The Fire Wand

The Fire Wand

Chapter 7: The Night Time Chat

'Something bout last night
what you say
feels so cold
on a sunny day.'
Alex Lloyd - My Way Home

'The plant exploded into flame.' Dumbledore repeated, Snape nodded. The both looked down at the indiscriminate red wand, and then up at Siana at the same time. The synchronicity of their movements was uncanny and Siana fought not to squirm.

It was still midmorning, Snape had told her to come to Dumbledore's office in thirty minutes time, when Siana had promptly replied by telling him she didn't know how to get there. Snape had taken her then to the library to deposit her supplies. He then proceeded to take her down to the dungeons so he could drop off his own purchases.

Ten minutes later Siana found herself walking past a moving stone gargoyle and riding up spiral steps. She had looked around at everything quite intrigued, and then before she knew it, she was face to face with a concerned Dumbledore.

She shook herself back to the present anxiously.

'It burnt, yes. But I did the same spell with the same wand not five minutes later and it worked...perfectly.' Siana said uncomfortably.

Why is everything I do under constant scrutiny? Even his Phoenix seems to be watching me funny. Ah Fawkes, Dad was so jealous of the bond you have with Dumbledore.

'...true...' Snape was saying. '...it worked fine.'

'Try it now, on...on this.' Dumbledore picked up a glass of water and tilted it. He was about to pour it onto the table.

Siana shrugged and picked her wand up off his desk. As he started pouring the substance Siana said 'congelo!' The water froze and clattered in stone pieces onto the table.

'Transfigure my lamp into something.' Dumbledore ordered softly and Siana, thinking quickly, pointed her wand at the oil lamp. With no words uttered a pale stream of light suddenly shot out of her wand and she was looking at a very realistic baby seal. Dumbledore nodded, there was a smile hiding beneath his beard.

'Very impressive. But as to the wand, I have a tentative theory.'
'Shoot.' Said Siana, as she changed the seal back into a lamp. She then started to pick up the stone pieces of water and placing them back into the glass. They clinked quietly.

'It seems when you are frightened, your power turns into something raw. I'll demonstrate. Siana do you know how to block?'
'Yeah...' she said slowly and then gasped with shock as Dumbledore, no longer a quiet old man, whipped out his wand and shouted;

'Stupefy!'

Siana ducked the spray of light and her wand nearly slipped out of her palm in her nervousness. Oh my God! He's going to hurt me? What if they wanted to all along? This is serious!

She pointed her wand blindly in the direction of Dumbledore and shouted: 'Desino!'

There was a mild explosion, a loud bang, and then suddenly Siana found herself holding her hands up to block the light that was pouring into her eyes. In complete amazement she saw a beam of white light, from floor to ceiling, separating herself from Dumbledore and his offensive wand.

God. Did I do that?

'Desino.' She tried again weakly, pointing at her own barrier this time. The light immediately faded and Siana looked at the wand in her hand like it was some kind of filthy creature. With a look of fright she dropped it onto the table and then looked at her hand.

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling, and his mouth she suspected was curved into a slight smile. Snape was examining that place where the light barrier had stood.

'I must say I've never seen a barrier spell like that before Miss Basilica. I think this is proof enough for myself, for now. I don't think you're in any danger with a wand like that.'
'How can I not be in any danger? Did you see what it did?'
'You stopped the danger. Effectively. You probably were too blinded by the field of light to realise that it had swallowed up my second stunning spell. It definitely exacerbates whatever you intended at the time, you said it has basilisk fang inside of it?'

Siana sighed and nodded. She picked her wand up again, it was warm once more. She glared at it accusingly before putting it away.

'No trace of the barrier.' Snape said and Dumbledore nodded.
'I did wonder if there would be one. Siana there is a danger with this, if you act too impulsively, you could inadvertently harm another.'

Siana nodded, what more could she do? She stared down at her old navy blue robes, she hadn't been able to change out of yet. There was a thought teasing on the edge of her mind, a question that she wanted to ask. Only she didn't know how to phrase it - it did after all have nothing to do with the wand. Siana started to tease out some loose blue thread in her nervousness.

