Taking the challenge

Part III - The Researcher

Talyn Hardenbrook stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron and made her decision. Deidra's first letter had just arrived, and she was worried. Deidra would stand up for her rights, and she also could defend herself properly in a fair fight, Talyn knew. But how would she cope with the entire House against her?

After brooding for some time about it, she had sent Melinda to Mrs Weasley, whose answer came back very fast, trying to soothe her.

Dear Talyn,

Don't worry too much about this. Slytherin's Head of House, Professor Severus Snape, will do everything that he can to prevent any fights within Slytherin.

But if you insist, I could have a word with the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. Maybe we can get your sister transferred into one of the other Houses but that would be very difficult.

I'm so sorry, dear, that she was sorted into Slytherin. I had hoped she would be with my children in Gryffindor ...

Molly Weasly had written much more, but Talyn hadn't been really convinced. She sighed and entered the pub. The bartender, she knew from her first excursion here. His name was Tom, and he was the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

"Hello, Tom", she said and smiled.

"Miss Hardenbrook, it's good to see you again! Can I offer you something, like an ale or maybe a butterbeer?"

"No, thank you. I have to go to Diagon Alley, can you open the wall for me?"

"Want to buy something for the little Miss Hardenbrook? How is she doing anyway?"

"Fine, I hope." Talyn hesitated. "Tom, what do you know about Slytherin?"

Tom flinched visibly. "Every dark wizard came from there, Miss Hardenbrook. You-know-who was one of them."

"You-know-who?"

"Oh, right, you can't know about him. He was a very dark wizard; he was defeated almost before 14 years now. You can't imagine what damage, pain and suffering he had caused in both the wizarding and Muggle world. He hated all Muggle-born. There were scores of deaths during that time."

Talyn was silent for a whole minute."And what do you know about ... let me think ... Professor Severus Snape, head of Slytherin house?"

"Professor Snape?" said Tom slowly. "I don't know him much. Rumors say he had been a Death Eater during the war. But I can't believe these rumors, headmaster Dumbledore would never allow a former Death Eater to teach the children."

"What is a Death Eater?"

"A supporter and servant of You-know-who."

"What's this You-know-who all the time? What was his real name?"

Tom paled. "We never say his name aloud!" he whispered, looking around nervously.

Talyn stared at him, and then shook her head unbelievingly.

"I'll open the magical wall for you", said Tom hastily.

"Thank you."

***

Diagon Alley was full of wizards while Talyn strode down the the street.

She had taken precautions and was dressed in a dark robe which was similar to all the robes she had seen at her first visit. First she headed to Gringotts, to exchange some money into wizard's galleons, sickles and knuts.

She heard various pieces of conversations after she was on the street again.

"... Dumbledore said to the children, he is alive again!"

"... Sirius Black still on the run ..."

"... tri-wizard-tournament. Rita Skeeter would never ..."

She ignored the voices around her and went to Flourish and Blotts, where Deidra bought her books.

"Can I do anything for you, Miss?" asked the clerk while eying her suspiciously. Obviously she still looked like a muggle.

"I hope so", said Talyn with a half smile. "I need some history books. Like Hogwarts or wizard's history."

"Aren't you a muggle? Why do you need such kind of books?"

"I need them for my sister. She's a Hogwart's student, first year."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." Talyn began to look annoyed. "Look, I don't have all the day. Are you selling them to me, or not?"

"I'd rather say, no" a silky voice from behind came.

Talyn turned and glared at the newcomer. "And what do you think who you are?" she said icely.

"My name is Lucius Malfoy. You have to be Talyn Hardenbrook." He eyed her from head to toe, and snorted.

Talyn clenched her fists.

"Mister Malfoy", she hissed. "Keep your nose out of my business."

The shopkeeper inhaled sharply.

Malfoy's face was full of loathing. "This is my business, Muggle! You don't belong here, so leave Diagon Alley instantly, or the ministry will hear about your curiosity very fast."

"I don't care about your ministry, Malfoy, believe me." She turned to the shopkeeper. "Now, are you going to sell me these books?"

The shopkeeper paled and eyed Malfoy nervously. "No", he stuttered. "I can't, Miss. I'm sorry."

"Fine. Good afternoon!"

Talyn stormed out of the shop, while Malfoy's small eyes followed her.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Miss Hardenbrook. There may come a time when you wish you had heeded my warning."

***

Talyn was back at the street, breathing heavily, trying to calm herself. She'd had to compose every inch of her self-control in there not to punch Malfoy straight in the nose. How could he dare to act like that!

Where was she supposed to go now? She doubted that any of the other bookstores would sell her now some of the books she wanted to buy. The rumors would spread around very fast, she was sure.

