MUGGLE MAGIC

Author’s Note: Well here’s chapter 2, just a reminder, all HP characters and affiliated things to that world belongs to JKR, Cassidy Rain and AU fantasies are mine. Please note, I took it for granted, that Snape’s classroom and private quarters are on the first dungeon level. In the movie, Hogwarts sits on a cliff below which is the Black Lake; and thus my reasoning the first dungeon level would be into the rocks of the cliff hence the mystery of sunlight in the dungeons. Hope you enjoy it. Please review.

















How stupid could I be

a simpleton could see

that you\'re no good for me

but you\'re the only one I see



Excerpt taken from “Stupid” Sarah Mclachlan





CHAPTER 2



Settling into Hogwarts was, indeed, a daunting task. After my meeting with Professor Dumbledore, I was introduced to Mr. Filch, a severe man to say the least, and his cat Mrs. Norris, who, after taking a few sniffs about my ankles, began to weave in and out between my legs, purring contentedly. Filch was just a bit taken aback by this show of affection but immediately labeled me a great friend of his cat.



Since I was permitted to set up my office and private rooms on the floor of my choice, I was then taken on a very brief tour of the castle. However, my first glance of the moving staircases filled me with dread.



Oh no! There is no way I am going to face this everyday, I thought to myself. I further reinforced my feelings by shaking my head violently. Filch’s face contorted into what I supposed was a smile.



“Now then, you’ll get the hang of it. Even if you do take the wrong staircase – you likely won’t be stuck for more than an hour. Oh but then there was that Hufflepuff lad,” he said with a toothy grin. “Spent the better part of a week trying to get back down to the ground floor.”



My eyebrows shot up at that but Filch seemed nonplussed at my shock. He obviously found the story highly amusing. I peered up seeing at least a dozen staircases moving to and fro, transporting the arriving students to the six levels above us. Turning back to Mr. Filch, I asked, “Is there any place I can go where I won’t have to use the moving stairs?



He considered, “Well there is one place, but ye’ll not like it.”



“I’ll like it, I promise.”



He paused. “Someone else won’t like it.”



“Oh? Who?”



Filch only mumbled something under his breath about not wanting to be on the receiving end of what was coming and began down a flight of marble stairs.



The questions went around in my head- The receiving end of what? Who would be upset about me moving in? And – what’s this? Coming out of my reverie, I began to take stock of where I was being led. It was considerably darker, damper, and beginning to grow colder the further we went.



“Where are we going?” I asked impatiently.



“Dungeons,” he replied blandly.



The dungeons! Good heavens!



I continued mutely as Mr. Filch led me deeper into the dark recesses of the dungeons until we finally stopped at a heavy wooden door. Fiddling with a rather large bunch of keys he quickly located the appropriate one. I couldn’t help but notice Mr. Filch nervously scanning the corridors, his eyes wide like saucers even while he slid the key in and wrenched the door open. He hurriedly ushered me over the threshold and wheezed anxiously,



“Well Miss, this is it. It looks a mess now, but we’ll have it all cleaned up before you can say ‘Hogsmeade weekend’.”



I left his side and made my way about the room. The dimensions were perfect for an office. The desk would look grand here opposite the fireplace, lots of space for my books and some plants would cheer it up nicely. Hmmm, curious stain on the wall. Some paint should fix that. Satisfied with my potential office, I asked, “What about my personal quarters?”



Mr. Filch moved directly to the bookshelf and instructed, “Just touch any two shelves and say the password.”



I laid my hands, hesitantly, on the third and fifth shelves and looked at him, “But I don’t know the password!”



The bookshelf swung open to reveal a dimly lit corridor. I stood back, amazed. Mr. Filch only shook his head and entered muttering,



“Oddest password I ever heard in all me days.”



I, on the other hand, stood there contemplating what had just happened. At least my password is original, I thought. On the other hand if any other Muggles stumble in here, they’ll probably guess it right away. Following Mr. Filch into the hidden rooms, I discovered a cozy sitting room. Yes, this will do nicely. I smiled to myself.



“There is also this,” he said and hurriedly made his way to the bedroom, again another lovely room. Quite spacious, though Spartan, it was warm and bright with the midday sun. Sun? In the dungeons?