'Uh..what...what's going to happen to Macnair?' Siana said softly. Having Snape there while she asked the question made her feel uneasy. She felt vulnerable talking about Macnair, and she knew that they could sense that. After all, she still had a black bruise on her throat, and a healing cut on the back of her head. She'd lost her whole family to him.

'He was moved to the Ministry last night. As far as I know they will keep him guarded by Dementors until trial.' Dumbledore paused and Siana risked looking up from the threads she was nervously plucking. Dumbledore was looking grim, and she remembered something that her father had said a long time ago. 'Albus hates those Dementors. Or you know, hates the fact that they're employed by the Ministry. Don't understand why myself, they're effective, and strong.'

'Trial? I'll be expected to testify of course. I was the only one there, in both cases.' She said softly. 'No one's going to take my word against his. He might be dark, but people in the Ministry, they respect him. I don't have that, I don't have that kind of respect.' Siana murmured and felt herself blush. She looked away, embarrassed.

'You have the truth, and I will vouch for you. Also, about the...' He stopped suddenly and turned to the window. In fact they'd all turned, because a pressing scratching noise stopped the idea of any further conversation in any case.

A barn owl was scratching away fervently at the window latch and beating her wings. In her eyes was a look of desperation, in her foot a piece of parchment.

I don't believe it, Athena? But she's never delivered mail before! She's a wild animal!

Siana ran to the door, beating Dumbledore and Snape who had just started making their way.
'Athena!' She crooned as she opened the window. 'Ohhh Athena, baby you look exhausted. Come here. Come here.' She purred soothingly and held out her arm. Athena hopped onto it, making clucking noises of urgency in the back of her throat. At the same time she butted her head into Siana's shoulder, clearly pleased to see her again. 'Oh it's alright sweetheart. It's okay. You flew all this way? Where've you been? You want me to take that from you?' She asked softly as she took the letter.

As she unrolled it, Athena flew onto Dumbledore's table and walked awkwardly up to the glass of water that had pieces of stone still in it. She pressed her head into the glass but couldn't get her beak down far enough. Dumbledore was there in an instant, he picked up the glass of water and tilted it so the owl could drink. Athena hooted gratefully before guzzling down water. Fawkes was watching Athena with intense interest.

Siana Abelia Basilica,

The Ministry of Magic wishes to extend grave apologies for your loss.

We further apologise for taking the liberty of cremating the Basilicas that we could find. We assumed that you were deceased, having not heard from you in three days - and not hearing of your convalescence until another day after that. Unfortunately a small service had been conducted for those closest to your father, Mr. A. Basilica - respected Auror and Archivist.

As stated in your parents will, their ashes, along with extended family, have been scattered over the Archives.

Your father's account with Gringotts has been deferred to reconstruction of the Archives, your mother's separate trust account with Gringotts has been credited to yourself, as was requested.

If you have any further queries please feel free to contact myself: Mrs. G. Tenashes or any others here in the Department of Magical Social Services.

Siana swallowed and took a step backwards in shock. She bumped into Snape, who had been reading the letter behind her shoulder. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and quietly moved away. He looks, almost...concerned. Only I know he's not capable of concern, so maybe it's something else.

'They've already conducted a service.' Snape said quietly to Dumbledore who frowned.
'I wasn't informed of that.'
'Ashes over the Archives.' Snape continued and Siana moved over to Athena and Fawkes, staying a careful distance, because she didn't want to frighten or perturb the Phoenix.

Fawkes looked up, his feathers shining brilliantly, his eyes twinkling. He flapped his wings a little and then moved closer to Athena, possessively. Athena looked at Fawkes in apparent disgust and moved away.

Fawkes followed. Athena hooted low at him, and then moved away - though Siana saw the playful twinkle in her eye - and Fawkes, followed again.

When Athena seemed to have had enough of the game she flew onto Siana's outstretched arm. Fawkes looked, as though considering whether or not to follow, and then suddenly Siana found herself acting as a perch for two birds.

