MUGGLE MAGIC

Author's Note: Hey all, hope you are enjoying the story so far... i know i enjoy writing it. This will probably be my last post for 2005 so enjoy it; there's more to come in 2006!



CHAPTER 4

Albus Dumbledore looked concerned; I felt miserable. He had heard of my confrontation with Aragog’s family in the woods and I was recounting the chain of events.

“Then, after Lockhart stunned them, we ran.” For some reason, I didn’t want Gilderoy to seem totally incompetent. “Needless to say, I was not fast enough and was surrounded just on the outskirts of the forest. Luckily, Professor Snape happened by and came to my aid.”

“And you are all right? You were not hurt – in any way?”

I recalled my last moments in Snape’s bedroom. Yes, I was hurt, but not by the spiders. Severus is an altogether different type of black and hairy creature - well, not really all that hairy- but his venom is just as poisonous.

“No, I’m fine,” I said evenly.

Albus peered at me over his glasses; he did not look convinced.

“Really,” I reiterated, throwing in a smile for good measure.

“I am relieved to hear that.” He moved around to the desk and sat behind it. “And what of your study of Professor Snape? Have you found out anything I need to know?”

I rose from my seat and walked to the window. The morning sun warmed my face but couldn’t brighten my spirits. I tried to push aside the events of the last twelve hours and began,

“Professor Snape is a difficult subject to analyze. That serves him well in his role as a spy but makes my task especially complicated. In the few times we have interacted, he has been cynical, harsh and, as his name implies, quite severe. He can be downright nasty at times, disagreeable, occasionally petty…”

I was getting carried away; thankfully Albus’ chuckling snapped me out of it.
“As I was saying, to understand a person and his motives at present, we must understand the forces that influenced him. How have his past choices shaped the Severus Snape we know today? I sense that he was not always this way, at least not to this extent. What changed him?”

I closed my eyes and tried to analyze all that my inner sense had taken in. “He was hurt by something or someone - badly hurt. He bled. He lost a part of himself somehow and he mourns for it. His sadness saturated him, forcing other emotions out.” Taking a moment to recover, I continued, “If our skin is cut, the body naturally begins the healing process by forming a scab, our natural bandage. When the skin is healed, the scab falls off. So, too, when we are emotionally injured, we build walls; we shut out things, people. When we have healed, these walls should come down. This persona we see now in Severus, my instincts tell me, is the scab still well in place long after his hurt.”

Albus looked impressed.

“How long have you known him?” I asked. "Was he this way as a student?"

“Severus was always different,” the headmaster conceded. “Indeed he was hurt as a young man, as you sensed. He had almost no friends during his school days and was often teased miserably. I’m afraid his ill-treatment pushed him along the Dark path.”

“This was his way of striking back,” I cut in. “It was also his way of trying to heal himself. You are familiar with the term ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?’ Seeking vengeance was his means of venting the anger that was bubbling inside of him. He wanted to fight the world that was against him, to show that he had power as well. Unfortunately it was the wrong way to vent. He fell deeper into clutches of Voldemort but found no power of his own there."

“As for his Dark Mark…” Albus raised a curious eyebrow. “Yes, I know about those. It became his badge of belonging. He could claim the Death Eaters as his clan, his…family. He did not have a loving home life, I assume?” Albus shook his head negatively.

“Typical.” I sat again and looked at the headmaster.

Albus considered me for a long time before he spoke, “After his years with Voldemort, Severus returned to Hogwarts seeking asylum. An agreement was made for him to hold a position as a member of staff here at Hogwarts and to also act as a spy for the Ministry of Magic.”

I nodded sadly. “He was betrayed twice; first as a young man attending school here and then by Voldemort. He is doubly hurt.” I paused a moment then asked, “Tell me Professor, is it possible to cast a spell on yourself to hide things about… yourself?”

Albus smiled and said only, “There are many things possible with magic.”

“I’m not really sure where to go from here,” I admitted. “Severus has cut away every avenue and doorway to his psyche and seeing beyond those barriers is incredibly difficult. He is like an impenetrable fortress; I won’t get very far unless he lowers his bridge and opens a door.”


**********


That night, I sat at my desk reviewing background information on the second year students. I would begin my interviews with them tomorrow but I could not concentrate. All day, Severus and I had avoided each other like the plague but we were required to show for dinner. It was an edgy hour at the table. We each focused on our meal and left as soon as we were finished, not a word passing between us.

