Fire Starter

Fire Starter - Chapter 3

Ella spent the rest of the day confined to her room. She was still under some sort of house arrest, and still hadn't been given her wand back. She was grateful that Tonks had remembered to pack her book, or else she would have gone out of her mind with boredom. Tonks had been nice enough to bring her lunch to her room, but still made little eye contact and closed the door as quickly as she had opened it. Ella was finishing up her sandwich when there was a knock at the door.

"Ella, its Tonks. We need you to come downstairs." Hoping that there was news from Dumbledore, and not that she was going to be turned over to the Ministry, she placed her book on the side table and joined Tonks. Once again, they returned to the kitchen, where the same people from breakfast were seated around the table. Remus looked up at Ella, a very thick letter in his hand.

"I have just received word from Albus. He would very much like to hear what you have to say. He has some insight on your 'gift', and would like to talk with you." Placing the letter on the table, he pulled Ella's wand from his pocket.

"Also, after much debate, we have decided to give you your wand back. But be warned; if you decided to do anything that would harm any one of us, you will immediately be disarmed and taken to the Ministry. Do you understand?"

"Yes, of course." Remus gave her a strong nod and pushed her wand to her from across the table. She quickly slid it into her pocket, not wanting to give anyone a reason to shout any spells at her. He motioned for her to sit, which she did, and he turned his attention back to the letter.

"Now, Albus wants to meet with you this evening. He agrees that the safest location to do so, for you and for us, is Hogwarts. The students are still on summer holiday, which should make it easier to get you in and out without a problem. Severus will be leaving shortly for the castle, while you and I will be apparting to Hogsmeade soon there after. I suggest that you bring your belongings with you, as we'll probably be moving you to another location after your meeting. Do you have any questions?" Ella was stunned. She couldn't believe that word had arrived so quickly, and that Albus Dumbledore was going to see if you could help her.

"What do you mean by another location?"

"A safe house. You'll be sheltered somewhere away from London while we sort everything out." She nodded in agreement. Getting out of London would probably be best for her safety. As Remus finished discussing plans with the others, Ella returned upstairs to get her things ready. She also wanted to change her outfit; she didn't think jeans were fitting attire to go to Hogwarts in. Rummaging through her bag, she found a long purple dress and her mother's black traveling cloak. Casting a charm to get all of the wrinkles out of her dress, she quickly changed. Gathering her things, she returned downstairs, where Remus was waiting for her. He seemed more relaxed around her than before. What ever he had read in the letter from Dumbledore, it seemed to have eased his worries. It also made Ella wonder just how much Dumbledore knew about her. Remus smiled and offered to take her bag.

"We'll be doing a side along apparition. Not to say that you don't know how to apparate, but I think it will be easier. Are you ready?" The two walked outside and down the street to a small dark alley. Looking around to make sure no one could see them, Ella took his hand. With a loud CRACK, the two were gone.

Ella landed easily on her feet, her hand clutching tightly to Remus's. Taking her bag from him, she looked around at the small village of Hogsmead. Shadows stretched out into the street, the sun setting behind the shops and houses. The smell of roast pork escaped the windows of the The Three Broomsticks. A few women were leaving Honeydukes, small delicately wrapped packages in their hands. Ella wished that she could stay to explore, but Remus told her that a carriage was waiting at the train station to take them to the castle.

Taking Ella's bag, he helped her into the carriage and took a seat across from her. The ride to the Hogwarts was breathtaking. Ella often wished that her mother had found a way for the two of them to stay in England so that she too could have joined the thousands of witches and wizards before her to attend the school. Even though she received a very good education at a school in Salem, she still felt as if she was somehow starting all over again on this ride around the Black Lake. Remus could see her eyes glow with excitement, slowly feeling that she wasn't as evil as they had all feared.

The carriage pulled up to the front of the castle. Ella and Remus climbed out and walked up the large staircase and through the front doors. Their footsteps echoed against the stone floor as a House Elf carried Ella's bag off down one of the long hallways. Remus asked Ella to follow him to the staircases, where he explained how they work. She was fascinated as they climbed to the seventh floor; all of the portraits seemed to stare at her as she walked by them, whispering to each other about her. Reaching the top of the stairs, they walked down a long candle lit hallway until they came to the statue of a gargoyle.