'I think Fawkes has found himself a feathered friend.' Dumbledore chuckled. 'He normally doesn't consort with mere mortal birds.'
'Athena's no ordinary bird. I'm surprised she lowered herself to deliver mail. Thank you beautiful.' She added, kissing the top of Athena's sleek and streamlined head. The smell of owl, of feathers and forest reminded Siana of home and she sighed.

'I'm going to settle Athena in, assuming she's going to stay. She might as well move in with me, I have high quarters and she's more protective than Mercury ever was. She'll let me know if something's wrong. You'll let me know about the trial? I'm assuming you'll be advised first.'
'Certainly.' Said Dumbledore and Snape moved forwards as Siana moved towards the door.

'You'll need walking back to your quarters.' He said simply and Siana's eyes narrowed. First you accuse me of killing someone, now you're offering to take me back to my room? Whatever for? Honestly, anyone would think you don't actually know how to associate with other humans. Unless of course...no...unless that is the problem? Hahaha, I wonder how you'd react then if I was nice to you.

'I'd appreciate that, thanks. Although I hardly see I'll be in any danger with so many students around.'
'On a day like today most won't be inside.' Snape said dryly and nodded respectfully to Dumbledore before moving to the door. As Siana reached it, Fawkes flew back to Dumbledore. He looked put out that his entertainment was leaving, put out, but dignified no less. Siana smiled at Dumbledore before leaving and saw him tilt his head in return.

As they moved down the spiral staircase, Athena busied herself with preening. 'Thank you Professor Snape.' Siana said softly. An experiment, nothing more. I'm not actually grateful, I'm just checking to see how he's going to react.

'Don't mention it, I'm not only doing this to protect you.' He said and Siana rolled her eyes. Of course, he's protecting the other students from me, he's not actually worried that I'm the one who needs protecting. Heaven forbid...I'm a murderer. God! It's not like he isn't evil either.

Not that he's acting evil...not that he really has been today. He even had that opportunity with Malfoy and he said nothing.

'Earlier today, I guess I'd also like to thank you for not, for not rising to the opportunity have mutually insulting me with Lucius.'
Snape grunted and Siana risked a look at him.

His face cut a harsh profile, his greasy black hair fell to his jaw bones messily. His eyes were black and staring straight ahead. She could see age in him, but she didn't know if it was due to what he had experienced in the past, or actual age. He's not that bad looking really. When he's not sneering, he's sort of got dark...but seductive looks. It's probably a good thing he isn't nice or friendly, otherwise I might be a little lost.

Siana was surprised by her own thoughts.

'You trust Dumbledore.' Snape said finally.
'Excuse me?'
'You trust Dumbledore. Fawkes clearly tolerates you. He only tolerates those who are trustworthy.'
'He only saw me as a convenient perch.'

'So you don't trust Dumbledore?' Snape said, looking into her violet eyes with raised eyebrows.
'No...I...well, I didn't say that.' She said sheepishly and then put a hand over her forehead. 'God I suppose you're right of course. What about you?'
'What about me?' He said softly, she detected a dangerous edge in his sleek voice and frowned.

'I mean, you obviously trust Dumbledore. Why does he trust you?'

There was a silence then as they walked, and Siana wondered if he had even heard the question. He's probably heard it and decided that he doesn't want to speak to me anymore. That doesn't surprise me. Erratic.

'I'm surprised you don't remember that either. You were there the day I renounced Voldemort after all. I didn't think it would be that hard for you to put two and two together.' Snape finally said into the darkness and Siana swallowed and halted. Snape stopped and faced her, his own expression impassive, unfathomable.

'Why do you keep insisting I've done things that I can't remember? It's not that I'm aware of these memories, and before you pointed out that they should be in my head, I wasn't aware of having forgotten anything.' Siana said quietly. 'I'd only met you by reputation and picture before Hogwarts, I don't remember meeting you at any time before. Ever. You're memorable Professor Snape, I think I'd remember meeting you.'

There we go, I'll try and be rational, explain it from my point of view. But look at the way he's looking at me now! He doesn't believe me! Or does he? He hasn't jumped down my throat yet, I suppose that's something.

