The Way Back Home

WL1031: Here’s chapter 6, people!

Jade: Yeah, it’s been a few days, but WL is feeling much better. So read up, people!

Disclaimer: I don’t own it. Only the story line and the characters that you don’t recognize are mine. Everything else—the main characters and the Harry Potter Universe is the fabulous brainchild of J.K. Rowlings and her publishing company friends.




The Way Back Home
Chapter 6: Introductions All Around


Zeporiap carried a stack of books to the already overloaded book cart. She had been working in the library for a few weeks now and she was finally getting the hang of how to run a library. It was strange because there was no numerical catalogue system for the books—it was totally different from the muggle libraries in that aspect, but there was a catalogue system for the books. Yes, they went in a specific order but as to where they went—as Zeporiap quickly found out—that was left up to the books themselves. When the books were placed on the cart, they glowed to signify which section they belonged in. The books also changed colors to reflect what order they needed to be in—when one book was placed on the shelf, the next book would glow to alert that it was next. It was way easier than back home because you had to place the books according to aisle, number, and letter and then one would strain their eye trying to see the miniscule numbers.

Sighing, Zeporiap pushed the cart towards the Arithmancy section to place the glowing blue books back onto their perspective shelves. Stopping in the middle of the aisle, she began to place the books where they decideey wey wanted to be placed. At least this is easy. she thought. I don’t have to worry about trying to organize where they all go. Coming to the last book on the cart, Zeporiap noticed that its place was very high up on the shelf, much higher than she could reach—even in her high-heeled boots. Looking at the glowing book for a moment, and then at the place that it needed to be, trying to think of a way to get the ladder over to the aisle with out causing too much noise. The only ladder that she knew about was on the other side of the library—no way that she was going to drag that thing over here. Glancing up at the shelf, Zeporiap decided that she would just climb up to put the book back. Making sure that Madam Pince wasn’t around or any students, she stepped onto the shelf.

Hermoine came into the aisle looking for the book she thought would be perfect for her Arithmancy essay. Even though she already had five books, she needed just that one that would be perfect for the closing of her essay. Noticing that the return book cart was sitting in the middle of the aisle, she wondered why it was left there. Usually the cart gets put back at the circulation desk. Shrugging her shoulders, she began to look up and down the rows of books for the title she had searched out earlier. Lifting her eyes up in her search, she saw somebody climbing down the shelf. Startled, she moved back and bumped the cart, causing a loud squeaking noise. The person climbing down was shocked out of their concentration by the noise, losing their grip on the shelf in the process. With a frightened gasp, the person slipped off of the shelf, heading straight for the ground.

Pulling out her wand, Hermoine was about to cast a pillow charm on the floor when the air around the falling person began shimmering a platinum color. The falling person’s decent immediately slowed and they landed gracefully on their feet. Turning around, the person looked at Hermoine in shock.

Zeporiap was startled by a loud squeaking noise as she was just beginning to climb down the tall bookshelf. She slipped off of the shelf with a frightened gasp, knowing that she was going to hit the hard floor in a few seconds. I think I should have gotten that ladder. she thought, shutting her eyes tightly. Suddenly, Zeporiap felt herself slowing down to a float. Opening her eyes, she felt her feet touch the floor and was shocked. I was just about to hit the floor and all of a sudden I’m standing on my feet! Zeporiap in her shock, turned around and saw a bushy-haired girl standing in the aisle with a shocked look on her face as well.

Zeporiap took a deep breath and walked over to the girl. Stopping in front of her, she looked at the girl uncertainly. “What did you see?”

Hermoine looked in the silver eyes of the woman standing before her. She was surprised by her eyes, but quickly stopped staring when she realized she was being rude. The woman looked uncertain, confused about what just happened.

“What did you see?” the woman asked.

Hermoine panted out a breath. “I’m not too sure what I saw, except that when I was going to cast a pillow charm on the floor to soften your landing, the air around you shimmered in a silver color.” The woman’s face took on a confused expression.

