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Lost and Found	By : TheLibrarian Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3257 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all his friends (and enemies) are the brain-child of J.K.
Rowling. I�m just borrowing them. Exclusive ownership belongs to JKR, Arthur A.
Levine Books and Scholastic Inc. Jane Sinclair and all additional characters
belong to me. You belong to yourself.

A/N (a necessary evil): A
few grammatical errors have been pointed out to me, and I�ll go back and
correct them when I get the chance. I do try to please my readers by providing
them with a story that is both entertaining and well-written. I�m not a
literary major, but I�m doing my best. Of course, sometimes it is necessary to
emphasize a character�s individuality or train of thought with some, um,
creative grammar. Talking about characters, I make every effort to stay true to
the characters as they were written by JKR and/or portrayed in the movies. I
only allow myself little liberties here and there. This brings me to Severus
Snape. I believe him to be a complex and very conflicted character � not the
obvious villain Harry and his friends perceive him to be. Nonetheless, I simply
can�t see him going on picnics or dates or flower picking or cooking a romantic
dinner. I am certain that even the mere suggestion of such activities would
earn a most contemptuous sneer from Severus. Consequently, I shall not
disrespect him in such a fashion.

Enough said.
You�ve all been very patient. And now, you shall be rewarded � enter our
favorite Potions master.

***

And you may find somebody kind to
help and understand you

Someone who is just like you and
needs a gentle hand to

Guide them along

So maybe I'll see you there

Downtown, Petula Clark

Chapter 3
� Ghosts from the Past

�You should
definitely try these on, too,� Tonks exclaimed excitedly, thrusting several
velvet dresses at Jane, just as she stepped out of the fitting area.

They had
been at Madam Malkin�s for over two hours now, because Jane�s mission to buy a
few serviceable dresses and robes had turned into a full-blown fashion show.
Tonks had seen to that.

�You need
more than just a couple of robes,� she�d said, pulling various clothing
articles off a nearby rack. �Winter is coming soon, and you may as well splurge
on a more extensive wardrobe. Once your training starts, you won�t have much
time for shopping excursions.�

Jane looked
at the fancy dresses in her arms with some confusion. �What�?�

But Tonks
just clucked her tongue. �You�re a teacher now. You�ll be expected to dress the
part and attend the upcoming balls and parties. You need some
dress robes.�

Jane sighed
and disappeared behind the curtain once more. Alone, she reverently touched her
hand to the exquisite material of a particularly pretty burgundy-colored gown.
She couldn�t remember the last time she�d worn anything remotely sexy.
Suddenly, she couldn�t wait any longer. She tore off her own clothes and slid
into the burgundy dress. It fit her like a glove � given, a tight glove, but it
clung to her in the most provocative way. Jane smoothed her hands over her
hips, over her breasts. She never knew her d�collet� could look this alluring.
She gave a tentative swirl and the enchanted mirror showed her a 360 degree
view of herself.

�Are you
trying them on?� Beyond the curtain, Tonks sounded very impatient.

�Yes,� Jane
answered breathlessly.

�Oh, let me
see, let me see!�

Jane pulled
back the curtain and modeled the dress for her friend.

�Oh, I love
it,� Tonks breathed. �You look beautiful.�

�Yes, the dress
complements your coloring perfectly,� Madam Mankin commented from the
background. �Not many brunettes can pull off such dark colors.�

�Next,
please,� Tonks demanded.

Jane didn�t
need to be told twice. She quickly tried on the black one, followed by the
emerald green, and she loved them both. But it was the last one, a midnight
blue confection of simple elegance, which took her breath away. She couldn�t
think of one single occasion she would ever wear it, but she had to have it, no
matter how much it cost. She made some quick calculations and hoped
McGonagall�s generous advance would cover everything. It took some willpower to
take off the velvet dream of a dress and again don her Muggle clothes.