“But how…”



I was cut off in mid-sentence as Hogwarts’ caretaker pulled open beautiful floor to ceiling French doors.



“Not many personal rooms of the castle can boast a view like this,” he said proudly.



“Indeed!” I gasped as I stepped onto the narrow balcony and stared out at the lake now open wide before me.



I stood there with my mouth hanging open and my head shaking in wonder. Stepping closer to the stone balustrade I chanced a look down; it must have been at least a fifty-foot drop down to the rocky base of the castle. I stepped back and asked wondrously,

“I am to have this room?”



He attempted to smile again. Then, a bit shyly, “Mrs. Norris decided you should have it.”



In my glee, I swooped up Mrs. Norris and laughed, scratching her behind the ears. This made her preen and purr rather loudly.



“Thank you Mrs. Norris,” I said peering into her large eyes. “And please, feel free to visit me any time you like.”



Mr. Filch began to walk back to the office room, “Come on, then, you’ll want lunch. The elves will bring down your things. I’ll have the keys ready by the time you get back.”



Walking up the corridor and back to the ground floor, I began to feel much better about my decision to join the faculty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every thing was beginning to look perfect.



**********



Perfect! I deduced, glancing at my ensemble for the evening. My black, three-quarter-length skirt and white, long sleeve silk blouse, though devoid of decoration, looked chic. My black curls were swept up and held in place with combs. Oh, what a day, I sighed as I applied mascara and surveyed the effect it had on my aquamarine eyes. To my great surprise, I had found my rooms clean and fully furnished upon my return from lunch. My clothes were packed out, my toiletries flawlessly displayed in the bathroom - even my shoes were neatly arranged in the closet. And now the welcoming feast!



Tonight, I would be introduced to the students and tomorrow, I would begin my duties as the school counselor. My smile diminished a bit when I thought of my special assignment from the Headmaster. Even now my heart raced at the thought. He will be there, at the same table, and if I know Dumbledore, I’ll be close to him.



Severus Snape. I was still confused about our first meeting. I had never reacted like that to anyone. Worst of all, I had been so overwhelmed by his presence that I was unable to gauge a proper first impression. Would it be like that every time he was near? Deciding not to dwell on it, I hurried on up to the Great Hall.



Great Hall indeed. The interior was magnificent with its vaulted ceilings, although tonight it looked as though there were no ceilings at all. I could see the half moon rising into a starry sky. Hundreds of floating candles filled the room and pennants in the house colors hung over the four long tables. At the head of the room sat the High Table, reserved for the staff and other guests. Several of the professors were already in place.



As I began my trek towards the High Table, I received both curious smiles and wondering looks from the students as they hurried to find their places. With confidence, I smiled back and greeted them with a pleasant, “Good evening.”



Dumbledore greeted me with open arms. “Ah, Cassidy, I see you made it right on time. I hope your accommodations are to your liking?”



“Yes, Professor, thank you. The rooms are more than I hoped for.”



“Glad to hear it. You don’t mind the dungeons then? Filch mentioned that you were a bit perturbed by our staircases.” His eyes were twinkling again. There was something he was not saying.



“Actually no, I don’t mind the dungeons, though it might be a bit out of the way for the children.”



“Nonsense, not out of the way at all.”



There it was again. What is he up to? Putting those thoughts behind me, I focused again on what he was saying.



“Your seat is reserved down at the end of the table,” he said, pointing to his right. “We will begin momentarily. First the Sorting Hat, then we eat.”



“Thank you, Professor.” I smiled and quickly made my way around the table greeting the seated teachers briefly.



I had only just sat down at my appointed seat when Professor Snape swept into the room from the main entrance. His strides were long and sure, his robes billowing behind him. Again my heart did flip-flops and I silently commanded myself to breathe slowly. Don’t look at him, don’t look at him, I kept shouting in my mind as I focused on the children at the table farthest from me. As he reached the high table, he turned to his left and stopped abruptly. His head came up and his robes blew forward, swishing to a halt. He was looking at me.



Don’t look, don’t look, I kept chanting to myself. After a few moments he began to move, though not so quickly this time. I took a chance and glanced down, catching sight of his approaching feet. He prowled, for lack of a better word, towards the end of the table where I was seated and I braced myself. As he rounded the corner of the table his robes just barely brushed my arm and I gasped. Though I wore long sleeves, I could feel the gooseflesh pimple my arms. And then he sat down - right next to me.



