Scar Mates

INCANTATEM INSULARAE

Shadows of the autumn moon

Keeper of the alchemist's rune

Seven rings around it lay

Ripples out to fend away

Keepers of the Stone Immortal

Stand we now to ward its portal

Fang of dog within its lair

Sleep above the Devil's Snare

Soar the heights so it may be

Just one chance to find the key

Cunning to the board must bring

Plans to lay aside the King

Strength of body slight of hand

Move the giant to command

Let the mind view well the test

Ere it choose what may be best

Standing still before the Stone

Maker's task may not be known

Makers of the Seven Grid

Call the Warding to be hid

Binding now we all do bid.

Early Halloween morning, before the student body awoke, a dark shadow flitted along the forbidden third-floor corridor. It paused momentarily at each door, then moved stealthily along to the next. Severus Snape was on patrol, checking the wards on the Seven-fold Grid. The patrols had at first been conducted daily, but since an incursion into the first grid early in the term, Snape had taken it upon himself to check them at least once more each day. He had a foreboding about the integrity of the Grid, and although no other episodes had occurred, he had long ago learned to trust his instincts about such matters.

Going down the spiral stairway that led to the last locked door of the Grid, he moved back into the shadows, and stood silently studying it. He felt his exhaustion now, but instead of returning to his rooms for a few hours of sleep, he sat on the stone bench to the side of the stairway, hidden from view. Leaning back against the cold wall, he closed his eyes. The wards were intact. No one should be able to breach them, but still he was uneasy. He thought back to the night in August when, all in readiness, the seven of them had done the final walk-through and incantation to bring the Grid to life.

They met the week before the start of term to cast the enchantment. It would take all seven of them to do it, united in power and purpose, not quite dark magic, but deep, old magic not often used within the castle walls. Dumbledore had met with each one of them in the preceding week, aiding each one in the planning and construction of their own grid area. He alone was aware of the magic of each area, of the completed tapestry that the sum of the parts would weave. He alone was aware of what was needed to neutralize each one. This was necessary, having a spell master, in the unlikely event that something should befall the architect of any given grid area. It was fitting that this oversight should fall to him, as he was a rightful owner of the Stone.

They met in the third- floor corridor a half hour before midnight, when the spell would be cast. Each grid area sat ready, magically suspended, waiting for the spell which would bring the whole of it to life. The six professors, along with Hagrid, were is dress robes, as was befitting the solemn nature of the occasion. Hagrid was especially nervous. He had required some special tutoring from Snape, memorizing both his individual part, and the group incantation that would be required at midnight. This was wandless magic, so at least he would not suffer from the lack of one.

After a few moments of quiet instruction, Dumbledore led them to a nondescript doorway and opened it. Standing aside for each of them to file in, he followed as they came to stop in front of a large, slumbering dog.

Midnight was chosen, of course, due to the fact that this exact time of night inherently strengthened spells cast as the clock was striking twelve. It was also chosen to ensure that no other inhabitants of the castle might stumble into the proceedings unaware.

They moved to make a circle around the beast, and if anyone was surprised to see the three-headed dog, none betrayed it. Linking hands, they looked to Dumbledore. At the nod of his head, they all began together:

Shadows of the autumn moon

Keeper of the alchemist's rune

Seven rings around us lay

Ripples out to fend away

Keepers of the Stone Immortal

Stand we now to ward its portal

They fell silent, as Hagrid spoke his part now, eyes cast down.

Fang of dog within its lair

Walking without speaking, hands still joined, they descended the ladder through the trap door. Once again they formed the circle, then Professor Sprout took up the chant.

Sleep above the Devil's Snare

Down the hallway they trod into the next high-vaulted chamber. Professor Flitwick now squeaked his part.

Soar the heights so it may be

Just one chance to find the key

Deeper down into the grid they walked, standing at last in the middle of a game board. The circle reformed, Professor McGonagall took up the refrain.

Cunning to the board must bring

Plans to lay aside the King

Slowly they made their way into the next chamber, the air foul-smelling here. From the circle, Professor Quirrell lifted his voice, struggling to control his stuttering.

S...Strength of body slight of hand

Move the g...giant to command

Snape rolled his eyes. They pressed on to a much smaller room where a table sat, covered with bottles of different shapes and sizes. Reforming the circle anew around it, Snape intoned:

Let the mind view well the test

Ere it choose what may be best

They moved into the final chamber, larger than all the preceding ones. Dumbledore walked to the center of the room where a small table sat, covered with a velvet cloth. As the circle formed once again, the Headmaster drew a small, wrapped bundle from within his robes. The waited patiently as he un-wrapped it, holding it to his chest for a moment. Placing it atop the table, he stepped backward, his hands out on either side to be admitted to the circle. His bright eyes glittering, he softly said his part.

Standing still before the Stone

Maker's task may not be known

All eyes were on the Headmaster now. He stared at the Stone for a few moments, his lips moving soundlessly. It shimmered in the lamplight, then seemed to brighten, before it vanished from sight. Nodding to the group, he led them out into the hallway, still clasping hands. For the final time the circle was re-forged, gathering in close together now. None of them needed a cue as they began the final incantation.

Makers of the Seven Grid

Call the Warding to be hid

Binding now we all do bid.

With the final words of the incantation, all of them, including Hagrid, who had been warned ahead of time, held onto each other tightly. As the spell was seated, the complicated wards of Hogwart's shifted to incorporate the newly protected area. It was not really audible, but these adults, so sensitive to magic within and without, sensed a magical groaning and wrenching, roiling about them as the effects of what they had done set the Grid into motion. For a brief instant, vertical and horizontal lines, fluid in motion, became visible over the exterior walls in the third- floor corridor. Several large thunks were heard from within the Grid. After a final, blinding flash from beneath the doors of the Grid, all settled into silence.

One by one they opened their eyes, then slowly dropped their hands and stepped apart. Dumbledore stood with his eyes still closed, his head cocked to one side, as if listening.

They waited while he stood, as if transfixed. Breathing out a long breath, the old man opened his eyes and swept them all in with a glance. "It's up."

Snape was jolted from his reverie by something rubbing against his leg. Startled, he jumped up and cursed softly. Filch's damn cat. He strode off towards his rooms and the prospect of little time to sleep now. Halloween was upon him, and if past years were to be repeated, this would be a long and vexing day.