Guardians Of The Watchtowers

Part Two: Prelude to the Storm

Chapter Seven

Hogwarts School was easily proving to be relatively easy for the four girls from Burgeo, but the first half of the school year passed by so quickly, and with so much work to do, they had little, if any, opportunities to see each other before Christmas Holidays.

They met up in the Great Hall the morning after school ended for the holidays. Salinas and Aubrey looked like they hadn't slept in days; they had shadows under their eyes and looked completely run-down.

"We had to do a midterm for Potions," Aubrey muttered. "Eighteen hours, twelve mixtures."

"All at once. We finished and went to sleep at five-thirty this morning," Salinas said, yawning. "What 'bout you two? Anythin' interestin'?"

"Not really," Eve said. "Turns out that I was the only one who could Transfigure a raccoon into a rooster, but other than that . . ." She shrugged.

"Same here. A few interesting letters from home, but that's about it," Mica said.

"Speaking of letters ..." Eve looked up. "Isn't that Amherst?"

It was. The barn owl flew down from the rafters, clutching what looked like a parcel and a letter for Salinas. She dropped the parcel and letter into Salinas' lap, and then landed heavily on her owner's shoulder. Salinas gave Amherst a reassuring pat and an Owl Treat, before she took off once more, off-white wings fluttering as she disappeared.

Salinas looked around quizzically. She got the occasional letter from Laine, Mira, or Sara, but never anything like this. She tore open the letter and read it.

Hey Sal!

I know you haven't heard from me in a vast few years, but I've been working my ass off here and there and everywhere. Listen, I heard about Mom and Dad, and I'm a little suspicious. Just remember, that I've got my eye on you all the time. As long as you're at Hogwarts, you'll be safe.

Give Granddad my best regards.

Love, Shasta

Aubrey was looking over Salinas' shoulder. "Who's Shasta?"

"She's my sister. Much older than me; I think she's about thirty-two or so. She's workin' for this Ministry. An Auror."
Mica choked on her tea. "An Auror? Well that's interesting. What did she bring you?"

Salinas opened the parcel. It was a wood-covered, leather-bound book with a depiction of a phoenix on the front. She opened it up and laughed.

"Pictures!" She laid it out onto the table and pointed to the first one. Two black-haired, blue-eyed girls were pointing and waving up at all of them. One of them was around five years old. This was Salinas. The other one looked to be twenty or so, and she had her arm wrapped tightly around the younger Salinas. Shasta had an electrifying, enthusiastic grin and hair that was much wavier than the straight, thick locks that her sister possessed.

"This one was taken at Hogwarts," Salinas said. "When I was five, our parents -- they were Aurors too -- went off to work somewhere. Granddad said he'd take us in. So we lived here for two years. I left at seven to go to Burgeo." She flipped the page and smiled again. "This is us back in Port Aux Basques." The two girls were standing in front of a vivid turquoise house that was on stilts over the water.

They spent the next hour or so looking through pictures, and were startled to see a few of they themselves, at the young ages of seven and eight. "I've got an afro!" Aubrey chortled, pointing to one particular picture.

"Sal," Eve said, turning another page, "who's that?"

She was pointing to another picture featuring a young Salinas. This time, she was being piggy-backed by a tallish and thin man whose black hair and angular features looked strangely familiar, although this man was grinning in a sincere fashion.

Aubrey gasped. "That's not ... Snape, is it?"

Salinas laughed. "Yes, b'y, it is. When we came here, he volunteered to watch me. He wasn' exactly a teacher yet." She snickered. "He was actually fun to be 'round. I wonders what happened?" She looked at her flabbergasted friends, who were surveying her with strange looks. "WHAT?!"

Mica was glancing at the staff table now, and her eyes were narrowed dangerously in Snape's direction.

"Now, 'cmon, guys, seriously. WHAT?" Salinas poked Mica in the arm. "Wha's the matter with that?"

Aubrey and Eve didn't answer, they were too busy laughing. But Mica got up silently and left, her blond hair flying behind her as she stomped out of the Great Hall.

"What's the matter with that?" Eve said, suddenly stopping her laughter.

"Dunno," Salinas said.

Just then, a blushing Harry Potter walked up to where they were all sitting. Eve deftly closed the photo album with a snap, but Harry wasn't interested in that. He stared at Salinas the whole time, and she smiled at him.

"Um, Salinas ...?" he began haltingly. "Y'know, it's, eh, Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow, and, um ..." He trailed off, going even more red.

Salinas looked at the sixteen-year-old and decided to take drastic action. If he wasn't going to ask, she'd have to. "Harry," she said with a smile. "D'ye want to go to the Three Broomsticks with me tomorrow afternoon?"

Harry broke into a grin. "Sure," he said. "That'd be ... great."

He walked off, and, true to form, Eve and Aubrey began their incessant chortling again. "I think he likes you, Sal!" Eve said.

"'S not the first time he's asked me, for your information, ye sooks." Salinas played with her hair in a self-conscious manner. "It's just ... well ... he got Ron to do it fer him th' last three times."