Maybe she would have to ask the Weasleys to buy her some. But she was very eager to get the information she wanted to have as soon as possible.

Suddenly, she stood in front of a window. "Ollivander's wands", she whispered to herself. Without even knowing what she wanted to do, she opened the door and went inside.

It was like the very first time when she had been in there. It was dark and weird, and no noise from Diagon Alley drifted in the room.

"Miss Hardenbrook", came a soft voice from behind her. She whirled around, seeing Mister Ollivander standing right behind her.

"Jeez, you gave me a heart attack", she gasped.

"I had no intention to do that kind of thing." He regarded her with his silvery eyes, not blinking. "What can I do for you? Is it your sister's wand?"

"Um ... actually, no. I ... I was ... I don't know why I even came to you", she stuttered, angry with herself .

Ollivander rose his eyebrows. "Are you worried about something?"

"No. Yes. You see, my sister ... I came to Diagon Alley for information about the wizarding world."

"Why don't you go to Flourish and Blotts?" Ollivander suggested, still regarding her with no blinking.

"I was. They won't sell me anything. Lucius Malfoy insisted."

"Oh?" There was no surprise in his voice.

"I'd better go", she murmured, staring on the floor.

"A good advice, Miss Hardenbrook. Watch your back. Lucius Malfoy is dangerous, especially for you."

Talyn lifted her head and stared him with purpose directly in the eyes.

"I'm not afraid of anyone, Mister Ollivander."

"You should be. Good afternoon, Miss Hardenbrook."

Talyn nodded and left the shop.

Ollivander looked through the window, seeing her walking to the Leaky Cauldron. "Unexpected. Very unexpected", he said quietly. "I'd better warn Dumbledore."

Part IV - Making a friend

While her sister was making the acquaintance of Lucius Malfoy, Deidra Hardenbrook sat at Hogwarts' library.

Life still wasn't easy at Hogwarts. The other girls in her dorm ignored her, or worse, insulted her all the time. The upper years ignored her, too, except for Draco Malfoy and his companions, who glared at her whenever she was in sight. So she preferred to sit in the library instead of the common room each evening.

The lessons were very interesting. Soon she had found out that her head of house, Professor Snape, also taught potions. Talyn had taught her sister basics and skills about muggle chemistry, and she had liked that subject. Snape wasn't ignoring her in potions, but sometimes she wished he just would. He didn't take points from his own house (this special treatment seemed to belong to the Gryffindors, who shared the double-potions lessons with the Slytherins) but he wasn't too friendly to her either, like to the others. Deidra shrugged it off, but it bothered her. She knew she was quite good at potions.

The other subject she liked the most was DADA. She heard from rumors, that no teacher stayed longer then a year to teach DADA, but she liked Professor Delaney who was the new one this year. He had very much knowledge, and easily taught it to his students.

Right now, she was working on a potions essay to get some extra points, while she was comparing it's similaries and odds to muggle chemistry just for her fun.

The only other student in the big library happened to be Hermione Granger. The Gryffindor girl often looked at Deidra, but decided not to say anything.

The door to the library opened, and in came Mr Filch's cat, Mrs Norris. To the astonishment of all students and even to the teachers, the cat was fond of Deidra. When she finished her rounds for Filch, she often came to the Slytherin girl and sat beside her, purring when Deidra stroked her. The caretaker didn't seem to mind, and he was almost the only one who wasn't completely baffled.

"Hello, Nori. How was your day?" Deidra asked and took Mrs Norris into her lap.

The cat purred and and closed her eyes.

"How did you do that, Deidra?" asked Hermione from the other side of the room.

The librarian, Madam Pince, glared at Hermione.

"How did I do what?" asked Deidra, while returning to her essay.

"I never saw Mrs Norris to do that to ANY of the other students!"

Deidra shrugged. "Don't know. I like her."

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley came to the library, too, to fetch Hermione. Ron wrinkled his nose at the side of Deidra and Mrs Norris.

Harry shook his head, too. "How do you like it so far, Deidra?" he asked her.

Deidra shrugged again.

"The lessons are interesting."

"And how do you like your ... um, location?"

Deidra shot Ron an annoyed look. "Look, Ron, you all know that I have problems to cope with the other Slytherins. So shut up."

"Sorry for caring!" Ron was fuming now.

Hermione kicked him in the ribs. "Leave her alone, Ron. She sits in the library every evening", she told him quietly.

Ron snorted. "That's no surprise for me."

"Ron, really!"