�Hey,� Tonks
protested when Jane reemerged from behind the curtain. �I haven�t seen the
others, yet.�

�That�s all
right,� Jane soothed her, handing the gowns to Madam Malkin. �I�m taking them
all.�

The
seamstress was unable to hide her astonishment and gratitude. She hadn�t
expected the mousy woman in the inappropriate Muggle clothes to have such good
taste. She walked over to the considerable stack of clothing on the shop
counter and added the dresses to it.

Tonks
clapped excitedly. �I knew it,� she squeaked triumphantly. �You do like
the clothes!�

Jane smiled
at her indulgingly. �How ever are we going to get everything back to Hogwarts?�

Tonks
grinned. �No worries, Jane. We can have them delivered, or we�ll do a reduction
charm. Minimize the parcels.�

Jane
blushed. She�d been away from the Wizarding world for so long it hadn�t
occurred to her to use magic. Tonks noticed her embarrassment and patted her
arm.

�It�s all
right,� she said. �It�ll all come back. You�ll see.�

Madam Malkin
interrupted them by discretely handing them the bill. Jane looked at it briefly
and cringed. It was a lot, she conceded, but she could afford it. She paid
Madam Malkin while Tonks got busy with the parcels. Soon they left the
dressmaker�s shop, their purchases all neatly tugged away in a single
manageable package.

Jane
consulted her shopping list. They had managed to get most of the items on it.
�I still need to get my wand.�

�Right-o,
Ollivanders is just over there.�

As they
entered the tiny shop, its unique musty smell hit Jane, evoking a distant
memory. She recalled how she had entered it as a young eleven-year old, excited
and apprehensive about getting ready for her first year at Hogwarts. Mr.
Ollivanders had left quite an impression on her that first time they met. He
had seemed all-knowing, yet very mysterious. He knew of the secret connection
that existed between wand and wizard, knew how and why a wand would choose its
owner. Now, almost twenty years later, Jane felt the same apprehension rising.
She feared discovery. She wasn�t ready to disclose her true identity, to explain
her return.

�Ah,� an
ancient voice greeted them from the stacks. �Who have we here?�

Mr.
Ollivanders had not changed since Jane saw him last. His face was still as
wrinkly, his white hair still as disheveled, his eyes still as piercing. She
swallowed hard while he scrutinized her intently. She could only imagine what
he would think of this young woman, who looked so out of place in her Muggle
clothes. When his gaze met hers, recognition flashed in his eyes. Mortified,
Jane took a step back, ready to run. Tonks, however, held her back.

�Mr.
Ollivanders,� Tonks chimed in, �Miss Sinclair here is in need of a new
wand. Her old one, uh, was, uh, lost.�

If he
understood her subtle hint, he didn�t let it show. He slowly nodded, accepting
her unoriginal explanation and appraised Jane once more. �Yes, I think I might
have something you�ll like.�

He
disappeared into the stacks and soon returned carrying several dusty boxes. He
opened one of them and showed her a delicate looking wand. �Mahogany,� he
explained, �with a hair from the mane of a unicorn. Try it.�

Jane fumbled
the wand out of its box, her fingers shaking with nervousness. She waved the
wand but nothing happened. �Wingardium Leviosa,� she called out,
pointing the wand once more at a nearby lamp. Nothing.

�Hm,�
Ollivanders mused. �Never mind. Let�s try another
one.� He fingered a couple of boxes before tapping one in particular. �Ah, yes.
Maybe this one.�

Jane tried
it, as well as ten more. Tonks was looking positively bored by now. She had
perked up for a while, after Jane blew up a globe, the register, and three
vases in rapid succession. Mr. Ollivanders, too, was becoming increasingly
frustrated. He looked more frazzled than usual. He studied Jane long and hard
until she thought he saw into her very soul. Suddenly, he jumped into the air.

�Of course,�
he exclaimed. �Why didn�t I think of it earlier? It would be worth a try.�

He hurried
into the stacks and the two witches could hear him rummaging about for quite
some time. He finally reappeared carrying an antique-looking beautifully worked
wooden box.