"Ooh, Sal," Aubrey said. "Dating Harry Potter?"

"Not stric'ly datin'," Salinas said, going a bit pink in the cheeks. "Jus' ... goin' out, that's all."

**

Once again in the wintry landscape, Hogsmeade resembled a Christmas card. The snow was falling gently and Salinas drew her gold-and-scarlet scarf around her neck a little tighter as she made her way down the High Street. She had decided against taking Aubrey and Eve along. Of course, it would have all been very funny for the three of them ... but Salinas was a respectable person. Compromising Harry's self-confidence seemed just a little bit too much of a heinous thing to do.

She reached the Three Broomsticks and opened the door. A whirl of snowflakes accompanied her into the warm, brightly lit pub. Glancing at her watch, she noted that she was about ten minutes early; she had planned to meet Harry here at seven-thirty for a little bit of a light supper. She picked a table near the back and shook out her cloak, removing all the snow from it.

"Hey Sal! SAL!"

Salinas turned to see Jeimu waving from the other side of the pub. She was sitting with a Ravenclaw girl her age; they looked similar, and Salinas assumed they were sisters. "Wha's up, Jay?" she called. "Ye won't believe this, but I got me a date!"

"With wh--?" Jeimu called, but stopped herself as she noticed someone at Salinas' table.

Salinas herself looked up into a pair of startling green eyes hidden under a lot of wet snow. She beamed, trying to hide a small shiver that ran through her. "Hi, Salinas," Harry said as he sat down.

"Awful snow, isn' it?" she said, combing her fingers through her now wet hair. "But what can I say, I mean, I loves winter."

"It is a nice day, though," he remarked, glancing shyly over at her every so often.

The proprietor of the pub, Madam Rosmerta, came along to take their orders, and while they awaited their meal, they chatted idly about Christmas gifts, and the impromptu Christmas Dance that was being held in this very pub this year. It had all of Hogsmeade in a festive flutter, and according to Harry, this was not an annual event.

"I mean, when the Triwizard Tournament was here, we had a Yule Ball, but ... " Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, I knows all 'bout that. I remembers readin' it in th' clippings Granddad Albus sent me. That must have been some formal affair, eh?" Salinas made a face. "Dresses, and fancy hairdos ... it makes me sick," she muttered. "Thank you," she said to the waitress who had just arrived with their meals.

Harry looked amused at her distaste. "But Professor McGonagall told us that it wasn't going to be that formal. Although," he said, grinning at her and leaning over the table, "what with her and Snape as our chaperones, I wouldn't take her word for it."

"Ah, Snape'll just stand against a wall and scowl 'cause nobody'll dance with him." Salinas grinned back. Suddenly, she was struck by an idea, and sat back in her chair, sipping her Butterbeer. "Listen, Harry. D'ye want to . . . well . . . I mean, the dance . . ." She smiled nervously and shrugged, placing her bottle back on the table slowly.

Harry leaned toward her again and gently took her hand away from the bottle. He held it in his and gazed right into Salinas' eyes. She managed an awkward grin when he said, "Of course I'll go to the dance with you," and released her hand.

She smiled again and took a bite of her poutine (which, surprisingly, the Three Broomsticks actually sold). "Well, then, that makes me feel a bit better," she said with a laugh.

When they left the pub an hour or so later, their breath rising in mists around them in the darkened winter evening, it was hand in hand and with smiles of exuberance on their faces.

Chapter Eight

"I'd forgotten ALL ABOUT that Christmas dance!" Aubrey chortled. "It won't be very entertaining, there's less than ten of us here! And you're going with Potter! Dresses, and fancy hairdos! For God's sake, Sal, it's the sort of thing you hate!"

Salinas chuckled as she watched her friend collapse to the ground in fits of laughter, rolling around on the marble floor of the Entrance Hall, her curly auburn hair flying everywhere.

"You are a frickin' retard," she said, kicking Aubrey playfully in the ribs. "Besides, it's s'posed to be dressy, but casual! And Aubrey," she said, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her upright, "it ain't that big o' a deal!"

"Alright, okay," the other girl said, trying to calm her laughing fit. "But I mean, it's at the Three Broomsticks, right . . . because there aren't a lot of us around. So you're gonna be seen in public with him . . ." She looked up at Salinas, suddenly serious. "Do you want to take that risk?"

"Shut up, ye sook!" Salinas snickered. "I notices you ain't got a date."

"Who wants one?" Aubrey shrugged. "Anyway, Sal, I think you should go get ready!" She said this in a mocking tone, but Salinas merely smiled.

"Aubrey, it is Christmas Eve, b'y. The dance is at seven o'clock tomorrow night." She smiled again and skipped off to Gryffindor Common Room. "I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

She skipped past the fairy-lit hallways, the tinsel-adorned suits of armour, and the strange sound of Christmas carols that seemed to come out of nowhere. Hogwarts was quiet now; in fact there were only five students left to enjoy Gryffindor tower: Salinas herself, Jeimu, Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

That wasn't to say it wasn't loud; she mused as she gave the Fat Lady the password ('fuddle duddle') and stepped inside. Jeimu and Ron were having a noisy and raucous game of wizard's chess, and Harry and Hermione were watching, and laughing at Jeimu's absurd commentary.

