Sub Rosa

Chapter 2- Getting Sorted Out


If the train ride was a revelation to Kathryn, a stimulus to pull her from what she suddenly realized was perilously close to a pity partyen ten the carriage ride to the castle was a moment of true childlike wonder.

The thestrals were magnificent creatures, elegant and wild. They pawed the ground and tossed their black manes, eyes filled with thunderclouds and bodies sleek and graceful.

“They are so beautiful.” Kathryn said, a tinge of sadness softening her voice. She had paid a large price for the ability to gaze upon these creatures.

“You can see them?” Harry started and looked at her with surprise.

“I was an Auror, Mr. Potter.” She replied and when her eyes met his, she could see the very un-childlike look of understanding he wore. He was young, but there were depths there and she would have to watch herself around this boy, she doubted he missed much.

“I guess it goes with the job.” His voice was thoughtful, as if he hadn’t considered that before.

“That and a great deal more.” Her voice was weary and she limped into the carriage suddenly feeling very old.

Twerewere all silent then as Harry, Ron and Hermione climbed into the carriage with her, leaving the other three to climb into the one behind them. Kathryn studied the dynamic with interest. Ron and Hermione sat together, closer than they were aware they were, while Harry sat beside Kathryn, definitely the third person. Yet, he was the focus of the other two’s attention and loyalty, the questing prince with his faithful knight and his court advisor. It was a whimsical thought, but it broke the melancholy that threatened to dampen her newly discovered enthusiasm.

“Have you ever been to Hogwarts before?” Harry asked, breaking the silence.

“I attended the Virginia Academy of Magical Instruction, then attended Oxford Arcane, so no, this is my first time here.”

“You went to Oxford Arcane?” Hermione started from her seat. “What did you study?”

“I have two doctorates from Arks, one in Arithmancy and one in Defense.” Kathryn grinned at Hermione’s expression. Had her eyes gone any rounder or her mouth any more open, she would have looked like a cartoon character.

“You have two doctorates?” Hermione almost wailed while the other two looked at her with surprise.
“But you’re an Auror, why would you want a doctorate?” Ron sounded as though a doctorate was some sort of disease.

“Auror and educated are mutumutually exclusive terms, Mr. Weasley.” She tried to sound severe, but her sense of humor was too tickled by the boy’s expression for much success in that department.

“Well, at least you are qualified to teach us.” Hapronpronounced and the other two nodded. Kathryn felt as though the royal judgment had been made and tried not to laugh at the thought.

They rounded a corner and the castle came into sight. Kathryn fell silent as she saw it, its timeless beauty stilling the last of her frustrations and doubts. There was nothing like this in America, where the oldest magical places were Native American in origin, and had a different feel entirely, a certain untamed quality.

This was magic made civilized, still with its ancient wildness, yet tamed, like an English garden. The castle was a piece of fairytale loveliness thad bad been grown from the bones of the earth by hundreds of generations of wizardry. It hummed with warmth and welcome, it glowed with magic and it thrummed with life. Strangely, it reminded her most of Jerusalem, the same feeling of ancient hands carving something to last forever imbued every stone. She was quite simply, awestruck.

“I know. I feel the same way about it.” Harry whispered to her while Ron and Hermione started an argument about further education. She looked at the and and flashed him a small smile. Mr. Potter was far too perceptive; she would most certainly have to watch herself around him, but at that moment she felt an accord she hadn’t expected.

The carriages finally rolled into the courtyard and discharged their passengers. Seeing the steps ahead of her, Kathryn hefted her walking stick and prepared herself for some serious pain. The students rushed off towards the building, Harry and the others waving at her as they darted away like minnows. Once the crowd of children had dissipated she was left with a tiny elfin creature that peered up at her with shining eyes.

“Professor Flitwick I presume.” Kathryn hobbled forward and extended her hand to the diminutive charms teacher.

“Professor Leblanc.” He affirmed and shook her hand. He was obviously half something or other, but what precisely wasn’t in his file and she wasn’t about to pry. Her spy’s need to know would simply have to go unfulfilled. “Teadmeadmaster sent me to escort you to the high table.” His voice had a squeaky quality to it, but Kathryn had read his files and had no urge to underestimate her diminutive guide.

