Accidents of Circumstance

Chapter 16: Blood Magic

"I'd like to know how she does that!" Hermione groused as she walked back to Gryffindor Tower with Harry and Ron. "I didn't even realize she took the book back until we were leaving!"

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, but kept silent. It had been Regina's book, after all, and it only made sense for her to take it back. But Hermione was taking the entire failed interview personally. Regina had sidestepped their questions artfully, looked at the book Hermione had taken her theories from and ushered them from the room. "You do realize prophecies have multiple meanings, right? And that often you really don't know who it refers to."

"You're the last of the Reven, it's about you."

Regina had shook her head and continued ushering them out of her room. "I'll take a look at it if you want, but it's pretty vague..."

And then they were outside saying goodnight to Mabel. Hermione was upset, having thought Regina would at least answer their questions.

"Mione, she kind of did," Ron said after a moment. "You know the entire prophecy in the book, right? And she said it's a double meaning. So we need to look at it from different angles to see what the second meaning is."

Hermione stopped, and looked at Ron. Her mouth was open. "Yes! You're exactly right! I don't know the mermaid aspect of it, but we can figure out the one that involves Harry."

Pleased at the thought of having a new and important project to work on, Hermione calmed down. Ron rolled his eyes, but held his tongue. Hermione was happy, and that was the important thing.

***

Draco and Ginny wound up kissing. This wasn't exactly a surprise, since they often kissed at some point during the evening. Tonight, Draco was a little unnerved to realize he and Ginny had the same dream, and she had kissed him softly, intending to comfort him. Twenty minutes later, they were still kissing.

Ginny suddenly began to choke and twitch. Draco's eyes widened in shock as she slipped from his grip, sliding down toward the floor. "Turn the room, brick the door, the spatter of blood lies across the floor..." she was murmuring. Draco caught her, and tried shaking her shoulders firmly. That usually snapped her out of it.

It wasn't working. It seemed to be a full-on seizure, and he couldn't bring her to Madame Pomfrey, or else he would have to explain about what they were doing, and why she was saying such odd things.

Draco picked her up in his arms a little awkwardly, and carried her to Regina's room.

Mabel looked worried. "Whatever is the matter?"

"I don't know," Draco said, panicked. "Is Regina there? Please say she's there..."

Mabel swung open without a word, and Draco rushed in screaming "Regina!"

Regina was rushing out of the bathroom, hair wet and still a little soapy. She was tying shut a bathrobe when she saw them. "Oh shit."

"Yeah... Please say you know what to do!"

Regina rushed into the sitting room and pulled a few of the throw pillows from one of the piles. "Set her down here, put this under her head..." They settled Ginny down, and she quieted a little bit. "What happened?"

"We were in a classroom, just talking. Then we were snogging. And she did this..."

Ginny began thrashing around again, and soon was beginning to speak clearly. "Dragon fire strikes the root and fells the source of the font. Silence shutters the seed alone, leaving him to his want..."

Regina gathered Ginny into her arms and began to sing softly. Her voice didn't have that much of a range, and Draco winced twice when her voice cracked. Regina looked apologetic, but continued. It soothed Ginny, and she fell into silence again.

"How do we get her to stop?" Draco asked when Regina lapsed into silence.

"She has to ride out the vision. I don't know any way to stop it, just to keep her calm enough not to hurt herself."

Ginny began to thrash about again, her words incoherent and sounding rather like another language. Regina set her lips firmly for a moment, then began to sing again. It took two complete songs before Ginny stilled.

Draco felt as though someone had been cutting him from the inside out. Ginny was pale, her hair matted to her sweaty temples. What if she never woke up? "She was supposed to ask you about training today."

"I called a friend of mine... We're working on a schedule right now. She'll have the best, it's just a question of when."

"But until then..." Draco began.

"Hair upon the stone. Fallen, bloodless, eyes wide and staring. Hair upon the stone..."

Regina began to sing again, and instead of pacing, Draco sat down next to her. He had never heard the song before. "I carry my love across the deep blue sea, I carry my heart upon my sleeve, I know I'm bringing her back to me, I know it's her that I need. I carry my love across the deep blue sea, I carry my love right a-back to me..."

