The Last Sanguimagus

The room was utterly silent, and Severus watched, apprehensive, as Sarah reached out for the goblet of water.

"Where did you go in Poland?" asked Silas, his expression intense.

"I did not stay in one place very long," she admitted. She took a long drink of water.

"That is where you contacted the Headmaster from, is it not?" asked Silas.

"Yes," said Sarah, putting the goblet back on the table. "I spent most of the winter hiding. However, the Aurors were still looking for me, and I had to keep moving.

"During the summer I began to grow weary of running. I needed to create an amulet, something that would help keep me hidden. I didn't want to attract too much attention by killing any of the larger magical beasts in the area. But I needed a large amount of blood, more than was safe for me to contribute. I had little in the way of money. Blood-Replenishing Potions are expensive, so I decided to procure Strengthening Solution instead, though it's a poor substitute.

"I was close to Gdansk, and I searched for a potions shop. There was only one, and it was difficult to find. I had been told that the owner's name was Jacek, but when I stepped inside there was no one there. It was getting dark out, but I lingered, hoping to speak to someone.

"Eventually Jacek himself emerged from another room, and told me in an abrasive manner that he was closing and that I'd have to come back tomorrow. I was expecting just such a personality; in fact, I was hoping for it. Most competent brewers are rather solitary and preoccupied with their craft, and wouldn't ask questions that I would rather not answer. I had no way of knowing that it was, in fact, an act, and that he'd been watching me since I set foot in the door.

"I had no way of knowing that he was in the Dark Lord's employ." Anger flashed on her face.

"The next day I returned. To my surprise, and unease, he waved me into the back of the store. He was much friendlier, and began a conversation with me. I kept my replies as vague as I could, and asked him about Strengthening Solution. He said he had none in stock, and that he needed three days to brew it. He named a price that was higher than I'd expected, and he said that I needed to leave half as a deposit. It was nearly the exact amount that I had in my pocket, and I hesitated at first. But I felt I had no choice.

"I had three days to procure the second half of the money, and I spent them as I had spent much of the year already, going to rustic wizard dwellings and selling amulets to housewitches. News of the Dark Lord had reached Poland, and many were fearful. More often than not I was thrown back into the street by an angry wizard, but in the end I sold just enough, and I made my way back to Jacek's shop.

"It was almost evening, and the store was closed, but he let me in and showed me the bottle of Strengthening Solution. I gave him the rest of the money, but as I reached out to take the bottle, he stepped back.

"He smiled, and said, 'Are you certain that you want Strengthening Solution? I might be willing to trade a Blood-Replenishing Potion for an amulet.' For a moment I thought he meant the simple talismans I'd been selling, but then it sank in. He knew that I was a Sanguimagus. I tried to leave, but he stopped me forcefully. He told me that if I created an amulet for him I could have the solution and the potion both; if I tried to leave he would call the Aurors.

"I didn't realize that this was an idle threat. I hesitated at first, and then agreed, even though I knew it was horribly foolish. My skin crawled as we walked downstairs into the lower level of the shop, and I could feel the distinct presence of Anti-Apparition spells. There was a Nogtail in a cage, grunting and shuffling its feet, and I began to truly understand the danger involved. It occurred to me that he had known what I was at the very beginning, and had planned the entire exchange. He had known almost to the Sickle how much money was in my pocket, and he had guessed at how many days I would linger to get what I wanted.

"I expected him to ask for an amulet to attract witches, or to protect against unfriendly spells, something that people commonly ask for." She took another sip of water. "I did not expect him to ask for a limnal."

Severus felt his heart squeeze in fear. Most of the others looked confused.

"A limnal?" asked Emmeline. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"The Sanguimagi developed limnals in order to store magical essences," said Sarah. "They were...they held blood, originally. Eventually, however, someone experimented and found that they could contain other things, as well."

"Other things," said Moody contemptuously. "Like a soul."

"You can't be serious," blurted out Emmeline.

"There is a spell that can contain fragments of a soul in an object," said Severus quietly.

"Yes," said Sarah. "This spell is very similar. Except...blood magic is very good at containing things, you see...they were eventually able to contain an entire soul within an object."

Molly looked horrified. "Why would they do such a thing?"

"The spell Severus is speaking of...does not allow access to the fragment of soul," said Sarah. "Once the fragment has been sealed inside, it's trapped, and unchangeable, unless it is destroyed. The blood magic spell, however, allows the owner of said item to manipulate the soul within. The Sanguimagi who researched it hoped that eventually they would be able to use the soul's essence to further their own magic."

