Year 3: Chapter 15

~*~Chapter 15~*~

The next day, the entire school was in shock when the headmaster�s voice boomed throughout the entire school. Never before had a teacher made a school-wide announcement using a magical intercom system.

�Lily Evans, Remus Lupin, James Potter, and Sirius Black � report to Professor McGonagall immediately!�

The 3rd Year Gryffindors were outside in greenhouse three for herbology class. Even there the orders met them. Herbology was the single class in which the four memory-less students weren�t in need of special classes to cover the basics. They were able to jump right in as if nothing had ever happened.

�They�re in trouble...� was the line on everybody�s mind when the voice echoed throughout the enclosure. The class was silent when each head shot in their direction.

Lily shrugged when the professor gave them a curt nod as permission to leave. Once back inside the castle, they had to pool their minds to remember where to find McGonagall�s classroom.

�Fourth floor, isn�t it?� Sirius turned to take another flight of stairs.

�I thought her room was the one that frequently decides it wants a new location.�

�No, that�s Professor Binns, the boring one, remember?�

�Oh yeah. Fourth floor it... is.� James was abruptly cut off by their transfiguration teacher, on a mission, flying down the staircase.

�There you children are! Come, come. What in the devil�s name took you so long?�

�We got lost,� Lily offered unwillingly, hanging her head slightly. �...Again...�

�No moping, follow me. Professor Dumbledore needs you urgently.� She gave each of their robes a swift tug and made for a different flight of stairs.

�For what?� Remus asked, doing his best to keep up with McGonagall�s surprisingly quick pace.

�I wasn�t notified of that.�

�Is it good or bad news?�

She eyed them shortly. �What would you say?�

It took only a millisecond for the four of them to glance at each other and mumble together, �Bad.�

�Don�t dwell on your instincts, seeing as they were primarily erased only days ago. Anyway, it�s evidently quite important. � We�ll find out soon enough.�

Minerva navigated them through the castle for the next five minutes, not slowing down a single bit. Lily would have sworn that they went up and down more stairs than there were altogether, and that they passed the same armoured knight three times. She knew it was the same one because this particular knight always waved and bowed to her. Finally, McGonagall abruptly stopped in front of a gargoyle statue. �Would you know how to get here again if I asked you to?�

Lily looked at her like she had taken too much medication that morning. �Not to be disrespectful or anything, Professor, but are you crazy?� They were all panting, feeling much like they had little cuckoo birds flying in dizzying circles around their heads.

�So I take it you couldn�t find your way here?�

�Not on your life,� James agreed.

The professor smiled to herself. �Good. That was the point.� Before any of them could object to her taking them on a wild goose chase through the school, she turned to face the gargoyle and spoke �feather-brain�. Upon impulse, the statue began to rotate, revealing, yet another, set of stairs.

Professor Dumbledore opened the door to find them just ascending the top of the stairs. He welcomed them in happily.

Lily whispered to Sirius. �Maybe it�s not bad after all.�

�Yeah, Dumbledore looks better than he has all week.�

The headmaster ushered them into seats in front of his desk, and they gladly sat in a frenzy to rest their tired legs. No sooner had they taken their seats that a bird next to his desk spontaneously ignited and blew up with a sudden pop.

The kids shot back in their chairs, their eyes wide with fear. �How�d that happen? Did it just blow up on its own?� Remus stuttered, completely baffled by the fact that a rather large bird just exploded before his very eyes.

Dumbledore waved it aside. �About time too. He�s been looking rather rough for the past few days.�

Lily gave him a cold, disbelieving stare that shouted �cruelty�.

He chuckled in reply. �Don�t worry. Fawkes is a phoenix. See how he is reborn?� He motioned to the bird�s remaining pile of ashes, and the students were astounded to see a small baby chick opening its eyes.

The four of them were in awe, staring almost rudely until Dumbledore called back their attention. He was holding up the gadget that Lily had given him yesterday. �Remember this?�

�Well, I remember when I gave it to you, but what it is, I don�t know.�

�You really don�t remember anything about it?�

�No... Why?�

The headmaster tried to hide his lips cracking into a smile. �Though it may be hideous, this little trinket holds the key to all our problems.�

~~~~~~

Back in London, the Ministry of Magic was in total chaotic bewilderment. Not too long ago, a full-scale auror emergency meeting was called to attention throughout the whole building, alerting the hundreds that worked at the ministry that something direly important was happening. It was common knowledge that when the world�s top aurors, the �Auror Class Centaur Team� � or ACC Team � were being thrown into the Dead Room for a meeting with the Minister, without a public explanation, something was up. The Dead Room, known for its secrecy and mystery, was the most alienated, hi-tech room in the world. Only the ministry�s most powerful and privileged ever had the honor of setting foot in the circular room in which no light or sound escaped. The dwelling had plush furniture and carpet made for comfort, and while it was the only room with a 360 degree ariel view of the Ministry of Magic, not an eye could see into it.

When a council was beckoned for a meeting in the Dead Room, especially the ACC, the magical English world and the newspapers went wild.

Inside the mysterious room, the aurors were called to order. �Attention please!�

There was no need for repetition, for the twelve intimidatingly-robed men and women snapped their heads toward the speaker and ceased all conversation in sync.

�As I�m sure you�ve realized, Hogwarts is in need of our help.�

The team nodded and listened eagerly to the Minister of Magic, Head Auror Carson Potter.

�Albus did not give me specifics, but he did tell me that we are to capture Miss Arabella Figg and take her immediately to Hogwarts via floo powder. She is in Little Winging, Surrey.�

They had their orders. Without another word, they ran the drill and all apparated to Surrey.

~~~~~~

In the large circular office at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore had set the pair of lips and wax ear on the front of his desk for James, Lily, Remus, Sirius, and McGonagall to see. As they gazed upon it in befuddlement, the headmaster brought out his wand, ready to perform a spell on the trinket.

�Now you must listen very carefully, and if anything jolts your memory, let me know. And I warn you, it could be a bit graphic...�

Simultaneously, all four students uncomfortably adjusted themselves in their chairs as a jet of neon light sprang from the tip of Dumbledore�s wand. Upon absorbing the light, the lips parted to speak. Before they knew how to react, Lily, Sirius, James, and Remus were, through sound, reliving the night they lost their memories

~~~~~~

Out of nowhere, a voice, like a low growl with a strong old-English accent, filled the empty dungeons with a somewhat magnified whisper. "You have successfully broken into the castle," it rumbled. "The first to do so in a millenia."
"Anything to serve you, my Lord," Arabella said.
"You have proven yourself against all odds and therefore, are worthy enough to take part in the glory of the Uprising."

There was a short pause, and then...

"What are you doing?" It boomed.
"I...I was to perform the final spell, Salazar, to release you..." She stammered.
"You have not the privilege to speak to me as such!"
"I'm s - sorry, my Leige. Didn't you say --"
"I said not yet! My moment has not yet come. Be sure Tom understands that. Not yet. I have waited since the founding of this school, founded by myself and those three other wretched excuses for a wizard; if I have waited that long to overthrow it, then I can wait a little longer to make it perfect."
"Not yet. I will tell him."
"It will be the day before departure -- 7th Year Graduation Ceremony. All families will be there, along with ministry officials." He paused. "Graduation, that will be my moment." The bodiless voice cackled.

There was a long absence of sound before the six listeners heard Remus in a frightened stage whisper.

Are you crazy?

They could hear them all doing their best not to cough. There was apparently something in the air, but they couldn�t remember what it was. Then Figg spoke again, still oblivious that the students were there, eavesdropping.

"I await graduation, Lord. A vision of you will strike terror into the very depths of the soul."
After a brief moment of Arabella verbally groveling, the mouth erupted an evil laugh. "Don't worry. This time, Hogwarts will fall!"
Sirius gasped loudly.

They could hear Figg�s cloak whirl around in the background.

"What have we here? A spy of Dumbledore's?"

There was the sound of desperate running footsteps.

"Immobilize!� She chuckled. "And where there's one spy, there's usually two."
The other three gasped loudly before Arabella fired, "Expelliarmus!"
Lily, James, and Remus could do nothing when she cast a spell to bind their arms and legs.
"Well how nice." There was a short clunk as their wands hit the floor. "Not a duet, but a quad of spies. -- So tell me, how did Dumbledore suspect I'd be here tonight?"
"He didn't." James said.
"Oh good." Figg replied almost jovially.
Lily spoke. "What's happened to you? You taught us all about the creatures of the world, and then all of a sudden you think you're going to destroy Hogwarts, the most well-known and secure wizarding establishment in the world?!"
Figg bellowed, "Hogwarts will fall!"
"Better keep it down, Professor, she sneered. "Someone will hear you."
"I don't have time for this." Figg said, rageful.

Without warning, all the listeners cringed as their tortured cries filled the room. Nothing had prepared them for this, to hear their own blood-curtling screams of horror.

Figg was laughing madly, as if at an amusement park.
James cut her off and painfully yelled, "You won't get away with this! There's a class down here! They will find us!"
"Yes, but when they do, you'll be so confused you won't be able to remember even your own names. � Say goodbye to your memories..."