Ginny grew still again, eyelids fluttering. Her lips stopped moving, and she appeared to be asleep. Regina moved her hair out of her face gently.

"What song is that?" Draco asked. "She hasn't been this calm all night."

"One of my mother's favorites," Regina said softly, rocking Ginny a little. "Used to calm down Selphie out of her worst visions." Regina nodded in the direction of her stereo. "I think I have it on tape over there."

Draco looked through the collection. "What's it called?"

"Carry my love, by Cleo Cortez. Should be a blue cover."

Draco found it, and pulled it out of the drawer. There was a picture of a Spanish girl dancing on water. She made a face at Draco, turned around and wiggled her behind. Draco almost dropped the tape, having grown used to Muggle covers staying still. "This is Magical."

"Yeah. My mom loved Cleo's singing. It's a cover of the original, but no one had a good recording of it, so my mom got that one. I don't have a copy of the original one around. I don't think anyone does."

Draco put it back in the drawer. "Is she going to be okay?"

Regina shrugged as she eased Ginny onto the throw pillows. "She should be, but I really don't know. Selphie sometimes took as much an hour after."

Draco got down onto his knees and took Ginny's hand in his. "But she'll be okay, right?"

"I don't want to promise something I don't know," Regina said gently. "We need to just wait it out." Regina looked down at herself. "Let me get dressed."

"You need to finish washing your hair," Draco pointed out.

Regina touched her hair and heard the crunching sound of soap bubbles popping. She made a face and smiled. "All right. Just yell if something happens."

Draco watched Regina move toward her bathroom, then looked back at Ginny. She seemed to be sleeping deeply, which made him feel a little better. At least it wasn't a complete seizure anymore. He let go of her hand and took a book from the desk. It was thin and looked handmade, but maybe reading to Ginny would calm her, too.

Draco found himself reading aloud about the Seer Genevieve Roberta Justine of the Jelisan clan. She predicted the rise of Grindelwald two hundred years before his birth, and lost her three eldest sons to the resultant war. Her daughter, the eldest child, had gone into hibernation at the age of three, a sure sign of Seeing ability. The girl did not wake within the year as she should have, which prompted a panic among the Jelisan clan. Genevieve's daughter had been important to the clan, and now she refused to wake. Did the girl have a bad vision that had wound up destroying her mind? Did the girl die?

Genevieve had a vision. Her daughter needed a longer sleep for the sake of the clan. She would need to wake in a different era, when there was social upheaval. She would need to tie herself to a human clan, to the last survivor's Heir, and their futures would progress together accordingly. The Jelisan clan's survival rested in human allies.

The clan did not take the news well, but had no choice. Genevieve was their Queen, their Seer. She directed their course of action. They had waited patiently as she took two hundred years to find the proper husband, they waited patiently until she gave birth to her daughter, then until she had given birth to her four sons. Her daughter was now cocooned for a lifetime, waiting for the proper time to wake. Her surviving son, Caretaker of the Clan, was defending their territory from the Kraken. The clan had no choice but to wait.

And then Selphine woke.

Draco looked up as Ginny stirred and opened her eyes. "Draco?"

"Hey." He put aside the book and helped her sit up. "How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy a little... Like when you haven't eaten in hours." She let herself lean against Draco, and pulled at her hair. "I'm all sticky."

"You had a seizure, and talking in riddles..."

Ginny closed her eyes, saw older versions of themselves sitting on a swing at the end of a summer's day. Tell me what you studied today, Ginny said. Draco had been excited, and had taken up the habit of gesturing wildly with his hands.

"You worry so much about me," she whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's not your fault," Draco whispered. He was calm now; this was the same old story. She had apologized after every vision so far, knowing he had worried about her. She never meant to make him worry, never meant to make him feel as though he were helpless. Draco found himself rocking her, just as Regina had. "This is getting worse, though..."

"I'm going to be taught soon how to control it. Genevieve says it's important, that I may have to miss school to do it. But I need to take my OWL's, and so they're working on a schedule so I won't miss exams."