'You don't remember anything?' Snape said softly, darkly. There was doubt in his voice clearly. He's not tricking me.

'No! There's nothing to remember!' Siana said, losing her temper. Then she saw Snape's face twist into definite doubt and she held up her hands placatingly. 'Okay okay, I don't remember anything! I didn't know there was anything to remember! I thought you were tricking me in Knockturn Alley before, trying to I don't know, force a false confession out of me or something. You really don't believe me do you?'

'I have a good memory.' Was all he said and he started walking again. Siana followed, she was feeling lighter at the conversation, despite the serious issues it bought up. He's being nice to me, relatively, sort of. We're talking at least. We're not arguing! Imagine that!

'So you think I'm memorable.' He added.

'I think everyone does. Your reputation precedes you.'
'As does yours.' Snape retorted.
'By Artemis, are we actually having a...heaven forfend...a rational conversation?'
Siana said in mock amazement, holding her hand to her heart and faking a swooning fit. Snape watched her in exasperation as she started to giggle.

'Forgive me Snape. I'm making fun of myself as much as you if it's any consolation.'
'I'm consoled.'

Siana continued to giggle.

'You know that's the thing! I used to joke around a lot, back in the tower, at home, Athena and I used to have this game. I'd transform into a fruit bat, and we'd hide in the rafters, whenever Mum and Camille came in...you should have seen their faces...of course, then there was this time Nathan and Mercury came in, looking to go stag hunting, and...'

No. No! Siana squeezed her eyes shut. Stop talking about them! Stop it! You're going to destroy yourself like that. Where's your integrity? Your pride? Your strength? Shut up!

'You were saying?' Snape interrupted her berating thoughts quietly and her eyes flew open.
He's right in front of me! Warm, he smells warm, must be that pepper and sandalwood scent. Look at his eyes. What's he thinking? He probably thinks I'm some basket case because I have no family. Nothing. God, no! Stop thinking about it!
'Nothing.' Siana's voice shook. 'Nothing. God do you have to stand so close?' She said angrily and moved away, intensely uncomfortable by the warmth that seemed to exude off them, or was it the both of them?

Snape now had a tiny smile on his face.
'No. I don't.' He said and Siana's eyes flew open. God does he know that, did he see the way I reacted? No. He couldn't. He's not a sexual creature. Don't think about sex! Stop it!
Athena hooted, it was the hoot she reserved for amusement.
'Shut up Athena, it's not funny.' Siana muttered and Snape's shoulders shook with silent laughter.

Great, I cry silently, he laughs silently. We're the silent emotive people.

Siana followed once more as he led the way back to the library. Her face was flaming all the way back with the thought that he had suspected what she had just discovered. That I find the great jackass mildly attractive. Dammit.

* * * * *

'What have we here?' Siana whispered later that night. She couldn't sleep, and had decided to go down to the library to research more on strange transfiguration ideas. The more strange they were, the more sense they seemed to make to her. However once in the library she was distracted by a lamp sitting not-so-innocently on one of the tables.

I swear that hadn't been there earlier.

And then she had seen them, the finger tips. She trained her ears and could hear gentle, slow breathing. Someone's asleep in my library. Her eyes narrowed and she crept forward quietly, her hand reaching out to pull away the invisibility cloak she could just make out underneath those fingertips.

Strangely enough, she felt no fear. Either because she was tired of being frightened, or because there was no reason to feel it.

Delicately she peeled the cloak back until she was holding it in her hands and saw a mess of black hair, skewed glasses and a tiny sparkle of saliva on his arm where his head lay. His lamp cast his features into relief, and Siana noticed then what he was reading.

Wizard debts? What would he care about those for?

She cleared her throat loudly, and as he started to rouse she began to talk.

'What are we researching at one o'clock in the morning that we can't research during the day, Mr. Potter?' Siana said sternly and Harry suddenly jerked awake, his skewed glasses now falling at an even more precarious angle. She unconsciously looked for his scar once more, couldn't see it and gave up quickly. 'Hmm? I'm waiting for a very decent answer.'