“That was kind of the Headmaster.” Kathryn followed obediently, her cane clicking softly on the stones as she entered the castle.

The entrance hall was impressive, with sweeping staircases, medieval wall sconces and paintings crowding the walls. Kathryn swept the place with an assessing gaze, admiring the décor, but also picking out the most defensible positions. It was ingrained habit; her eyes just naturally sought all exits and places to take cover without her conscious direction.

Flitwick sped past the staircases and went around and under to a passage that ran parallel to the great hall. She had glimpsed it in pas whe when they had swung around into the hallway. Several paintings were eyeing her with interest and she could hear the beginnings of the whispers and gossip as she went by. They rushed down towards a smaller door set into the wall that she surmised was the teacher’s entrance and then she was mounting the steps behind the remarkably speedy Flitwick, her breath coming short as she tried to force her mangled leg to keep up, pain shooting through her thigh.

She followed him along the back of the high table, the other staff something of a blur. He gestured her into a seat, which she sank into gratefully, then he continued his way to his own seat. Albus Dumbledore caught her eye and she nodded greetings to him, having met him once or twice over the years.

Her eyes took in the medieval splendor of the Great Hall. High arched ceilings vanished into the enchantment of the outside sky. Stars twinkled in the rafters and clouds drifted by. Four long tables stretched away crowded with students, chattering and laughing. Torches and gargoyles lined the walls and banners streamed suspended in midair. The noise was almost deafening.

Before she had a chance to say a word to anyone else, a tall, severe-looking w, in, in a tartan dress and black robes, led the first-year students into the hall. Her witch’s hat was cocked at a jaunty angle and behind the glasses Kathryn thought she could detect the glint of amusement on the w’s f’s face. Professor McGonagall, she surmised.

She set a battered old hat onto a stool and stepped back. Despite the fact that she had known what would happen next, Kathryn still found the proceedings fascinating, as a rip in the brim of the hat opened and it began to sing.


“Long ago four founders were
A dream of learning was their lure
Friends they were dear and true
Their friendship in this place grew

Still even those that are so close
Can argue fight and grow morose
Perceptions blur when fears are free
That is why the four made me

I was made to see your mind
Your own true self I am to find
Are you filled with courage bold?
Are you kindly, heart of gold?
Are you clever, filled with wit?
Are you flayed by ambition’s whip?

I divide you, set you apart
But know this truth within your heart
We all must stand now, together in mind
Or in the end our divisions will blind


There was silence in the Great Hall when the hat finished its song and everyone looked uncomfortable. Kathryn leaned towards to the tall, sallow man beside her.

“Was that normal?”

“No, usually that rag forgoes indulging in political commentary or foretelling.” He replied, sarcasm dripping from every syllable, with a voice like waves rolling over sand, powerful and soothing all at once. She nodded, knowing immediately who he must be. A glance to the side revealed a sallow complexioned man with a prominent nose and sharp black eyes that missed nothing. His brows were lowered threateningly at the huddled group of children. Between the expression and the flowing black robes he was an impressive and intimidating figure. Kathryn was greatly amused.

While they had murmured to each other, Professor McGonagall had begun calling out names. Kathryn noticed the tension in the room, how applause for those who were sorted into Slytherin was muted and seemed limited to Professor Snape beside her and the other members of Slytherin house. She clapped equally for all houses, a sudden feeling of anger moving through her, as the children sent to Slytherin were made pariah so quickly by the rest of the school. The other teachers looked sideways at her as she clapped for Slytherin, Snape himself shot her a look of surprise, but she refused to judge these children by the actions of a few.
When the sorting was done Professor Dumbledore rose and began speaking.