The name was familiar, but Draco let the syllables wash over him. Ginny was going to be fine, that was the important thing. She was so slight in his arms, curled up against him. He closed his eyes and pulled her in a little tighter. "Tell me what happened, if you can."

"They're coming... the Death Eaters. They're going to attack the castle, try to hold us hostage. And not all of the students left by then..." Ginny was shivering, and Draco squeezed her a little tighter. "You were there. You were in the castle when they came."

Draco was stroking her arm. "I don't die. I can't, not when I have you."

Ginny knew he meant that he had to survive for her sake, not that she would tell him how to best survive the onslaught of Death Eaters. He knew how to handle them.

Regina opened her bedroom door, dressed in blue-striped pajama bottoms and a gray tank top. "How are you feeling, Ginny?"

"A little better. And I'll be leaving to study with Genevieve soon..."

Regina smiled. "I'll pretend I didn't just hear that, considering that she was going to talk to Dumbledore about your OWL's." She rummaged through a little box on the table, and took out a Hershey bar. "Here. Everyone says some chocolate will do you good, and this is the last Hershey bar I've got."

Ginny accepted it, and nibbled on it delicately. Draco was still holding her close. Regina would never say it to their faces, but they did make an adorable couple.

"Do you need me to help walk you to your dorms?"

Ginny shook her head. "Draco will."

Regina picked up the discarded book on the floor. "Everyone seems to love this one..." she muttered to herself. She paged through it, to see what Draco had been reading, and seemed more than a little surprised. She kept silent, and put it back on the table. "Stay as long as you need to, okay? I was going to do a little reading before bed."

Regina took a few books from the table and brought them into her bedroom. She propped herself up on two pillows, then began to read. It was very quiet in the room, the turning of pages the only sound.

Draco waited until Ginny had finished the chocolate and was no longer shaking. Regina's eyes followed them as they left, assessing them.

She wondered how much Draco knew, and how much he was going to figure out.

***

The next day was a Friday. Regina arrived to Alternative Magic wearing baggy jeans with lumpy pockets and a tight pink T-shirt. Her hair was tied back away from her face, and she was wearing dangling earrings that looked sharp. She had her boots on, which hit the floor with little booming sounds. There was a covered tray on the desk, and the blackboard was blank. Once all the students were filed into the class and seated, Regina stopped pacing.

"I'd like to thank all of you for bearing with me for the past month. A lot of you saw or heard what I looked like when I arrived in the castle, so I'm sure you understood I had a lot of healing to do, both physical and mental." There were some murmurs, and Regina waited until it died down before beginning again.

"I'm changing the syllabus. After discussing things with the Headmaster, we have agreed on an altered syllabus. I will resume the course. With only two months left to the term, I don't feel it's right to have a full exam. I will give a smaller one, but this will now be more of a practical course than a theoretical one.

"We are going to be doing protective magic. There are basic wards to protect your belongings, your friends or yourself. You are going to be learning these. It's obvious why I think it's important. And as I did last time-" Regina cut herself off upon seeing a second year Hufflepuff girl raise her hand. "Yes, Katya?"

"Everyone says that Slytherins are going to be Death Eaters. Is it fair to show them how we're going to protect ourselves?"

The Slytherins, from first to sixth year, began to shout angrily. Draco was the exception, sitting there in stony silence. Regina held up a hand, and the class slowly settled down.

"It's a fair question. I don't allow stereotypical comments in my class, but that doesn't mean I haven't heard them." She eyed all of the Slytherin students until they quieted. "I know you don't like to hear these stories, but we all have to admit there is a small grain of truth in the stories. Many Death Eaters came from Slytherin, but those of us who take the time to puzzle it out realize it's not because of their house.

"Let's face the facts, shall we? Being in Slytherin doesn't automatically make someone a Death Eater. What it does is make that student more isolated. Stories all say that every Death Eater is a Slytherin, but that's not true. There are Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and even Gryffindor Death Eaters. It's not the house that's the problem, it's the isolation. Every time someone says something to the effect that all Slytherins are Death Eaters, you're just sending the message that they're not good for anything else. But it's not true. There's plenty of Slytherin Aurors and Ministry officials that are working to stop Death Eater action."

