The Way Back Home

WL1031: Here’s chapter five!

Jade: Enjoy!

WL1031: And thanks to the two reviews from Maddy and Alicia. BTW Maddy about your questions--that\'s for me to know and you to find out!

Disclaimer: I don’t own it. However the story and any unfamiliar characters, including Zeporiap Luz, belong to me.



The Way Back Home
Chapter 5: Gossip, a Ward, and a Speech


Two days later, the Great Hall was abuzz with activity at the evening meal. Everyone who had seen was still talking about what happened that fateful afternoon. The tale of what had been seen was going around the room, jumping from one table to another like a wild bush fire. Some students were still shocked, their eyes in a perpetual widened state, while others talked animatedly, telling everyone around them about what they saw. Even the ghosts that floated around the room were whispering amongst themselves, hovering in groups, gossiping about the newest arrival to the school.

Many students had the same question: who was she? And even more: where did she come from? They all wanted to know what the girl’s arrival to Hogwart’s meant, but nobody had a specific answer. Some said that she was an undiscovered magical creature because she came down from the sky. Others said that she was some kind of sorceress coming to save them from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The more skeptical students said that it could have just been all in their imagination and because neither Headmaster Dumbledore, nor Professor Snape, who had the woman in his arms, had said anything other wise. The students at the Gryffindor table were no different.

“I still can’t believe that the Headmaster hasn’t said anything about it.” Ron shook his head in amazement. “It’s been two days! And nothing: no speech, classroom announcements, or our Head of Houses giving pep talks.”

“I don’t know what’s going on either, but I am dying to know everything about her.” Lavender Brown chimed in. “I mean, where did she come from? People just don’t drop out of the sky like that.”

Hermione and Ginny nodded in agreement. They were just as frustrated with the lack of news as everybody else in the room. “Yeah, I’m about ready to pull out my hair because none of my professors have said anything.” Ginny frowned. “I even asked some of the sixth years in other houses and they haven’t heard anything either.”

“I stayed in the library just to snoop and I didn’t hear anybody say that they heard from their professors either.” Hermione shook her head. “For once, I wasn’t even concerned about studying. I could barely concentrate on my notes because my curiosity was getting to me.”

Harry scratched his head. “The only thing I heard was from other students in the changing rooms after practice. I stayed in there longer than usual because some of the stuff fell out of my locker.” Harry leaned forward and motioned the others to do so as well. “I heard some of the Slytherins talking about the girl. They said that Professor Snape escorted her to the Head Student room in the Slytherin house. It was the only room in the school that wasn’t occupied. When he walked her through the common room, he was standing extra close to her, like he was some kind of personal body guard.”

“She was sorted into Slytherin?” Ron was amazed. None of the Slytherins had mentioned anything like this!

“No, from what I understand that’s just where her room is located.” Harry leaned in even closer. “I also heard one of the Slytherins grumbling because nobody can go up the stairs to her room. He said that when a few of them tried to go up there a shield formed in front of the staircase. Apparently, Snape cast some kind of protection ward because none of their attempts to break it have been successful.”

“Wow, they really don’t want anybody getting next to her.” Hermione said, awestruck again. “It makes me wonder why.”


Over at the Slytherin table a similar conversation was going on. Draco Malfoy was wondering how he could get past the powerful wards protecting the Head Student staircase. All of his attempts to get past it were fruitless. He even used some of the spells that his father had taught him, none of which worked.

“I wonder what’s going on.” Draco said. “We can’t get up the staircase and no one has seen the chit for two days. When I asked Professor Snape about it, he changed the subject, saying that it wasn’t any of my business.”

Blaise Zabini put his fork down. “I have no idea who she is either, but I’d sure like to get to know her.” He had a sly smile on his face. “From what I saw, she looked damn good and I wouldn’t mind getting a taste of that.” Some of the other Slytherin boys listening agreed.

Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode frowned. “I saw her and she didn’t look all that great. Her hair was all fluffy and her eyes looked strange.” Millicent nodded her head in agreement with Pansy.