“Well, here we are again, starting a new year. After the events of last year and the terrible tragedies of this summer, we are, of course, taking security here at Hogwarts to a higher level. Hogsmeade weekend will be chaperoned by a professor and limited to sixth and seventh year students” A groan went up from the younger children, but Kathryn, with her greater experience of dark wizards, felt the judgment to be more than fair.
“The forbidden forest is off limits to anyone who wishes to remain alive, Mr. Filch has the list of contraband items for anyone who wishes to read it and curfew is now eight o’clock.” There was another groan at that.
“And now, I would like to introduce your new defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Kathryn Leblanc.” Kathryn rose and nodded to the students and then sat back, as her leg was still throbbing slightly. “Professor Leblanc has been an Auror for eighteen years in America and has a PhD in Defense, I am sure she will be a credit to the position.” There was scattered applause and Kathryn couldn’t blame them for their lack of enthusiasm.

“Well, I can’t do worse than the last one.” She sighed. Beside her Professor Snape snorted slightly, having apparently caught her comment. Sharp ears that one, someone else to watch herself around. Still, his files had been interesting reading, she had no doubt that if anyone would be safe to relax around it was him. He certainly couldn’t be accused of loose lips.

“And now, let’s eat!” Dumbledore concluded, genial smile firmly in place. Food materialized on the plate in front of her and Kathryn realized that she was quite hungry.

“Hooch.” Said the woman next to her with startling abruptness, extending a hand. Her hawk-yellow eyes were a trifle disconcerting, but Kathryn took the hand and shook it firmly.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Where in America are you from?” Madam Hooch asked with the same abrupt manner, running a hand across her spiky hair.

“I was born in Louisiana, raised in California and work in Virginia.” She answered as she plucked a piece of chicken off a tray.

“Virginia?” Snape’s voice was sharp and full of suspicion. Kathryn smiled at him and nodded. “What Auror division were you attached to?” His eyes registered surprise and she wasn’t sure if it was the information or the smile that had caused it.

“I will be happy to tell you all about it after dinner.” She replied and glanced ad atd at the tables full of students. He was quick to take her meaning and answered her with a sharp jerk of his head.

After that, dinner was spent answering pleasantries from Hooch while saying nothing of any importance. Luckily, a smile and eye contact coupled with pleasant nonsense kept the other woman from probing deeply. Snape didn’t say another word to her during the meal and she let him alone. She knew what his position here was and had no desire to interfere with his work.

After the meal had ended and the children were excused to their common rooms, Kathryn found herself being swept along with the rest of the faculty out of the Great Hall and up a flight of stairs. She gritted her teeth and, by dint of ignoring the shooting pains it caused, she kept to the pace they set.

The group of them swept into the teacher’s lounge, at least that was what she guessed it was, and began to settle into chairs in a pre-ordered flight pattern that was obviously familiar to them all. Kathryn waited till they had all taken their seats and then settled into the remaining chair, a flower patterned monstrosity, over-stuffed and in need of a good cleaning. Still, she was deeply grateful to be seated again, stretching her leg out with relief.

“What’s wrong with your leg?” Hooch barked at her in surprise as she watched Kathryn settle.
“Professor Leblanc had an argument with a Naga.” Professor Dumbledore obviously enjoyed the stunned reaction of the other staff as he dropped that nugget into the conversation.
“A Naga? Ya don’t suppose ya could find another one, do ya, Professor?” Asked the rather overwhelmingly large Hagrid, with a rather wistful tone.
“Oh for goodness sake, Hagrid!” McGonagall scolded.
“Looks like you took a beating, Leblanc.” Madam Hooch eyed her leg with a pitying frown.
“Yeah, well, you should see the other guy.” She waved off both the pity and the sudden interest.
“What, pray tell, did happen to the other guy?” Snape asked from his corner, his mellifluous voice sharp and biting.
“I believe from what I heard, that Kathryn killed it. With a combination of spell work and muggle firearms” Dumbledore sounded as though he was kept from laughing outright only by a tenuous thread.
“You killed a Naga with a gun?” McGonagall stared at Kathryn with something akin to horror and she felt herself squirming from the unwanted attention. Hagrid, on the other hand was eyeing her as though she was a murderer.
“Well, it was a shotgun and I did toss a few spells at her too.” She muttered, sinking into her chair, trying to avoid the awed expressions of her new colleagues. “Beside it’s not that impressive, I’m not exactly unscathed.” She gestured at her leg, the long trousers kept her injuries hidden, but the stick was proof that all was not well.
“Well, I think I have embarrassed Kathryn sufficiently.” Dumbledore chuckled at her obvious relief. With that he proceeded to introduce her to each of the other teachers, explaining their specialties, as though Kathryn had not read their files in detail. She followed his lead, asking the obvious questions, smiling and nodding until she was sure she looked like a vacuous idiot. Trelawney, a bug-like woman with too many dripping shawls and huge glasses, immediately predicted that she would suffer a great tragedy before the year was up, but considering the track record for Defense teachers right now, Kathryn didn’t think that was much of a stretch. Snape, she noticed, was watching her with eyes gone dark and speculative. She was quite sure her act wasn’t fooling him one bit.