Katya looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

Regina smiled indulgently. "You can't help but repeat what you've been told." She looked around the room. "Anyone else have something to say?"

The room was silent.

"Okay. Now, I'm not going to start with any spells today. I'm going to start with the reality of blood magic. Since we're on the topic of stereotypes, give me some regarding what you've heard about blood magic."

The students began to debate the various stories they had heard, which amused Regina greatly. Most students had the idea that blood magic constituted Dark Arts, that it was part of illegal love spells, could circumvent the illegality of the Imperius spell or that blood magic was equated with necromancy. After a while, Regina put a stop to the debate.

"Here's the reality of blood magic: it hurts. There is some credence to the charge that blood magic is illegal. You can use it with Dark intent, to hurt others, to control others or to manipulate others. But regardless of the spell involved, it will hurt, even if you mean to save another's life. This is because you are most likely to use your own blood. Which means you have to draw it out, usually by cutting. You will have to cut yourself to use the blood you need to do a spell, even if it's a Light magic protection spell."

The classroom was silent. There was nothing to say in response.

"I know quite a bit about blood magic, which is why I was chosen to teach it. As a result, I'm going to use myself as an example. To perform blood magic regularly, you have to make a few lifestyle changes." Regina gestured to her clothes. "On an average day, I wear something like the outfit I'm wearing right now. This is for both comfort and defensive purposes. A lot of women carry purses, with everything tossed in there. It makes an easy target for thieves, plus takes a lot more time to go digging through. So just jam everything into my pockets."

Regina began to empty her pockets onto the desk. In the left pocket was a wallet, ring of house keys and a ring of car keys. She identified each item as she removed it and set it on the table. In her right pocket was her cell phone and her switchblade.

Regina held up her switchblade with two fingers at eye level. It had an enameled handle with a floral design on it, easily the most girly thing to come out of her pockets. "In order to carry this, you have to know how to use it. If you carry a knife, you have to be prepared to use it, and you have to understand that it's a weapon. You can kill someone with this. You have to be prepared for that eventuality." Regina swung her left leg so that her foot was on the desk. She then hit the switch, sending the blade out of the handle. "I normally wear boots. I'd rather kick an opponent than pull out the blade. Some of my students come from bad neighborhoods, taught me about the benefits of steel-toed boots. I'll wear those instead of my normal ones if I know I'm going into a bad neighborhood. Only as a last resort will I ever pull out a knife, because that's generally a sign that I'm going to fight to kill."

Regina put her foot back down on the floor and faced the class. "For the purposes of magic, it helps to have a dedicated blade. This is the one I normally use." Regina held up her switchblade again, turning it slightly so that it gleamed. "Like your wand, you need to take care of it. You need to make sure it works properly. You need to be comfortable with how it handles, how it feels in your hand. It has to feel natural." Regina shut the blade deftly, then began to refill her pockets. "Any questions so far?"

One timid Ravenclaw third year raised his hand. "Yes, Sean?"

"How do you get comfortable with a knife?"

"By using it. By respecting the fact that it can be dangerous. Just as your wands can be dangerous, if you wanted it to be. Remember: it's a tool. It does your bidding. You choose what you do with it, how you use your magic."

Another Ravenclaw raised his hand. "How do you choose one?" he called out.

Regina walked over to the covered tray. "By practice," she said, pulling off the cover and revealing a collection of knives. "Each class of spell you do has certain traits. Some of them will appeal to certain kinds of blades, and it's a trial and error basis to determine that. It's also a question of personal preference. I've tried using every blade on this tray. Some of them are more pretty than useful. Some really don't cut with any kind of precision no matter how much you try, since they're not all created for the purpose of spell work. You need to know your needs, and what you are comfortable with."

There were over fifty knives arranged on the tray, spelled to remain in place even when she held it vertical. The students seemed to be awed.

"For the purposes of this class, you don't need to bond with any particular blade. You only need one that cuts in straight lines to the depth that you need. A second potions knife will work nicely, if you have extra.