“I- there was a silver color in the air around me?” She looked bewildered at this.

“Yes, a silver color, and then you seemed to float down to the floor, only to land on your feet.” Hermoine said, trying to calm to woman down. Just as the woman was going to say something else, Hermione thought it was best to help the woman to a seat. “Maybe, you should sit down for a few moments. It might be easier to take this all in, you know.”

The woman nodded her head, leaning against the book cart as Hermoine conjured up a chair. Then, Hermoine took the woman gently by the arm and led her to the chair.

“My name is Hermoine Granger by the way, Miss Luz.”

Zeporiap sighed as the girl helped her to sit down in the newly conjured chair. She watched as the girl conjured one for herself and sat down.

“My name is Hermoine Granger by the way, Miss Luz.” She had said. Zeporiap shook her head at the formality.

“First of all, my name is Zeporiap. You don’t have to call me by a formal title because that is just too stuffy.” Zeporiap sighed as the girl nodded. “Now, what just happened? I totally don’t understand what’s going on. I only remember squeezing my eyes shut, only to appear on the floor—on my own two feet I might add—safe and sound. It’s just really strange—all these things happening to me at once. I wanted to have some kind of excitement in my life, but I never expected something like this!”

Hermoine laughed. “Well, it’s good to know that I can call you by your first name, Zeporiap. I agree that it would have been too formal when you’re obviously near to my own age. How old are you by the way?” Now, it was Zeporiap’s turn to laugh.

“I’m 21 years old.” She smiled. “So, I’m not all that much older than you are. It’s great that I’ve finally got somebody to talk to. I could talk to some of the professors or the Headmaster, but I have the feeling that they wouldn’t really relate to what I’m feeling.” She blew out a breath, leaning back in her chair.

“I know what you mean! Sometimes I can’t even relate to my own peers because all they talk about is Quidditch or other mundane things.”

“If Quidditch is anything similar to a sport, then I know just what you mean!” Both girls laughed.

Taking an instant liking to each other, Hermoine and Zeporiap chatted until the bell signaling the next period rang. They had been talking for at least forty-five minutes!

Jumping up, Hermoine and Zeporiap rushed out of the aisle. Hermoine ran to pack her bag, while Zeporiap began to push the cart towards the circulation desk. When she began to put more books on the cart, Madam Pince stopped her.

“Miss Luz, it’s time for lunch.” She smiled at the girl’s sigh of relief. “Go on and get some food in you and come back later to complete the afternoon and evening shift.”

“Are you sure?” Zeporiap asked. “I could stay in here so that you can go get some lunch for yourself. I don’t mind, Señora.”

“No dear, but thank you for the offer.” She said, smiling at the girl’s helpfulness. “I’ll stay in here for the lunch hour and for your break. Then, you can stay while until dinner, and return to help monitor the late-crowd.” She waved her hands towards the library doors. “Go on with you now, Miss Granger is waiting for you.”

“Gracias, Señora.” Zeporiap smiled again. “I will be back at the time you requested.” Turning around, she headed in Hermoine’s direction. I’m finally going to meet some people! she thought excitedly. It took me until early October, but I did it!

Hermoine and Zeporiap rushed off to the Great Hall for lunch, giggling and laughing like old friends.

Sitting down at the table,moinmoine explained a little bit about the school history, going into detail about each of the four houses. Zeporiap listened as Hermoine talked about the Ravenclaws, the Hufflepuffs, the Gryffindors, and the Slytherins—the house she currently resided in. Zeporiap was instantly fascinated by the house rivalries, reminded of the battles going on between high schools and colleges over who is the best. As the conversation drew to a close, Zeporiap asked Hermoine about some books she could read to learn even more about the school history. Hermoine laughed again.