The other teachers talked for a while more and then drifted off in ones and twos till Kathryn was left alone with Snape and Dumbledore. Before they could say a thing she cast a silencing charm, locked the door and then reached into her pocket to pull out a small box. She set it on the round table before the fire and cast Engorgio on it. It became a wooden file box, which she opened with deft gestures, undoing the wards with practiced ease.

“These are Madam Chanel’s latest reports for you, Albus.” She said, handing him a thick sheaf of papers. Snape rose swiftly from his distant chair and settled in the chair opposite her, obviously very interested.

“You are an Agent.” There was a smug satisfaction in his voice; she guessed that she had just confirmed his own analysis. She pulled a second sheaf of papers from the box. “These are for you, Professor Snape.” She slid the papers to him and he took them with surprise.

His long, slender fingers flipped briskly through the pages and his eyes looked up at her in shock.
“This is your dossier.” She nodded.

“I read yours before I came, Professor, it’s only fair.” She leaned back in the chair. “Besides you will need my medical records to work on the potion.” He paused and looked at her blankly.

“Oh Severus, did I forget to mention that part of my agreement with Flora was that you would seek a cure for the damage the Naga venom has inflicted on Kathryn.” Dumbledore’s face was pure innocent surprise, the doddering old eccentric caught by his own forgetfulness. She was not fooled, especially when the twisted lips of Professor Snape advertised his displeasure so graphically.

“You didn’t know.” Her disappointment was great, she had hoped for something impossible and now only her training kept her from betraying the depths of her suddenly returned depression.

“Despite what he says, Albus has not forgotten anything in over a hundred years and no, I didn’t know.” His velvet voice had gone savage and sharp, it tore at her and she pulled her game face out of storage, it settled into place with practiced ease.

“If you had agreed to this of your own will, I would have been happy to work with you, but I will not have you forced.” Her walls were up, her emotions controlled and her voice was cool and modulated, with no hint of her inner distress.

“Professor Leblanc, why did you clap for Slytherin?” It was the last question she had expected and her surprise slipped into her voice.

“Because not one of those children deserved to be judged before they had even been at this school one day.”
“Slytherin breeds dark wizards.” He was challenging her, challenging her prejudices.

“Peter Pettigrew was a Gryffindor.” She replied with some asperity, noting both Dumbledore’s wince and Snape’s widening of the eyes. “I didn’t go to Hogwarts, I attended VAMI and we didn’t have houses there. I have neither house loyalty or prejudice, to me they are children and I will instruct them all equally.” She was tired, too tired to fence with him, it had been a long trip.

To her surprise, Snape merely nodded and then rose from his chair swiftly, her dossier grasped in one hand.
“Thank you, Professor Leblanc.” He said indicating the folder.

“Don’t mention it. It’s keyed to you personally and will destruct if anyone else tries to read it, of course, so it should be all right.” She yawned and unwarded the door for him. “I hear there are several energetic and curious students around here and a lot of that information is “eyes only”. He nodded again and swept out of the room, his black cloak drifting behind him with great effect.

“That was well done, Kathryn.” Dumbledore said softly from the depths of his chair.

“What was?” She asked, suddenly confused.

“The dossier, child, showing Severus that he is trusted.” Kathryn looked at him blankly.