�This,�
he told them, as he placed it in front of Jane, �is truly an original. It was
crafted over two hundred years ago by the first Ollivanders who opened this
very store. It has yet to claim its master.� He opened the box, revealing a
plain looking wand. �Until now, no one has been deemed worthy to master it. I
wonder,� he said thoughtfully as he offered it reverently to Jane, who weighed
it carefully in her hand.

�It is made
of wood cut from a weeping willow blessed by Merlin himself,� he explained, his
voice becoming increasingly agitated. His eyes were glued to the wand, which
suddenly began to gleam promisingly. A pale blue light emanated from its tip.
�It is fortified with dragon�s breath and purified with unicorn tears. Go on,�
he urged Jane. �Try it.�

She had
barely lifted the wand in the direction of an old rickety chair, when it rose
gently into the air where it hovered effortlessly in its place.

�Astounding,�
Ollivanders announced admiringly. �No one has ever been able to wield it.� He
rubbed his hands together in satisfaction. �Well, I believe we have found you a
wand, Miss, uh, Sinclair.�

***

Jane was
pouring over a book on spells in the library, when somebody tapped her gently
on the shoulder. She jumped and gave a small yelp.

�I�m sorry,�
Remus grinned insincerely, while Jane struggled to compose herself.

�You are
not,� she countered surly. She hated being sneaked up on while she was reading.

�You�re
right,� he admitted and leaned against the table.

�Shhh,� Miss
Pince reprimanded them from a distance and Remus smirked again.

�Can I help
you with anything,� Jane hissed.

�Minerva
wants to see you. I offered to fetch you.�

�No ulterior
motives?�

�Well,� he
hesitated for a moment. �I hoped we could talk while we walk to her office.�

He no longer
sounded amused. There was a serious tone in his voice.

�Of course,�
Jane answered, collecting her things. �What�s on your mind?�

Remus led
her out into the hallway. He examined her new attire with unconcealed approval.
�I see Tonks has been telling the truth. Your visit to Diagon Alley has been
fruitful.�

Jane smiled.
�You could say that.�

�And your
first week of classes has been going well?�

�No
complaints so far.�

�Good. And
you�ve been catching up on things?� He nodded towards the books and papers in
her arms.

�Yes. It
hasn�t been easy, though.�

�I can
imagine. That is what I wanted to talk to you about. Tonight you will meet an
important group of people. We, uh, worked very closely with Albus Dumbledore.�

�A secret
society,� Jane breathed intrigued.

�Yes,
indeed,� Remus assented. �Very secret, indeed. I am
sure you will keep everything that you will see or hear in strictest
confidence.�

�Of course.�

�You will
receive part of your instruction from various members of the Order. Needless to
say, much will be beyond the regular Hogwarts curriculum.�

�I had no
idea.�

�Yes, well,
Dumbledore had thought it to be of vital importance that you be educated and
trained to the best of our abilities.�

�Wow!� Jane
struggled to wrap her brain around this bit of news.

�Mind you,
it won�t be easy.�

�Oh, I�m
sure of that. But I can handle whatever you throw at me.�

�I would
like to believe you, Jane,� Remus sighed, �but there are certain things,
certain situations, which will make your training rather uncomfortable.�

�I am aware
of that.�

�You don�t
understand�� Remus looked rather distressed, Jane thought.

She patted
his arm. �Don�t worry. After the last thirteen years I can handle anything.�

***

She couldn�t
handle that, she thought three hours later. Anything but that.
Not after everything that had happened to her.

Jane quickly
thought back whether there had been any indication of what awaited her
at number twelve Grimmauld Place.
She realized that there had been plenty of signs that should have warned her.
There had been the choice words McGonagall had used during their conversation
the night of her arrival and the way Remus had hedged the subject of the
instruction she was to receive. Remus had tried to tell her, she
reflected, but they�d reached McGonagall�s office before he�d had the chance to
tell her exactly what to expect. The Headmistress had already been
waiting for them, and without much ado, they�d all departed Hogwarts with the
aid of a portkey.

