Fanfiction

The Highest Value by Maryh--Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty Two: Morning

Another failed cure. A week of dreadful (and quite expensive) treatments and Remus could tell it hadn't done a bit of good by the slashes on his chest and the sunlight spilling through the gaps in the shutters over the garage windows. If Mum and Dad didn't waste so much money on every werewolf cure every crackpot tried to sell them, they'd be able to afford to get on the Floo Network and he wouldn't have to put up with the embarrassment of having his mum or dad Apparate him over to the Potters. He could just Floo in like Peter did.

The Highest Value by Maryh--Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty One: Break

Sirius was pacing and glowering. He was in disgrace once more, confined to his bedroom for a whole month for letting Snivellus best him in that attack by the lake. At least his mum had tried to get Sniv into trouble too, but there were too many witnesses (er, yeah, the whole student body did make quite a few witnesses) to the fact that James and he had started it. Sniv had just finished it.

The Highest Value by Maryh--Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty: Kitchen

As usual when he was home for the summer, Severus took over the kitchen. His potion making was an odd mixture of Muggle technology and magic. The cauldron, which had magical properties, was heated over an ordinary gas flame instead of the one he conjured at Hogwarts. The magical ingredients were prepared using ordinary chopping boards and knives. The weirdly colored concoctions were stirred with ordinary wooden or stainless steel spoons.

The Highest Value by Maryh--Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty Nine: Rafe

Severus unstuck himself and his trunk from the doors of the bus, relieved to see Uncle Rafe there to help him carry his trunk the few blocks back home.

It hadn't been too bad getting the trunk from the Hogwarts Express to the Muggle train to Manchester. He'd had a trolley and there was actually a place for luggage on the train.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen: Nightshades

Time: Morning 7/15/95

During breakfast that morning, there had been a commotion in an upstairs bathroom. Some particularly nasty creature had been lurking behind a plumbing access panel, and had popped out as George was exiting the shower. Fortunately, he was able to fend it off with several well aimed jinxes; for, while showering, he had hung his wand through the curtain rings to keep it within reach. There had ensued afterward a lively discussion of whether the underage residents of the house should keep their wands handy at all times, whether their use of them might be detectable by the Ministry and compromise the security of the house, or whether they should be constantly accompanied by an adult. (Discussion of that last idea nearly degenerated into a shouting match between Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley, in spite of Hermione's best efforts to mediate.)

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: A Night in Granny's Thyme Patch

Time: July 1, 1979

Midnight had passed into the first day of July as Sirius approached the rear of the McNiven's cabin on foot. He'd apparated to the North pasture as soon as Sapphire and Granny M had retired into the cabin after super, and had been hard at work ever since. He was feeling quite proud of his good deed, if rather foot sore. (Oh, how he had wished for a broom!) That hay would surely sleep like owl down tonight.

Since Wednesday, he had not stopped thinking about Jake Morton; the way he had threatened Sapphire's person as well as his claims on her granny's land, coupled with the fear he had seen (and, with a dog's nose, smelled) from Sapphire, had troubled his mind. Hints he had picked up from the women that Morton might be planning to frame the McNiven's for growing pot, combined with the nagging thought that Morton might now spread the word the Sapphire was a witch - true or not, it could be equally disastrous - had made up his mind; so, the last night before he departed for home, he placed a seven year ward on the McNiven's north pasture. Obtaining a big chunk of fence post from land that really did belong to the Mortons, he splintered it all across the Morton/McNiven boundary - a tediously long walk - as well as the opening to the McNiven's driveway. If any member of the Morton clan attempted to cross into the McNiven's land, the ward would turn him back the way he had come.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 74

Lights flickered all over Hogwarts. Inside, the students were allowed out of their Houses, but no one was to leave the building and the staff was scrambling. Spells were cast and recast. Wards were tested and strengthened. Unused parts of the castle were sealed off. From a distance, the whole castle glowed with different sparks of color.

Any Muggle who made it close enough to see would’ve been baffled and probably awed to see the shimmers coming from the ruin. It was eerily beautiful, like Northern Lights on the mist. The only eyes that could see Hogwarts from the outside weren't able to appreciate the light show.

Red eyes squinted at the castle from beneath a very deep, very thick hood, and from behind a pair of glasses tinted black. Brohm had learned something from the hunter that had come after him, and while it didn't spare him the pain of daylight, it did keep his eyes from dissolving in their sockets.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 73

Lorelei went out to meet Padfoot. She got his attention, then slipped out of sight so no one would see him change back. When the black dog became the ragged wizard, they both spoke at once.

"What did you do? Esme's gone!"

"There are vampires in the woods!"