Tossing the files aside, I went to the bookshelf, touched the appropriate shelves and murmured, “But I don’t know the password.” The door swung open and I headed straight for the bedroom. Pulling my dressing robe tighter around me, I opened the doors to my private balcony. The stone railing was cold but I hardly noticed as I stared out at the lake. I don’t know how long I stood there, motionless; feeling everything and nothing. Swiping the tears from my eyes I said to the night,

“You were right, Severus. There were no spiders in my rooms last night; it was Mrs. Norris. You see, I invited her to come by any time she liked. I guess 3 A.M. seems like a good time for visiting when you’re a cat.”

I thought back on my conversation with Dumbledore; the things I had revealed, the things Albus had agreed with and the things he had skillfully avoided telling me.

“Who hurt you, Severus?” I whispered. “Who do you mourn for? What caused this devastation in your life? What scarred you so badly that you shut everyone out?" In a flash I realized, “Is that why you said those things? To hurt me- so I would keep my distance?” I shook my head. “It’s not working, you know. You affect me in ways I never thought possible. Do I… affect you?”

Closing my eyes, I felt his kiss again; saw his eyes ablaze with desire. I knew that had been real. Pleasure pooled in the pit of my stomach and I smiled a little at that. Inhaling the cool night air I sighed, “What is happening to you, Cass?”


**********


Over the next few days, I met with the second year students. Most of them were quite nervous to be talking to me since some of the Muggle-born students had spread the word that I was a shrink. They seemed to feel better after the interviews when they realized I wasn’t actually going to shrink them.

A knock on the door alerted me to the arrival of my next interview. “Come in,” I called.
I was surprised when three students entered. The first, a dark haired, green-eyed boy (“Harry Potter, ma’am”), next a long-haired girl (“I’m Hermione Granger”) and bringing up the rear, another boy – trying desperately to take cover behind Harry. The girl- Hermione- shoved him forward and introduced him as Ronald Weasley.

The red-haired boy looked as though he was about to sick up. “Is he all right?” I asked worriedly. “Ronald, can I get you something to drink?”

Hermione spoke up, “Don’t mind him, he’s fine. Crabbe, a Slytherin boy, told him that you shrank people.”

I had to laugh. “No! I don’t shrink people. My job is to help people with problems.”

“I…I don’t have any problems!” he piped up.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I said, laughing again as I urged them to sit.

Hermione spoke up, “Professor McGonagall told us that we ought to visit you one at a time but we were wondering if we could,” and she looked at Ron pointedly, “see you together?”

“That’s quite all right, Hermione. I don’t mind and you three seem like the best of friends.”

“We are!” they said together.

There was a beautiful aura surrounding the three. Their bonds of friendship and love were very strong, as were their Gryffindor traits of curiosity and confidence. But I sensed something very odd about Harry so I decided to mention it.

Ron and Hermione were shocked when they found out that I didn’t know about Harry’s past and his status in the wizarding world. Harry, on the other hand, looked pleased and relieved. They were equally shocked to find out that I was a full-blooded Muggle with no wizarding powers and no wand.

“So, how did you come to know about the wizarding word then?” Harry inquired. “Most Muggles have no idea it exists.”

I smiled, “Well that’s easy. I lived next door to a girl named Jessica. She and I were the best of friends and the most interesting things would happen when we were together." The three teens grinned knowingly. I continued, “Then one day on her eleventh birthday, she received a letter from Hogwarts. She found out that she was a witch! Her parents sent her off and I didn’t see her again until her Christmas holiday. Then she was able to tell me what she had learned about the wizarding world and, as time went on, I learned more and more too. I’ve even had the chance to visit Diagon Alley a few times.”

“Amazing!” Ron exclaimed.

Hermione inquired, “So how did you like it? The wizarding world, I mean?”

“Oh I love it! It’s so much more interesting here,” I had to confess.

We had a pleasant and informative visit and were all laughing as I opened my office door for them. “One last thing,” I said as we stood in the hall. “Who is your favorite teacher here at Hogwarts?”

“Anyone but Snape!” they replied in unison, and burst out laughing again. Our giggling stopped abruptly when the man himself opened his classroom door, just opposite mine.

Glaring at each of us in turn he said menacingly, “Five points each from Gryffindor for loitering. I suggest you three get to class immediately.”

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked mutinous but they left without another word leaving me to glare angrily at the Potions Master.

“Why did you do that?” I scolded. “They were leaving you know. They weren’t loitering. I demand you reinstate their points.”

Snape sneered at me. “You demand!” he mocked as he swung the door closed behind him. I returned to my office and screamed in my frustration.


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“Imagine the nerve of that insolent woman!” I complained to no one in particular as I resumed my seat behind the desk. Shoving aside the stack of homework from the fourth year Huffelpuff\Ravenclaw class - I marveled at the audacity of the woman sharing my dungeons. “She dares to demand anything of me!” She obviously does not know who she is dealing with, I thought smugly.