In London,
she had met several members of the Order of the Phoenix
and was happy to see Tonks again. Jane had learned of the details of
Voldemort�s return and the involvement of The-Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter. She
was told of the Order�s efforts to bring down the Dark Lord, and Dumbledore�s
plans to keep the Wizarding world safe. She�d received a schedule outlining her
studies and practices. And she�d learned that she would receive her �remedial�
lessons from one single instructor exclusively, who would help her regain her
magical competency before they could go on to her advanced lessons. Jane
remembered looking from one member of the Order to the next, trying to figure
out who would have to baby-sit her. She�d hoped it would be Tonks. They�d
become fast friends in the short time they�d known each other.

�Well, who
is it?� she had asked.

Jane
remembered Remus stepping forward and clearing his throat. �Before we tell you,
you must make a vow � an Unbreakable Vow � that you will not breathe a word to anyone
of what you have seen and heard tonight.�

She had
nodded, somewhat taken aback by his earnestness. �Of course.�

�Nor are you
to disclose any information of future meetings you may be required to attend.�

Jane had
nodded again.

Remus had
sighed and looked very uncomfortable. �Very well. Minerva?�

McGonagall
had stepped forward and grasped Jane�s right hand into hers. Remus had drawn
his wand and held it over their entwined fingers.

�Jane,� he�d
asked her quietly, �will you keep tonight�s conversations and the location of
this place a secret?�

�Yes.�

�And will
you hold future meetings in absolute confidence, not disclosing to anyone whatever
you may hear or see?�

�Yes.�

Remus had
tugged at his collar and looked at McGonagall, who�d nodded sternly.

�And will
you,� he�d continued, �keep secret any details of your studies, including your
training location and the identity and whereabouts of your teacher?�

Jane had
looked at him in confusion but received no explanation.

�Yes,� she�d
finally agreed, putting her trust in him.

Remus had
tapped their hands one last time to seal the vow, and McGonagall had given her
a quick reassuring smile before nodding at Tonks to open a nearby door.

�You may
come in now,� she�d called out primly.

Jane had
looked expectantly at the door and almost fainted when she�d recognized the man
striding into the room.

***

Yes, looking
back, she should have guessed. The clues had all been there, only she�d been
too blind to recognize them. Remus had tried to warn her, but now she was bound
by an Unbreakable Vow. She would be taught by a Death Eater wanted for murder
and she had just promised to aid and abet him. No, she really couldn�t do it.
They asked too much of her.

Remus took
in her pale features, grasped her elbow and led her gently towards the table.
Jane sat down heavily and looked at him questioningly.

He bent down
to her and whispered, �remember, you promised.�

Jane nodded
slowly and turned her attention once more to the man in black who scrutinized
her disdainfully from across the room. He didn�t look any happier about the
situation than she was. His blatant perusal of her riled her. Her chin came up
and she met his gaze evenly. She would not let him intimidate her. Her subtle
show of defiance was not lost on him and he cocked an eyebrow, intrigued.

Remus
straightened and addressed the former Potions master.

�Severus,
this is Miss Sinclair.�

Snape nodded
curtly. �Miss Sinclair.�

�Professor.�

Uncomfortable
silence settled over the room, until McGonagall cleared her throat. �Yes, well,
now� erm� Miss Sinclair, I realize that this might appear somewhat, erm,
strange��

�Strange,�
Jane exclaimed incredulously. �Ever since I arrived one week ago, I have been
bombarded with articles in the Daily Prophet recounting the events that
led to Dumbledore�s death. You yourself,� she pointed at McGonagall, �said that
the eyewitness accounts were irrefutable.�

�Yes,� the
older witch admitted, �Potter is no liar. But you must understand� things
aren�t always what they seem.�

�Unfortunately,
subtlety is lost on Potter,� Snape threw in smoothly. �He is unable to read
between the lines, to see through appearances, to see beyond��

Jane let her
eyes wander around the room. The Order was dedicated to bringing down
Voldemort. They would never harbor a known supporter of the Dark Lord or wanted
murderer. Maybe her first impression in McGonagall�s office had been right. She
turned her attention to Snape.

