A Different Kind of Magic--UNDERGOING EDIT

Nicole- Thanks for the great review and everyone else who has left detailed reviews. It is wonderful to hear what you do or do not like about the story so I can make it better and tweak what doesn't work if it makes sense to the story. No, I did not get my inspiration from the metal opera you mentioned but I will be sure to check it out. I just made it up as I went along but I am sure there is some influence in there somewhere. I've never seen Lord of the Rings but have read the books.

Daughter of a Serpent: Thanks here is more for ya!! :O)

Hi Tito: This is high praise coming from you, one of my hardest critics! Thanks for letting me know you approve of the way the plot is coming together. I told you all to have faith in me so glad you did. If you've read the last chapter you will have seen why Severus couldn't stay at the cottage anymore. Have no fear, there will be more action with our heroes at some point. I think Hermione has become wiser through her struggles although I cannot guarantee she will be a good girl I think others will help keep her in line.

HG4EVA: Again, have no fear they will be together again!

W/O further ado- chapter 66- we are drawing near to the point where I am stuck in my writing. I am working on it but it is going slow as I am in a real tight spot in RL right now so it's taking all my energy just to deal with home life. So I'll give you all approximate times to expect updates.


Chapter 66- Beasts and Bones

The occupants of a small, nondescript house in an outlying village twenty miles from nowhere were surprised during supper when a young woman and small boy appeared in the air above their table and crashed down into the soup and bread. The missus screamed, the husband shouted and their three children shrieked, scattering in all directions.

The boy and the young woman were out cold, at the mercy of strangers and no inkling if they were out of danger or embroiled in trouble of another sort. The husband was the first to come to his senses. Graham Butler leaned forward over his chair and poked at the prone form of the woman on the table, ostensibly to test if she was real. She felt squishy where she should. Her chest moved up and down so she was breathing. He reached out and felt for a pulse. Her heart was beating.

Cautiously, he moved from around his chair and lifted the small child from her loose grasp and took the child to a large bed on the far side of the room. The actions of the Muggle seemed to nudge his wife into motion. The man came back to the table and stood on the opposite side of the table from his wife.

“Okay Lucy, the lady don’ look too big, but you lift her from da side in case she’s a heavy lass.”

The woman called Lucy nodded and on the count of three they easily maneuvered the light witch, dripping supper from her dress to the floor over to the bed and laid her down by the boy. A teeny tiny book and trunk were plucked from the bread rolls and children’s supper plates, shaken of crumbs and deposited at the foot of the bed. The wife hurried after the children, herding them into a bedroom at the back of the tiny house.

Graham and Lucy stood with hands on their hips and stared at the odd people that had appeared like something out of a David Copperfield telly show.

Graham scratched his bald head and peered at his wife. “Whaddya say Lucy? It’s not every day people jus drop into yer supper in funny clothes. Think we ought to call the authorities?”

His meek wife shook her head. “They don’t look like trouble, dear. They look to be in an awful state, like something happened to’em. Look at the girl, she’s got burn marks and bruises on her. The boy’s in some funny looking pyjamas. What do we tell the authorities, that they appeared out of nowhere on top of our supper table?”

The husband kept scratching his head. There were so many funny things going on these days that the papers couldn’t explain. People disappearing, crime rates soaring, random sightings of strange looking creatures; even in the middle of town that no one could get a picture of. He didn’t want any part of it either.

“Well hun, they look ta be pretty normal folk cept fer their clothing. I think we oughta wait until they wake up and let them explain.”

Lucy nodded and moved to cover the sleeping pair with a tatty old afghan. They were poor folk and didn’t want any trouble. Being on the dole was no way to raise a family, but they were both disabled and the kids needed a roof over their head. Neither had the inclination to stir up a hornet’s nest and end up in the paper’s list of missing folk the next day.

The couple rounded up their children and sat down in front of the telly to watch reruns of Royle Family.

--

Severus gazed dispassionately at the ruins of Spinner’s End and the entire neighborhood surrounding it. Long dead charred ruins jutted markedly against the setting sun. It wasn’t a complete surprise that someone had usurped his only sanctuary while he was at the Manor. Most of his major valuables and memorabilia had been tucked away in a Gringott’s vault under an assumed name and willed to an unknown person not to be revealed until his absolute death. He would have to get someone to check on that account. The last time he had left Spinner’s End the identification for that very account had been left under a floorboard. Getting a new one would normally have been a simple affair but now created its own sets of challenges when he didn’t know all the rules of the game as of yet. The real shame had been the destruction of his mother’s collection of books. Several had been priceless, but there had only been so many things he could rightfully stow away prior to the downfall of Voldemort. He didn’t want to think about a few other trinkets that had sentimental value that were also left behind. It was a moot point now, and like so many other people and places in his life, this one was relegated to the past.

