Chapter Fourteen: Explaining Magic

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing them from JKR for a little outing.

Chapter Fourteen: Explaining Magic

"But... he called you a witch, Harmony. That's impossible."

"Cathy, Lee, Amelia, there's something I have to tell you. Well, there's rather a lot I have to explain. I suggest you all sit down here on this log."

"What's he going to do?"

"Snape? He'll watch Edgely and Katrina."

"Snape? Is that his real name?"

"I suppose I'd better start at the beginning. I'm Hermione Granger. I'm a witch. The wizard over there is Severus Snape, my Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Katrina is a witch from Greece, and Edgely is a wizard who has been breaking all sorts of wizarding laws and is about to get his comeuppance."

"But magic doesn't exist..."

"I thought you'd say that, Amelia. Did you not notice how we immobilised Edgely?"

"Yes... but I didn't understand it."

"Never mind. Watch. Accio dry wood! Incendio! Aguamenti!"

"Wow! That's some trick."

"It's not a trick, Lee. It's magic. Real magic. This is my wand. It channels the magic, so I can use it effectively. I can do some things without it, but it's easier to use the wand. I'm sure Snape over there can do far more wandless magic. There are communities of witches and wizards magically hidden amongst you Muggles – non-magical people – all over the country. One of the biggest is just outside Hogwarts. Some of us, like me, are Muggle-born, which means both our parents are Muggles. I can tell you it came as quite a shock when I turned eleven and received a visit from a Hogwarts professor to tell me I was a witch and would be attending their school.

"Some of us are half-blood, like Severus, with one Muggle and one wizarding parent, and some are pure-bloods. We have a Statute of Secrecy, which I have just broken by telling you this, but as you had already inadvertently witnessed us performing magic, I suspect I'll get away with it. Any questions so far?"

"I have one. What will happen to us now?"

"Good question, Cathy. Usually, the Ministry of Magic – yes, we have our own bureaucracy – will come along and Obliviate any Muggles who have witnessed magic by mistake. That is, modify their memories. But I'm hoping you will be prepared to swear an Oath of Secrecy not to tell anyone, even your parents."

"Why not just make us forget?"

"Because I kind of like you idiots, and I'd hate to lose you as friends now we have solved our little mystery."

"Getting sentimental again, Granger?"

"Oh, shut it, Snape. I didn't ask your opinion."

"I see what you mean about his personality, Harmony... I mean, Hermione. Is he always this nasty?"

"Miss Radford, that was me being pleasant. You do not want to see me being nasty."

"Trust me, Amelia. You don't."

"So, why were you here? And what does it have to do with Katrina and the stall guy?"

"Our Magical Law Enforcement section had been alerted to the use of illicit magic within the school grounds. Normally, they would have investigated themselves, but with such a large number of Muggles here it was too difficult. So, they sent us in undercover to find out who was performing magic and why. It's taken quite a while to track down, but we know now Katrina was the culprit."

"Was she doing something bad?"

"Not initially, Lee. Foolish, but not bad. She used her wand where she shouldn't, and Edgely saw her do it. I won't go into details, but he's been in trouble with our authorities and isn't allowed to use his own magic. He blackmailed Katrina into helping him manufacture dangerous items, which he then sold to innocent people."

"The expensive pendants. They really were magic!"

"Yes, Amelia, and a nasty little piece of magic at that. They are designed to coerce people into having feelings for another that are completely false. Kingsley and his team will now have to track down every one he has sold and deactivate it."

"Did I hear my name spoken in vain?"

"Hey, where did he come from?"

"It's called Apparation, Cathy. We use it to move from place to place magically. Much faster than the bus. Kingsley, about time you showed."

"Always pleasant to see you, too, Severus. So, what do you have for me? And why do you have three conscious Muggles here? I hope you two have a damned good explanation."

"Ask Miss Granger. They're her friends."

"They helped us apprehend Edgely. If it wasn't for them, who knows what would have happened. Please don't Obliviate them, Kingsley. They're prepared to swear an Oath of Secrecy."

"Perhaps you'd better start at the beginning. The last message Severus sent me only said you had uncovered some possible suspects. I'm assuming you've progressed since then?"

***

"Well. I do believe we have to thank these three young ladies for their assistance. Hermione, are you quite convinced they will not pose a security risk if we allow them to retain knowledge of the wizarding community? You will have to vouch for them and take responsibility if any breaches of secrecy occur."

"Did you hear that, girls? Are you prepared to swear to secrecy, knowing I will be punished if you tell anyone? Right, then. Kingsley?"

"I'm satisfied. Will you excuse us a moment please, Hermione? Now, do you three have any further questions before I go?"