�You didn�t
kill Dumbledore, did you? Someone else did, right? Maybe by using Polyjuice
Potion?�

Snape�s lips
twisted into a cruel smile. �Oh, but I did, Miss Sinclair. I don�t deny it.
Good guess, though.�

McGonagall
cleared her throat again. �Miss Sinclair, we�ve all had our doubts and the most
serious misgivings. However, erm, since I took residence in the Headmaster�s
office, I have come upon certain evidence, which, erm, sheds light on Severus�
actions. Remus, if you please.�

Lupin
nodded, retrieved a Pensieve from a nearby cupboard, and carefully carried it
over to the table. Jane leaned closer and saw a silvery liquid-like mist swirl
in the basin.

�I hope this
will help you grasp the situation better,� McGonagall said primly. She saw
Jane�s inquiring gaze, and her expression softened. �Trust us. Just bend over
the Pensieve and let it tell you its story.�

Jane looked
at Remus for confirmation and he nodded encouragingly. The last thing she saw
before giving herself to the Pensieve was Snape�s deadpan scrutiny.

�Severus,
I am glad you could join me.�

Albus
Dumbledore�s voice jerked Jane from her momentary bewilderment. She opened her
eyes to find herself in a bare room surrounded by thick gray stone walls. There
were no furnishings, no pictures on the walls. The flickering torchlight
dispelled little of the gloom that reigned in this dungeon � for it was nothing
more than that.

�Headmaster.�

She heard
his low monotonous voice before she saw him.

Severus
Snape stepped out of the shadows. �You sent for me, Albus?�

Dumbledore
waved his wand and two overstuffed wingback chairs appeared. �Please, Severus,
take a seat. The conversation we are about to have will be unpleasant enough.
We might as well be comfortable.�

Snape
wrapped his robes about him with flourish and sat down in his usual abrupt
manner. Dumbledore waved his wand again and a small table appeared. On it was a
tray holding two cut-crystal glasses and Ogden�s
finest Firewhiskey. The bottle poured its amber contents into both glasses, and
Dumbledore smacked his lips in anticipation. Both men took a considerable gulp
from their glasses.

�Well,�
Dumbledore finally said, looking at Snape, who had been watching him with
uncharacteristic patience. �I shall certainly miss this.�

�Going
anywhere, Headmaster,� Snape drawled.

�My days are
numbered. Oh, don�t look so shocked, Severus,� Dumbledore smiled indulgently.
�It was bound to happen sooner or later. I only wish it could be at a later
time. After��

�I�m
afraid, I don�t understand, Albus.�

�You will
in a moment, Severus.� He cleared his throat. �I have asked you here because of
the vow you made to young Malfoy�s mother.�

Snape�s
expression became inscrutable, and he quickly reached inside his robes.

Dumbledore
smiled again. �Put your wand away, Severus. You won�t need it�yet.�

Snape,
however, didn�t remove his hand. �I don�t follow.�

�Severus,
I am asking you to fulfill your vow.�

For the
first time, Snape looked disconcerted. Something akin to pain flashed through
his dark eyes.

�Albus,�
he asked uncertainly.

�I am
aware of Draco�s mission � never mind how � and I know young Malfoy. Underneath
his arrogance, he is a scared young man. Deep down he�s still a boy. He doesn�t
have what it takes to follow through. He is not as cold as his father. Not��

�Not as
cold as I am,� Severus smoothly finished the sentence for him. For a moment,
the pain in his eyes intensified, before a veil of indifference fell over them.
�I see.�

�Severus,�
Dumbledore sighed sorrowfully. �That is not what I was going to say.�

�Well,
what then, Albus?�

�Your
life hasn�t been particularly happy, Severus.�

�I am
well aware of that. I need no reminding.� The Potions master�s voice dripped
with ice.