"And here comes the queen, she's on a rampage to D-5 . . . ah, bloody hell! That was my only pawn. Oh, and it's checkmate too. Jeimu Chang has lost again to Ronald Weasley, the best damn chess player there is. That's it . . . I'm never playing chess again." She sighed and yanked at her short hair, trying to make it lay flat. "Hey Sal," she said, grinning.

"You enjoyin', yerself Jay?" Salinas looked round at them all.

"Absolutely," Jeimu said crisply, before falling backwards into a chair. "It's rather enjoyable to be here ALL ALONE IN THE BLOODY TOWER, ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT PEOPLE YELLING AT YOU TO SHUT UP!" She yelled these words to the ceiling, and everyone laughed.

"It's almost Christmas!" Hermione said excitedly. "Honestly, I can't wait until tomorrow night."

"Ah, the dance, eh?" Salinas smirked at her. "Now who're ye goin' with? Ron?"

Both Ron and Hermione blushed. Salinas laughed. "Go figure. Anyway, 's like midnight. I'se goin' to bed, so I guess I'll see ye tomorrow mornin'," she said.

Jeimu stood up. "I guess I should go with you," she yawned. "See you tomorrow."

They both made their way up to the very top of a small tower that branched off the main one. Their dorm room, which only the two of them occupied, was extravagantly decorated for the holidays. Clear Christmas lights adorned the wall upon which Salinas had hung her massive Newfoundland flag, and a small potted tree stood in the corner, decorated with shiny Christmas ball ornaments.

"Sal," Jeimu said, sitting down on her own four-poster, "what's this I hear about you and Harry? Are you two dating?"

"I guess so," Salinas said timidly while braiding up her hair. "I mean . . . " She glared at Jeimu. "Dammit, we're soundin' almost like normal seventeen year olds."

"I mean it, Sal. Do you like that kid?"

The look she was giving Salinas demanded an answer. "Alright, I does. I really does." Salinas sighed. "You satisfied?"

"Yup." Jeimu got into her bed and closed the hangings. "'Night, Sal," she said sleepily.

"G'night," Salinas said, not letting herself think too deeply about what Jeimu had asked her.

Christmas morning, Salinas was awoken by the sound of loud voices. "What th' hell . . ." She blinked for a few seconds before Jeimu jumped onto her bed. "Happy Christmas!" she said, giving Salinas a big hug.

"Merry Christmas to ye, too." Salinas scratched her head. "I 'spose we'd better head downstairs t' see our gifts, b'y."

Jeimu nodded. Putting all the gifts under the common room tree was something they'd all decided on. The two girls donned their housecoats and headed down the stairwell to the common room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already there.

Hermione waved. "Happy Christmas, Jay, Sal."

"Merry Christmas!" Salinas said, grinning.

"What d'you mean, 'merry Christmas'?" Ron said.

"I means, Merry Christmas, you sook. It's a North American thing." Salinas nudged him playfully in the ribs before advancing on the tree. "Well, everyone got something from me, so why don't ye open 'em up!" She grabbed the nearest parcel with her name. It was from Laine, back in Newfoundland.

"What'd she get me, now?" Salinas wondered as she opened the package. She burst out laughing and held up a bottle. "SCREECH!" she hollered between spasms of laughter. "She bought me a bottle o' . . . "

"OK, so what is it?" Harry asked.

"Rum. Very, very potent rum." She couldn't stop grinning. "I'll have to save this for later."

They continued like this all morning. Salinas gave everyone a pair of woolen socks and two Galleons each, and she received many quirky gifts: stuffed animals from Aubrey and Eve; an assortment of wizard candy from both Ron and Hermione; a Chinese-style button-down shirt from Jeimu; a book about Canadian wizarding achievements from her grandfather. Finally, she received something she hadn't expected from Harry.

"Is this a . . ." She lifted it out of the package and smiled widely.

It was an oversized, striped toque, knit in the Gryffindor colours of scarlet and gold. It was thick and fit perfectly. She put it on, blushed slightly and gave Harry a hug. "Thanks," she said, while Jeimu and Hermione 'Awwwww'-ed.

When they went down to the Great Hall for Christmas Dinner, they saw one lone table set in the middle of the hall. It was set for thirteen people, and was groaning under a resplendent meal.

"TURKEY!" From another doorway, Aubrey, Eve and Mica bounced into the Great Hall, followed by two students. One of them was Jeimu's sister, Cho. The other one was a Ravenclaw; nobody knew her.

"Merry Christmas!" Salinas called to them.

"Damn straight!" Aubrey yelled back.