Deidra finished her essay and began to scribble down the notes for the chemistry. She pretended not to hear the conversation, but she had a excellent ears. Tears of rage began to rise. Mrs Norris opened an eye and meowed reproachfully as she clenched her fists.

The Gryffindors left the library, leaving Mrs Norris and Deidra alone with Madam Pinch.

"Time to go, Miss Hardenbrook", said the librarian shortly. "The library closes in five minutes."

The Slytherin nodded, stuffed her books in her bag, and threw it on her shoulder.

"Shall I accompany you to Mr Filch?" she said to the cat, which meowed and walked in front, with Deidra at her claws.

***

"Hello, Deidra", said Argus Filch. "Do you bring my cat back?"

Deidra smiled. Despite all the rumors about Filch, he could be very nice if he wanted to.

"Yeah, here she is. She was my company in the library."

"Do you want a cup of tea? I already have some."

"Oh, thank you, Mr Filch."

Deidra had been often at the caretaker's bureau. Filch had decided for himself that anyone his cat liked could be worth of his protection.

Tonight a bad surprise awaited her. At Filch's office table sat already someone. Professor Snape.

"G ... good evening, Professor", she stuttered.

"Miss Hardenbrook", he greeted icily. "Shouldn't you be in the common room?"

"She brought Mrs Norris back, Severus, and I offered her a cup of tea. I'll bring her to the common room when I start my rounds."

Snape rose, glaring at Deidra, who refused to cringe as she wanted to and looked him straight in the eyes. Icy blue bored into icy black, and neither of them wanted to look away first.

Filch cleared his throat, clearly amused.

"When you finished your little eye combat, the tea gets cold." He was almost laughing.

"I'd better go, I have exams to grade", said Snape frosty. "Thank you for the tea, Argus."

He whirled around and stalked out of the room.

"That was a good one, kid. I never saw a student not to break down under the stare he gave you." Argus Flich chuckled.

"If I would he would treat me much worse." Deidra was in a foul mood now.

"Don't worry. He wouldn't do anything to one of his own students."

A knock on the door made both of them look up.

"Come in", Filch snarled.

The door opened, and one of the Slytherin's seventh year stood at the doorframe. It was Terence Higgs, Deidra knew.

"Excuse me, Mr Filch, but Professor Snape gave me the job of escorting Deidra to the Slytherin's common room."

Filch rolled his eyes, but he obeyed, knowing denying it would cause Deidra trouble.

"Good night, Deidra."

"Good night, Mr Filch, Nori."

***

"You shouldn't be outside alone", Terence informed Deidra, as they were going in direction of the dungeons.

"I wasn't. Mrs Norris was with me."

"So, how do you like it so far, Deidra?" asked Terence, unknowingly repeating Harry's question from earlier.

Deidra looked up to him. "Why do you even bother? You all don't like me 'cause I'm muggle-born."

Terence chuckled. "They'll get over it. The sorting hat wouldn't set you into Slytherin if you weren't one."

"I hope it happens before Malfoy succeeds and burns holes in my back."

He laughed. "Don't care about Malfoy. He's angry 'cause Snape told him to back off."

"Snape ... really? I mean ... do you really mean Professor Snape, head of our house?"

"Why, do we have another Snape here?"

Deidra was stunned.

"Look, Deidra, not all of us are like Malfoy. If you have any problems, you can come to me, anytime, okay?"

"Thank you." Deidra was confused now, but a smile creeped up her features. Maybe it wasn't so bad at all to be in Slytherin.

Part V - Consequences

Albus Dumbledore, current headmaster of Hogwarts, was sitting in his office, thinking of rather unpleasant things. The news he got from his spies was depressing. More wizards and muggles had gone missing now, and the dark mark appeared almost every night anywhere in the country.

Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were together now somewhere in Romania, to build up an army of vampires who refused to join Voldemort's side.

Alastor Moody had returned to ministry, and with the help of Arthur Weasley he tried to break Minister Fudge's stubborness.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts.

"Come in."

Severus Snape entered the room with his usual sullen expression.

Dumbledore gave him a half of a smile.

"What can I do for you, Severus?"

"It's time, Albus."

Dumbledore regarded him with deep sorrow in his eyes.

"You'll be careful, won't you, Severus?"

Snape nodded. "Who will take my potion classes?"

"How long do you suppose you're away ?"

"Maybe a couple of weeks. I don't know."

"I will take the lessons over. Anything else I need to know?"

"Maybe. Look, the new first year, Deidra Hardenbrook, isn't coming along with the others, 'cause she's a mud ... a muggle-born. I told Malfoy firmly to leave her alone, but I don't know what happens if I'm not here all the time. This evening, I asked Terence Higgs to have an eye on her, but I don't know if it is enough."