Arthur looked as if he was about to be sick.

"As it turned out," continued Sarah, "it was nearly impossible to use a trapped soul in any significant manner. The only area that held promise was in potions, and, even still, very little progress was made.

"Upon reflection, I think that the Dark Lord was quite interested in the possible use of a soul's essence in creating a potion which would rejuvenate or confer immortality upon the drinker. To this end Jacek asked for and received three days to lure me into his trap.

"His preparations for the limnal were only barely adequate. I had my knife, of course, but the item he was attempting to use as the base for the limnal could not have handled the tremendous stress of housing--"

"You actually made one for him!" said Bill.

"I had little choice," she said in a tight voice. "I'd been running from place to place for months, and I knew that I would be no match for him in any kind of a duel. There was no way that I could run from him. I was afraid that he would report me to the Aurors, and then I never would have escaped Gdansk.

"Before I started, I demanded that he promise that I would leave unharmed and with the potions I required after I had made the sacrifice and cast the proper spells. He agreed and seemed sincere. I told him that it was complicated, and would take some time.

"I worked late into the evening. He found a new item to act as limnal and I Purposed it and set the spells upon it. It's an extremely difficult ritual, and I was exhausted already. Jacek was growing quite agitated, however, and I didn't want to push my luck any farther than it had already been stretched by asking for more time.

"I sacrificed the Nogtail, withdrew its power, and applied its blood to the limnal carefully. It was the most difficult part of the procedure. I wanted desperately to use the Painstone but I could not. Jacek was hovering closely, watching every move.

"Eventually I finished. It was nearing dawn, and I was so tired that I could have sunk to the floor and slept.

"I demanded the potions. He handed me the Strengthening Solution and I gave him the limnal. He stood there for a moment, examining it and touching it as if it were incredibly fragile.

"I reminded him about the Blood-Replenishing Potion. He looked irritated, but pointed to his workspace in the back of the basement. I went to his worktable and took the bottle. I was about to drink from it when several Death Eaters burst in.

"Macnair was among them, and as soon as I heard his voice my knees grew weak. I dropped the potion and the vial shattered on the floor. Macnair began to laugh." She shivered. "I reminded Jacek of his promise, that he had sworn to let me leave unharmed. He laughed and said that I'd be leaving quite soon, unharmed, just with added company. He said that what happened after I walked out his door was not part of our agreement.

"I couldn't reach for my wand or the Painstone without the Death Eaters reacting. Jacek smiled again, and said, 'Perhaps if you tell me what you know about using a limnal to hold a wizard's soul I'll send word to the Dark Lord to be lenient.'

"I was shocked for a moment, but then I understood. I said, 'I could tell you what I know, but it would make little difference, as you don't actually have a proper limnal.'

"He laughed. 'Don't be stupid,' he told me. 'You made it yourself. I see what you're doing--you're afraid I'll use it.'

"I told him, 'It isn't going to work the way you expect it to.'

"He said, 'I'll play along with your little game, then. Why isn't it going to work?'

"There was a window in the wall behind me, near the ceiling. It was small, but it was my only chance. I took a step forward, toward a shelf of potions. I said, 'It won't work because you used a Nogtail as your sacrifice. To hold a wizard's soul, you need a limnal made with a wizard's sacrifice.'

"For a moment he simply stood there. He looked down at the limnal in his hands, and then back up at me. He swore, and pulled out his wand, as if he was going to hex me. Macnair grabbed his arm.

"It was the only chance I would get. I kicked out at the shelf of potions, and most of them fell to the ground. One exploded, and shards of glass flew everywhere. The air filled with huge clouds of smoke. I held my breath and scrambled up on top of the worktable that was against the wall. The window was unlocked, and I shoved it open and began to pull myself through.

"It was a terribly tight squeeze. I could hear shouts and crashes in the basement, and I clawed at the grass outside for purchase, but only succeeded in pulling out clumps. Fortunately my boot caught at a stone in the wall inside. I tried pushing against it, but I couldn't seem to get enough leverage, and my wand was in my pocket. A curse hit my leg, and I could feel it slice through my robes. I panicked, and with a burst of energy I was able to push enough to get through it.

"I was outside, and I knew I only had a moment before they would come out of the front door. I walked away slowly, putting on a disguise talisman that I used to sell my amulets. Macnair passed me and never even realized who I was, though I was terrified.