It was then that Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape came into the Hall. Dumbledore was grinning widely and greeted them all with a wide grin and a "Merry Christmas!" Salinas and her three friends all smiled at him.

They approached the table and sat down. Salinas sat between Aubrey and Harry, still wearing her toque and a large grin.

"So how was everyone's morning?" Dumbledore said, grinning at them all.

"Very well, thanks," Mica said flatly.

"Not too bad," Eve said.

"Who cares about the morning?" Aubrey looked at the food. "We're here and eating, what could be better?"

"Ooh, look," Salinas said. "Christmas crackers." She picked one up by the end and offered it to the person opposite her. "Go on, take it, b'y," she waved her other hand passively.

"I don't think so." Snape's voice was deadly.

Salinas looked up, slightly shocked. "I thinks so."

To Snape's left, Dumbledore looked like he was about to laugh. "Go on and take it, Severus. Where's your Christmas spirit?" He nudged the younger man in the ribs.

With a sigh, Snape took the other end of the cracker and pulled. It shot off like a bang, and a sombrero appeared, jauntily perched on top of the turkey, along with a bag of candies. Salinas grabbed the sombrero before Snape could react and, getting up from her chair, walked round the table and stood behind his chair, and jammed the sombrero onto his head. She grinned maliciously and handed him a small package. "Merry Christmas," she said, sticking her tongue out at him.

She then gave Christmas packages to the others, more gifts of socks and Galleons. Dumbledore looked ecstatic when he opened his. "Finally," he said. "A nice pair of socks. Thank you, Salinas."

"No problem." Salinas sat back down and their dinner began.

Everyone chatted happily until around three in the afternoon, until finally full of Christmas dinner and dessert (beavertails pastry), they all headed back to their respective common rooms to relax and get ready for the Three Broomsticks' Christmas dance. Salinas and Jeimu didn't head upstairs until six-thirty.

Jeimu immediately began to dance around the dormitory, as she donned a white shirt and black tie combination, while applying some makeup. Salinas laughed at her roommate as she surveyed herself in the mirror.

Her outfit wasn't too fancy, just a high-necked sleeveless shirt and a rather large pair of pants, copped off with combat boots and her now ever-present toque. Her hair remained untouched, flying away like large raven streamers. She grinned at her reflection. As far as she was concerned, she looked perfect.

"Shall we leave, then? We're supposed to meet up with the others, right?" Jeimu said as she picked up her cloak.

"Whenever you're ready," Salinas said, and they left the dormitory.

Aubrey, Eve, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Cho, and the Ravenclaw girl were all waiting in the Entrance Hall for them when they came down.

Salinas smiled at Harry as soon as she saw him, more out of amusement than anything, because his jaw had dropped and he was staring at her, open-mouthed. "What?" she said, pirouetting around.

He seemed to snap out of a trance. "Uh . . . You look, er, nice."

She now smiled sincerely and took his hand. "Thanks. You does, too," she said quietly, a small blush spreading over her face.

"We all ready?" Eve asked.

"Hang on," Salinas said. "Where's Mica to?"

"I don't know," the Ravenclaw girl said. "I didn't see her in our dorm."

"Well, we'll find her. She knows where we're goin'." Aubrey shrugged.

"I'm all for going now," Ron said.

They all marched out the doors, down the stone steps to Hogsmeade village. The dusk of night cast an eerie blue light, which reflected off the snow-topped houses and trees. It looked surreal, but not as surreal as the Three Broomsticks did when they entered it.

Up until now, the only experience Salinas had had of social gatherings was in the form of the old kitchen parties that rattled the floorboards of her stout house in Newfoundland. When she walked into the Three Broomsticks, she didn't know how to react.

It looked as though they'd stepped into a room that was composed entirely of colour. Brightly coloured lights were flashing in time with fast music. Christmas trees lined the walls, decorated with glowing fairy lights, and on top of a raised platform adjacent to the dance floor, a woman stood, waving her wand through the air and wearing what appeared to be oversized headphones. Salinas assumed she was some sort of magical deejay. The teachers were there as well, mingling among the other people present.

"This is impressive," Jeimu said, her black eyes sparkling.

"I likes it," Salinas said to Harry. "D'ye dance much?"

"Not really," Harry admitted, "but I reckon I can try."

She squeezed his hand. "I don't dance much either, so we can be screw-ups t'gether, b'y." Smiling, she went to a table, hung her cloak off the end of a chair, and pulled him out among the dancing villagers on the dance floor.

The music was still fast and driving, and Salinas found herself liking it. She'd been raised on reels and jigs, but she found this music interesting if nothing else. Jeimu whirled by her, dancing exuberantly with Aubrey and Eve. Ron and Hermione were dancing together near the rear of the dance floor. And then, of course, there was she and Harry.

"So d'you want to dance?" Harry said, suddenly pulling her close to him.

Salinas was caught off guard and nearly stumbled into him, but she smiled and said, "Sure."

At that moment a new song cut the air, and the woman at the front spoke. "We're gonna slow it down a bit for awhile, so everyone get a dance partner!"

