Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

*DISCLAIMER*

Sometimes I believe the clothes in my closet are alive and can talk to me…Some times late at night when I’m lonely…ooops, I shouldn’t have said that. Okay. Lame joke.

Like I said over and over before I don’t own the characters, except for my own creations, and I don’t make any profits from playing with them, I just get my jollies.

I wonder how Phoenixx’s relationship is going to develop with the snarky, but uh, darkly sexy Potions Master?

Keep reading and you’ll eventually find out. I can’t wait either!!

No Lemon in this chapter. I'll tell you when there is...

REVIEW, don’t forget to review people, Or I will Crucio YOU!!!! Okay, I won’t resort to using that unforgivable curse, but I may sick a naked Peter Pettigrew on you!! **EEEWWWW***.

And……….. We’re off!!!

********Rising from the Ash*********


Albus Dumbledore sat at the head of the staff table, deep in thought and oblivious to the hundreds of chattering voices that belonged to Hogwarts students, filling the great hall as they merrily ate their evening meal. His usual friendly and humorous demeanor was replaced by a more somber expression on his face. Behind his half-moon spectacles that were perched upon his long crooked nose, his blue eyes betrayed a look of worry.

Sitting on opposite sides of the headmaster were Professors Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape. Snape’s ebony eyes darted around the room as he continued to watch the excited students with a look of disdain, almost as he hoped someone would do something foolish so he could have an excuse to issue a detention, hopefully somebody from Gryffindor, as he was head of Slytherin and that the two houses did not get along was a notorious known fact. Minerva on the other hand, noticed the headmaster was not himself tonight and an expression of concern filled her eyes. This was a much more honorable observation she thought to herself, rather then wishing for some kind of trouble from the students, as SOME people did. Minerva shook her head. It’s amazing how some find it very morosely self-gratifying when there’s a chance to have the pleasureful excuse to take out some twisted design upon an unfortunate student, she glanced sideways at her snarky Slytherin colleague, her mouth formed in a pout of disapproval. Her thoughts turned back to her headmaster. Albus did not seem to have much of appetite tonight, he hadn’t even touched his torpid raspberry pudding, which was odd, as raspberry was one his favorite flavors, next to cockroach clusters and acid pops.

“Albus,” Minerva began in a hurried whisper of concern, “is something the matter?” Following his gaze, Minerva’s eyes fell upon the vacant seat, of Hagrid, Professor of the Care of Magical creatures. “Hagrid’s late for dinner, I’m a little worried,” Albus informed the transfigurations teacher. He continued, “I know he was heading for Knockturn Alley, it’s a rough place full of seedy characters.” “Hagrid’s fine,” Minerva assured him, “He’s big, erm, he’s perfectly capable tacking care of himself.” At the mention of Hagrid’s name, Severus rolled his eyes and a muffled, “big, hmph, he’s a BIG buffoon” emitted from the direction of the Potions Master. Minerva continued as though Snape AND his snarky comments did not exist. “He will be here any minute, Albus, no need to worry…” she soothed, and was interrupted. As if on cue, the doors to the great hall swung open and in strode Hagrid, his bushy hair flying behind him in his haste, a look of determination was set in his jowls. Relieved at the site of him, Albus’ face immediately broke out into a smile; his blue eyes crinkled at the edges and once more sparkled with their usual demeanor.

At the look on Hagrid’s face, Albus Dumbledore could tell immediately something important had occurred. “Professor Sir,” “I need ter have a word with yeh!” Hagrid rushed, slightly out of breath. “Outside Sir,” he indicated with a nod of his head. The urgency in his voice peaked the curiosity of the two sitting closest to Dumbledore. What was so important to interrupt the evening meal of the headmaster? Hagrid and Dumbledore made their way out of the great hall to the grounds of Hogwarts and were followed by a concerned Minerva and an unperturbed Severus. Hagrid stopped and briskly turned around, while Albus and the other teachers looked expectantly at him. Well, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Snape look as usual, grim, black eyes glittering in annoyance.