�It may
have crippled you emotionally,� Dumbledore said gently, his voice without
rebuke or pity. Severus scoffed, but did not interrupt. �But,� the old wizard
continued, �it made you a strong man. A determined man. You keep a cool head
when others lose theirs, and you see things through. You do not fail.�

From her
hiding spot, Jane could see Snape�s stony expression falter. He raised his
glass to his lips once more and his hand was shaking visibly. Whoever had said
that Hogwarts� Potions master had no emotions was wrong. Snape was obviously
waging a terrible war with himself. He valiantly struggled for control.

�Severus,�
Dumbledore called him to attention.

�You want
me to kill you�� Snape stated dully, his voice shaking slightly.

�I want
you to spare me a most undignified and agonizing death,� Dumbledore corrected
him. The Headmaster�s voice had taken on a strong and determined tone. �There
is no one else I can trust with this task.�

Snape
scoffed again. �I�m already a spy. I might as well add murder to my long list
of qualifications.�

Tears
collected in Dumbledore�s eyes. �There is no one, Severus, who knows more than
I do what horrors and indignities you are forced to endure in the name of the
Order, for the safety of both, the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. It pains me to
add even more to your suffering. But you see, I�d rather die at the hand of a
friend than from this��

Snape�s
eyes grew wide in horror when he saw Dumbledore�s withered hand. �When? How,�
he choked out.

Jane, too,
felt sickened but did not understand the Potions master�s reaction.

�That is
neither here nor there,� Dumbledore sighed tiredly. �All that matters is that
it happened.�

�How far
has it spread, Albus?� Snape had quickly recovered from his shock. Once more he
wore his mask of indifference. Only the small hitch in his voice betrayed his
true feelings.

�It
hasn�t reached the elbow, yet. There still is some time.�

Snape
nodded slightly.

�Do you
understand my request now, Severus? I know you had no choice when Narcissa
asked you to make the Unbreakable Vow. I know also that you are destined to
fulfill it. You will forfeit your life if you don�t, and there is much, yet,
that you must accomplish. When the final battle approaches, you shall be needed
more than ever. Lives will depend on you. I shall die happy knowing that others
will be spared. I am asking you, Severus, to do me this last service and I want
to absolve you of all responsibility before it�s too late.�

�If I
didn�t know better, Albus,� Snape answered after a long silence, �I would say
that you were doing this to ruin my life once and for all. However, I have
known you for more years than I care to remember, and you have always had a
reason for your actions, even though they weren�t always quite clear to the
rest of us. I have never understood your foolish propensity to believe in the
good of everyone. Furthermore, you continue to keep a blind eye to that
insufferable troublemaker, Potter. That in itself should be considered a most
serious error in judgment. However, despite it all, you are the only person I
have ever trusted.�

He
grimaced slightly. It wasn�t easy for him to say what came next. �In your own
way you�ve always had faith in me as a person� When the time comes, I shall do
as you ask of me.�

�It won�t
be easy� afterwards, Severus. You will be a wanted man.�

�Oh, I
know, Albus. Believe me, I know.� His forced indifference did not hide the pain
in his eyes.

�Severus,
I promise you��

The scene
before her became blurry. Jane leaned closer to hear the rest of the
conversation but she felt an inescapable tug, pulling her away. Suddenly, Jane
was back in number twelve Grimmauld Place.
The members of the Order were watching her curiously. Only Snape appeared
indifferent. He was studying her, though, with an intensity that sent shivers
down her spine and made her shift uncomfortably in her seat. It was only when
Remus offered her his handkerchief that she realized she was crying.

===

A/N #2:
Anyone else need a hanky?

Lost and
Found � 2005 by MMHG

===
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