Of Death and Fire
folder
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
45
Views:
4,007
Reviews:
13
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
45
Views:
4,007
Reviews:
13
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
One circle ends and one beginns
Chapter 5: One circle ends and one begins/ the dead will walk tonight
Chapter 5: One circle ends and one begins/ the dead will walk tonight
The staff meeting at Hogwarts was going on for far too long, as it seemed to Professor Severus Snape. As trivial matters were discussed, he was putting up a great effort to keep a straight face, holding back a yawn. Due to the lack of sleep the night before, he was particularly cranky this day, much to his students' misfortune. All he wished was to return to his chambers and fall in a comatose sleep. There was some concern in the back of his mind that the creature might return, but he dismissed it as the side effects of the potions he had used.
The Headmaster requested everyone's attention, and Snape reluctantly tried his best to appear interested and alert.
"There's one last issue I wish to discuss", said Dumbledore. "The Ministry of Magic has express several concerns about incidents of rogue necromancers, some of them even practicing among Muggles. Certain circles in the Ministry believe that our graduates are not well educated on this issue. Moreover, the Head of the Necromancers' Guild has brought to my attention that their numbers are diminishing year by year. Some due to the, well, "hazards" of the profession, but also lack of interest of young wizards and witches to pursue this line of arcane studies."
He paused for a moment, looking around to inspect the impact of his words. Mostly, he saw shocked faces. Professor McGonagall seemed as if she had anticipated the issue. Dear old Minerva... It wasn't easy to catch her by surprise. As for Severus Snape, he looked at last awake, clearly interested in the subject.
"The Ministry's proposition is the following: One member of the Necromancers' Order will be assigned to our school. His - or her - assignment will be to teach an Introduction in Necromancy to senior students. This way, they will have the chance to understand for themselves where legitimate Necromancy ends and where the Dark Arts begin. The Ministry also believes that this will result in an increase of the graduates applying to the Order, which, as I stated before, lacks a significant number of competent Exorcists and Conjurers. Last, but not least, there has been a thought of adding Necromantic healing techniques to the standard Mediwitch course. This is still under debate, but it's further reason for us to be prepared". He paused briefly again. "Your thoughts, Ladies and Gentlemen?"
Professor McGonagall was the first to break the silence.
"In principal, I agree with you, Albus", she said. "However, I'm concerned of the individual Whitebone will send us. Most Necromancers fail to get along with other people, those still living, that is. Having spent a lifetime in dark tombs and sepultures can seriously damage your social skills. No way they could handle a class of teenagers.
"I agree with you, Minerva", said Madame Pomfrey, jumping in the discussion before Dumbledore had a chance to reply. "However", she continued," I must admit that a necromancer will be a valuable help in the Infirmary. Not for everyday maladies, but certain magical inflicted wounds would benefit greatly by such skills.
"Not to mention the assistance I would have with dealing with certain creatures of the Dark Forest", added Hagrid. "They seem to get more restless lately".
Snape was watching the conversation with great interest, but made no comment. He had no love for the Necromancers' Guild, and especially Aurion Whitebone, whom he thought to be a creepy, manipulative individual. But having one of his Order around might prove to be interesting. At least there would be a chance of some interesting discussion in the long winter nights. But, somehow, Snape couldn't shake the feeling that everything on the matter was already set, and they danced as puppets on thne pne played by Dumbledore and Whitebone.
"Anyone else?" asked the Headmaster, looking at Snape, but he shook his head negatively, keeping his thoughts to himself. "So," he said, "I think we all agree. As for the one assigned here, Minerva, Whitebone promised me he'd choose one of his younger members, one who has not forgotten what's like to be a teenager at Hogwarts".
A spark of non-verbal communication passed between Dumbledore and McGonagall, who smiled faintly in acknowledgement. Snape, barely catching it in time, cursed his lack of sleep once more. He was certain now that there was more in this than the Headmaster would reveal.
After the issue was voted for, Dumbledore send an owl to Whitebone announcing their decision, while Snape fled to his chambers to get some sleep at last.
Much to his surprise, that night he slept undisturbed.