“A girl after my own heart!” She smiled. “I’ve got just the book for you. It’s called Hogwart’s: A History. In fact, I have—”

“The latest edition.” Ron said exasperatedly. He shook his head at his girlfriend. “I can’t believe you couldn’t resist telling somebody else to read that book. I mean, you’re starting all over with this poor student here—”

The poor student turned around with a laugh. “Actually I was quite interested in the book. I may have to check it out sometime.” Zeporiap giggled at the awkward expression on the red-haired boy’s face.

Ron’s mouth hung open then slammed shut. His face was now matching his hair in color and he didn’t know what to say. Hermoine laughed at her boyfriend making an embarrassment out of himself. “Ron, it’s okay. Zeporiap said that she’s interested in the book because she wanted to learn more about the school. Don’t worry Ron, she doesn’t have anything to study—it’s just for her own personal knowledge.”

Ron mumbled as he sat down, still looking sheepish. “Okay,” he said and turned when Harry and Ginny sat down at the table. “Hey guys. Hermoine’s turning the new girl into a bookworm.” Zeporiap shook her head as Hermoine glared at Ron.

“Anyway, Harry and Ginny, this is Zeporiap.” She gestured towards the curly-haired woman. “I met her by chance today in the library when I was looking for another book for my essay.” Zeporiap smiled in greeting at Harry and Ginny.

“Harry and Ginny, it’s very nice to meet you.” They both nodded in greeting. After a few minutes, they sat back from their plates, and continued talking.

“Well, I’d better get back to the library. I’m definitely going to check out that book that you suggested Hermoine—it sounds really interesting.” Zeporiap smiled.

As the new found friends walked towards the doors of the Great Hall, they agreed to meet later that evening after dinner in their common room. Since Zeporiap didn’t have any house affiliation, she was able to go into any of the four common rooms without any kind of reprimand from the professors. Coming to the main hallway, the group broke up, rushing off to their afternoon destinations.

As the hands on the clock approached 9pm, Madam Pince began telling the students to pack up their things. The sound of closing books, zippers on book bags, and chairs being pushed back into tables could be heard throughout the room. Madam Pince walked around making sure that each chair was put into place, while Zeporiap picked up books to be returned to the circulation desk to be checked back in. Zeporiap walked around the library, making sure that nobody was hiding in the back, and doing general housekeeping duties as she went up and down the aisles.

Returning to the circulation desk, she helped the librarian put the return carts in a back room. Zeporiap wished the elder woman a good night and headed off towards the Gryffindor Tower, the directions to get there in her hand. She didn’t notice the two cloaked figures following her as she made her way down the corridor.

Draco and Blaise had been waiting for weeks to make their move on the girl. Every time they tried to get close to her, she either was with a Professor or she came back too late for them to approach her. But, now they had their chance. She was walking alone down the hallway with no escort in sight and she had actually left the library early for once.

The two boys snuck up behind the curly-haired woman. They were eager to make themselves known to her, maybe even get what they wanted from her. After all, anybody walking alone was fair game to be attacked. Especially, if the person walking by themself was a woman.

“Let’s move in on her now.” Blaise said eagerly. “She won’t even know what hit her.” Draco agreed, just as eager.

“Yes, let’s do it now. You move in front of her and I will come up behind her.” The two boys maneuvered themselves into position, totally catching the unsuspecting beauty by surprised.

Zeporiap was getting worried. She had turned down another hallway, not sure if she had passed the corridor to the Gryffindor Tower or not. This hallway definitely didn’t look like the one that Ginny and Hermoine described, looking dark and foreboding in the moonlight. Turning around, she felt a little afraid but quickly snapped out of those dire feelings. I’ll just go back to the main hallway. she thought. It will probably be easier that way.

Heading back down the hallway, Zeporiap sighed in reliefn shn she found herself in the main hallway. She felt that same freaky feeling crawl down her spine when she was in the dark hallwarlierlier—now she was really worried. Walking a bit faster, Zeporiap looked down at the directions again. She felt like she was being watched and it was making her nervous, on the verge of panicking. Finding herself in the same dark hallway, she became terrified with fear. The feeling of being watched intensified tremendously and she didn’t know what to do. What if it is my attacker coming back to get me? she panicked. I have no way of protecting myself from him again if he comes back to get that ride he wanted!