“I don’t see what the big deal was about her.” She said in an annoyed voice. “She’s just some silly chit who’s probably too bitchy to come out of her room.”

“Oh, you girls are just jealous.” Draco smiled nastily. “Even with her hair disheveled, she looks better than you two will ever look.”

Pansy’s face contorted into an ugly look. Millicent scowled and was about to fire a particularly nasty comment when the Great Hall went silent.

After two days, Zeporiap felt it was time to come out of her room. Staying in the grand room was nice, but the green and silver décor was getting on her nerves. She actually was going crazy. While having meals brought to her was lovely, and she thanked the shy house elf for the meals, she was getting tired of hearing her own breathing. She thought back to the first time she entered her new residence.

~Flashback~

After getting the clearance to leave the Hospital Wing, Zeporiap changed into the clothes that were left on the chair beside the bed. She was surprised to find that she was putting on her own clothes.

“Señora, how did my clothes get here?” Zeporiap turned to the mediwitch questioningly. Poppy smiled at the confused look in the girl’s eyes.

“Albus had all of your clothing and personal toiletries delivered to your new rooms. This set of clothes was set out by one of the house elves just before you came from your bath.”

“Oh wow, that’s incredible.” Zeporiap was at a loss for words. “My new rooms?”

“Yes, you have new rooms located in the Slytherin House. Your escort should be here in a few minutes to take there.”
The doors to the Hospital Wing opened admitting the man from earlier. He approached the two women then nodded his head in greeting.

“Miss Luz, I am here to escort you to your new rooms.” Zeporiap was surprised by the man’s voice. It had a smooth drawling sound to it, a silky sound that almost reminded her of a purring cat. Wow, that’s nice. she thought.

“Miss Luz, follow me.” The man held out his hand to her. Zeporiap hesitated for just a moment.

“I don’t know your name, Señor.” The man’s mouth curled slightly at one of the corners before he spoke again.

“My name is Severus Snape.” He held out his hand again. “I will be taking you to where you will be residing for the time being.” Zeporiap nodded and took his hand. He placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Now, let us be off.”

Poppy smiled as Severus escorted the young lady out of the Hospital Wing. “Maybe he’ll find somebody yet.” She bustled back to her office.



As they made their way through the school, Severus noticed the girl turning her head this way and that way. She had an absolutely amazed expression on her beautiful face, saying “Wow!” every few minutes. He watched as surprise lighted her exotic eyes, liking the way it made them sparkle.

“¡Es increíble!” she gasped. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Moving pictures, ghosts hovering about, kids wearing school uniforms and loving it; it’s all so different.” She shook her head. “There’s definitely nothing like this at the schools in my town.”

Severus smiled, although the girl could not see it in the shadows of the dungeon hallway. “Yes, well, that’s thinthings are in the wizard world.” They stopped in front of a large portrait. Zeporiap’s eyes widened as the portrait spoke.

“Ah I see you’ve brought the new student.” Severus nodded. “A right pretty young thing, too. What’s the password?”

“Snake bite.” The portrait swung open revealing a green and silver lounge room. Severus led Zeporiap inside.

All activity in the room stopped. Everyone who was there turned to look at the woman standing next to their Head of House. Some of the guys couldn’t believe their eyes, roaming their gazes down her body. The long skirt she was wearing clung to her hips, the knee-length split showing a glimpse of her smooth brown legs as she walked. Her dainty feet were encased in a pair of black platform flip-flops, a platinum toe-ring gracing the third toe on her right foot. The blue shirt she wore seemed to be molded to her breasts, almost like a second skin. A cloud of black curls surrounded her head, cascading past her shoulders.

Severus looked around the room and noticed the reaction to the young woman’s appearance. He didn’t like it at all. He scowled blackly. “Don’t you have some homework to do?” Everybody jumped into action, going back to what they were doing. They didn’t busy themselves long, scrambling into groups when their Head of House took the woman upstairs to the Heaudenudent rooms.

“Did you see that girl? She’s hot!” One guyged ged his buddy. “She was like some kind of goddess standing there.”

“I know what you mean.” Another said, nodding in appreciation. “I want to lick her all over to see how she tastes.”