"My relief at escaping was short-lived. These were Death Eaters, and they would use everything at their disposal to find me, even the Darkest of magic. Worse, I could think of no one who would help me. I had no idea where to turn.

"Entirely by chance I found a Polish Wizarding newspaper. There was a picture of Headmaster Dumbledore on the last page, and I decided to contact him and see if he could offer any help. I sent him an owl and spent the next two days hiding in Gdansk in a burned-out flat of apartments. He sent a Portkey, which I used immediately."

"So you're saying that the limnal wouldn't have worked?" said Bill.

"If he wanted to contain a bit of Dreamless Sleep, yes. A soul? No." Sarah took another sip of water.

"You came to Hogwarts, then," said Emmeline.

"Yes," said Sarah. "The Headmaster was extremely kind. He offered me a place to live..." She began to detail her conference with the Headmaster, how she had begun to teach classes, and her first days at the castle.

Severus knew most of the rest of her story, having heard much of it or been present at parts of it, and he subtly began to watch the other Order members. Silas seemed to be hanging on Sarah's every word, as was Moody; Lupin looked troubled. Molly and Arthur both seemed upset.

He could understand their discomfort. The secrets that had come to light that evening made him uneasy. He had assumed that she had been taught blood magic, but he never would have guessed that her teacher had been a Grindelwald. The name gave him chills. Even worse, not only had the bastard instructed her in Dark magic, he had also been in a relationship with her.

It was clear that Sarah had made choices, but even still, guilt worried at him. His potion, and the attack, had sent her down that path, though it was possible that Grindelwald would have contacted her anyway. The fact remained that his potion had made her vulnerable enough to influence her decision.

He hated that she was here at all. He wanted to hex Silas and Moody right back out into the street. Confessing herself so openly to strangers gave them power over her, and he knew that the repercussions wouldn't be pleasant.

She spoke now of the healing that he had attempted, and she glossed over the gruesome details, saying that the potion had been removed and the wounds closed. He remembered her body, tense and bloody beneath his hand, and he felt another wave of shame pass through him.

The vote would be close. The Order members wouldn't want to welcome Dark Magic, and he could see that many of them were apprehensive about Sarah. He was tempted to dispel the concealing charms on his voting sphere so that everyone could see that he had voted for her to join, but he dismissed the idea. It might sway the vote the wrong way, after all.

Minerva hadn't looked surprised or horrified at any point; she looked grim, and he supposed that the Headmaster had already told her Sarah's story. She seemed to tolerate Sarah, and Severus supposed that she might vote in Sarah's favor.

"I used the first nail," Sarah was saying. "It contained a massive Stunning Spell, but the Dark Lord was barely affected. I had no choice but to use the second nail as well, which contained fire. I only had a limited idea of what would happen. The nature of the flame was unpredictable, and I just managed to throw it in his direction before he hexed me. I fled the house and Apparated to the Forbidden Forest. I was very fortunate that Severus found me and took me back to the castle..."

It would not have been pleasant if he hadn't found her. He couldn't have saved her if one of the other Death Eaters had brought her back. The Headmaster had made it clear that his mission had been more important than a single life, regardless of whose life it was.

Already this meeting had gone on far longer than Fleur's, and he bristled at the thought. It would be well into night before they would get back to the castle. Sarah's hands were clenched tightly in her lap as she explained how she had gone out into the forest and killed a thestral in order to cast a blood locator spell. Her voice was steady and clear, and yet he could sense her unease.

"I had no choice but to use the last nail," she said. "Pulling it out triggered the Summoning of a manticore. While they were distracted, I lifted Severus and carried him to where we could safely Apparate. After he was safely away I stood up and felt a wand at my neck. Macnair threatened me, and I killed him, and then I Apparated to the Forbidden Forest--"

"How did you kill him?" interrupted Moody.

"With the Painstone," said Sarah.

"Could you have Apparated instead?" asked Silas.

"I...don't think I could have," she said, looking troubled. "He was too close...he could have easily cursed me before I could complete the Apparition..." She took a calming breath. "That was last Saturday."

A long, awkward silence filled the room. "A difficult tale," said Lupin at last. "I am surprised that you sit here today. Very few meet the Dark Lord unwillingly more than once and walk away alive."

"It hardly seems possible," said Emmeline.

"I think it's time--" began Lupin.

"I find that I have more questions," interrupted Silas, turning back to Sarah. "If you are to be an addition to the Order, then I would like to hear more about how you could be advantageous to our cause. Really, we have no use for anything you could provide, excepting your familiarity with blood magic."