Turning around, Zeporiap quickly made her way back towards the main hallway for a third time. She stopped to catch her breath and try to calm herself. She breathed out a sigh of relief when she heard footsteps approach.

“Ai Dios Mio, somebody is out here.” She breathed. “I was getting a little lost and I was—”

“I would be glad to help you find your way Miss Luz.” A person stepped into the moonlight. He approached Zeporiap until he was invading her personal space. She couldn’t see his face, and it was just as strange when he stroked his fingers down her cheek.

“Um Señor, there is no need to stand so close.” Zeporiap was disgusted. All she wanted to do was thank the person for coming her way and ask them for directions to Gryffindor Tower. She wasn’t expecting the man to breathe all over her and fondle her face. The man leaned closer. Zeporiap backed up against the wall trying to get away from the insulting man.

“I would be very glad to help you find you way, very glad indeed.” He held out his arm. “Come, I will show you where you want to go.” Zeporiap didn’t take his arm, choosing instead to just move a little away from the man.

“Señor, just tell me which way to go. That’s all I need: directions; nothing else.” Zeporiap said, backing even farther away from the man. But, the man only stepped closer.

Continuing to back away, Zeporiap tried again. “Nevermind, Señor. I think that I will just look for it—”

Zeporiap never finished what she was saying. An arm wrapped around her waist and a hand slammed over her mouth.

Zeporiap could hear the man laughing. “If you had just come with my friend and I, we wouldn’t have to introduce ourselves this way.”

Hermoine glanced at the clock for the fourth time. Zeporiap hadn’t shown up yet and the library had closed an hour ago. Ginny looked equally worried. She waited up for Zeporiap, eager to learn more about her. She got up and began pacing, something she only did when she was worried. Harry looked up from the game of Wizard’s chess—instantly distracted by Ginny’s movement.

“Harry, Zeporiap still hasn’t shown up yet.” Ginny said, a concerned look settling on her face. “I think that something is wrong.”

Hermoine closed her heavy book. “I agree. Something isn’t right. It only takes five minutes to go from the library to the Fat Lady’s Portrait.”

This time Ron looked up from the chessboard. Hermoine was right. “I’m going to have to agree: something isn’t right.” He had also been checking the clock in-between turns, wondering when their new friend was going to show up.

Harry scratched his head, frowning. “I thought that she would have been here by now, too. I didn’t think that Madam Pince would have held her up in the library for too long.” He stood up and stretched. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to go and look for her. I think that something is seriously wrong and she might be in trouble.”

The group of Gryffindors made their way out of the tower, going in the direction of the library. They looked around the hallways connecting to the library, all of which revealed nothing. Deciding that it would be faster if they split up, the two couples each went in the opposite directions of the library.

Coming around another corner, Hermoine and Ron found themselves in the main hallway. They slowly moved down the corridor, looking out for both Filch and Professor Snape, so that they didn’t have to explain why they were out past curfew. They were half-way down the hall when a scuffling noise could be heard. Hermoine and Ron looked at each other and then ran down towards the sound. Before they could get there a bright flash illuminated the walkway.

Harry and Ginny were coming to the main hallway from the opposite end. Harry finally remembered the Marauder’s Map and had dashed back to the Tower to get it. As Ginny held her wand over the map, they could see exactly where Zeporiap was located. She was in the main hallway, but something was wrong. Where she was supposed to be, the dot that represented her was flashing.

“Harry, we need to get to the main hallway immediately!” She sounded panicked. “Her dot is flashing and the map’s never done that before!”