“Yeah, so do I.” Blaise Zabini nodded his dark head. “I might go up to her room and introduce myself tonight.” Draco Malfoy snickered.

“Sounds like a good plan.” He said, licking his lips.

They quieted down as Professor Snape came back downstairs. He looked around the room for a minute, and quickly headed outside. When the portrait hole slammed shut, several of the older boys scrambled to the staircase, trying to get upstairs. They crashed into each other as they hit an invisible barrier. They stumbled to the floor, a pile of arms and legs. Finally separating themselves, they became angry.

“There’s a ward on the staircase!” One grumbled. “How are we going to get past it?”

“I’ll give it a try.” Another boy stepped up to the staircase and cast an unlocking spell. He was shocked when it didn’t work. Quickly, two more boys tried their spells but were unsuccessful. Some even tried casting their spells together, but still had no luck. Draco and Blaise cast their most powerful unlocking spells, none of which worked either.

“Damn, I want to get up there!” Draco said in frustration.

“I guess we will have to wait.” Blaise countered. “She’s going to have to come out sometime.” They all nodded in agreement.

Upstairs in her room, Zeporiap explored her new surroundings. There was a canopied king-sized bed dressed in green coverings. The floor was covered in a black rug that was tastefully shot through with green and silver threads. Intricately crafted furnishings adorned the room, designed with detailed snake carvings for the handles and legs, polished to a glossy shine. Bookshelves lined the walls. Opening a door, Zeporiap squealed when she saw all of her clothing placed neatly inside a closet. Her shoes were stacked neatly, her clothes hung beautifully, and other accessories were carefully placed on a shelf. Stepping out of the closet, she noticed a side table with a photograph of her grandmother and herself a few days before she became ill. She smiled at the beautiful silver frame the picture had been placed in: it was decorated in silver snakes.

Walking into the bathroom, Zeporiap saw more of the green, silver, and black décor. A large mirror graced the wall above the marble sink. Another stood in the corner. A small countertop held all over her daily toiletries. Turning to her left, she saw a large sunken tub that was big enough to hold at least eight people. “That’s going to be nice, especially now that I need to soak with the special soap Poppy gave to me.” A towel rack graced the wall next to the tub just within reach, right on the wall beside the glass marble shower.

The thoughts of what happened to her ran through Zeporiap’s mind. She didn’t understand why they picked her, a boring nobody, to terrorize. She was a nice person, right? Why did something so painful have to happen? I’ve never hurt anybody in my life! she thought. What did I do or who did I offend for this to happen? Zeporiap left the bathroom and flounced down on her new bed. She felt herself swirling in a sea of questions, none of which she could answer. She felt a myriad of emotions at once: anger at being violated, sadness over not being able to defend herself, grief over losing something that she had saved for the special man she wanted in her life, fear over the idea that her attacker could come back, and the physical pain of what her body suffered. All in all, Zeporiap felt as if her soul was broken, bleeding out the emotions that she couldn’t voice. She felt emotionally wounded, struck down with wounds that went far beyond what her body had suffered. She knew that she would never be the same person ever again.

~End Flashback~

Zeporiap snapped herself out of that ugly emotional downfall. She knew that was why she really wanted to get out of the room: if she stayed in there any longer, she would fall into that downward spiral, possibly to lose her sanity in the process. Being left alone with those thoughts, without hearing the voices of othewoulwould have left her in a place worse than what that man had done. She needed to get out.

The she house elf popped into the room once again. She was dressed in her usual pillow case, the school emblem blazing across her chest, and a night cap on her head. Her big bulbous eyes shined in the firelight, seeming to overpower her little green face.

“Would the miss like to have dinner served in her room again?” the house elf squeaked politely. “Tinky can set up the meal with a serving table by the chair in front of the fireplace.”

“No, Tinky. I would like to go down to where everyone else is being served.” Zeporiap smiled gently at the shy creature. Seeing the tears forming in her eyes, Zeporiap patted the elf on her dainty shoulder. “No, you’re not doing a bad job. I just want to go and hear the voices of other people. Now, stop that crying.” She wiped the elf’s tears with the hem of her pillowcase. “However, I have a plan. You can serve me breakfast here tomorrow morning.” Tinky’s eyes widened and she squealed with delight.

