Confused Memories

Chapter 10

"Coates, is that report ready yet?" AJ snapped irritably.

"Only ten pages left to print, Admiral," Jen Coates replied.

"I need it now, Petty Officer."

"Yes, sir," she sighed.

A few minutes later, the report was finally printed. Coates picked it up.

"I'll take that in for you, Petty Officer," a smooth voice said.

She looked up. A man of medium height stood before her. He had soft brown hair and green eyes, and was wearing a three-piece suit. He looked familiar for some reason... "Mr... Webb?" Jen asked.

"That's right, Jennifer. Now, if I could see the Admiral...?"

"He said he's not to be disturbed," Jen said.

"Tell him it's about Colonel MacKenzie."

Jen's eyes widened. "Do you know where the Colonel is? Is she all right? Where is she?"

"Calm down, Petty Officer. I need to speak to Chegwidden."

"Well, then, why don't you just come in instead of flirting with my yeoman?" AJ barked from the doorway. "Coates, the report?"

"Here it is, sir," she said quickly, handing him the sheaf of papers.

Barely nodding, AJ grabbed the paper and went back into his office.

"Well, Webb? What do you want this time? MacKenzie's not back yet, so you can't borrow her," AJ said peevishly.

"Actually, I didn't want to borrow one of your officers this time, AJ," Webb said.

"Then what? Information?"

"No. I have the information I need."

"Well, I highly doubt this is a social call." AJ's voice had gotten dangerously quiet.

"As much as I love to bask in your presence, Admiral, no, it isn't. I received information yesterday that a Location Charm had been performed somewhere in McLean, Virginia. Unfortunately, the witch keeping watch was new, and couldn't narrow down the location any further, due to all the wards this particular caster had put up."

"What are you babbling about, Webb?" AJ growled.

Clay snorted. "Oh, come on, AJ. Don't play innocent with me. Chegwidden. I don't know why I never noticed before." He shook his head. "One of the oldest wizarding families in the United States, and the missing heir was right under my nose for eight years."

"Get out."

"Uh-uh, AJ. You're not calling the shots. Unless, of course, you want me to go to the Salem Times and let slip a little information--say, where you're working now? I'm sure your father would love to hear that." He smirked. "Honestly, AJ. How many years has it been since you last performed a spell? I'm surprised it didn't knock you out cold."

AJ glared. "Whatever it is you want, Webb, I'm not helping you. I've stayed away from that world for nearly four decades now--"

"But can you last four more?" Clay interrupted. "Come on, AJ. You know the life span of the average wizard. Even without performing magic, you'll live well into your early hundreds." His voice softened. "I know about your brother, AJ--"

"You know nothing about my brother, Webb. Get out. Don't ask JAG for help again. If I ever see you on these premises, I'll have Security escort you out in handcuffs."

Clay raised an eyebrow. "But, AJ, aren't you the least curious as to where your missing Chief of Staff has wandered off to?"

AJ, who had been glaring out the window, turned around quickly. "You know where Mac is?"

"I know where she may be."

AJ rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Where she 'may be'? That's not a lot of help, now is it? How do you know about this, anyway?" AJ asked in suspicion.

Clay snorted. "AJ, don't you do your research? Really. I thought you lawyers were supposed to be big on that."

"Webb, I haven't been in contact with anyone from... that world... since Andrew was killed. Of course, you probably know that--you seem to know everything else about me."

"Fine. I'll explain. But sit down--this may take a while."

---

Chapter 11

Hermione sighed with relief as Sarah walked into the staff room. As much as she loved tiny Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, half an hour of his squeaky voice raving about his newest star pupil was enough to get on anyone's nerves.

"Excuse me, Filius," Hermione said quickly. "Sarah! How was your second day of teaching?"

Sarah sighed. "I have to side with Professor Snape, Hermione. Dunderheads, the lot of them," she said, mimicking the surly Potions professor. Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Are they all that bad?" she asked as she and Sarah seated themselves.

Sarah rolled her head on her shoulders, wincing at the snapping sound. "The older ones, no. They seem to have an aptitude for Divination--or, at the least, enjoy studying it. But the third and fourth-years..." she huffed. "They have no respect for the subject whatsoever! But I think they've learned their lesson," Sarah smirked.

This time, both eyebrows went up. "What did you do?" Hermione asked warily.

"Oh, just a bit of palm reading. Silly tricks, really. But I gave them enough truths in the tricks that they're afraid I can read minds." She chuckled. "I'm no Legilimens, but the looks on their faces..."

"Well done, Professor MacKenzie," a smooth voice came from behind them. "Apparently, among the third-year Hufflepuffs, you are becoming the most feared professor at Hogwarts."

"Besides you, of course," Sarah smirked.

"Of course," Snape replied, nodding.

Hermione was beginning to think her eyebrows would be permanently stuck to her hairline. She had never seen Severus take to anyone so well. Well, as much as he did 'take to anyone'. He had not yet bitten Sarah's head off for anything--which was amazing for the 'greasy git', as Ron still called him.

Dumbledore came into the staff room, smiling. "Good evening, everyone! Let's get our meeting started, so you can all go and begin our first weekend of the school year.

"Now... how is our newest professor faring?" Dumbledore asked.

"She is doing quite well, thank you," Sarah quipped. The assembled staff chuckled, and Sarah said, "I think I have my classes under control. I'm going to take the weekend to figure out exactly where to go in the curriculum. It seems that the students aren't where they should be this far along--especially the fifth and seventh-years. OWLs and NEWTs are coming up later this year, and although I won't be here for them, I would like to leave the students prepared." Albus nodded approvingly.

Sarah continued, "I would also like permission to tutor one of my students outside of class."

"Which one is this?" Minerva asked curiously.

"One of yours, actually, Minerva--a Benjamin McCoy."

"McCoy, McCoy... the sixth year? A bit on the shy side?"

"That's the one. He seems to have a very strong natural ability. I think that he could be quite a powerful Seer if he's trained properly."

"Excellent!" Albus exclaimed. "If he consents, then by all means, tutor away. Now, who's next? Ah, yes, Severus."

There was a collective suppressed groan as the Potions Master stood to present his views on the mental abilities of the current student body. Hermione and Sarah rolled their eyes at each other as he continued for five minutes.

An hour later, the collected faculty had updated everyone on their places in the curriculum. Hermione stood to leave.

"Well, Sarah, have a nice night." When she got no answer, she turned back to her colleague. "Sarah? Are you all right?"

Her answer came when Sarah opened her mouth to speak. Eyes unfocused, her voice soft and high-pitched, she said:

"The noble one will rescue the princess from the tower. The queen will find a savior in one she least expects. The mighty one will be slain. The angel of darkness will be overcome by his own. By the time of the summer's end, these things will be."

Silence reigned in the staff room. Then, chaos erupted.