged from under a sofa, trotted over and sniffed her hand.
"Hello there!" said Sapphire, remaining stooped to accommodate the animal's investigation. "Don't you have a fine coat on you!" she said as the cat suddenly butted it's broad head hard against her hand. She smiled and stroked it, ending with a good scratch at the tail base. The cat crumpled on her foot. Sapphire laughed. "All cat, aren't you?"
"Actually, it's a half-cat," said Dumbledore, beaming. "Now, what more do we need to see!" he announced, with an expansive gesture to the company at large. Sapphire looked puzzled, and Severus scowled and muttered something, but Sirius' mouth twitched toward a smile while Hermione and Ron exchanged knowing glances.
"Where was I?" Dumbledore said, stroking his beard. "Ah, yes, the dementors!" He then addressed Molly. "Please have Arthur arrange for her to relate this occurrence to Mr. Shacklebolt." Molly nodded.
Sirius turned to Sapphire, "Kingsley Shacklebolt's in charge of the British investigation of my escape. He visits the house often and he'll be able to find out if the Ministry requested a search for me at your cabin."
"He's in charge of... your escape? ... doesn't he... how...?", Sapphire pressed a hand to her temple and squinted her eyes as though she had a headache.
"It's a long story. I'll fill you in later." said Sirius, looking at her with obvious concern.
"Oh, my! What a day!" was all she answered.
"And it's not yet noon!" said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye. He turned to Severus and added, "She's a bit scarred by obliviation charms, but I don't think she's under an imperious curse. As long as she doesn't try to contact someone outside, I see no danger in her being here." Then he turned to Sirius, "Of course, you are willing to be responsible for her?"
"Ah..., well, yes. Yes, of course.", he answered, seeming surprised by the idea.
"Miss McNiven, " Dumbledore began, but she interrupted.
"Sir, please call me Sapphire."
She and Dumbledore smiled at one another for a moment before he continued, "Sapphire, I must ask you to remain in the house for the time being. If you leave,..."
"Have we learned nothing from past mistakes?" Severus interrupted. "Surely you won't permit Black to compromise security here by harboring this stranger! Furthermore, according to muggle secrecy statutes , which some of us seem to have a blatant disregard for," here Severus sent a sneer in Sirius' direction, " we have an obvious obligation take that jinxed sword from her and obliviate her memory..."
At that, both Sapphire and Sirius reached for sword and wand in turn. There was an indignant "murp" from the cat, as he lost his place on her foot. Sapphire's face drained of color.
"Severus!" cried Dumbledore taking a step between them, "Your concern for security is admirable, but I believe we have enough proof that Sapphire is here in good faith, and it may be that she needs our protection, at least for the moment. Under the circumstances," here he looked thoughtfully at Sirius, "I think this decision is Sirius' to make." Sirius only continued glaring at Severus and did not speak, so Dumbledore resumed his words to the woman. "As I was saying, if you leave, it could endanger you and others for you to attempt to return."
Sapphire thought a moment before enumerating her relevant circumstances. "My visa lets me stay until late August. I've done most of the field research I wanted to. I'm supposed to deliver some papers to the college, but they aren't ready yet; so I don't need to go there right away. But, I hope I won't be a burden on anyone's hospitality?" She looked at Sirius when she said this, but Sirius only stared at her.
Finally it was Molly who answered," I'm sure you're welcome to stay a while. One more for dinner will be no trouble."
"Then it's settled," Dumbledore said to the room at large. " Sirius, I'm sure you perceive that your guest has had a hard journey, so I will leave you and Molly to see to her comfort. And do let me know what Mr. Shacklebolt turns up." He touched his hat and smiled at Sapphire. Then, with a loud pop, he was gone.
@4,244 words; Revised 10/06; Last edit 05/07
Posted by Madmaxime at July 16, 2007 02:03 AM