Albus! I thought and I exhaled loudly. I peered down the table and met the Headmaster’s eyes. He just raised his eyebrows and smiled sunnily.



“Conniving old man,” I muttered.



“I beg your pardon?” Snape drawled.



Startled, I looked at him and blinked. “Sorry?”



At that moment, a gentleman with wavy blond hair and a dazzling smile stuck his head directly in my line of sight, blocking out Professor Snape.



“Gilderoy Lockhart,” he said as he grabbed up my hand a pressed a kiss to my wrist. “A pleasure to meet you. I’m the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.”



“Cassidy Rain Melrose and the pleasure is mine,” I replied, smiling obligingly.



“Mmm… Yes, it is indeed,” he murmured as he boldly looked me up and down.



Behind him, Snape harrumphed. “Do you mind, Lockhart?” His voice was acid.



Gilderoy paid him no attention, though; he just kept smiling at me. For a moment, I could have sworn that his perfect teeth actually sparkled and I found myself laughing softly.



“Gilderoy!” Albus called.



“I’ll see you later, my dear,” he murmured as he left for his own seat.



As Lockhart moved out of the way, my gaze fell again on Professor Snape, who returned it with a malicious glare. My smile melted away immediately.



Luckily, Professor Dumbledore stood up just then to give his brief welcoming speech and announce the start of the sorting ceremony for the first year students. While everyone’s attention was on the sorting, I took the opportunity to study my secret project. From here I could see that his skin was paler than I had realized. The contrast between his complexion and his dark hair and clothes was even more arresting up close. Maybe that much contrast is interfering with my perception, I thought. Throwing me off balance. Maybe if he threw off his black clothes… And my mind was swept away by images that made me blush profusely.



Snape turned his head towards me then and I panicked. Can he read my mind? His expression was unreadable but his eyes were cold. From a distance I heard my name, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his face. It took a swift and not too soft kick from under the table to snap me out of it.



Professor Dumbledore was at my side, urging me to come with him. I rose and allowed myself to be lead away. Stealing a glance back, I found an evil grin plastered on Snape’s face. I was infuriated, both at him for kicking me and at myself for becoming so mesmerized. If this keeps up, I groaned inwardly, they’ll think I am a quack.



Dumbledore led me in front of the Head Table then stepped back. I addressed the roomful of students, briefly describing my position at Hogwarts and my hope to be of assistance to them in their personal difficulties and stresses. Congratulations, girl, I thought, acknowledging some scattered applause with a smile. You pulled that together like a pro.



Then turning, I followed Dumbledore to the other side of the Head Table. As we rounded the corner I noticed the Sorting Hat sitting on its stool behind Professor McGonagall’s chair. It looked so ordinary; downright decrepit, in fact. But the Sorting ceremony had been such an amazing display of magic!



As I walked by, I couldn’t resist letting my fingers trail over its brim. I had just lifted my hand when a strange but familiar voice said, “Well, well, well. What have we here?”



It was the hat.



I froze, mortified at my mistake. Obviously the hat’s reaction was unexpected as the Great Hall had gone oddly silent. I looked up at the headmaster for help, but he was gazing at the hat with a puzzled expression on his face.



“Curious about me, are you?” the hat continued in my direction.



I nodded mutely but it seemed to understand.



“I’m a bit curious myself. Not many folks like you come through Hogwarts,” the hat admitted. “Why don’t we give it a try?”



“Give what a try?” I whispered although I knew what the answer would be.



“Put me on! Let’s give it a go!” When I hesitated, it continued, “Come on now, don’t be nervous. I haven’t taken off anybody’s head in, well now….at least three hundred years.”



This got a laugh and a smattering of applause from the students, so I tried hard to believe that the hat was joking. In front of me I saw McGonagall looking rather severe, but beside her stood Dumbledore, smiling serenely. In answer to my unspoken question, he simply gave a small nod.



The last thing in the world I wanted to do right then was put that grungy old hat on my head. But how could I refuse something that every student in the room had already done? They would never trust me if I acted like a coward now.