“You see Sir,” Hagrid began, “I was making me over ter Diagon Alley, when I witnessed someone using magic outside the Wizardn’ World.” He paused momentarily to catch his breathe. “Go on Hagrid,” coaxed Dumbledore, his curiosity had evidently gotten the better of him. “Well, I turned ‘round the bend, and found her…” He trailed off, apparently recalling the sight that he had befallen. “She looked as if she was in dire need of help Sir, awful really.” “So I brought’er ter me cabin,” He finished, glancing at Dumbledore for approval. The Headmaster was silent, apparently lost in thought. Snape rolled his eyes again once more, “Typical,” he sneered, though secretly intrigued in what Hagrid was saying. “Now, Severus,” chided Dumbledore in exasperation. “She is VERY ill,” began Hagrid again, jumping to his own defense, although very ill was an understatement in Hagrid’s mind. “And then there was that horrid muggle man, from the looks o’ things I believe he may have violated her.” His voice wavered during the last sentence and his huge eyes welled up with tears. Minerva gasped, “Oh poor dear!” And she clasped a hand over her mouth. “So I, I took pity on’er and….and brought’er here.” “She don’t look like no normal witch either,” He explained, blowing his nose rather loudly. “What do you mean Hagrid?” asked Dumbledore gently, his blue eyes inquisitive with concern. “Well, er, she’s dressed in muggle clothes, an’ I didn’t find any sight o’ her wand…” “Oh, marvelous ,” drawled Snape coldly, “leave it to Hagrid to bring a muggle to the very gates of Hogwarts,” his silky voice dripping with sarcasmic disdain. “No,” Hagrid retorted gruffly, his temper was beginning to rise. “I SAW the use of magic, and the result,” he insisted. “She cursed the man in her own defense.” At the look of the others faces, he continued on in the same defiant tone, “if ye ask me, served him right.” “Where is the man, Hagrid?” inquired Minerva , her eye brows raised yet her voice was gentle. “Well, er…” The guilt on Hagrid’s face was evident’. “Where I left him,” he stated bluntly, hanging his head slightly. “Hagrid!” scolded Minerva, but the look of approval was evident in her eyes.

“Minerva, fetch Madame Pomfrey and meet us at the castle entrance,” Dumbledore continued, “inform her we have an ill guest.” “Severus,” he requested, “follow me to Hagrid’s cabin.” Dumbledore looked solemn. “Tis’ such a shame” he clucked. Hagrid’s face was grim with concern as he led the way to his cabin to retrieve the unconscious girl .Upon entrance, after brushing away the excited affections of Fang, Hagrid bent over the bed and lifted the heavy quilt to reveal a pitiful sight indeed. Severus Snape’s stone face revealed no trace of emotion but his ebony eyes glittered in anger at the state the young woman was in. Dumbledore’s tall, writhe figure kneeled next to the bed, surveying the girl and shook his head in pitiful affection, concerned of her well being. Placing his warm fingers upon her brow, Dumbledore sighed. “Yes, definitely the presence of magic,” he conducted after a momentary pause. “However,” the old wizard continued in a knowing voice, “this was not always.” “Squib?” retorted Severus. After a momentary pause, Albus shook his head in a silent “no.” Concentrating harder, Albus delved deeper and his hands shook with acknowledgement of what the young woman was. She possibly held a key that could transform the fate for them all. His mind recalled a night several months ago, when a most strange but intriguing moment had occurred. Albus was just discussing some aspect of the subject of divination, or actually listening without being able to get a word in edgewise, as Professor Trelawney was doing a considerable amount of talking, something to do with tea leaves. Normally, he would have considered this conversation to be not as enlightening as he would have liked, most of it bothersome and obtuse. Of course, he HAD helped himself to several glasses of fire whiskey he thought to himself thickly, his cheeks glowing merrily, his slightly pink-rimmed eyes twinkling. In fact, it seemed he was listening with great interest and bemusement…He Actually was lost in his own musings…He couldn’t stop staring, they were drawing him in…Her large eyes were ever so huge…so luminous, behind the hilarious magnification of her thick glasses that it was all Albus could to suppress his laughter. Albus you’re a right naughty man, he thought to himself in great amusement mentally shaking a finger.
Although Albus found droning on and on about tea leaves about as entertaining as watching ink dry upon parchment, he had a strange respect for the wispy woman who smelt of cooking sherry and was known for her dry babblings of drama and death. Several years earlier Sibyll had a very important, very accurate prediction, a prophecy that had changed the Wizarding World beyond more that any could imagine. It was this evening another strange prediction spilt forth from her mouth, her eyes incoherent, her voice distinctly harsh, ragged, and not her own. “TORN FROM ONE WORLD, THRUST INTO ANOTHER….ONE SHALL RISE COMPLETELY ANEW IN LIFE FROM THE ASHES OF DECAY…THEIR PRESENCE MAY HOLD THE POWER TO CHANGE THE TIDES.” The macabre voice issuing out from the divination teacher ceased, and she began to cough. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she squeaked after clearing her throat, “what was I saying?”

