Chapter 31

Sarah managed to compose herself before meeting with the headmistress at the bottom of the stairs. Minerva was at first concerned about the pale, shaking girl, but then assumed her current state was down to pure nerves and so put on her most matronly of demeanours to put her at her ease as she lead her from classroom to classroom.

The assessments went well, all things considered. Although lack of practical Herbology experience, combined with notoriously tricky theories of Transfiguration, meant that Sarah was recommended to begin at first year level for these lessons, the headmistress noted that she should be taught from third year level in Charms due to her natural flair for the subject. Sarah had managed to Summon a broomstick from across the length of the classroom and then proceeded to levitate it around skilfully, making Minerva applaud with delight.

A dissection of her Sanicurus Potion, which she had prepared in her coaching lessons with Severus, showed great competency (and how could it not, with such a teacher, Minerva observed wryly), which lead Minerva to think she should be taught from second year level in this subject. Finally, Sarah's demonstrable knowledge of tarot, scrying, palmistry and experience of prophetic dreams lead Minerva to confidently place her at third year level for Divination.

"Firenze and Professor Trelawney will be so excited to meet you, Sarah," she told the younger woman. "I'm sure you will learn much from them. I have no doubt that the levels at which you will be taught will match your competency with no problems. If, however, you find the material too advanced, or indeed not challenging enough, do not be afraid to let either myself or Filius know and we can assess you once more. Oh, Filius is going to be beside himself at the latest asset to Ravenclaw, I just know it." The older lady smiled at Sarah, who returned her smile gratefully.

For the last point on the tour, Minerva showed Sarah the library. As they made their way down the corridors, Minerva asked Sarah about her Wiccan practices, and Sarah was happy to explain about the eight sabbats and a little of the philosophy of Wicca. Minerva was genuinely fascinated. "It would be wonderful to see if it's possible to combine the two disciplines," she opined. "This could open up many possible avenues of research."

Sarah thought about this for a moment as they swung round the corner and headed up towards the library doors. "Would I be able to complete a thesis on the subject?" she asked.

Minerva nodded briskly, holding the door open for her. "At NEWT level, that is to say, further education level, students' own theses form part of the overall assessment. I could imagine you would easily be able to complete thesis for Charms on a comparison between Wiccan and wizard spellwork."

Sarah's mind was going into overdrive. The Great Rite, when touched with wizarding magic, became something altogether more powerful. Maybe the same could be said for other Wiccan rituals? She had no time to dwell on this however, as Minerva began talking once again.

"Well, this is our library. Unfortunately, Madam Pince, our librarian, is still on vacation in Spain, but you will meet her soon enough. I am sure you will have plenty to talk about, as one librarian to another." Minerva walked forwards, cloak swishing behind her, as Sarah took in all the rows upon rows of wonderful leather bound books. In her eyes, this is what a library should look like – beautiful architecture, the smell of leather and polish, and the promise of treasures hiding in every tome.

"This is the Restricted Section," the professor continued. "You will require permission to enter this area from your head of house or from myself. The material in here is restricted because it is deemed controversial or dangerous, and therefore access is limited to students. No books from the Restricted Section may leave the library." She turned on her heel.

"Just a few other things before I let you go, Sarah. We will arrange some more Floo powder for you, so you are able to come and go via the kitchens, as you did today. We have decided it would be sensible for you to obtain some wizarding robes when you are in attendance at the school. Not that you don't look positively lovely, my dear," Minerva added hastily, sensing disappointment on the younger woman's face. "This is just a precaution so you do not draw any unnecessary attention to yourself when coming to study in the library. Our younger students can be terribly inquisitive and if anyone thought a Muggle had invaded Hogwarts there would be chaos. Of course, we wouldn't expect you to wear a uniform, however. I hope you understand."

Sarah nodded and the older witch continued.

"Gladrags Wizardwear up in Hogsmeade should be able to accommodate you. They also specialize in formal dress robes, which you may need if you wish to attend our annual Yule Ball this year."