"No use?" asked Molly. "That's a ridiculous thing to say. Every witch or wizard can make a contribution. Why, even Arabella--"

"Let me handle this," said Silas. "I know what I'm doing here. I was in the war with Grindelwald, you know." Molly turned red and opened her mouth, but Arthur put a hand on her arm.

"Ask me your questions," said Sarah.

"I think Remus is right," said Bill, looking angry. "We should vote now. Haven't we heard enough?"

"I am still undecided," said Silas, his eyes gleaming in a way that disturbed Severus. "More undecided than before, in fact. You see, the truth of the matter is that I believe her to be of very little use to us not because of her talents, but because of her character. Arabella is a fine asset to our cause because she believes in it and we trust her. I don't think that Sarah is capable of such a thing. In fact, I don't doubt that she should be in Azkaban after that story.

"Of course, if that were the crux of the matter, then I wouldn't even have another question for her. I would simply vote 'no' and that would be the end." His look was calculating. "However, there is something else to consider. She is a Sanguimagus, and that warrants careful consideration. If this can be made useful, it could help us in our fight against the enemy. I would particularly like to see a demonstration of blood magic in order to better develop a sense of its value."

"A demonstration?" said Sarah with a touch of disbelief. "It isn't an amusement, meant for your entertainment. It isn't like waving a wand and conjuring a bouquet. All blood magic requires pain and sacrifice, no matter how large or small the spell."

"I'm certain that a professional such as yourself knows a simple spell that could satisfy our curiosity," said Silas smoothly.

Sarah grimaced at that, but brought her knife out of her robe. Silas leaned forward to watch as she pricked the tip of a finger with the point of the blade. A single drop of blood formed on her fingertip, and she stared at it.

Severus could feel magic in the air, the slightest touch of it. The blood trembled, reshaping itself into a long, elegant serpent. She brought her finger down until it touched the table, and the tiny blood-red snake descended to the tabletop and began to slither forward. Arthur leaned back, frowning.

"I see," said Silas thoughtfully, watching the diminutive serpent as it made its way across the table. "Very interesting. Still, it doesn't seem as if it would be of much use. The Order has no need of magic that enslaves people and imprisons souls."

"Perhaps not," said Sarah. "Wand magic is superior in nearly every way, after all. But I feel I must remind you that the Dark Lord does know of blood magic, and has used it in the past. Even the Headmaster knows something of it.

"There are many spells for attracting animals. There are spells for keeping them quiet as one drains their blood. There are spells that burn the skin and spells that bind.

"They aren't the only spells, however. There are spells that cure, spells that calm, spells that animate toys for children. One can use a wand to cast an Unforgiveable, or dry a cloak. Magic is what you do with it." The snake had crawled across the table and was inspecting Moody.

"Well, if there are no further questions..." Lupin sounded mildly shaken.

"I'm not finished," said Moody, his magical eye focused on Sarah.

"Ask."

"What do you know of the clay giant we found at Grindelwald's manor?"

She looked confused at first. "The clay giant..." Realization dawned in her eyes. "You must mean Gottschalk--the golem. I had no idea...I thought he was destroyed with Das Herrenhaus."

"The Ministry has been studying it for weeks," said Moody.

"Useless," she said firmly. "He was created to be a servant to the Grindelwalds. When their line ended, he ended as well. Erich was the last to live in Das Herrenhaus. He was injured during the war, and convalesced there, and once he...died, the golem would cease to be animated."

"A golem?" asked Emmeline.

"They are created from clay," said Sarah. "In their 'head' is placed a piece of paper with the name they are to obey, and the corresponding blood of that line. If properly cared for, they can last for a very long time. Gottschalk was at least two hundred and fifty years old."

"There is no way of reviving it?" said Moody.

Sarah frowned. "Not unless you have discovered a way to bring the dead back to life. Golem magic is very specific, and without the connection to the creator or the creator's blood-line, he will crumble into dust. How, exactly, is this relevant to whether or not I will be accepted?"

"It is not for you to decide relevance," said Silas ominously.

"Why would you bring up the golem, then?" asked Sarah, her eyes narrowed. "Do you wish me to create one for you? I am afraid that it would require the death-blood of at least three wizards. And I can not revive Gottschalk; he is beyond anyone's magic now. He must be nearly crumbled into dust."

"What did you use him for?" asked Moody. "What was the purpose of creating him?"