“Professor?” Hagrid began, “Professor!” Shaking the bearded figure with a massive hand, Albus was torn from his engrossing recollection and was thrust back into reality. Looking back down to the young woman, Albus was intensely scrutinizing her. Was it possible that Sibyll’s prediction was referring to her? Thrust into one world…Torn from the other…Rising completely anew…He recalled the words. Yes, it comes together, he pondered to himself. Albus’ face revealed the presence of enlightened excitement.
“A muggle gains magic?” sneered Severus in disbelief, “preposterous!” However his tirade was interrupted by the calm demeanor of the wise older wizard. “Severus, not a muggle,” he shook his white, long tressed head. “It seems our young friend here had always had the powers for magic, but was not in the right, er, environment for development.” Clearing his throat, he continued, “I think it would be wise that we do not discuss the events of this conversation outside this circle, until further details are revealed,” looking specifically at Hagrid the whole time. Dumbledore looked most intrigued, but the graveness of his tone conveyed his meaning perfectly. Severus nodded his head, black eyes glittering as usual, indicating his agreement. Hagrid followed with a mighty “Yes, Sir, Dumbledore Sir!”

“I believe it is time to bring our guest to the hospital wing,” Albus suggested, and his white head turned to exit the cabin. Upon this statement, Hagrid picked up the girl and cradled her in his arms while they made their way up to the castle. No sooner that they had entered the castle when Madame Pomfrey’s voice rang out clear as a bell, “over here, bring her over here at once!” Blessedly, the students had finished their meals and gone to bed. The party of five otherwise would have been accosted with gawks and whispers resulting in a barrage of gossip and rumors. “Oh poor dear,” clucked Madam Pomfrey in disdain at the sight that met her from Hagrid’s arms.


In their absence Minerva had alerted Madame Pomfrey, Hogwarts Healer of Hagrid’s find. “Bring her to the hospital wing at once,” Madame Pomfrey declared hastily, almost uncivil. She was known for her prompt brashness when it came to the treatment of sick and injured students, although it was most effective and it did not go unappreciated. Waiting impatiently and stamping her foot in fury, Poppi took it upon herself to retrieve the girl, but did not have the opportunity to set one foot outside of Hogwarts Castle. Albus, Severus and Hagrid soon appeared.

Settling the young woman in the abandoned hospital wing after a thorough examination, Madame Pomfrey bustled about in search of various remedies to administer to the girl’s deprived body. Upon looking up in a start, she noted the group was still standing in the hospital wing, her work area…”OUT! OUT! OUT!” she ordered gruffly, shooing even the astonished headmaster out the door. “She’s very, very ill and I cannot have my work interrupted or hindered by your presence!” As the group made its way out of the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey stepped forward and began to speak almost as an after thought. “Professor Snape,” she began purposefully. Severus turned around abruptly to face the insufferable woman. “Yes?” he inquired coolly. “I will need a special potion from you, a draught if you will, for the young woman.” “I believe she will be in dire need of it and I do not have any of its kind here.” “Very Well” he replied as if he cared not. And with that, Severus strode away purposefully, his black robes billowing behind him.

What a disagreeable man, Poppi thought to herself, and mentall prepared herself for the work the night was to entail, caring for her mysterious young patient. She would be applying various salves and adminstering medications ato the young woman all night, she definitely had her work cut out for her.