Harry looked at Salinas and very reluctantly put one of his hands round her waist; with the other he held her hand. "So . . ." he said.

"Listen," Salinas whispered frantically as the rest of the people on the floor danced around them. "Can ye waltz? I knows this song, it's a waltz."

"I can," he said, leaning closer to whisper back in her ear. "The Yule Ball was such a disaster, I swore I'd learn."

"Then waltz, me son."

The song was slow and rhythmic; it was easy to dance to. Salinas took the opportunity to talk.

"What was that Yule Ball like?" she whispered.

"I hated it," Harry said with a laugh. "I couldn't dance, so my date showed me off like I was a dog. I got away from her as soon as I could."

"You're not doin' that now, I notices." Salinas leaned back a little to look into his eyes.

"No," he said, putting his forehead to hers. "First off, I know how to dance now."

"And second . . .?" Salinas grinned.

"Second, I'm with someone I actually want to dance with."

All Salinas could do was inhale sharply with shock. So he cared for her too, she realized. "I . . . I figured you said yes to shut me up."

He laughed again and stopped suddenly. Salinas looked up. The lights were flickering, the music was lifting and everyone else had been tuned out of their little world . . . it was a perfect moment. Her heart was beating rapidly, she wasn't aware of anything but the young man who had now embraced her.

"I'd never want you to shut up," Harry whispered, stumbling over his words slightly.

Salinas blinked. "Well, I wants ye to shut up right now," she took a deep breath, "and kiss me before the song's done."

He did, and it was unlike anything she'd ever expected. His lips were warm, and curiously enough, they carried a slight taste of peppermint. She shivered, and returned his kiss, holding him to her in order to keep herself upright. Her legs felt like jelly, and she giggled as they broke apart.

"Wow," Harry said, blushing.

"An understatement," Salinas said, taking his hand and leading him back to the table, where two mugs of Butterbeer were standing.

"How . . .?" Harry asked her.

"Aubrey," Salinas said. "She's somethin' else."

He grinned at her, and held her hand as it rested on the table. "You guys are all something else. Especially you, Sal."

"Don't humour me, b'y," Salinas said, blushing.

"I mean it. I mean, who else could liven up Hogwarts but four crazy Canadians who have no regard for British society? You'll notice nobody's dressing like you," he said with a laugh, "except Jeimu, she's mental. You know, I used to fancy her sister."

Salinas spluttered a bit of Butterbeer over the table. "Oh really? Why not anymore?"

Harry grinned. "Reasons."

"But you likes me now, eh?"

"Absolutely." He kissed her cheek lightly again, then looked over her shoulder. "Sal," he whispered. "D'you remember what you said about Snape the last time we were in here?"

She turned around and, not surprisingly, saw the teacher standing against a wall, looking particularly sour.

"'Bout him scowlin' 'cause nobody'll dance with him? Yeah, I remembers vaguely." Salinas shrugged. "Why?"

"Wouldn't it be funny if you danced with him?" Harry grinned evilly.

"NO!" Salinas said fervently, then paused. "Wait. Yes. Yes, it would!" She chuckled, suddenly pulling her wand out of her belt. "Ye're gonna have to learn, Harry. Never ever give Salinas Minerva Dumbledore a dare. She'll always act out on it."

Salinas walked back onto the dance floor, wand in hand. Trying not to look very conspicuous, she stood beside Snape, and leaned against the wall beside him.

"So, are you havin' fun?" she asked him loudly.

He didn't answer, and continued to stare at the wall opposite him with an extremely vicious snarl on his face.

"Oh, for God's sake, b'y. What's with ye actin' as though ye've got a rod up yer ass?" She turned toward him.

Still, he gave no indication that he was even aware she was there.

"I gots an idea," Salinas winked. "How's about we go out there and dance up a storm?"

This elicited a reaction. "No," Snape snarled.

She tilted her head. "Yes."

He finally looked at her, his voice deadly calm. "No."

She stepped in front of him. "Yes, b'y. I guess that leaves me no choice." She raised her wand. "Irrational exuberance!" she shouted, and there was a flash of white light that was hardly indiscernible from the flashing party lights.

She looked around at the sudden frenzy of activity that this spell had caused. All around her, people were suddenly dancing up a storm, seemingly oblivious to anybody who might be giving them strange looks. Their inhibitions had gone away. It was a perfect plan. Salinas glanced at Snape, who was grinning, as she stuck her wand back into her boot. Could it have worked on him as well?

"Well, come on then," he said, brushing past her.

She sighed. What had she done?

Harry ran up to her. "What'd you do?"

"A little spell me ol' Professor Devoe taught me. It . . . takes away people's inhibitions."

He burst out laughing. "You are a genius."

"I dunno 'bout that. Check out Snape." She pointed to a large circle of people in the middle of the dance floor. Jeimu was part of it, and she was waving her hands in the air and yelling, "You HAVE to see this."