Dumbledore nodded slowly.

"I understand. I will have an eye on her, too."

"I hope I will be here as soon as possible again."

"Good luck, Severus."

Snape turned without a word and left Dumbledore's office. The headmaster sighed.

But before he could sink into his thoughts again, an owl appeared at his window.

He took the letter from it and gave him some of the chocolate he had in his desk. The owl rustled its feathers, shooed quietly and flew in the night again.

Dumbledore read the letter, and his eyes widened.

Dear headmaster Dumbledore,

I hope you'll get this letter very soon.

Today there was a muggle in Diagon Alley. Her name was Talyn Hardenbrook, and she wanted to know everything about You-Know-Who and the whole wizarding world. Unfortunately, she got into a fight with Lucius Malfoy. You know what that means. Further or later he'll go to get rid of the 'problem'.

I need you to warn her immediately about the consequences she'll suffer if she's continuing her plans. I already tried to talk it out of her, but she's a very stubborn woman.

Yours sincerely

Ollivander

"That's the least thing what I needed right now" Dumbledore sighed again.

***

Talyn Hardenbrook sat in the Burrow's kitchen a couple of days later. Arthur and Molly Weasley had invented her for dinner. They had come here by Floo powder, and Talyn was still in awe about the trip.

The Weasley's second oldest son, Charlie, was there, too, and she asked him several questions about his work with the dragons. He smiled often at her during the conversation, and Talyn felt very comfortable.

After the dinner, Molly threw her husband a look.

"Can you excuse us for a while, Charlie?" he asked his son. "I have some things to discuss with Talyn, if you don't mind."

"Sure, dad. It was a very nice evening, Talyn."

"Ye, for me, too." She smiled at him, too, and he shook her hand and left the kitchen.

"Is there a problem, Mr ... I mean, Arthur?" she asked.

Molly and Arthur exchanged a look.

"We heard about your little trip to Diagon Alley, dear, and your run into Lucius Malfoy" Molly said finally.

Arthur Weasley nodded.

"That was quite dangerous, Talyn. If you have wanted information, you should have come to Molly or me."

"I can't imagine why it is so dangerous to buy some history book" said Talyn dryly.

"You are a muggle, Talyn. Normally someone would cast memory charm on you, to make you forget about the whole truth of existing wizards. This can't be, because your sister is a witch, and you are her only family."

"Thank god" Talyn snorted. "I still can't see ..."

Molly interrupted her.

"You found a few thing out about You-know-how, right, dear?"

Talyn nodded. "But Tom told me he's dead."

Arthur sighed. "That's the problem. He isn't. The dark lord has risen again. Professor Dumbledore had ordered us to explain the danger of the situation to you, Talyn. You have to promise me you don't tell anybody - not even your sister - about the things I'll tell you."

Talyn frowned. "Okay, I promise", she answered finally. "What is all that about?"

"The dark Lord was resurrected this summer. He had many followers back in time, and he has them now again. Lucius Malfoy is a death eater, Talyn. You're now in a very dangerous position."

Talyn was silent a long time.

"Let me get this straight", she then said, stood up from her chair and began pacing. "The worst enemy of the wizarding world has risen again, and is now after me?"

"Hopefully not, but even it is only Malfoy, it's dangerous as well. Malfoy is very rich and powerful in our world."

Talyn's eyes had a dangerous glimmer now.

"So am I", she stated then frosty.

"I don't understand." Molly watched her with a questioning glance.

"You see, I have some ... let's say connections to our ministry. I'm well known there. And about money, my parents passed me and Deidra enough. They were far related with the royal family - quite far, that is."

Arthur Weasley sighed.

"It doesn't make you any safer, Talyn. Our ministry still denies the resurrection of You-know-who. I know that first hand, because I'm working for them. You're a perfect target if you're so well known in your world. Hopefully Malfoy is busy with something else, and forgets about you, but I doubt that."

"So, what do you suggest me to do? There isn't anything I can do, right?"

Molly nodded silently.

"We will cast a barrier spell on your home, Talyn, so nobody can apparate in there or at your ground. Professor Dumbledore has some spies, and they will tell him, if you're in actual danger. Same goes with Deidra - you know Malfoy's son, Draco, is also in Slytherin. But as long she's in Hogwarts, she's safe. I bought you some books you wanted to have. We can't teach you any charms, because you're muggle, but you can inform yourself about our whole world. But please stay out of Diagon Alley. If you need something, ask Arthur or me."

"I will, Molly, I promise. If I had known in first place, I hadn't been going there, believe me."

"I believe you, dear. Just be very very careful."