"We will begin with spells over inanimate objects, then ourselves, then others. First we will go over wards, then we will learn how to locate lost objects, how to tell if other spells have been cast over them, and a few simple counter spells. The idea is to give you a basic idea how to protect yourself and what matters to you in a way that most people have not learned, including the Death Eaters. Very few of them actually have knowledge of blood magic, so you really don't have to worry about counters to your counter spells. As an added precaution, any letters regarding blood magic or these classes will spontaneously be destroyed before they leave the castle. You won't be able to tell parents or friends not at Hogwarts about this, unfortunately, but it should calm any of your fears regarding the spread of this information."

A handful of Slytherins looked upset at this statement, including Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. Regina looked at them with a bland expression, and they looked away first.

After a handful more warnings and explanations, Regina dismissed them early so they could begin looking among their belongings for a knife to use.

Regina stared at her collection of knives when she was alone in the classroom. She had omitted the fact that some spells required special blades, but it wasn't something the average student would need to know. It was scary enough the way she presented blood magic, the way she described daily spell casting rituals and incantations. That would require many self-inflicted cuts on hands and forearms. Blood magic was a rather violent form of magic, and was certainly quite painful.

It was an early Friday morning. That gave her the rest of the weekend to alter spells and make them simpler to cast.

Regina was feeling better now that she had a purpose again.

***

Hermione and Ron were sitting in her favorite corner of the library. The stacks of mythology books were piled high, creating a barrier between them and the rest of the students. Rom was using the opportunity to catch a kiss or two, but for the most part, they were seriously looking for references to magic, colors and cardinal directions. The work was slow going, and there was just as much kissing as reading. Both of them wanted to go slowly, not wanting to ruin an already good friendship as they started spending more time together. Knowing they needed time alone, Harry had challenged Neville to a game of Exploding Snap in the common room just before Hermione would have asked him to accompany them.

The research was not going very well. It was difficult to find any connections at all. Any that were made invariably felt wrong.

"Let's take a break," Ron suggested after the second hour of searching. He toyed with a lock of Hermione's hair. "Maybe if we take a little break, we'll see something we missed."

"You just want to snog," Hermione accused.

Ron smiled and shrugged helplessly. "A little snog never hurt anybody. But I mean it. I know I get tired studying too much. Even a little break can help me out."

Hermione looked around the library, then back at Ron. "You know, you're right. How about we take a walk near the lake?"

Ron beamed. "Brilliant!" They gathered their belongings quickly, then headed for the lake.

***

"I hear you defended Slytherins today," Snape said, entering the teachers' lounge. Regina was sitting at one of the tables, notepads in front of her, facing the windows. "You didn't have to do such a thing."

Regina turned and smiled wanly at Snape. "Not all Slyths are dickheads, you know."

Snape smiled in return. "Can I see what you're working on?"

Regina pushed a notepad to the seat next to her, and Snape sat. He always seemed to look as though he were a vulture descending upon hapless prey, Regina thought. It was rather uncharitable, she knew, but she couldn't help the thought.

"This is interesting, if a bit too simplistic for you."

"I'm reconfiguring spells for the kids. They need simple ways to cast it."

Snape was surprised. "You're teaching again? I thought you hadn't planned on finishing the course."

"I didn't. But I was feeling the need to. I was ready."

Snape looked at the marks on the pad. "I'm sorry about the other day. The chaldorim."

Regina took the pad back seemingly nonchalantly. Snape saw the slight tremble in her hands. "It was just another bad day, that's all. I've been having lots of them lately."

Snape gave in to the impulse of covering her hand with his. "I mean it, I'm sorry. I don't think he should have done that to you, not in that way. I didn't want to be part of it, but what could I do? You don't refuse one of his requests."

Regina wasn't meeting his eyes. "I know."

"I haven't gotten a chance to talk to you about it."

"Nothing to talk about. We needed to know I was who I said I was. End of story."

"Regina..."

"Look, Sev. You don't need to be sorry. I fucked up, I had to pay." Now she met his eyes. "It's about have to, remember?"

"I know. And I'm still sorry for my part in it."

"This isn't like you, Sev. You don't apologize to anyone."