“Tinky will be serving the miss her breakfast in the morning! Bright and early like the other time!” She danced in circles around Zeporiap.

“Oh Tinky, I almost forgot. How do I get to the Great Hall for dinner? I’m still not familiar on how to make my way around this place. I’m worried about getting lost.”

“Oh don’t miss! Tinky can show you right away!” She grabbed Zeporiap’s hand and rushed her out of the room.

Downstairs, Zeporiap caught her breath. The little elf had taken her around so many corners that she’s never remember which way was this and which way was that.

“Well, Tinky it’s a good thing that I wore flat shoes.” She said, looking down at her flip flops. Zeporiap didn’t think she would have made it if she was wearing anything else. “Thank you Tinky for bringing me to the Great Hall. I am sure that I can find my way back. You’ve been very helpful.” Tinky smiled shyly and quickly vanished with a loud crack.

Zeporiap turned to the large doors. Beyond them she could hear people laughing and talking, while eating their meals. It was just what she needed to hear: something besides her own breathing. She took a deep breath and pushed open the doors.

Everyone in the Great Hall turned their eyes towards the doors. They pushed open to reveal the object of their curiosity. She stood there turning her head to the left and right, scanning the room for something. Almost every guy in the fourth year and up drooled. The woman standing there was like some kind of goddess coming to fulfill their secret fantasies. The black shirt she wore clung to her toned body, stopping just short of her navel. The blue cotton drawstring pants she wore were form-fitting, slung low on her hips, the hems coming to rest over feet. A sparkling could be seen around her navel area—many of the boys began immediately fantasizing about caressing the soft bejeweled skin.

Rising their eyes to the woman’s face, many in the room gasped. It was true! The woman’s eyes were a startling silver color, a complete contrast to her cinnamon skin and black hair.

Immediately the hall became abuzz with activity. Everyone wanted to know who she was. Some of the girls were jealous over the attention she was causing, while many of the guys were kicking themselves for not being sorted into Slytherin.

Even though he had a fabulous girlfriend, Harry’s eyes widened at the appearance of the woman. She was hot! He felt a flush coming over his cheeks, but quickly lived it down. He noticed that the girl was starting to become uncomfortable with all the attention she gained, and felt bad for her. He looked at Ron and shook his head as Hermione slapped him on the arm. She told him to quit staring at the lady out of the sheer rudeness of it all. She began to argue about just how rude he was being while Ron defended himself saying, “I couldn’t help it!”

Over at the Slytherin table, Pansy’s face contorted into a mask of jealousy. She didn’t like how Draco was looking at that girl because he should have been looking at her like that. And she was angry because the girl did look better than she ever could. She turned to Millicent and found that she looked just as jealous.

Draco, Blaise, and a few other guys practically drooled over the girl. They still wanted to get up into her room, eager to have a taste of the charms that she was displaying.

“There’s got to be a way to get past the wards.” One Slytherin commented. “There must be some kind of way to break it.” Draco and Blaise nodded. They’d have a taste of that girl one way or another—it was just a matter of how.

Minerva patted Albus on the arm. She was worried about the commotion the girl had caused with her arrival. She was equally worried about the look on the girl’s face, noticing the startled look she wore. “It seems as if she’s not very comfortable with the attention she’s receiving.” Albus nodded in agreement.

“I think that the girl isn’t truly aware of how beautiful she is. She probably never ethouthought on how her looks could affect the people around her.” Albus shifted to look at Severus Snape. He smiled when he saw the same awestruck expression that many of the boys in the room wore on his face. Hmm… he thought. It seems like something is in the works.

Noticing that the girl was stepping back, he decided to make an announcement. He stood up and tapped his wand to his throat.

“Sonorus!” he whispered. “Please quiet down, children. Now, would our newest student please step forward?” The magnified voice of the Headmaster effectively quieted the room. Smiling, he beckoned the woman forward.