“I know! I’ve never seen the map do that either!” He looked down at the map again. A serious expression came over his face. On the map, two more dots appeared in the same vicinity as Zeporiap’s. It was Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Harry and Ginny looked at each other for a shocked moment, and took off for the main hallway in a rush—they didn’t notice that the map was showing Professor Snape in the vicinity as well. Just as they reached the end of the large hallway, a flash brightened the area.

Severus Snape was making his nightly rounds this evening. He was walking at the usual fast pace he did, trying to tire his body out so that he could get some kind of sleep that evening. He strolled up and down the hallways, around corners, through walkways, and marched up the numerous staircases in the school. He still was not tired and he’d been at this for more than an hour. He even went up to the Astronomy Tower to look out over the school grounds in the attempt to clear his mind. Clearing his mind, of course, was a fruitless endeavor. Not with the things that he had done in his life. Those demons would not let him sleep—they constantly circled him, clawing at his soul, calling him to get their revenge. They darkened his mood to the point of him wanting to go and hurt something or someone badly. Unconsciously, an evil grin crept onto Severus’ face. He could not and would not ever be rid of the dark side of him—not that he really wanted to be rid of it anyways—because it was part of who he was. The darkness around him was embedded into his soul and would always be there.

Still, it would not do to let that darkness have full reign—at least when he was around other people. And while the silly, hormone-driven children around did get on his nerves day in and out, he kept that dark side to himself. No use in getting dismissed and sent to Azkaban for murdering the students. he thought, laughing darkly.

Coming around another corner, Severus heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Wondering who else could be out at this time of night, he moved silently in the direction of the retreating footfalls. It must be Potter and Weaseley again. He sighed in a most irritated fashion and followed the sounds echoing down the hallway. Avoiding the patches of moonlight pouring onto the floor, he walked in the larger splotch-marks of the shadows to keep his cover. As he came closer, he heard voices—he instantly recognized them. He saw Miss Luz standing in a beam of moonlight, looking almost ethereal in appearance.

He also saw her backing away from a dark figure looming over her.

“Um Señor, there is no need to stand so close.” Severus could hear the panic in her voice. He watched as she backed up against a wall trying to avoid coming in contact with the offending person.

Moving even closer, Severus recognized the second voice. It was Draco Malfoy. He could see how he was leaning over the frightened woman and instantly became enraged. He felt a surge of power rushing through his body, becoming more incensed as another person held the girl captive. Rushing forward, he held out his hand, unciousiously deciding that his wand would not be enough. He was intent on disarming the two people and nothing else. If they received bodily harm, so be it.

Severus raised his hand, sending out a flash of light towards the trio in the middle of the hallway.

Upstairs in his office, Albus Dumbledore smiled knowing that the power had been unleashed.

Zeporiap struggled as the two men began dragging her towards some unknown destination in the castle.

“No, stop. Por favor, I beg of you. Don’t do this—” The man holding her laughed.

“Now, now Miss Luz. There is no need to beg, we’ll give you what we want soon enough.”

Becoming afraid, Zeporiap struggled harder. It was happening all over again. The man had come back to get her and nobody was going to know. She prayed to God that somebody would save her before they raped her again. She squeezed her eyes shut again for the second time that day, hoping against hope that something would stop this madness. Behind her eyelids, Zeporiap could see a bright light surrounding them and she was suddenly free. She opened her eyes and saw the two kidnappers lying on the floor unconscious.

Severus Snape moved towards her, looking extremely angry. His eyes glowed as he held out his hand to her. Zeporiap, being emotionally drained, collapsed into his arms crying hysterically.

The Gryffindor group made it to the center of the hallway just as the bright light faded. They saw Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini lying on the floor completely knocked out. They looked up and saw Professor Snape holding their hysterical friend in his arms tightly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. They noticed that his eyes were glowing, and they stepped back warily.

“Misters Potter and Weaseley, go and summon the Headmaster.” He turned towards the Ginny and Hermoine as the two boys rushed off down the corridor. “Misses Weaseley and Granger, go and tell Madam Pompfrey that her services are needed.”