'Professor...Professor Basilica. I, er, I was researching...'
'When you stutter, your excuses don't seem as authentic you know.' She shook the invisibility cloak and Harry's eyes widened with fear. 'Especially when you've got one of those around you. Here.' She said, throwing it back to him.
'You can see through invisibility cloaks?' He said in awe as he took it back and she laughed.
'No! That would be the day. So tell me, what are you doing researching wizarding debts?'

'Are you going to report me?'
'Do I look like I'm marching to Filch?' Siana retorted and Harry smiled softly. 'Thanks Professor Basilica. I'm just, I had a thought tonight about something, and I needed to check it out. Sort of urgently.'
'Is there anything wrong?' Siana said, sitting down at the table also.
'No.' Harry said quickly and Siana's eyes narrowed.

'Sure. That's what I say as well. Well I guess I'll have to just accept that and not press you for more information...but was it about Prongs?' Siana said and then her hand clapped over her mouth. Damn! Talk about not pressing for information! Harry's eyes had widened with shock.

'No. Not my Dad. How'd you...how'd you know about that?'
'I'm...you know too?' She said, slightly shocked. She didn't think many knew that James Potter was an animagus. Harry nodded. 'Okay. Tell me what you know about me, and I'll fill you in from there.' Siana said softly and Harry looked at the book he had been reading and then sighed.

'Ron told me about your family. That both sides are sort of afraid of you. That your Dad and Dumbledore never really got along. There's rumours going around the school that you're a double animagus, but no one thinks that's true, except for Hermione...'

'I'm a double animagus Harry. I knew your Dad a long time ago, by fluke that we met. He was chasing a werewolf into the Basilican forest, he seemed really concerned about it. I didn't know at the time that the werewolf was...was a person.' Siana said tactfully.

'It's alright. I know Lupin was a werewolf.'
'You probably know everything.' Siana said with a grin and Harry blushed very slightly. 'Hey I'm serious. Okay he was chasing Lupin, you're right. Lupin was chasing a very frightened barn owl and James didn't want him to get lost. They both were by the time I found them in the forest looking for a way out. I heard about their predicament - regarding Lupin's monthly changes, and when James quietly said to me he wanted to become an animagus to round Lupin up, I thought it was a good idea.'

'I gave him some pointers. And next time I saw him, it was a year later. They were on holidays, supposed to be staying at Hogwarts together - but they'd skipped out for a night. They were adventurers you could say. They were back in my forest again, it's safer than the Forbidden Forest, and not that far away. That's when I found out your Dad had managed, and he'd managed a difficult animal too. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs.' Siana smiled in remembrance. 'I used to have a crush on Sirius, he was very chivalrous in a piratical kind of way. Strange now, considering how he turned out.'

Harry looked like he wanted to say something. She smiled at him softly and patted his hand, which was still on the table. 'I would have done anything for your father, but we never had a chance to grow close. I was never allowed away from the Basilican Archives, and James never really found himself in a position to visit. He was a lovely person though, not many would chase a werewolf through for over half a day to ensure he remained safe. Can you keep a secret?' Siana said then, knowing that she finally wanted to share a piece of information she had never shared before.

'I can keep quite a few Professor.' Harry said softly and Siana smiled.
'We covered each other once. Your Dad was in trouble with Voldemort, I don't know why, and I was in trouble as well...that's another long story. We ended up camping out in the forest with Lily. I was ten years younger than your Dad at the time, mostly teenager. I was wasn't in school at the time thought because I was...'

Siana suddenly broke off and a cold feeling, colder than the winter invaded her limbs.

'What is it?' Said Harry in alarm and Siana's hand went to cover her mouth.

'...it's nothing.'

I was expelled from Moreberries and I don't remember why!!! How can I not remember how or why I was expelled? What happened? God this doesn't have anything to do with Snape does it? I was so young at the time!

'I'm sorry Harry. I'll continue, I just, I just realised something. Basically. Your father, Lily and I ended up camping out for three nights. It was then that James realised he had to go to Dumbledore for help. He didn't want to be running for the rest of his life. He was a brave, strong man Harry. You look a lot like him...' She said and then looked into a his green eyes.