I picked up the hat thinking, Albus will not let it hurt me, and I pulled it over my head. For a moment nothing happened. Then I felt a strange buzzing inside my head.



“Hmmmm…,” said the hat, “Let’s see what we can find.”



“Adventurous, of course; otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Brash, maybe even a little cheeky. The Gryffindors will like that.”



“Highly intelligent. Could be a bit more organized but the Ravenclaws won’t mind.\"



“Loyal and friendly; you’ve a good dose of Hufflepuff, too.”



“And….oh my! What’s this?”



Fearful of what the hat was about to reveal, I thought quickly No! No! Don’t say it!



Very well,” the hat sighed. “Suffice it to say that there are a few talents for the Slytherins to appreciate as well. It’s a shame, my dear, that you aren’t magical. You’d have done well here at Hogwarts.”



I couldn’t keep from grinning as I pulled off the hat. “Thank you for the thought,” I told the Sorting Hat and the rest of the Great Hall, “but I believe I will do quite well at Hogwarts just as I am.”



A new round of cheers from the students had me almost floating back to my seat. Glancing back along the Head Table I saw Albus grinning like a proud father. Minerva looked simply relieved. As the mouth-watering feast appeared in front of us, I could have sworn I heard Professor Snape mutter, “Damn Muggle.”



**********



The rest of the evening passed quickly enough and dinner next to Professor Snape proved uneventful. The other teachers conversed animatedly amongst themselves but he remained reserved. Any polite chitchat on my part was met with his usual icy glare. My one consolation was Gilderoy Lockhart winking and flashing his teeth at me every chance he got.



Choosing to retire early, I ambled towards the Great Hall entrance, stopping briefly to receive welcome wishes from the students. I had just turned in the direction of the staircase that would lead me down to the dungeons when I noticed billowing black robes trailing down ahead of me. Why is he going to the dungeons? None of my business! I scolded myself and made my way down. I had just turned to enter the first corridor when I bumped into his chest.



“I’m terribly sorry,” I stammered.



“Why are you following me?” he demanded silkily



“I’m not.”



His eyes narrowed suspiciously. Without another word, he turned and continued up the corridor. I waited a moment, then, cautiously, so did I. He stopped at my door, turned, and looked at me as I approached.



I held his gaze and wordlessly produced my key. It slid smoothly into the lock, the door swung open and I stepped inside. Turning back to him, I took two full seconds to study his expression then murmured, “Good night, Professor,” as I closed the door.



Leaning back against it I allowed myself an unholy grin at his expression. It was a beautiful mixture of shock, irritation and resentment.



From very close by I heard an unmistakable slam. So, Severus Snape is my neighbor. Now I understood why Dumbledore had no problems with me being down here. Is that why Filch was so obliging? Giving my weird password, I entered into my private rooms. I couldn’t help grinning again. He thought I was following him; he had no idea I was living here. I guess he doesn’t read minds as well as I feared. Well I had no idea where he lived either. Albus, you wicked old codger. Slipping out of my clothes I suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the Potions Master. “Poor Snape,” I said into the mirror. “He has to share his domain.”



**********



It had been two weeks since my arrival at Hogwarts and I had fallen blissfully into my routine. Each day I had interviewed several of the first year students until I had met them all and provided initial evaluations for their school records.



My neighbor, Professor Snape, was still impolite and resentful of my presence. He had made numerous requests to Dumbledore about having me moved. Dumbledore kept restating that it was my choice to stay wherever I wanted, and besides, the moving stairs unnerved me. Furious for not having his way, he had become prone to muttering things about “damned Muggles” whenever I was in the vicinity.



In spite of this I still responded like a smitten fool in the presence of the Potions master. This was greatly hampering my ability to unearth any hidden secrets he might have. I desperately needed a way to bypass my reactions.



Gilderoy Lockhart, on the other hand, strode around the castle proclaiming himself to be my knight in shining armor; I mention this only because he believed quite firmly that it was true. I myself found him to be quite full of himself; actually full and overflowing. I imagine some women would easily be fooled by his charm but I was thankfully well aware of his true nature.



Lockhart had taken to dropping by my office quite frequently and Professor Snape’s irritation seemed to grow with every visit from ‘my knight’. Yes, he was vain and overly talkative, but Lockhart’s company did much to neutralize my physical malady where Severus was concerned. I was thankful.