~*~
The next day, Dumbledore called for another staff meeting, to introduce them to their new colleague. As expected, everyone was very interested to know more of the newcomer. And hardly anyone, as Snape thought to himself, cared to question the promptness with which everything was arranged.
"Who is he, Albus?" inquired Professor Flitwick, expressing everyone's thoughts. "Is he a Hogwarts graduate?"
"She", Dumbledore corrected him, "not only has been one of our graduates, but she also was a member of your House".
"A Ravenclaw Necromancer?" said Madame Sprout, the Head of the Hufflepuff House. "I thought only Slytherins had such creepy callings".
Severus Snape sat back in his chair, ignoring the comment.
"As I've been told, she's one of the best of the Order. The younger in the last couple of centuries who has reached the rank of the Wielder of the Secret Flame so soon. Most of you will probably remember her", he added, carefully avoiding Snape's eyes. "They should be arriving soon", he said looking at his pocket watch. "Hagrid was supposed to pick her up from the station sometime this evening".
Snape had a sip of his brandy, trying to decide if the idea of a necromancer on a motorbike was either hilarious or ridiculous. Well, maybe both, he thought to himself, as the sound of Hagrid's enchanted motorbike reached them from the distance.
As Hagrid threw the doors open and stormed in the room, Albus Dumbledore announced in a formal voice:
"Dear Friends and Colleagues, let me present you Morgaine Greenleaf, Wielder of the Secret Flame, Master Conjure and Senior Exorcist of the Order of the Flaming Scull. And", he added in a lower and more casual voice, "a distant relative of mine".
Everyone looked at the hooded figure on the doorway, still surprised by Dumbledore's last revelation.
A soft voice came from the newcomer, speaking a greeting in High Elfish at first and then in common English. A heart-warming voice, reminding of crystal chimes in a warm summer breeze.
"Blessings of Light to everyone".
Especially to you, Professor Severus Snape.
But this voice was never spoken, for it was the voice of Death.
Author's notes:
The title is in fact the first verse of one of my poems, "Sparkle of the Fae Folk", in case you care to check it out. I just thought it fits perfectly as a title of this chapter.
Chapter 5: One circle ends and one begins/ the dead will walk tonight
The staff meeting at Hogwarts was going on for far too long, as it seemed to Professor Severus Snape. As trivial matters were discussed, he was putting up a great effort to keep a straight face, holding back a yawn. Due to the lack of sleep the night before, he was particularly cranky this day, much to his students' misfortune. All he wished was to return to his chambers and fall in a comatose sleep. There was some concern in the back of his mind that the creature might return, but he dismissed it as the side effects of the potions he had used.
The Headmaster requested everyone's attention, and Snape reluctantly tried his best to appear interested and alert.
"There's one last issue I wish to discuss", said Dumbledore. "The Ministry of Magic has express several concerns about incidents of rogue necromancers, some of them even practicing among Muggles. Certain circles in the Ministry believe that our graduates are not well educated on this issue. Moreover, the Head of the Necromancers' Guild has brought to my attention that their numbers are diminishing year by year. Some due to the, well, "hazards" of the profession, but also lack of interest of young wizards and witches to pursue this line of arcane studies."
He paused for a moment, looking around to inspect the impact of his words. Mostly, he saw shocked faces. Professor McGonagall seemed as if she had anticipated the issue. Dear old Minerva... It wasn't easy to catch her by surprise. As for Severus Snape, he looked at last awake, clearly interested in the subject.
"The Ministry's proposition is the following: One member of the Necromancers' Order will be assigned to our school. His - or her - assignment will be to teach an Introduction in Necromancy to senior students. This way, they will have the chance to understand for themselves where legitimate Necromancy ends and where the Dark Arts begin. The Ministry also believes that this will result in an increase of the graduates applying to the Order, which, as I stated before, lacks a significant number of competent Exorcists and Conjurers. Last, but not least, there has been a thought of adding Necromantic healing techniques to the standard Mediwitch course. This is still under debate, but it's further reason for us to be prepared". He paused briefly again. "Your thoughts, Ladies and Gentlemen?"