Zeporiap grew uncomfortable at the attention she was getting. She looked around at the people gawking at her, wondering why they were acting so strange. She didn’t understand what their problem was because there was nothing special about her. She was just a girl, nothing big about that. Maybe now wasn’t a good time to come in here, she thought. Zeporiap was about to beat an escape back to her rooms, when the loud voice of Albus Dumbledore echoed in the room.

“Please quiet down, children. Now, would our newest student please step forward?”

Seeing no escape, Zeporiap took a deep breath. She tried to relax herself, but still ended up feeling a bit of nervous energy in her stomach. Walking to the front of the room, she tried to ignore the stares and comments as she went past. The ogling eyes made her uncomfortable, but she kept moving until she was standing at the top of the dais next to Albus. Albus pointed the wand to his throat again, removing the voice charm. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Now, Miss Luz, I want you to tell them that you are an international student who has permanently transferred to Hogwart’s to serve an apprenticeship in Library Science. Do not say anything about how you arrived here: let them speculate and come up with their own conclusions.” He winked and stepped back. Albus cast the voice modification charm on her, then ushered her forward.

“My dear, would you mind telling the students a little about yourself?” Zeporiap, catching on to the game, winked at the Headmaster before turning to her audience.

“I will start with my name, then. My name is Zeporiap Mariposa Luz. I am an international student and I have transferred here to serve out an apprenticeship in Library Science. I will be staying here permanently after I complete my studies.” Zeporiap smiled at her audience showing a straight line of pretty white teeth.

Some of the boys in the audience cheered when they heard that Zeporiap would be staying permanently. Zeporiap laughed: it was a pleasant tinkling sound that set many into pleasant daydreams. Severus Snape was no different.

Sitting at the faculty table, Severus almost dropped his fork when the woman came into the Great Hall. He was captivated by her appearance and couldn’t help but run his eyes over her body. I’m just as bad as these boys, he thought. practically panting as they thought about their fantasies coming true. He shook his head, frowning. He was starting to feel a sudden rush of anger at the way everyone was ogling her like some prized potion ingredient. He became even angrier when he noticed that she was becoming uncomfortable. Just as she turned to leave, Albus called her to the front to introduce herself. He watched as she made her way regally to the front of the room and approached Albus. He frowned for a little bit as the Headmaster whispered something to her and then prodded her forward. The woman stepped to the center of the dais and began to speak.

Listening to her voice, Severus was enraptured by the smooth, accented sound. It flowed into the ears and relaxed his muscles immediately. He slumped a little bit in his chair, feeling calm and invigorated at the same time. He didn’t focus on what she was saying, and didn’t care. Her voice alone was a balm to his exhausted soul and he felt like he could sit there all day, listening to her—she could have been reading out of a dictionary and it wouldn’t have mattered. His mind drifted back into awareness when he heard cheering.

“Thank you for listening. I will let you all get back to your meal.” Zeporiap did a small curtsy and stepped back. The captivated audience, even the professors, applauded as Albus led her to the head table. Albus conjured up a chair and levitated it; Severus was shocked to find that it was placed next to him. The woman took her seat and turned to him.

“So, Señor Snape, did I make a good speech?” Her silver eyes twinkled. She leaned closer to him, patting his arm. “Please be honest—I hate getting up in front of a group of people for anything, and a speech for such a large group was nerve-wracking.”

A ghost of a smile floated around Severus’s mouth. “I’ve only got one question, Miss Luz.”

“And what would that be, Señor?”

“Library Science?” He raised an eyebrow at the question.

Zeporiap’s laughed caused many a head to wistfully turn in her direction.

_,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_._,’^’,_.


Jade: WL isn’t feeling well right now, so I’m going to be handling the after notes for this chapter. *puts on a doctor’s coat* She has a tummy ache.

WL1031: *in the background* Hey, you don’t have to tell everybody! Just get on with the notes already!

Jade: *slams a door shut* Okay already! Please read and review because your opinion is very important to WL. Be on the lookout for Chapter 6 to be posted in the next few days.


Translations:

“¡Es increíble!”: It’s incredible!

Señor: mister or sir