'But only Lily had eyes like those.'
'Professor Basilica are you okay?' Harry said, half concerned, half intrigued by what he had told her. 'You're, you're as pale as ghost.'

Am I okay? I don't know. Am I? Why don't I remember? And doesn't that mean I've had more than two wands? I must have had a wand to have gone to school, and if my wand was snapped when I was expelled...why didn't Ollivander say anything then? Who's wand did I have? Dammit. Should I go to Dumbledore? Should I? What should I do?

'I'll be fine Harry.'
'I'm sorry about your family.' He said finally, awkwardly and Siana frowned. He thinks this is because of my family? I guess I can see why.
'I'll be okay Harry. I'm a big girl now. You know if you ever need anyone to talk to, you can always come to me - even if I don't stay at Hogwarts forever. Anyway, wizarding debts, give me the low down.'

'How do they get repaid?'

'Well...it depends on the type of debt from memory. Dad used to be big on debts actually. He once went through a phase of saving Death Eater's lives just so he could have that debt, and call it. Why you owe someone?'
Harry shook his head.
'Someone owe you?' She said then, softly and he nodded. From his expression she felt concern surge through her. 'Someone not good?' Harry nodded again and Siana frowned.

'Dear me. You saved someone's life?'
'I resurrected him.' Harry whispered and Siana suddenly knew what he was talking about. More dread clamoured through her now.
'Of course.' She murmured. 'Of course. You want to know if he owes you now.'

'Well I don't know exactly. Because I didn't want to resurrect him, I had no choice. I'm trying to find out if you have to want to do it - in order for the debt to be real. But I can't find out anything on it. I don't know whether it's me who owes him, or the person who did the ritual, but that person owes me too.' Harry said and then suddenly his mouth snapped shut.

'How many evil people you saved Harry?' Siana joked softly at the stunned look on his face. Though she was feeling the same way herself. 'No no don't go.' She said as he went to stand. 'Don't go, I won't tell anyone, I swear Harry, you have my word. I've never broken a promise to someone and I'm not about to do it now. If it helps, I swear on my life...I don't want to know who, I can understand there have probably been circumstances where wizards would end up being in your debt. It doesn't matter. What matters is, if Voldemort has a debt to you...can that debt be used to break him?'

Harry nodded mutely and Siana shrugged.
'I'm not the person to be asking. Now you want to become an animagus, I'll help you out with that. But you should be going to Dumbledore with this.'
Harry sighed.

'I only thought of it tonight. I'll go to him tomorrow though. I just, didn't want to wake him. He probably already knows, I remember last year...telling him about it, the resurrection, and when he heard about my blood being used to resurrect him, he looked almost - well, he looked triumphant. Maybe he realised then that Voldemort owes me now.'

'Harry I'm not the person you should be discussing this with. You should brainstorm with your Headmaster. Not with me. I can't give you the answers you're looking for. Besides you look exhausted. Go back to your room, with your beautiful cloak...' Siana said, concerned.

She'd been given enough food for thought to last her months. Evidently Harry felt the same way judging by the way he lifted himself up off the chair and wearily placed the cloak around his shoulders.

'Harry. If you ever need anything, anything, and you don't know who to go to - you can always come to me. I would have done anything for your father, for any of the Potters. I mean it. It's a strange thing Basilican loyalty, it sticks down through the generations. Now, go to bed Mr. Potter. Remember to see Dumbledore in the morning.'

Harry nodded, smiling as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

'Thanks Professor Basilica.' He said sincerely and then walked off, becoming invisible once more. Siana heard his footsteps fade away and then sighed, exhausted, collapsing at the table Harry had vacated.

'Why can't I remember how I was expelled from Moreberries?' Would Snape tell me? Or will I have to keep reading that damned book? He seems to think that the answers are in there.

Siana groaned in the back of her throat, and didn't even realise that she was falling asleep in exactly the same place Harry had, on a plain and ordinary book about wizard debts.