Salinas walked over to the circle, a sick feeling of dread wallowing in her stomach. She really didn't want to see. . .

"Look at him go, tabernacle!" Eve shouted.

"Oh my . . ." Hermione could be heard saying.

Their Potions teacher was breakdancing. Salinas groaned. "He wasn't s'posed to take it that far!" she said to Harry.

"Someone get a camera!" came the voice of Albus Dumbledore.

"Sal," Aubrey said between fits of laughter, "show him how it's done." A resounding cheer from the other spectators seemed to drive this point home.

Mutely, Salinas shook her head.

"Come on, Salinas," Harry whispered to her, a grin on his face. "A dare is a dare."

She gritted her teeth, and rearranged her toque and glasses. "Fine," she said, breaking the circle of people. "I'll dance."

A cheer rang out, no doubt precipitated by Aubrey or Eve, and the entire pub turned its collective head toward the circle, where Salinas was readying herself to begin. She stood there for a moment, tapping one of her toes to the beat of the fast music.

She didn't notice the change in atmosphere that suddenly overcame the place until it was too late.

"Finite Incantatem," a voice spoke.

The pub went dark, the music stopped. A frenzied, terrified whisper cut through the crowd. Salinas couldn't see anything in the darkness. Reaching into her boot for her wand, she muttered, "Lumos."

A sparkling light lit the end of her wand, and she cast it around, looking for whoever had stopped the spells that had been fuelling the party. A few others who had had the sense to arrive to the party armed lit their wands as well. Salinas looked over to Eve. "Who d'ye think would--"

"Salinas! LOOK OUT!"

She turned to see who'd called her just as someone slammed into her from the other side. She was knocked down to the ground, the person landing on top of her. There was a struggle as Salinas fought valiantly to get to her feet. Her attacker tripped Salinas, and held one of her arms behind her, intending to immobilize her. A glint of light on metal materialized in Salinas' peripheral vision. The person had a knife at her throat.

Using her free hand, her heart hammering in her chest from pure fear, Salinas aimed her wand's light at her hooded attacker. Although half-hidden in shadows, there was no mistaking who the person was. Salinas had only roomed with her for about eight years.

Mica Quartz gripped the knife's handle.

And slashed out at Salinas.

Chapter Nine

Salinas saw what Mica was going to do a split second before the blade made contact with her skin; she moved in time to prevent anything fatal, but she could feel blood trickling down her throat. She was in no immediate danger, however, and she kicked Mica as hard as she could. The other girl fell over with a grunt, then rose to her feet, wand now pointing at Salinas.

Suddenly, in the dim wand-lights, someone else's voice could be heard. "Stupefy," this person said.

Mica slumped to the ground. She had been Stunned.

Salinas stood up fully, hand clutching the cut on her throat. "Y . . .you're here . . .but . . ." she stammered as she cast her wand-light over the person.

The person was wearing a hooded robe, and they shrugged off this hood to reveal a woman with striking blue eyes and wavy raven hair. Her full lips spread into a vivacious grin. "How're things, Sal?" she said, in an accent nearly identical to Salinas'.

"Shasta?" Salinas stammered. "But how did you. . ."

"I'll tell ye that later, but for now we gots t' get this piece o' shit taken care of." Shasta nudged Mica with the toe of her pointed boot. "Granddad," she called to Dumbledore. "Mind helpin' us out, here?"

"Absolutely." Dumbledore stepped forward. "I'll help you with Miss Quartz here. And Severus?" He looked in Snape's direction. "Take Salinas back up to the castle, and put her into the hospital wing."

Salinas noticed an odd expression fall over her sister's face, but she had no time to think of it; Snape was ushering her out the door.

They walked as fast as they could back to the castle, in silence, before Snape finally spoke. "She took over," he muttered, more to himself than to Salinas.

"What?" Salinas looked up. "What d'ye mean by that?"

"I'll explain later," he said shortly. "After you get cleaned up."

Curiously, Snape remained with Salinas as the matron, Madam Pomfrey, cleaned up Salinas' injury. A jab of her wand and a goblet of some nasty-tasting potion, and Salinas was on the mend.

"So what exactly did Mica take over?" Salinas narrowed her eyes at Snape.

He hesitated. "You must know of my past," he began.

She let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes b'y, ex-Death Eater, but tha's not the point. What'd she do?"

"That is the point." Snape folded his arms. "The Death Eaters had begun a campaign against your grandfather, years ago. Before you were born. Their idea was to annihilate everyone closely associated with him until he surrendered."

Salinas stared. "My parents."

"Unfortunately, as everyone knows, Voldemort lost his power sixteen years ago. This plan was put on hold, until about two years ago, when he returned."

"But how d'ye know 'bout all this? Accordin' to Granddad, you defected from the Death Eaters a long time before Voldemort fell."

Snape's face hardened. " I was with them when this plan was popular. Apparently, nobody had thought anything more of this course of action until two years ago. I'm guessing that Quartz was the one who killed your parents." His black eyes narrowed dangerously. "It would explain the many spiteful looks she had been giving me lately. It looks as though she was restraining an urge to slit my throat instead."