Hermoine opened her mouth and took the chance to question her professor. “Sir, what just happened? We were coming down the hallway and there was a—”

“Go and do as I asked Miss Granger or I will take points off for being out past the curfew.”

“But, sir—” He looked menacingly at her causing her to stop her questions. Ginny grabbed her arm and dragged her off down thelwaylway. As the two girls moved off speedily, Severus could hear Ginny telling Hermoine that questioning him when he looked like that wasn’t a good idea—he agreed.

Severus looked down at the woman in his arms. Her arms were wrapped around his waist, hanging on for life as she cried her heart out against his chest. He brushed the curls away from her forehead and wiped the tears off of her face.

“Miss Luz.” She didn’t answer.

He tried again in a softer tone. “Miss Luz. Zeporiap.” This time she did look up; the tears staining tracks down her cheeks. Her eyes belied her fear as she breathed in and out hastily, trying to get air into her lungs. She began to tremble.

“I thought—I thought that it was going to happen again.” She panted, sucking more air into her lungs. “They just came up on me and tried to drag me away—” eruserus put a finger over her lips to quiet them.

“Now, try to calm down. They didn’t get you did they? Are you hurt anywhere?” She shook her head to the negative. “Good, now take a deep breath for a moment and let it out slowly.”

Zeporiap did as he asked and found herself calming down a little bit. She leaned her head against his chest again, relaxing into the feel of the strong arms around her and the deep velvety voice flowing over her.

“Professor!” Harry shouted as he came down the hallway with Ron and the Headmaster. The two boys skidded to a stop in front of him. The Headmaster came at a slightly slower pace.

“Severus?” Albus asked when he reached the group. Ginny and Hermoine had returned with the medi-witch at the same time.

Severus sighed as he looked at the Headmaster, then down at the woman in his arms. “These two boys, Malfoy and Zabini tried to drag Miss Luz off to do her harm.” He tightened his arms as Zeporiap began to tremble again. “Luckily, I happened to be in the area and stopped them. Unfortunately for them, being knocked unconscious is all that happened to them.”

Noticing the way that his Potions Master was protecting the frightened woman, Dumbledore nodded. He turned to Poppy, signaling that she could float the two boys back to the Hospital Wing for observation. Dumbledore sent the Gryffindor group back to their tower, overruling their objections to stay and help their friend. They all stopped when they saw that Zeporiap would not move away from Snape and decided that they would listen to the Headmaster.

“I will contact you in the morning to learn of the condition of their punishment. And not a moment before.” He made a shooing motion with his hands. “Move along children, you should be in bed.” The group grumbled and left.

“Severus, escort the miss back to her room.” The woman trembled in Snape’s again.

“Sir, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Obviously, she’s going to need another room to stay in.” Albus looked thoughtful for a moment, stroking his beard in contemplation.

“Alright, Severus. Take the miss to your rooms, but do not let anyone know that she is there. Make sure that she gets rest—I would suggest a mild Dreamless Sleep Potion.”

Severus nodded as the Headmaster moved off to his office. Watching as he turned the corner, he looked down at the woman in his arms once again. She had been quiet since the medi-witch came and he found out why. She had fallen asleep in his arms, her head resting against his chest.

He picked her up into his arms and carried her down to his dungeons.



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WL1031: I am so glad that I feel better! *breathes a sigh of relief* I was feeling totally crappy the last few days.

Jade: Yeah, she was really mean and grumpy, so you know that something is wrong when WL is like that!

WL1031: Yeah....it’s true. I was a major grump, snapping at everybody.

Jade: At least things are back to normal. Now, she can put up more chapters!

WL1031: *laughing* Yeah, be be sure to read and review this one! Be on the look out for Chapter 7 in the next few days!


Translations:

Señora: Lady or Madam (also it is interchangeably used as the term “Mrs.”)

Gracias: thank you

Ai Dios Mio: Oh My God

Señor: Sir or Mister

Por favor: Please