"He was the servant of the Grindelwalds, as I said. Gottschalk mostly tended the gardens; there were many plants there that provided important potion ingredients."

"It was a gardener?" asked Moody, looking surprised. The snake lost interest in him and began to slither towards Silas.

"Yes, of course." She sipped her water. "What did you expect? That it was some sort of magical warrior?"

"It's getting late," said Bill, rubbing his eyes. "I really think it's time to vote." Several of the other members nodded in agreement.

"Very well," said Silas, looking cross. "Remus, if you would be so kind..."

Lupin passed around the tin of voting spheres. Severus took one and mentally commanded it green. The marble flashed white, and he placed it back in the tin when it was passed around again. Sarah's jaw was set, and she looked uncomfortable. The tiny snake had crossed the table, headed for him, and he frowned at it.

"Aparecium," said Lupin, waving his wand over the tin. The voting spheres turned red and green. "Hmm..."

"It looks like a close vote," said Silas, stroking his goatee.

The snake was nearing Severus's right cuff, its tiny, jewel-bright tongue tasting the fabric. Sarah gestured with her hand, and it reluctantly returned to her, turning back into a drop of blood when it touched her fingertip.

Lupin counted for a moment before he turned towards her, looking regretful. "I'm sorry, Sarah. You had one vote too few."

Silas smirked across the table at her, and Severus was suddenly filled with rage. "I'll return you to Hogwarts," said Silas, making as if to stand up. "Your memory will need to be modified, as agreed--"

"Your assistance won't be necessary," said Severus softly. He stood up and glowered at him. Several members of the Order turned to look. "I will be escorting her."

"You?" said Silas. "I hardly think that you should be the one to perform the Memory Charm. It would be better if a third, uninvolved party were to cast the spell."

"I will do it," spat Severus. He met Silas's eyes directly.

For a moment it looked as if Silas would protest further, but then he frowned. "I will check on her tomorrow, personally, to be certain that the charm was performed to my satisfaction."

"Really?" drawled Severus. "But wouldn't that give away your involvement in the Order?"

Silas looked displeased. "Very well. But--"

Sarah stood up, interrupting him. "Thank you for the opportunity," she said quietly to Lupin. Molly lifted her charm off the door, and Lupin smiled sadly and accompanied them out of the kitchen. Severus could hear the rest of the Order speaking in hushed tones in the kitchen as they made their way to the foyer.

"I'm sorry, Sarah," said Lupin, helping her into Severus's cloak. He seemed sincere.

"Yes, thank you," she murmured. Severus took his cloak from Lupin irritably and opened the door, not bothering to say goodbye.

"It must have continued snowing," she said, squinting up into the streetlights as she walked out onto the street. She looked down at the inch of white powder on the ground. "You know, I used to be able to walk in the snow barefoot...it actually felt rather refreshing."

He pulled on his own cloak. The snow was swirling down, thick and wet, and he wanted nothing more than to return to Hogwarts. "Are you ready?" he asked.

She nodded. "I can Apparate to the forest, if you don't--"

"I will Apparate us both," he said curtly, taking her arm and concentrating. A sharp noise filled his ears and suddenly they were in the dark confines of the forest. "Lumos," he said.

In the pale blue light she appeared cold and defeated. She pulled the borrowed cloak tighter around herself with her free hand. Irrationally, he did not want to let go of her arm, and they walked this way together until they crossed the boundaries of the castle grounds. Hogwarts stood, both imposing and inviting, and he turned to face her, regretting already what he had to do.

She looked up at him, and he was surprised to find trust there. She stood stiffly, expectant, and for a moment he couldn't find his voice to utter the spell. "You need to cast it," she murmured.

He had known it would end this way, with her standing in the snow. He had known that he would have to erase her memory, as much as he had hoped otherwise. "Obliviate," he said with a touch of anger.

Her eyes widened, and for a moment there was a frightening blankness in them, a deep well akin to a void. She blinked, and blinked again, almost comically. "It certainly became dark quickly," she said, sounding confused. "Wait...there's snow on the ground. I thought..." She shook her head. "No...I was going somewhere...with you." She looked up at him once more and he watched as her thoughts reordered themselves and comprehension finally dawned on her. "I wasn't accepted," she said calmly.

He shook his head. "No."

"I see," she said. "I can't say that I expected differently." She turned and began to walk towards the doors.

He stood watching her as she walked in the snow, thinking many different thoughts at once, until the chill wind rose again, and then he followed her into the warmth of the castle.