Salinas' head was reeling. It did make a lot more sense. Mica and her interesting letters from home . . . all the times she'd stared icicles at Snape . . . her nervousness when the news about Salinas' parents broke, and when she'd found out about Shasta being an Auror. And to top it off, what happened tonight . . .when Mica had tried to kill Salinas.

"I know these things," Snape continued, "because I've been collecting information for your grandfather. We didn't think the Death Eaters would pursue the plan. It's not a wise thing for them to be doing right now, when so many are on our side."

"Like Shasta. She knew, obviously." Salinas flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Because I told her."

"You've been in touch with her all this time?" She grinned. "Well I'm frickin' jealous now. Ye babysits me for two years and then never speaks to me again until ye finds me pokin' at a cauldron in yer class seven years later. But with me sister, ye carries on bein' penpals!"

That same odd expression she'd seen on Shasta's face now closed over Snape's. "She's an Auror, she's supposed to know about these things."

"Jeez, for someone who's good at usin' sarcasm, ye're not too good at sensin' it."

Before Salinas could provoke him into a good-natured debate, the door to the hospital wing opened. Dumbledore came through the door, followed by Shasta.

"Salinas," Dumbledore said, a look of deep concern in his eyes. "I hope you're well?"

She nodded. "Apart from what looks like one helluva scar, I'll be a'right." She stood up and grinned at Shasta. "So where have you been for the past three years?"

Shasta grinned. "Workin' me ass off. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, but what did you do to Mica?" Salinas felt a wave of sick dread wash over her.

Shasta's grin was replaced with a grimace. "We're holdin' her here as long as we can, then she'll be gone to Azkaban. We needs to get a confession outta her, though. To see if she killed Mum and Dad." She glanced at Snape. "Any chance you'd have a Truth Serum on ye? I gots the paperwork to use it."

"I do." Snape nodded.

"Great, we'll get right on it, I s'pose?" Shasta looked at Dumbledore, who nodded.

Salinas sighed. "I guess I'll go back to Gryffindor Tower."

"You will not," said Dumbledore. "Salinas, I want you to be present when we interrogate Miss Quartz. It would be best if you heard what she has to say regarding Veronica and Ellis straight from her."

Salinas looked up at her grandfather. That was the first time she'd ever heard him mention her parents' names since they had died. She felt a pang of sadness for him suddenly. His own daughter had been killed, and someone had just attempted murder on his granddaughter. She didn't want to hear what Mica might have to say under the influence of a Truth Serum, but Dumbledore was right: it was better for her to hear it directly from the proverbial horse's mouth.

"OK," she said, taking a shuddering breath. "I'll come along."

She gripped the arms of the high-backed armchair in the corner of the staff room and watched Snape force Mica to down three drops of the Ministry-legislated Veritaserum with an expression of horror. Mica was thrashing and swearing; putting up a great fight. It was only when Shasta threateningly jabbed her wand into Mica's shoulder that the blond Death Eater desisted, and took the potion. Mica was then seated opposite Salinas and her grandfather.

"I don't want to hear this, Granddad. You know I don't." She glanced at Dumbledore, who was staring intently at Mica.

He looked down and took her hand lovingly. "I know you don't, Salinas. But I do believe it's for the best." Shuddering once more, Salinas gripped her grandfather's hand, and watched.

Mica's eyes slid out of focus, and she looked suddenly sleepy and peaceful.

"Can ye hear me?" Shasta said quietly. She was kneeling at Mica's side.

Mica's eyelids drooped. "Yes," she said in an eerily monotone voice. Salinas cringed and gripped Dumbledore's hand more firmly.

"I want you to answer a few questions that this man is gonna ask you," Shasta motioned to Dumbledore, who reluctantly left Salinas' side to kneel beside Mica. Shasta stood up and took her grandfather's seat.

"Shas," Salinas said, her voice wavering. "If she did do it, what'll ye do?"

"I dunno yet," Shasta said, putting an arm around her sister. "Shh, now, Granddad's talkin'."

"Tell me," Dumbledore was saying, "where you were on July 31 of this year."

Mica stirred again. She horribly mispronounced the name of Salinas' hometown. "Port Aux Basques."

"And why were you there?"

"I was on assignment. It was an assignment from my Lord and master, who told me to kill the Wilsons. Mrs. Wilson was Albus Dumbledore's daughter. It was part of our plan to get him to surrender."

To Salinas' right, Shasta gave a shuddering sob. From the shadowy corner, someone came to kneel beside her, and hold her hand comfortingly. She couldn't see whom, though. She patted her sister's back sympathetically.

Dumbledore looked pained, but continued. "And did you follow through with this assignment?"

Salinas held her breath, the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yes."

The scream that came from her own lungs surprised even her, it was primal, a scream of rage. Salinas buried her face in her hands and drew great gasps of air. She couldn't believe it. Snape had been right, it was Mica who was responsible for everything her life had become.