The Forbidden Forest had been eerily quiet when he had retrieved enough galleons to get by comfortably. The purchase of a concealed wand and a transfigured bottomless bag had eaten a good chunk of what he could carry, but a second trip had refilled his pockets with the remainder of his small fortune thanks to the handy bag tucked in his cloak. The wand was going to be his saving grace. His ability to Apparate was crucial and with this bit of magic he would go undetected.

Little did he know the Ministry only very loosely kept tabs on Apparition and illegal magic or curses anymore. After all, there were bigger fish to fry in the scheme of things and almost half the magic done these days was illegal to begin with.

So for all Severus Snape was aware, the role of spy once again asserted itself as he went to get some answers from an old friend.

Aberforth Dumbledore was just closing up shop when he was jerked violently from his place at the bar and a strong hand clamped over his mouth. He struggled fruitlessly to free himself and was only rewarded with a tighter grip over his nose and mouth. An eerily familiar silky smooth voice crooned in his ear. “If you would put forth this much effort into keeping a clean establishment, the Ministry wouldn’t run you into the ground with taxes for violating public health code old man.”

The hand slowly released from his face and spun him around sharply to face a heavily cloaked and concealed figure just out of reach from the dim pub lighting. Aberforth squinted his eyes and put a wizened hand over his forehead to see better. “Severus? Is that you son?”

The dark figure let the hood drop to reveal stark, sallow features sporting a hooked nose and obsidian eyes that pierced through the darkness and into the watery blue ones across the way. The old man let out a weak cry and stumbled forward into the arms of his brother’s pride and joy. He had given Severus up for dead when he had been sent to the Ministry prison hospital. A spark of hope flared in his aging bones as the big man clasped him in a gentle but powerful bear hug. A gruff choke was heard as Severus cleared his throat, tamping down on the emotion that threatened to spill forth.

Releasing the younger man, Aberforth quickly shut and warded the Hogshead and put a silencing charm on the door for good measure. He heartily patted a stool at the bar, wiped some crisps off the surface and settled a pint of lager in front of Severus.

“You looked like you could use a drink just now. Go ahead and finish it up before you get to telling me what you’re up to in these parts.” He puttered around the periphery stacking glasses and wiping plates, taking swigs from the various bottles of hard liquor that littered the bar.

A grunt was the only response from his young charge. The lager wasn’t really Snape’s thing, but he wasn’t going to complain at the choice of drink. Aberforth was known for his crotchety behavior and didn’t like to be turned down for his sometimes shifty choices of beverage or gifts. In a very uncharacteristic move, Severus finished off the lager and wiped the foam from his face with the back of a sleeve. That had been the best goddamn drink he’d ever appreciated. There’d been scarce little to eat or drink while he’d been away from Hermione and Teddy. He was going to make sure he was tanked up before he hit the road again. Food first, business second.

“Aberforth.”

“Yes young man, do tell. What brings you to the Hogshead?”

“I will divulge the information I wish to impart momentarily. I require sustenance before I can expend the precious little energy I have left at the moment.”

“Of course me lad, here ya go! Fresh from the spit!” Albus’s brother wrestled a bloody rabbit, of all things, off a spit from the open flame of the fireplace and plopped in unceremoniously on a plate in front of Snape. A grunt was his only reply as the ravenous man tore it apart like the he was Christ at the Last Supper. A fresh pint of lager was plopped down in front of him, spilling over the edges as the head of the drink made an impressive showing.

Finally sated, Severus caught the old man’s attention and gestured to the picture of Aberforth’s younger sister on the wall that led to the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts.

Aberforth shook his head and rushed to placate his friend. “Nah nah, that was sealed up after the last great battle. Too many people knew about its existence and it got filled in with dirt and rubbish from the clean up and repair efforts. Ain’t no one coming in or out through that no more.” He kept on shaking his head for good measure, his long white beard jiggling as he spoke.

Severus let his head fall, the hair coming forward. His low baritone sounded almost wistful when he spoke. “I would like to properly thank you for your valuable assistance during the war. Many more students would have been lost without that passageway. You risked life and limb for children that were not your own. The sacrifice is to be commended.”

Aberforth snorted and made a bleating sound like one of his goats. “Posh and codswallop. Anyone else would have done the same. Hell, you done far more for everyone than me. Any fool could open and close a door.”

“Surely you do not think half the village idiots in Hogsmeade would have undertaken such risks?” The steely diamond gaze captured the bright blue ones with the question. Thus, it remained rhetorical, as the old man didn’t reply to that.

“You just tell me what I can do for you and be on your way. No sense in anyone gettin’ wind of you ‘round these parts.”

“Tell me what you know about Merlin the Magician.”

A truly surprised look burst forth from the wrinkled face of Aberforth Dumbledore as he leaned over the bar, too close for comfort.

Snape discarded the stool for standing, long strides bringing him to stand before the picture of Ariana Dumbledore.

Aberforth continued to study Snape’s back. He knew it was a loaded question. Severus didn’t speak lightly when he asked a question, so instead of wondering where he was headed with the information he sought or assuming what he wanted to know, he very simply pointed the boy in the direction of where to find the information he sought.