On the first night of the full moon, Gilderoy asked if I would accompany him on a stroll. I welcomed this as Hogwarts’ rich cuisine was starting to get to me. We were on the edge of the Forbidden Forest when I stopped.



“But Gilderoy, we aren’t supposed to enter the forest!”



“Are you worried?” He scoffed, “Come now, as long as you are with me you’ll be quite safe.”



I was still unsure but, not wanting to appear to doubt his abilities as a wizard, I joined him. After just a few steps into the forest, I began to feel uneasy.



*****



I pushed away from the high table and surveyed the almost empty hall. It was just about time for me to do my nightly rounds. I had witnessed that intolerable fop Lockhart and that equally annoying Muggle Melrose leaving the great hall together earlier. That’s all I need, the two of them traipsing through the castle. Sighing, I exited the Great Hall and moved swiftly across the main entrance hallway.



Pausing only briefly to reprimand a pair of loitering Ravenclaws, I continued on to the courtyard entrance. The night was pleasant but it seemed that no students had ventured out. Might as well head on into the forest and collect a fresh supply of fluxweed. I stepped out onto the lawn just in time to see Lockhart and that Counselor woman, slipping through a thick copse of pine trees and into the dark forest. “Great, that’s just great,” I snorted. “Those two will cause no end of trouble.”



*****



“Gilderoy, please, let’s go back now,” I pleaded. “I’m tired.” This I threw in for good measure.



“Don’t be ridiculous,” he laughed as he held my hand tightly and tugged me deeper into the woods.



I couldn’t see anything on either side of the path but my mind kept screaming, Danger! That’s it, I decided. With him or without him, I am leaving! At that instant I could have sworn there was a scuttling sound behind me. I turned quickly but there was nothing. Exhaling loudly, I turned back to speak to Lockhart only to be met by spiders. Huge ones. Huge, black ones. Huge, dangerous-looking, black ones. I tried to swallow but my mouth was dry.



“Gilderoy!” I whispered loudly. “Gilderoy, do something.”



Gilderoy gallantly pulled out his wand and then stammered through a spell. The resulting flare of pale pink light did nothing but annoy the gathering bunch of arachnids.



“I hate spiders,” he whimpered and fumbled with another spell. This time he managed a stream of purple fire and the spiders seemed stunned.



“RUN!!” he shouted as he shot off into the night.



I did my best to follow suit but was surrounded again just on the outskirts of the forest. The spiders, sure of their meal, began to advance. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. Numb with fear, I resigned myself to my fate.



Suddenly, from behind me, I heard the roar of a voice casting a spell with authority. I was blinded by a flash of green and white light and fell to the ground. Thankfully, I could hear the spiders scampering away in full retreat.



The next thing I heard was muttering about “damned Muggles” and then I was being pulled roughly to stand. I blinked at my rescuer who was, of course, Professor Snape.



“What are you doing here?” I asked breathlessly, shaking myself loose.



“I’m saving your damned hide,” he snarled but I knew from the flash of anger in his eyes he would prefer to throttle me.



“What were you thinking, coming into the Forbidden Forest?” he snorted derisively. “Highly intelligent, indeed,” he further mocked as he ? at my arm and began making his way towards the castle. “There is a reason why we call this the Forbidden Forest. But I wouldn’t expect a mere Muggle to fully understand.”



Wrenching my arm from his vice-like grip, I stopped to catch my breath. Trying to regain some dignity, I swiped at my hair, which had come loose during the melee.



“I was taking a walk,” I told him in a surprisingly steady voice. “What were you doing here at this time of night?”



Snape’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile. He leaned forward, his lips inches from mine, and, though he spoke softly, his voice cut right through me.



“I do not answer to you. What I do, and when I do it, are my business.”



I could tell that he was fully aware of my responsiveness towards him; he also knew how to infuriate me. Both were powerful weapons for him to have.



Schooling my temper, I smiled sweetly up at him and said, in my best schoolgirl voice, “Thank you for rescuing me.” Batting my eyes, I added for effect, “My hero!”



He jerked back as though slapped in the face, growled deep in his throat and stalked back toward the castle.