“I gave him the file because he will need the information, Albus. It’s part of his job here. As for trust, of course I trust him, after all I’ve read his dossier and there is nothing in there to make me think he is not both trustworthy and capable.” She wasn’t quite sure what the expression on Dumbledore’s face was, but she thought it was sorrow.

“Then you are one of the few people here to give him your confidence.”

“It’s that ex-Death Eater thing isn’t it?” There was irritation in her voice and her weariness meant that she had to work to purge the emotion.

“Yes child.” Albus’s face was a showcase of sorrow, regret and concern.

“Well that’s bogus, the most loyal agents are usually those that actually know what they are fighting before they join.” Her irritation was rapidly becoming anger; she doubted any of the other teachers had a clue of the costs of undercover work.

“He has made it difficult for the others here to trust him.” Dumbledore sighed and took off his glasses to clean them.

“Well, of course he has. He’s undercover, for Merlin’s sake.” Kathryn shook her head with annoyance. Her reply must have been the right one because Dumbledore smiled suddenly, a radiant glowing expression that warmed her to her toes. For that smile, men have gone to their deaths, she thought, and so would I.

“I should show you to your rooms, my dear, you must be exhausted.” She rose with a betraying slowness, reduced the file box, tucked it into her pocket again and followed him out the door.

“I admit that I have felt more chipper in my life.” Her lips had twisted into the wry grimace that characterized her true self far more than her earlier polite smiles. She picked up her stick and, leaning on it more heavily than she liked to, she lurched down the corridor.

“You have overstrained your leg.” Albus’s voice was filled with concern.

“I’ll take my pain potion before I go to bed and by tomorrow I’ll be fine. I just need rest.”

“Flora was right, you push yourself too hard.”

“I know my limitations and do not exceed them. Though maybe I cut the tolerances a little fine sometimes.” She conceded.

His merry laugh was her reward for honesty and she vowed not to lie to this man ever, if she could win such a laugh for it.

He led her to a sculpture of an angel, wings wrapped loosely around her robes, hands outstretched in benediction.

“Gummy worms.” He announced and the angel swept aside to reveal a doorway. “Of course, you may change the password if you like.”

“I tend to be careful of security, I will probably set up a series of passwords and wards.” She shrugged at her own paranoia and his amused twitch of the lips didn’t make her feel less silly, but she was what she was. Security was part of her now and she wouldn’t sleep well unless she had locked and warded herself in all the layers she was used to.

“As you wish child, sleep well.” With that, he tottered off to his own sleep, leaving Kathryn to examine her rooms.

Stepping through the doorway, she entered a sitting room, done in green and gold, warm stone reflecting back the firelight in the large hearth. A squashy coin oin old gold faced the fireplace with it’s ornately carved mantle, two green wing back chairs accompanied it facing each other across a pie crust table, within the boundaries of a large plush Persian rug. The walls were lined with bookshelves and through an archway on her left she caught a glimpse of a small kitchen, done in yellows.

Her books were already on the shelves, but tomorrow she would have to organize them in her own system. She was too tired tonight. Though not so tired that she didn’t set wards and change the password immediately.

She crossed the room to another door and found herself in a small wood paneled hallway, with three doors leading off of it. The door to the right opened onto a bathroom painted in purple and gold, with a large tub and shower and piles of fluffy lavender towels.

The left door opened onto the bedroom, done in soft shades of green with curtains the same old gold as the couch in the front room and she felt nothing but relief at the sight of it. The huge four-poster bed was carved with vines crawling up the posts and hung with gauzy gold curtains. The sheets were crisp white linen, turned back by the busy house elves and the mantle was plush green velvet with gold threads picking out a repeat of the vine pattern.

The third door she simply warded and would explore tomorrow, it probably led to her office and the classroom.
She stumbled into the bedroom, fatigue making her clumsy. She charmed off her clothing and summoned a nightgown from where the house elves had already hung her clothes. She pulled her hair down from the tight bun and swiftly braided it with practiced fingers. She stumbled into the bathroom to take care of her evening ablutions and then limped back to the bedroom.

With a grimace for the foul taste, she swallowed her pain potion, which the thoughtful house elves had left on her nightstand, and collapsed into bed.

For the first time in months, her sleep was dreamless.