Still, the look on her face was worth a month’s wages; her indignation and resentment highly amusing. “I’ll have you out of my dungeons yet, Miss Melrose,” I declared into the silence.
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My last interview of the day arrived in the form of a haughty-looking blond boy. I didn’t have to look at the insignia on his school robes to know that he was a Slytherin; they all resembled their Head of House in some way or another. He introduced himself as Draco Malfoy.

Ah, so this is Severus’ favorite student; the Slytherin nemesis of my new Gryffindor friends. I tried to wipe this from my mind. I wanted to be objective and unbiased in my observations. This was easier said than done, for Draco immediately began his attack.

“I don’t want to be evaluated by you,” he spat. “You’re a Muggle. You know nothing of the wizarding word and what makes a wizard. I always knew that Dumbledore was a fool. Hiring you would be proof enough even without everything else.”

“Hey! You had better watch your mouth, young man,” I warned. “That’s hardly the way to make a good impression.”

Draco retorted, “You can’t tell me what to do. You are only a Muggle; you don’t even have a wand. I am a wizard. I have powers you can only dream about.”

And he didn’t stop there. I got to hear all about his contempt for non-magic folks, a great deal about the superiority of wizards and horrendous criticism of Professor Dumbledore. This gave me plenty of time to take complete stock of his personality and attitudes.

When his store of boasts and insults seemed exhausted, I began calmly, “I know that with your wand you have incredible power,” he looked pleased at my admission, “but tell me Draco, who are you without the wand?”

He looked shocked at my question, but said nothing. My anger at Snape and his prized student was starting to boil over. You think I am powerless; you think I am a “damned Muggle”. Well, now you’re going to see some of my own brand of magic. Feeling a bit Slytherin myself I looked at Draco. “Do you see this writing pad I my hand?”

“Of course I see it; I’m not blind,” he sneered

I ignored his tone and smiled obligingly, “This is a doctor’s prescription pad. I have one because I am a doctor and with that title and my position at this school I could… well, let’s see?”

I read aloud as I wrote:

“Dear Professor Dumbledore,
It is my professional opinion that Draco Malfoy be admitted to St. Mungo’s Hospital for an immediate psychiatric evaluation. Draco shows a tendency to hallucinate, and during these episodes he poses a risk to himself and his fellow schoolmates. I will send word to his parents urging them to act immediately for the sake of their son.

Dr. Cassidy Rain Melrose.”


I finished up my signature with flair and looked up at the sickly pale face of Draco Malfoy. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open most unattractively. I rose and walked slowly behind him,“St. Mungo’s will admit you of course. You’ll probably be there for a week, maybe a month, or two… or more.”

His eyes grew delightfully wider with every word.

“All those tests,” I continued to taunt, “They’ll turn you inside out, literally!”

Oh how I wished Harry, Hermione and Ron could see the stricken look on their nemesis’ face.

Finally finding his voice Draco wheezed, “But you can’t do that!”

“Oh, but I can,” I whispered silkily into his ear, “and I will if you don’t co-operate.”

Draco stood up shakily and I gave him a little wave as he turned and dashed out the door. Moving back to my chair, I flopped into it.

“My own version of the Imperious Curse!” I announced to the room. “Inventive isn’t it!”


**********


I was not surprised at all to meet Mr. Lucius Malfoy the very next day. Dear Draco must have immediately sent an owl to his father complaining about me and asking him to investigate the newest member of staff. The elder Malfoy was an arresting figure with his long, white-blond hair, strikingly cold gray eyes and classic facial features. His wardrobe was elegant but understated and his demeanor was refined and aristocratic. I couldn’t help thinking that where Gilderoy Lockhart was charming, Lucius Malfoy was striking.

What was also striking was the immediate sense of foreboding I felt the instant his hand touched mine. In the back of my head I saw his Dark Mark; he was a Death Eater. His aura also pulsated with deceit, extreme hatred for Muggles and a love of evil. I couldn’t shake the image of Lucifer, his namesake.

Schooling my features, I ushered him in. He began at once eliciting my thoughts about his son. You can’t tell him the truth, can you Cass? Or maybe he’d be pleased to know that his son is an imperious brat who tortures other students. It was obvious that I could not tell Mr. Malfoy the truth behind his son; I did however mention the few strong points I found. I discreetly inquired about Draco’s life at home and his family upbringing hoping to gain more insight into both father and son.