Once Remus spoke the password, Canary Cream, the statue moved to the side at Remus's words and the two rode the staircase up to a large wooden door. Knocking loudly, Remus and Ella entered to find the Headmaster staring out one of the large windows.

"I just saw the most amazing comet glide across the sky. I wonder if that means that I should make a wish or not? What do you think, Remus?"

"Perhaps a very large wish, Albus?" The old wizard turned and greeted Remus with a smile. He walked over to his desk and motioned for the two visitors to have a seat. Ella wondered if she should say something, but the silence in the room seemed to speak for itself. After a few moments, Albus folded his hands and leaned back in his chair.

"Miss Munich, Remus has informed me of your situation. I am guessing, of course, that you need my help finding a resolution to your curse?" Ella was shocked. She had told no one about the curse that her father had placed on her. She was saving this information for this very meeting, but it appeared that Dumbledore was already abreast of her situation. Remus too seemed surprised, turning to Ella, eager to hear what she would say in response.

"Headmaster, I must find a cure. I've searched over hundreds of books for a potion or spell, but I've found nothing. I was hoping that perhaps you may have an idea, or at least be able to point me in the right direction." The desperation in her voice seemed to engulf her. When her mother chose to run away and leave the family, her father wanted to punish her in the worst way imaginable. He placed a curse on Ella; when she turns thirty, she would no longer have control over her power. It would consume first her mind and then her body, killing her. She knew all too well the impending fate that was upon her; she would turn thirty in almost a year. She quickly explained this to Remus, who seemed even more confused than when the conversation began.

"But why the age of thirty? Why not earlier?"

"Well, as he explained to my mother, he thought that I would have a life and a family by

then. This way, he would take me away from not only my mother, but from a husband or any children that I might have. It may not make much sense to you, but somehow, it does to him." Remus saw the pain in her expression. She had always wanted to marry and to have a family, but knowing that she was going to die so young, she focused all her energy into finding a way to stay alive. There had been men, one here or there, but no one that she had ever given her full heart to.

"Miss Munich, I think it would be best for you to reside here at Hogwarts until the end of this school term. The library here is well stocked in all sorts of information, to which is at your disposal. But while you are here, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing me a favor?"

"Anything, sir."

"My Potions professor is under quite a heavy load this year, with not only his lessons but making potions for our school nurse. How are you with a cauldron?" He smiled, already knowing the answer to this. Ella had become quite proficient in her potion making skills during her final years of school, not to mention the countless hours she spent trying to find her cure.

"I'd be happy to help anyway that I can." Just as she stood the shake the Headmaster's hand, the door to his office opened and in stepped Severus Snape. Ella had not forgotten his harsh attitude to her earlier, and almost cringed when he walked into the room.

"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"

"Yes, Severus. I told you that I would do all I could to help you find someone to lighten your potion brewing burdens this year, and I believe I have found that person. Have you met Miss Ella Munich?" Ella and Severus met each other with the same surprised and disgusted look. Great, she thought. I have to spend my time working with this slimy leech?

"Sir, we hardly know this woman. For all we know, she is here to spy on Hogwarts and give information over to Death Eaters."

"I hardly doubt that, Severus. Now, seeing as that is settled, I will let you escort Miss Munich to her room. I have taken the liberty of adding a living space next to your quarters, Severus, so that she will have full access to your potion stores and any help that you may require of her." Snape knew all to well not to question Albus when he had made up his mind on something. Snape turned quickly on his heels and walked to the door.

"Well, I guess this is it. Good luck, Ella. Perhaps we'll see each other again."

"Take care of yourself, Remus. And thanks for everything." Ella wanted to say something more eloquent, but as she was assembling her thoughts Severus gave a loud cough. Not wanting to annoy the man she would be working with this year any more than she had to, she nodded to Albus and Remus, following Severus to her new home in the dungeons of Hogwarts.