Professor McGonagall was the first to break the silence.
"In principal, I agree with you, Albus", she said. "However, I'm concerned of the individual Whitebone will send us. Most Necromancers fail to get along with other people, those still living, that is. Having spent a lifetime in dark tombs and sepultures can seriously damage your social skills. No way they could handle a class of teenagers.
"I agree with you, Minerva", said Madame Pomfrey, jumping in the discussion before Dumbledore had a chance to reply. "However", she continued," I must admit that a necromancer will be a valuable help in the Infirmary. Not for everyday maladies, but certain magical inflicted wounds would benefit greatly by such skills.
"Not to mention the assistance I would have with dealing with certain creatures of the Dark Forest", added Hagrid. "They seem to get more restless lately".
Snape was watching the conversation with great interest, but made no comment. He had no love for the Necromancers' Guild, and especially Aurion Whitebone, whom he thought to be a creepy, manipulative individual. But having one of his Order around might prove to be interesting. At least there would be a chance of some interesting discussion in the long winter nights. But, somehow, Snape couldn't shake the feeling that everything on the matter was already set, and they danced as puppets on thne pne played by Dumbledore and Whitebone.
"Anyone else?" asked the Headmaster, looking at Snape, but he shook his head negatively, keeping his thoughts to himself. "So," he said, "I think we all agree. As for the one assigned here, Minerva, Whitebone promised me he'd choose one of his younger members, one who has not forgotten what's like to be a teenager at Hogwarts".
A spark of non-verbal communication passed between Dumbledore and McGonagall, who smiled faintly in acknowledgement. Snape, barely catching it in time, cursed his lack of sleep once more. He was certain now that there was more in this than the Headmaster would reveal.
After the issue was voted for, Dumbledore send an owl to Whitebone announcing their decision, while Snape fled to his chambers to get some sleep at last.
Much to his surprise, that night he slept undisturbed.
~*~
The next day, Dumbledore called for another staff meeting, to introduce them to their new colleague. As expected, everyone was very interested to know more of the newcomer. And hardly anyone, as Snape thought to himself, cared to question the promptness with which everything was arranged.
"Who is he, Albus?" inquired Professor Flitwick, expressing everyone's thoughts. "Is he a Hogwarts graduate?"
"She", Dumbledore corrected him, "not only has been one of our graduates, but she also was a member of your House".
"A Ravenclaw Necromancer?" said Madame Sprout, the Head of the Hufflepuff House. "I thought only Slytherins had such creepy callings".
Severus Snape sat back in his chair, ignoring the comment.
"As I've been told, she's one of the best of the Order. The younger in the last couple of centuries who has reached the rank of the Wielder of the Secret Flame so soon. Most of you will probably remember her", he added, carefully avoiding Snape's eyes. "They should be arriving soon", he said looking at his pocket watch. "Hagrid was supposed to pick her up from the station sometime this evening".
Snape had a sip of his brandy, trying to decide if the idea of a necromancer on a motorbike was either hilarious or ridiculous. Well, maybe both, he thought to himself, as the sound of Hagrid's enchanted motorbike reached them from the distance.
As Hagrid threw the doors open and stormed in the room, Albus Dumbledore announced in a formal voice:
"Dear Friends and Colleagues, let me present you Morgaine Greenleaf, Wielder of the Secret Flame, Master Conjure and Senior Exorcist of the Order of the Flaming Scull. And", he added in a lower and more casual voice, "a distant relative of mine".
Everyone looked at the hooded figure on the doorway, still surprised by Dumbledore's last revelation.
A soft voice came from the newcomer, speaking a greeting in High Elfish at first and then in common English. A heart-warming voice, reminding of crystal chimes in a warm summer breeze.
"Blessings of Light to everyone".
Especially to you, Professor Severus Snape.
But this voice was never spoken, for it was the voice of Death.
Author's notes:
The title is in fact the first verse of one of my poems, "Sparkle of the Fae Folk", in case you care to check it out. I just thought it fits perfectly as a title of this chapter.