Fire Starter

Fire Starter - Chapter 2

Stopping just as they reached the sidewalk, Remus pulled a small piece of parchment from his pocket and using his wand, jotted a few words and handed it to Ella. She saw only a simple street address, but when she looked back up, she couldn't believe her eyes. To her amazement, an additional Brownstone appeared in the middle of the others. Once Remus entered and took a quick look around, he motioned for Ella. Moody was still close behind her, never taking more than a step away from her. Finally, he withdrew his wand and told her to wait with Remus as he disappeared down the hall. Looking around, she could tell that this house was in need of some care. The wallpaper was pealing in spots, and a musty smell lingered in the air. She wondered if this was some kind of hide out for wizards in danger. She heard a few raised voices from the direction that Moody had went, and a few moments later he returned with a witch. After a short whispered conversation, Remus approached Ella once again.

"Ella, we've decided that it would be best for you to stay here tonight. Tonks here will show you where you can sleep." Tonks started up the stairs and Ella followed, along with Remus. They came to a small room at the end of a long dark hallway. Giving a quick nod to Tonks, he excused himself and walked back downstairs, leaving the two women standing alone.

"Okay, so, here you go. I hope Alastor didn't scare you. He can come across really strong. There has been a lot of Death Eater activity lately, so he's extra cautious." Tonks entered the room and started casting protective charms all over, especially on the door and windows. She then muttered a few cleaning spells and the room seemed to become more cozy. The cobwebs had disappeared from the bed and the linens were now fresh.

"Okay, right. So, this is where you can sleep tonight. I'll be nearby, but don't leave the room and don't use any magic. If you need something, just knock on the door and I'll get it for you." Tonks smiled and closed the door quickly behind her, leaving Ella standing near the bed. She told herself it could be worse, and that at least for tonight she had protection. She felt like a prisoner, but these people were right. Things were getting worse and everyone had to be on their guard. She removed her wet clothes and placed them on the back of a near by chair. Thankful that her under garments we dry, she climbed into the large bed, eagerly awaiting a good night's rest.

In the morning, the sun poured through the cracks around the heavy curtains. Ella had slept well, but was still sore from having to use her powers last night. She hated having the power to produce fire. Her father, the same man who had tried to kill her mother and turn her over to Death Eaters in return for greater power, possessed the same magical gift as she did. She always enjoyed being unique, but she hated that she had something in common with the man she hated most. She was thinking of the last time that she saw him when there was a knock at the door. Tonks poked her head inside to see if Ella was awake.

"Oh good, you are awake. I went to your hotel and gathered your things, just in case you need to stay here another night." She placed the duffle and messenger bags on the floor next to the door. She told Ella that she would wait for her outside. Climbing out from under the warm covers, Ella quickly bathed and grabbed the first things that she pulled out of her bag; a pair of tight black jeans, a green peasant blouse, and black ballet flats. She loosely braided her hair and slipped on her shoes. Tonks was sitting on a chair outside the door when Ella came out of her room. She stood quickly, bumping her head on the shelf above her.

"Oy! Are you hungry?"

"Actually, I'm famished. "

"Great. Remus is making breakfast. Come on, I'll show you the way." Ella followed Tonks down the stairs. They walked through a very tight hallway and entered the kitchen. A long wood table sat mostly empty, with only two or three people in the room. She recognized Remus, but there were two other people there that she didn't know. Remus smiled as she sat down next to Tonks. She kept wondering who these people were, and if they would really be able to help her.

After a very quiet meal, Tonks collected the plates and placed them in the sink. An older woman slurped her tea and coughed, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Remus stood to address the room.

"Okay, we need to figure out what is going on here. This is Ellaprine Munich. Last night Alastor and I witnessed her perform some very unique magic while dueling with another wizard, who we are taking to be a Death Eater. Ella, why don't you tell everyone what you told me?"

"Okay, um, right. Well, as he said, my name is Ella Munich. I'm here in London because I need some help. I'm here to find Albus Dumbledore, or someone who can help me."

"Why do you think he can help you?" The older witch pulled her green shawl further onto her shoulders.

"My mother, she said that he could help me with my power. You see, I'm a Fire Starter. I can produce fire from my body without a wand or spell. I inherited this power from my father. He attempted to murder my mother and then tried to give me over to You Know Who, to help him gain more power. He was a Death Eater."

"And, my dear, where is your father now?"

"I have no idea. The last I had heard, he was in Russia." The room was silent. Emmaline Vance repositioned her shawl again before turning to a tall man who was sitting opposite to her at the table.

"Severus, do you know of this family? I've only heard a few things, but nothing that Miss Munich didn't tell us."

"The Munichs brought Dark Magic from Russia almost two hundred years ago." Severus stared at Ella, as if he was going to smite her. He knew all too well of the influence that her family had had on the dark arts. He had studied her father's tactics when he was new to the Death Eaters, and he remembered hearing the story of her father's murderous plot. What Ella didn't tell them was the curse that he placed on her before he returned to Russia.

"Yes. As I said, my father's family isn't the greatest. And just so you all know, I do not associate myself with the dark arts. I have fought hard my whole life to shed the image of my family." Snape let out a small grunt and smoothed his robes.

"I think it would be best to send an owl to Hogwarts, to gain Albus's insight before we take her to the castle. After all, school will start soon, and the last thing we need is a walking flame around the students." Ella shot Severus an evil glance, but he kept his composure. He knew what kind of power she possessed, and more than anything, was curious to learn as much as he could.

"Well, then it's settled. I'll send an owl straight away, and hopefully we'll have word by the end of the day." Remus left the kitchen, followed by Emmaline and Tonks. Snape walked over to Ella.

"I know of your family. How can you assure me that I can trust you?" Ella tried to think of something witty to say, some callous comeback that would throw him for a loop, but her mind was blank. This man had a feeling about him. Sure, the others seemed to trust him, but she felt it funny that he was asking her the same question she was thinking of asking him.

"Look, Severus is it? I'm not threat. I just need to see Dumbledore, and everything should resolve itself." Unsatisfied, he returned to his chair in the corner and his book. I'm not a threat, Ella thought to herself. At least not yet.