"We do, Mr Shacklebolt. By the way, I'm Amelia, and this is Cathy and Lee. Exactly how important are Hermione and Severus in your world? You seem to, you know, respect them both a lot, and from what Hermione said, you are a very important wizard yourself."

"Pleased to meet you, girls. Your friends here are not just ordinary wizards. They played an enormous part, along with some others, in defeating a very evil wizard earlier this year. Severus particularly, spent many years putting his life on the line for us. Quite simply, they are heroes. Don't let them tell you any different."

"Hermione said he was a hero, but she never told us she was one too. No, sir, she didn't tell us why. So, they are quite er... powerful?"

"Oh, young lady, Severus Snape is one of the most powerful and accomplished wizards of his time, and Hermione is still young, but she is a remarkable witch."

"Wow! We'd never have thought. She seemed so ordinary, and he seemed so nice."

"Which is exactly the roles they were told to play. I see you are looking sceptical still. Cathy, isn't it? How about I arrange a little demonstration? Severus! Hermione! Would you two mind doing a little favour for me?"

"The last little favour has taken three months, Kingsley."

"This one will only take ten minutes. I would like you to demonstrate duelling to these three sceptics. They seem to think you are a simple, easy-going pair. I cast Notice-Me-Not and Muggle-Repelling Charms around the area when I arrived, so you needn't look so horrified, Severus."

"I assumed you had. I was merely appalled at the thought of duelling Miss Granger. Despite her exemption from my class this year, she's still only a teenage know-it-all. I hardly think it is appropriate for me to duel with her."

"Oh, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, Severus. I don't believe you ever saw her in action during the final battle. She took out several Death Eaters and did so in a most efficient manner. Don't underestimate her."

"Cathy, did he say final battle?"

"Yes. And Death Eaters. Just who have we been living with?"

"I think we're about to see, girls. Looks like Seth... oops, Snape, has decided she's worthy competition after all. I wonder what a duel is, anyway?"

"Bloody hell! He moves like lightning! And did you see that streak of light?"

"Yeah, but look how she dodged it. It's like the Matrix movie I saw in the holidays."

"You saw that, Lee? Was it good?"

"Never mind that now. This is way better. I think they must use some sort of force field thingy, by the way the lights bounce off. What would happen if they connected?"

"It's called a shield, girls. And they are not merely lights. The spells they're using are a mixture of harmless Jelly-legs Jinxes and such, as well as powerful stunners. See that red one Severus just dodged? That would have knocked him out cold if he hadn't moved so fast. There are other far more dangerous spells including those that torture and kill. Magic can be lethal if used inappropriately."

"Do you mean to say they have killed people?"

"Unfortunately, they both have had to kill in the line of duty. But remember, girls, it was not a game. The wizarding world was battling a merciless tyrant who would stop at nothing to take power. They did what they had to do. We nearly lost Severus in the process. I'm sure Hermione will fill you in on some of the details, but don't expect too much of her. She lost several friends earlier this year and is still grieving."

"I guess that's why they seem to have such a close relationship. Shared experience, and all."

"Relationship, Cathy? They don't even like each other. I'm actually surprised they haven't hexed each other before now."

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Actually, sir, just how important are you in your Ministry?"

***

"You'll have to do better than that, Snape! I learned to block those back in fifth year!"

"Don't get cocky, sweetheart. I'm just being a gentleman. Ouch! That connected!"

"Well, don't be patronising. Good try, but you missed! See what you think of that!"

"Ha! Miles away. Let's see how you get on when I cast nonverbally."

"Piece of cake, Snape. Ooh, a stunner, I'm sooo scared!"

"Damned know-it-all!"

"Arrogant git!"

"Bloody hell! Where did you learn that?"

"From you, darling, in sixth year Defence."

"Fucking swot!"

"Sticks and stones..."

"What? Damn!"

"Ha! The old distraction technique. Works every time. Oh, Merlin, you're bleeding. I thought you'd block it."

"How did you know that curse, Granger?"

"From your old book. Here, let me look at it."

"It's nothing, just a scratch."

"Let me look all the same. I can heal it for you."

"Granger, you're not getting my shirt off. Granger... what are you do..."

...

...

...

"I think they're finished duelling."

"Do you wizards always kiss and make up after you have fought?"

"Er... no, Amelia. But I see what you mean about close."

"I'm getting all hot and bothered just watching. He is a fantastic kisser."

"Don't you feel like a voyeur, Cathy?"

"No. If they want do that in public, they have to live with an audience... Oh, my, but not that. Do you see where his hands are, Lee?"

"And hers. Lucky girl."

"Ahem. I think you have quite ably demonstrated duelling. Thank you, Severus and Hermione."

"Oh, Mr Shacklebolt. Just when it was getting interesting."

***

A/N: This was written for the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash on LiveJournal. Many thanks to my wonderful beta, karelia, and the girls at work for all their input.