"They usually don't deserve it."

Regina fell silent. A part of her was telling her she had to say something or do something to win him back. Another part of her was telling her to let him go. Even after all of these years, she still hadn't been able to make up her mind.

"Why don't you take a walk outside? You look like you need it," Snape was saying.

Regina fought the urge to gape. "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me."

"But I do." Snape didn't know why he was pressing her, but he did it anyway. "You're much too pale, and you haven't visited the dungeons in a long time. You need some kind of exercise, don't you?"

"You're a fine one to talk about pale," Regina said with a laugh. "Don't your students all think you're a vampire?"

"But I'm not one."

"Bah. Could be some vampire blood in there somewhere," Regina teased. She had the vaguest sense of repetition, that they had this conversation once before. In a moment, it clicked. Sixteen years ago, she had teased him about visiting the city only at night. She had gotten him to accompany her to Greenwich Village in broad daylight after calling him a vampire.

He was smiling at her. Maybe he was remembering it, too. "Then I'll go with you."

"Oh, Sev..."

"I insist. You need some exercise. You'll feel better and you'll get more work done afterward, I promise."

Regina caved in. "Oh, all right. But if you get a sunburn, it's your own fault."

***

"Is that Regina and Snape?" Ron cried incredulously. Hermione turned to look just as Ron cried out "It is!"

"They actually look pretty nice together."

Snape and Regina were walking side by side near the Quidditch pitch. She was gesturing wildly, looking as though she were pantomiming throwing something. Snape actually looked relaxed, and interested. He had left on his robes, but somehow he seemed less intimidating and menacing. Regina looked tired, but at least content.

"Should we say hello?"

"Merlin, no!" Ron cried. "Won't Snape give detention for catching him like that?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's six o'clock on a Friday. There are no classes. There's no reason to dock points."

"Oh, he'll find a way, I'm sure."

"Ron, don't be silly."

Ron looked at Hermione and pouted. "I thought you liked it when I was silly..."

"Oh you!" Hermione smacked Ron playfully in the arm, and they kept on walking. "They do look nice together. Like they belong."

"Maybe it's only because they don't belong anywhere else."

"That could be..."

Ron looked back at the two teachers one last time. He hoped Regina would be all right with Snape. He had the feeling she was much more fragile than she let on.

***

"And of course Greg won the game... All that practice just made him confident he could win it." Regina was beaming at the end of the story.

"Now which of these foster brothers was it again? Did you introduce me?"

Her face darkened somewhat. "No. He was already dead by then... Blood feud with another family. Greg didn't know he had magic, or that he was the only survivor of a raid. We didn't know either. He didn't stand a chance."

Snape caught hold of Regina's hand and halted her. "You take on too much."

"Someone has to."

He cupped the side of her face with his free hand and watched her eyes widen slightly, as if she were surprised but didn't want to appear so. "And what about you? Who takes care of you when you can't handle it?"

Regina turned away, but didn't let go of Snape's hand. "I'm not alone. I've got the girls, of course. We're the Four Musketeers. And there's Liane and Terry."

"That student I tried to humiliate."

Snape could hear the smile in her voice. "He graduated that year and stayed on to help teach. He's the dean of the New York school now. He teaches Regents math, Arithmancy and History of Magic."

"Nothing happened between you two?"

Regina snorted and turned back to him. "Are you jealous? Of someone happily married with three kids?"

Snape sneered at her. "Of course I'm not jealous. I was just asking."

"You never just ask. You always have something in mind."

He shook his head. "Not always," he murmured. At her arched eyebrow, he touched her cheek with the tip of his fingers. "Sometimes it's enough just to know you're all right."

She stilled, couldn't even breathe. "I don't think this is a good idea, Sev."

"Why not? What have we got to lose this time?"

My heart. Whatever you didn't break last time.

Snape took her silence in stride; he knew she was stubborn. He didn't need an answer right away. "Just think about it."

"I'm going to go back in, prepare more lessons for class."

"I'll see you at dinner," Snape called as she began to walk away.

Her step faltered slightly, and then she continued forward without another word.

***

***