"What?" They both said, stopping in confusion. Their faces went in opposite expressions. A grin split Sirius' face, while Lorelei's froze in horror.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 72

The Eye of Heaven was still spinning away on its weathervane by morning. Snape sat on the roof and began to unroll a packet of instruments. He had a roaring headache from going over the Mayhem Manual the night before, and a sore ear from where Madam Pince had tried to grab it from him and missed. He knelt on the roof and looked at the Eye again.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 71

Rosie ran on through the woods like a train. She outpaced Padfoot easily, but he was barely able to keep her in sight. She called out again, making the woods vibrate. She stopped and he slid to a halt a distance away. She looked around, and Sirius braced himself to run if she charged him. She glanced at him, but didn't seem interested. She did seem uncertain, but she gave herself a shake.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 70

"This is new," Snape said. He took in Sian and Tanner with a strange expression. His usual disdain had a layer of caution underneath it. He knew that Tanner was a werewolf and wasn't taking any chances.

"I had heard there were ghosts working here," Sian said, perkily. She looked him up and down. "I wasn't expecting the drowned undead!"

"Excuse me?"

"I've never seen a person without any color that wasn't already dead." She went on, stepping back to take in the sight, from black hair to black boots.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 69

Sirius was already outside the gates when he felt the aftershock of magic. It was weak, but it still made the hair on his arms tingle. He looked over his shoulder at Hogwarts to see the new tower, but couldn't really tell which one it was. A heavy fog had moved in, which didn't help. The new tower either blended in too well, was invisible, or had some spell on it that made it seem like it has always been there, even to someone who knew Hogwarts like the back of his hand.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 68

Sian and Tanner had dodged Madam Pomfrey and were heading past the Sixth Years Only Sunbather's Club meeting room when the first ward hit. It made them both wince, ears popping as if the hall had suddenly been pressurized.

"That can't be good." Tanner said, giving his head a shake and flexing his jaw to pop his ears back.

"It's a magical backlash," Sian said knowingly. "It happens when a whole lot of magic or a small amount of the really powerful kind hits the environment."

"And how would you know about that?" he asked. She shrugged, but she was grinning.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 67

By the time Sirius had reached Dumbledore's office with the children, he was on his way to a funk.

I don't see why I have to leave just because the Ministry is going to be here... They've been in and out the whole time. I've played a good familiar and haven't had any trouble. I'm sick of running and hiding. Sick of waiting for word. Sick of not knowing because I'm not there!

Then, one of the High Judges walked by. The deep blue cloak carried the unmistakable scent of Dementor, and Sirius blanched. In dog form, it got the Judge's attention and the wizard smiled at the children and their dog. While Sirius recovered from that, a new scent replaced it. It was the phoenix-smoke, candy sugar smell that had to Headmaster Dumbledore. He hurried them into his office and made sure the door was closed behind them.

Blood Ties by Aurea--Chapter 66

Padfoot wasn't paying attention to the conversation until he heard Esme's name.

"I had a letter to send you," Lorelei was saying. "How did you know?"

"The lack of news can tell me as much as the news itself. Tell me what she's done."

"She. . ." Lorelei retreated behind her black glasses again. "She's been hunting vampires." The old man had a gaze that could cut steel so the shades were no defense. "She killed them all, Grandpa. For my cure."

"You're cured?" It wasn't really a question, and Lorelei looked away.

"I'm. . . not the same," she said. "But I'm out of their reach."

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven: Duets

Time: Early June 1995 and Evening 7/14/95

They had found the old piano on Molly's first day at Grimmauld, while inspecting the attic for unsavory denizens. Sirius had been surprised; he had no memory of anyone in the family playing. When they were all satisfied that it displayed no signs of nefarious enchantments, Remus began to tinker with what he soon pronounced, "the sad remains of a once fine instrument - a thing not unlike myself." (This remark, he delivered with such theatrical pathos that Molly giggled and Sirius chucked a doxy-eaten feather duster at his friend. )

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 10

Chapter Ten: Fantastic Beasts

Time: Late Morning 7/14/95

Remus Lupin was grateful to Sirius for providing this sanctuary where he could count on food and medicine being available as soon as he was recovered enough to use it. The morning of July 13th, when he had regained enough of his human sensibilities to use a quill, he had pushed the customary note under the magically sealed door before drinking some sleeping potion. Awaking from that nap, he had found murtlap ointment and a self warming bowl of chicken soup on a tray inside his now unwarded door. He applied the one, ate the other and returned to sleeping. Having the extra day to rest before having to cope with everyday living -- and that took a bit of coping when you were regularly ill and practically unemployable -- was the best sort of gift.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 9

Chapter Nine: The Garden Window

Time: Breakfast 7/14/95

"Professor Lupin is an old friend of Sirius'," Hermione assured her when Sapphire had related her encounter with the strange man outside the bathroom.

"He lives in the house. You didn't meet him yesterday because he's been sort of ill. But when he's well, he's one of the nicest people I know. I'm sure you'll like him."