She stood up, all control lost, and bellowed at Mica, "Then why did you smarm up to me?!"

Mica looked startled, but answered. "Salinas Wilson was the next person in line. After the Wilsons were killed, all we had to do was rid ourselves of Salinas and Dumbledore would do whatever we wanted him to do. Even after she transferred to Hogwarts, it was easy to tail her. I was allowed to transfer from Burgeo as well, where I'd been posing as a student for close to eight years."

Dumbledore motioned Salinas to sit down. "Posing? What do you mean by that? How old are you?"

Mica focused on Dumbledore again. "I am thirty-nine years old. I've been taking anti-ageing potions to pose as Salinas' friend."

Salinas herself scowled as she sat down in the chair again. "It's going to be alright, Salinas," Snape's voice said from somewhere behind her. She looked around and saw that Shasta was gone.

"Where did Shas . . .?"

"She left."

"I'm going, too." Salinas stood up and walked over to Mica. She leaned over her and sneered at her. "Thank ye for ruinin' me life, ye bitch." Salinas swung her foot back and into Mica's shin. Mica keeled over in pain, and Salinas stepped over her.

"Granddad," she said as she left. "Thank ye for lettin' me hear it."

She turned on her heel and walked straight out the door without looking back.

"Sal! What happened?" Jeimu said when Salinas returned to Gryffindor Tower. It was obvious that she, Ron, Hermione, and Harry had all stayed awake, waiting for Salinas.

"Well, now," Salinas said with a scowl as she climbed through the portrait hole, "let's see. Mica's actually forty, she's been posing all along and oh yes, b'y . . . she killed me parents." She held up her fingers as she counted. "Shasta put her under Veritaserum. She confessed to everyt'ing." She rubbed her throat. "An' this scar Mica gave me itches constantly."

Jeimu's eyes widened. "Och," was all she could say as a look of shock passed over her face. "Sal, I'm really, really sorry."

"It's alright," Salinas said as she plunked down into a chair. "Some Christmas, b'y."

The others hovered nearby, almost reluctant to say or do anything. She smiled at them. "You know, it's OK. Least now we know who did it." She sighed and leaned back.

She sat in front of the fireplace for a long time. She didn't know how long it was, but she assumed it was late. Jeimu, Ron and Hermione had all retired for the night, leaving her alone with Harry.

"What time is it?" Salinas asked him.

He looked down at his watch. "Nearly midnight."

She stared into the fire. "Hmm. I thinks I'm gonna take a walk." She stood up. "I think I should go talk to Granddad and Shas."

Harry crossed the room and stood in front of her. "Let me come with you," he whispered.

She raised an eyebrow. "If ye wants to, I s'pose ye can come."

They climbed through the portrait hole and out into the dimly lit hallway. Without its normal assortment of torches and lights, the corridor resembled a dark underground passage. Salinas shivered; it was cold, too.

Harry took her hand and she looked up at him. He was smiling reassuredly, but she didn't have the energy to smile back. The information she'd received from Snape and then from the potioned Mica was all too much for her. She had to know more, which was why she was going to her grandfather's office.

They walked in silence until they reached the roughly cut stone gargoyle. Salinas looked at it, then at Harry, before placing one hand on the statue and murmuring, "Peppermint knob."

It sprang to the side, revealing the ascending spiral staircase. Salinas walked through the threshold and onto the staircase. "Come on, b'y," she said to Harry, who followed her up the stairs until they stopped short of the door with the griffon knocker. "I has a feeling I'll need some company."

She knocked three times, and the door opened.

Albus Dumbledore was still awake and seated behind his desk. The office was lit by only a handful of floating candles, which cast low light around. Illuminated by this light, Dumbledore looked eons older than he actually was. When he glanced up and saw Salinas, he smiled.

"What a pleasant surprise, Salinas," he said in his blithe voice. "Restless, were you?" He smiled gently at Salinas, who was still holding Harry's hand. "And I see you and Mr Potter are getting along famously." Another smile lit his features and his blue eyes twinkled.

"Yes, b'y," Salinas said. "It's true, I can't sleep. Y'see, before ye came into the hospital wing, Professor Snape explained somethin' to me. 'Bout why the Death Eaters want me dead."

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "It is true, they believe that if you are killed or taken from my care, I will surrender to them."

"But," Salinas whispered, "ye won't, will ye?"

"Dear, try not to think about us being in that situation. As far as we know, Quartz is the only active Death Eater who is working on this particular course of action."

"Ye mean there were others?"

"One other."

"An' who was it?"

Dumbledore smiled. "I cannot tell you that now. But rest assured that this person is of no danger to you."

She relaxed. "So what does our catching Mica mean? That I'm no longer threatened?"

"Hardly, my dear Salinas. What this now means is that . . ." He hesitated. "It means that we are all at risk. You see, Quartz told me something after you and Shasta left."

"And what was that?" Salinas squeezed Harry's hand.

"The Death Eaters are coming."