The older woman gave Sarah a leaflet in purple and orange with the words "Gladrags Wizardwear of Hogsmeade" flashing and sparkling. A pretty witch and a handsome wizard were posing on the front, turning and pouting, and at various intervals their robes changed into different styles, fabrics and colours.

"As you are aware, you will need to set up an account with Gringotts. I have left Severus to take care of this, and I'm sure he'll be able to answer any questions you may have."

Sarah's stomach flipped at the use of his name. She bit her lip. She wasn't so sure Severus taking her to Gringotts was such a good idea anymore, especially after the frosty reception she'd received this morning.

"As for your equipment, Severus will send it to you by owl this weekend. I think that's everything. I will send you an owl once I have had responses back from the other professors and provide you a timetable for your lessons. Do you have any other questions?"

"Actually, Professor, I was wondering if you'd allow me to spend a little time here in the library? As you're aware, this is my natural habitat and I'd love to spend an hour or two here getting acquainted with the place, if that's OK?"

Minerva smiled warmly at the young girl. "Yes, of course. I should have known this would be an absolute treat for you. Take as long as you want, dear. Just call for Winky if you need to find your way back to the kitchens."

"Thank you, Professor, you've been very kind."

Minerva nodded crisply and bade her farewell. Sarah waited until she could no longer hear the clicking of the older woman's boots on the flagstone floor before turning her attention to the library. Her own research skills came in very useful, and before long she'd managed to track down books detailing the Battle Of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and his involvement, The Order of the Phoenix and, finally, Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

She read voraciously until her stomach started to grumble. She had no idea how long she'd been in the library but it must surely have been hours. The more she had read, the more she admired Severus and felt deeply saddened about all he'd been forced to go through.

On returning from the school, Sarah stayed in her cottage for the rest of the weekend, waiting for her equipment to turn up whilst mulling over everything she had read. Eventually, on Sunday morning, she heard the familiar scratching and scraping sound of an owl at the window.

To her surprise, Severus had sent three massive owls, which, between them, had carried a substantially-sized trunk. Sarah ended up carrying through the front door as it was too wide and heavy to fit through her window and wondered how the owls had managed to carry it at all.

The trunk was packed neatly full of books, along with a cauldron, a Basic Potion Ingredients starter pack, blank parchment, quills, ink, a jumbo-sized box of Floo Powder, a pair of gloves made from dragon hide, a set of gardening tools in a little black leatherette case, a set of brass scales, a set of crystal phials with matching stirring wand, a beautiful and highly polished jet-black scrying mirror and, Sarah noted with a sharp intake of breath, a large crystal ball, wrapped in black velvet, complete with solid silver stand. The stand had what looked to be raven's claws as feet, intricately and delicately carved. She'd always wanted a crystal ball, and this one was so exquisite, so perfect, it almost made her well up with joy.

Severus chose all of this, for me. The thought made her heart swell.

She turned and saw one of the Great Gray owls ruffling its feathers and clicking its beak impatiently on the windowsill and noticed it had a piece of parchment attached to its leg, which it was impatiently trying to shake off.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologised to the owl, hurrying over to retrieve it. The owl allowed her to stroke its wondrously soft salt-and-pepper plumage after doing so before taking off and joining its companions, which were now circling above the cottage. Sarah recognised the elegant, spidery scrawl on the parchment immediately. It was, of course, from Severus. With shaking hands, she opened the note.

Miss Shaw,

Deputy Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Once again, Sarah read and re-read the note several times, trying to extract an ounce of emotion. Most of the way through, she felt nothing but bristling, officious contempt. At the last line, however, she quirked a smile at the dryness of the delivery. So Severus. Yet he'd thought of everything, left no avenue unexplored. Was it a gesture of his affection, or was he merely being professional, or worse, dismissive? Sarah hoped for the former. Either way, her mind was made up; she would go to Hogwarts on Monday evening and thank him personally for his effort and try to offer an olive branch.