Surprisingly, our meeting went well; so well that I received a dinner invitation from Lucius as he was leaving. Hmmm… Dinner at the Leaky Cauldron sounds intriguing. I wonder what snobby purebloods like for dinner? I’ll need to stay on my toes but I might pick up a few pointers about dealing with Death Eaters. That can only help me when it comes to Snape. I accepted.
Professor Snape was exiting his personal chambers as Lucius and I said our goodbyes in the hall, and he stopped abruptly the moment he spotted us together. Mr. Malfoy quickly gave me his instructions for our rendezvous and motioned for Snape to follow him, just missing the suspicious glare the Potions Master threw my way.


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The last thing I ever expected to see was Cassidy Melrose and Lucius Malfoy smiling and chatting together outside my door. What in the bloody hell was that meddlesome wench up to now? Gods! The implications of them standing together discussing anything were un-nerving. Has she any idea just who Malfoy is, what he’s capable of? Lucius leaned in even closer to her as he confirmed the time of their dinner meeting and oddly, I found myself feeling envious and apprehensive all at the same time. She would not be dining with Lucius the country gentleman, but with Lucius the Death Eater. “I had better keep an eye out. She obviously does not know who she’s playing with.”

Lucius turned to leave at that moment, and his smiling mask was replaced with cold calculation. The look he threw my way as he strode past indicated that he had business to discuss. My own intuitions were telling me to be on my guard because business with Lucius always meant trouble.
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Lucius Malfoy made his apologies for the absence of his wife, Narcissa, at dinner, a situation that I had fully expected. Being fairly new to true wizard cuisine I asked my companion to order for us both. I have to admit that I was apprehensive about putting my palette in his hands but the roasted quail, wild rice and mushrooms he ordered set me at ease. While waiting, we both chatted easily. Lucius seemed very interested in my opinions of wizards and the wizarding world, wanting to know about my magical friends and my association with Dumbledore. I, of course, was quite vague in my answers.

As dinner progressed I noticed a dark figure lurking at the end of the bar. A whiskey in hand, the cloaked figure kept glancing towards our table. Hmm…, I closed my eyes, cleared away all thought and opened my mind to the room. Suddenly a flash behind my eyes showed me Severus Snape. I fumed! What is he doing here? The SOB is following me!

Thankfully, Lucius did not notice my indignation; at least if he did, he did not show it. In fact, he had been politely flirting with me all evening. It confirmed my suspicions as to the real reason for his wife’s absence. Maybe I can use this to my advantage. I was feeling very Slytherin again.

Slowly, carefully, I joined in the game Lucius wanted to play. I looked at him coyly and batted my eyes when he complimented me; he smiled rakishly at my comments about him. All the while, I could feel the fury building in Hogwarts’ Potions Master. I smiled even more.

Back at Hogwarts, Lucius graciously insisted on walking me to my door.

“Thank you for such a pleasant evening Cassidy,” he purred, taking my hand.

I smiled up at him, “Yes it was pleasant. I had a good time.”

“I am glad. Well I bid you a good night.” And with that, he turned and left.

I had only just entered my bedroom when I heard the office door crash and the bookcase swing open. I knew who it would be. But how did he know my password?

As he strode into my room, his face was forbidding. His black cloak flew behind him, then settled at his ankles as he stopped in front of me. He waited until I held his eyes before he began,

“I demand that you stop seeing Malfoy.” His voice was icy.

“You demand!” I scoffed, echoing his previous words. His eyes widened in acknowledgement but before he could reply I rushed ahead, “I’ll see who I want!”

“You were flirting with him…he’s married,” Snape announced.

“That’s my business,” I said nonchalantly

“He’s dangerous!” insisted Snape.

“And you’re not?” I countered.

“You don’t know who you are dealing with,” he hissed.

Time to change directions, my inner voice urged. “Why were you following me?"

Clearly taken aback, he pressed his lips together and said nothing. I could tell he was uncomfortable about where this line of conversation would lead.

“I don’t want you to see Malfoy,” he stated again through clenched teeth.

I took a deep breath, “Let me remind you of your own words, ‘I do not answer to you. What I do and when I do it is my business.’”

The look on his face told me I had gone too far. Before I could move, he flew up to me, grabbed me by the arms, and proceeded to kiss me punishingly. His lips were brutal, his tongue unrelenting and his grip on my arms was like iron. It took all of my willpower not to moan into his mouth with absolute pleasure, but just when I was really starting to enjoy his disciplinary kiss, he pulled away.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to clear my mind. This is going to be hard. Gazing into his fathomless eyes, I swiped the back of my hand across my lips and said coldly, “I’ve had a more satisfying one tonight already but thanks for trying.”
White with fury, Severus turned and stalked out of my rooms without a word. I watched him go then collapsed across my bed, one hand touching my bruised lips.


A Merry Christmas to all our readers, and only the very best of wishes to you for the comming New Year 2006