“Son, I know about as much as anyone else. All the regular legends that were passed down is the extent of my knowledge for one thing.” He could see Snape’s back stiffen, waiting for the axe to fall. “If you be wanting to know things no one else knows ‘bout Merlin, you best be getting’ yerself to Tintagel Village. Them’s people are the rightful descendents, but I bet they be a tight lipped bunch. You might bring them something from the mainland in exchange for information, if you know what I mean.”

“What might an islander desire for trade?”

“You’re the expert, think ‘bout it.” The merry eyes twinkled, not imagining for a minute his friend was so obtuse. “Being a Potion’s master has its perks. Do you imagine them folks has access to many potions, or even ingredients to make them? I ‘spose it would do you right an see what kind of things they be needin’, but that might loosen some lips fer ye.”

“Thank you. Your hospitality will not be forgotten.”

Aberforth produced a large tin of food and drink, lightened and shrunk down for the continued journey. Severus took the proffered wares with a gracious nod.

“Oh wait! My brother left something for ye, should I ever see you again.” He scurried off and returned with a mirror.

Severus took it and couldn’t help but let a small gasp escape him. It was part of a two way mirror that had last been seen in the clutches of Mundungus Fletcher. He had thought, along with everyone else, that it had been destroyed. There would be no way of knowing how Albus had come into possession of it, much less why he would leave it with his brother marked for Severus.

“What, exactly, is the purpose of this unexpected gift?” he mused.

The older man shrugged. “Dunno. Said to give it to you if I ever saw you after the war was done.”

Severus peered into the two way mirror with curiosity, but it remained blank. He tucked it into his bag and bowed stiffly to his friend. “Aberforth.”

“Severus.”

As Severus Disapparated from the Hogshead, Aberforth could only surmise the meaning of his brother’s gift. He went behind the counter and looked at the name on the twin to the mirror he had given Severus. What purpose did Albus have for giving the other half to Hermione Granger?

--

“So, Brian, what are we going to do with all these people?” A dirty, unkempt man with a squat stature and pug nose jerked his thumb in the general direction of the inquisitorial prison in the south of England. He stood with his boss and a group of others on the rise leading down to the building that was crammed with people brought in for questioning or simply “gathered” on orders of the Ministry. Normally, the small staff didn’t ask questions, but Snakes, as he was called, was the dumbest of the lot and spoke more often than he thought. The impertinent question earned him a swift kick in the rear.

“Shit! You didn’t have to boot me in the arse!”

“Then shut up! No one is paying you to ask questions! You’ll do as you’re told and keep your mouth shut. Do you understand you piece of shit?”

Snakes muttered to himself and looked uneasily at the rest of the guys in the group. They kept their eyes glued to their boots, unwilling to risk a Cruciatus or something worse. They had all seen what happened to guards that got cocky with Dr. Shaw. The man was a real prick and the Ministry had his back. He never got in trouble for dishing out his lethal discipline with the prisoners or the staff. Most of the crew were Muggles “liberated” from regular prisons anyway, so they didn’t really have a clue what was going on.

Brian flicked his cigarette and ground it out with his toe. Blowing out the remainder of his smoke, he made a motion with his hands, herding the men down the side of the hill. He pointed at a bunch of shovels. “I want you scum to dig a hole. A big one. It needs to be large enough to fit, oh, I don’t know, a Lorry laying sideways. Get to work.”

A round of grumbling shuffled through the group but they all picked up their shovels and started digging.

Brian smirked with satisfaction. His boss was going to be quite pleased with this batch of prisoners. They were a lively bunch and full of energy. The torture sessions had reasonably dulled their feistiness, but hadn’t broken their sprits. He fancied himself quite the inquisitor. Running this prison was so much more fun than killing patients on the sly as he had done during his medical career. He had even carried out a few personal experiments of his own on a few delectable Muggles that had made their way into his private lab within the facility. It was most gratifying to have regular sexual torture sessions. There was nothing quite like a warm body in a sterile operating environment, naked and open for whatever his sick mind could come up with. The orgasms were mind blowing. Nope, he didn’t mind this job one bit.

He quickly checked his watch and shouted at the men to get a move on. A caravan would be there shortly and he needed to supervise the loading of the select prisoners for transport to Lucius’ compound. He had no idea what his master did with the people, but each time the caravan came back with the people all dead, he needed to get rid of the bodies and hence, the big hole. This was the tenth one he had had to dig, and they were running out of space around the prison. Brian mused on whether he should approach Umbridge about moving to a different location. Whispers from the surrounding towns were starting to filter in of something going on out in the country.

He shrugged and lit another fag, turning his thoughts to more pleasant things, like his master hunting for Hermione Granger. He desperately wanted to finish what he had started with her. The image of her head being forced to go down on him made his cock hard as a rock. The bitch was going to pay for the wrath Lucius had incurred on him after the destruction of the Manor. Even if his master had other plans, Brian would make his move as soon as he could. The little whore would be his, and she would suffer mightily before he killed her.