Sapphire had not mentioned the name she had spontaneously given the man. The moment had been so strange and so intimate that she hardly knew how to speak of it.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 8

Chapter Eight: Morning in the Girls Room

Time: Morning 7/14/95

Sapphire opened her eyes and blinked at the dim outlines of an unfamiliar room. In her dreams, she had been back at her cabin in the forest. As the previous day came back to her, she became conscious that she was being watched. A young girl was propped on one elbow observing her from a bed across the room. Another girl did likewise from the opposite side.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 7

Chapter Seven: Ginseng

PANAX TRIFOLIUM= dwarf ginseng (yunwi usdi) adaptogen, carminative, nutritive. Common spring ground cover. Bulbs eaten to strengthen lungs and resistance to colds. Leaves contain Ginsenosides; add to any traditional herb formula to increase effectiveness and activity. Source; Nvwoti: Cherokee Medicine and Ethnobotany, c. David Winston AHG 2001

Time: After Midnight 7/14/95, (Memory Time Line: June 27, 1979)

"When they say there are more ghosts in Hogwarts than any other one place in Great Britain, they aren't counting the inside of my head," thought Sirius. From the moment he had recognized Sapphire, standing outside Grimmauld, wearing the blanket wrap that her granny had woven with the odd Cherokee runes, his mind had been haunted.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 6

Chapter Six: Remembering White Water

Time: Almost Midnight 7/13/95 (Memory Time Line: mid-June, 1979)

In Azkaban, sometimes day was almost as black as night. Sirius kept one lamp burning in his bedroom, so that if he woke before dawn, he would know instantly that the darkness had been only the latest bad dream. Everyone told him that he was quite safe from dementors inside 12 Grimmauld, but his gut said otherwise. When his dog self had plunged into those frigid waters, he had nothing left to lose. He had never expected to elude them this long, and had always believed that, someday, they would claim their prey. But for now, the little lamp and the occasional potion kept these thoughts and the dark at bay.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 5

Chapter Five: Embers

Time: Late Evening, July 13, 1995

After the meal, Sapphire and Sirius sat alone in the kitchen watching the embers in the hearth burn themselves out. He was nursing the last ounces of a butterbeer, while she absently traced the engraving on her empty wine goblet with a finger tip. Although the others had excused themselves rather subtly, Sapphire thought it was a good sign that Sirius had not risen to go, or suggested that she must be tired and would want to get to bed early. Still, neither of them seemed able to begin a conversation.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 4

Chapter Four: Savory Stew and Pudding

Time: Supper, July 13, 1995

The dank smell of the kitchen was masked by aromas of good food as Molly showed Sapphire an assortment of iron pots. Sapphire was explaining the difference between what Americans call biscuits and what Molly would, and wondering if biscuits made in a dutch oven beside open flames would brown at all, or if a flat griddle would work better, when there was a loud chime from up the stairs, followed by the sound of a woman shrieking as though she were being murdered.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 3

Chapter Three: A Cup of Chamomile in the Kitchen

Time: Afternoon, July 13, 1995

Molly heard voices in the stairwell and looked up from her chopping.

"May I come in? I brought you some reasonably fresh herbs if you want them. The basil part of the song wasn't entirely fiction."

Sapphire stood in the door of the kitchen holding a small paper sack that smelled of basil and thyme. Her neck stretched forward as though her head wanted to come in, but her feet were reluctant. The odd smile on her face was a complication of fears and hopes. Molly thought of how a stray dog smiles when it begs for kindness but prepares to dodge a kick. Reservations began submerging in a flood of sympathy.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 2

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.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Chapter 1

Chapter One: The Basil Vendor

"...Never give anyone unlabeled Basil..." Rodale's Encyclopedia of Herb's on making Tussie-Mussies

Time: Morning, July 13, 1995: The summer that begins the OotP
Place: The Black mansion at 12 Grimmauld Place

Molly Weasley was staring out the front window of 12 Grimmauld Place with a furrowed brow. A cleaning rag was rotating aimlessly a good six inches from the glass, as the tip of her wand sagged unheeded in her hand. Not two yards distant, on the other side of the half cleaned panes, a woman stared back. Wide set dark eyes peered intently from under her strong brow, but seemed not to see Molly.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD--Prologue

Prologue: Sapphire's nightmare

Time: very early morning, July 7, 1994
Place: rural Polk County, Tennessee

She was cold, painfully cold, and her eyes strained against blackness that was almost palpable. Strange sounds surrounded her -- rattlings and scrapings, as though dry leaves were stirring -- but she felt no wind. Something big and wheezy as an asthmatic bear was breathing nearby, but in the unnatural dark, she could see nothing.

Sirius and Sapphire by TWZRD

Summary and Acknowledgments

A woman from Sirius' pre-Azkaban life arrives unbidden, and sets sparks in the emotional tinderbox of 12 Grimmauld Place.

PG-13: Brief violence, discreet (I hope) sex, including brief nonconsensual contact, and minimal suggestive or profane language.

Almost slavishly cannon compliant as far as book six, you should expect the tale to be rather dark. Dates are from HP Lexicon circa 2005. I did not make adjustments re. the "Black Tapestry" circa 2006.

This tale is set between the end of "Goblet of Fire" and the first days of "Order of the Phoenix." It is only fair to tell you that Harry, though pertinent to the story, does not appear in it. (He comes near it once, but is obscured decorously by a draped diaper.)