~~~~~~

Professor McGonagall sat in complete shock, muttering continuously �Oh my goodness...� Her fingers were trembling against her mouth, which were parted in awe, as a tear slid down her cheek.

Dumbledore placed the object in front of him delicately as Fawkes coo�ed them in her quiet sing-song voice to bring harmony to the tense room. His eyes still cast down on the pair of the now-motionless lips, he asked, �Did anything jostle your memory? Anything at all?�

His gentle eyes rose and met four pair of disbelieving eyes staring through him in utter shock. The trauma of it all was like a wave that unexpectedly took them under, cruelly holding them there as they fought for breath. Dumbledore knew that words could never come close to dictating the detail their expressions held. He pushed them further, interrogatingly, urging them with his hands to continue. �You remember?�

Remus was the first to overcome the shock. He looked everywhere quickly, eyes darting this way and that as he tried to take in as much as possible. People, events, and thoughts � all rushing back to him like a hurricane. He was the eye of the storm; the wind were memories, being sucked in by his will to remember. Memories of that night came back, the hour his life was stolen from him.

Dumbledore repeated himself, but this time, it wasn�t a question. �...You remember...�

Remus finally spoke. � � Everything... She... Figg, she...� Abrupt realization replaced his stunned expression, and he found himself shaking James to alertedness. �Guys! Lily! � I remember! I remember everything that happened down in the dungeons! � Figg, Salazar, the Sorting Hat, the � �

The headmaster sat up immediately and interrupted him, eyes wide. �The Sorting Hat?!�

�Yes, she was speaking to it. Speaking to Slytherin.�

Dumbledore didn�t even reply. He was buried deep in what looked like excruciatingly painful thought.

Breaking the silence, Lily spoke quietly. �Oh my gosh...� She was trembling. Whether it was from fear or praise, she didn�t know. All that mattered was that she remembered. �I remember her doing it, Professors! This thing � it isn�t lying! She cursed us... tortured us...� A chill come over her body. �It was more agonizing than anything I could ever, ever have imagined... like my body was being ripped into pieces and metal hands were inside me, clutching at my heart...my mind...my lungs...threatening to squeeze harder...�

Lily was sweating profusely from the intensity of her memory coming back to her. In ways, she didn�t even realize it came out of her own mouth.

�The Cruciatus...� Dumbledore murmured disgustedly, as if it were a contagious disease, primarily to Professor McGonagall who had been sitting in silence.

�Ara...Arabella? Associating with madmen like this?� McGonagall stuttered, clearly at a loss for words. �She was always so sweet and sensible. I wouldn�t have counted on her to hurt a dead bug!�

�So... What do we do now?� Lily asked, standing to pet the small baby phoenix. It hiccuped and burped flames the colour of its growing feathers. Although so young, it tried its hardest to sing. It knew how deathly the room�s aura had become. Though faint, its tune touched their hearts.

Dumbledore internally smiled at how Lily and Fawkes behaved as if they had known eachother all their lives. It was a well-known fact that phoenixes were very rarely tame, making them quite dangerous to those they�ve never come in contact with. �I�ve notified the Ministry of Magic and all the top aurors are on their way to Figg�s home. Once found, they�ll bring her immediately here for interrogation. The only one who knows anything about what�s really going on is your father, James.�

�Who�s my father again?� James asked seriously, depressed that he could remember being tortured, but not his own father.

Dumbledore sighed, not even answering. �We�re in hopes that something can be done to re-gain your memories. � Your whole memory.�

Their eyes lit with the fire of hope simply upon hearing those words.

�But please, don�t get your hopes up. No one�s sure if there is anything we can do. It all depends on Figg, whether she�ll cooperate and whether there�s even a way for her to give your memories back. � And James, you�ll see your father soon. He�s the Minister of Magic, remember?�

�Oh yeah...� James replied, still feeling wretched for not being able to remember his own father, his own flesh and blood.

Lily put a hand on his shoulder supportively. �Don�t worry, I don�t remember my family either... But at least we�re in this together. � Alright?�

He gave her an unconvincing crack of a smile. �Yeah...� He sighed unhappily. �Together...�

~~~~~~

Later that night after all the Gryffindors were asleep, Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus lay awake in the common room. After all they went through today, the last thing Lily wanted to do was go to her dorm room and be prodded with questions by her dorm mates, so the boys volunteered to camp out with her downstairs.

�Lily, why don�t you talk to us?�

Trance-like, Lily starred into space, thinking about her parents.

�Lily?� Sirius came and sat next to her on her sleeping bag.

Lily wasn�t really paying attention. All she could do was dwell on her bad dreams; the image of the four of them cringing as pain seeped through their bodies was horrible, but thinking about her family was more than she could bear. �There�s nothing like staring into your mom�s eyes and not seeing love, not recognizing the face. Instead, all I see are deep pools of emptyness.� She buried her face in her knees.

�We all know how you feel, Lils.� Remus and James joined them on the sleeping bag.

Extremely tired, she fell back to lay her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. �And that only makes it worse...� She yawned. �...knowing that other people are unfortunate enough to have to go through the same thing as you.�

The boys were trying their best to make her feel better. �But... At least that means you�re not alone...�

When Lily didn�t reply to their heartfelt statement, they looked down and saw she wasn�t aware they had even said anything. Instead, she was fast asleep on the floor, wandering into a well-earned good dream.

~~~~~~

The next morning Professor McGonagall was called to the headmaster�s office for a meeting about what had occurred there yesterday.

�Greetings, Minerva. Take a seat.� Professor Dumbledore ushered her in. �I apologize for taking you out of class.�

�It�s fine, Albus. Sir Nicholas volunteered to keep order while I was gone.�

Dumbledore�s eyes twinkled with amusement while Minerva carefully scrutinized his manifestation. �Albus... what is it? I can see through that fa�ade of yours. Something�s troubling you.�

He shook his head in astonishment. �You never cease to amaze me. Is it even possible to fool you?� After a short chuckle, he paused, as if figuring out the best way of wording what he had to say. �Yesterday � When I played the recording for both you and the students, I was careful about removing some of it � because I didn�t feel Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus had need to hear it.�

McGonagall leaned closer, even though she was afraid of what was coming next.

Dumbledore continued. �A... A student assisted in the admittance of Figg into the castle dungeons...�

�What!? � A student?�

�Yes...� Dumbledore reluctantly explained who he spoke of. Minerva was disbelieving and couldn�t hold back her outbursts, �How?�

�Through a way no one on earth could have figured out. � A secret power. I wouldn�t have even known had I not caught her using it a few months ago. � Psychokinesis.�

�But, Albus... Are you sure? I mean, I thought that race had ended! There hasn�t been a registered psychokinetic in almost a century!�

�I know...� Dumbledore gleamed, though she couldn�t imagine why.

�Well, what are you going to do?!� McGonagall was shaking, both from bewilderment and boiling anger. If anyone else had been listening, they�d think it only a matter of seconds before she blew her top. �She�s too dangerous! Too much of a threat to the wizarding world! And above all � too young! She doesn�t know right from wrong yet! Image the destruction that could happen just from those yearning for her on their side!�

The headmaster held up his hand, ordering calm. �Her memory has been cleared of the events concerning Figg.�

Her eyes flew open in horrific shock. �Albus! What were you thinking? We might need her for testimony! You can�t just erase ��

�Minerva! � Please, calm yourself, and don�t be rash. I never said I erased her memory. I �cleared� it by putting all the memories in a penseive. She won�t ever think of it again unless I want her to.�

Her overly-tense muscles soon relaxed. �So where is she?�

�I sent her home. � You know about her background, so family explanations weren�t required, thankfully. Until the proper age and time, she won�t need magic. It�s just too risky.�

�I trust your judgement.�

He nodded in thanks. �You may leave now. Thank you, Minerva. Just speak of her as little as possible and keep this meeting completely confidential.�

�Of course, Albus.� In a matter of minutes, Minerva was back to teaching how to transfigure a polka dot into a stripe to a 3rd year class, minus one student.

~~~~~~

As expected, Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus had to take cover from the bombardment of unwanted questions at meals, classes, in the corridors, and even in their dormitories. The school wasn�t blind; they knew something was going on, but couldn�t place it, due to lack of information. Even two days after the scenario in Dumbledore�s office where they recalled being in the dungeon with Figg, people still couldn�t keep to their own business.

They were eating in the Great Hall when the mail came. All four of them loved watching mail time. Hundreds of owls flooding the enormous room to find their owners completely amazed them. To her surprise, an unattractive eagle owl dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet in Lily�s soup. Luckily it didn�t splash on her. Disgusted, she pulled it out of her bowl, shook off the broth, and held in front of her neighboring Gryffindor. �Is this yours?�

He blushed. �Oh... yeah, sorry.�

As Lily was about to hand it to him, she was startled to see a photograph looking up and wiping soup off his picture. �Woah! The pictures move! � Can I borrow this?�

The boy shrugged. �Sure, whatever. Can�t really read it anyway. Bloody owl.�

Lily scanned the front page photos, bedazzled that they really could move around. Having nothing else to do anyway, she read the main headlines to hopefully find something interesting.

�Bewitched Hippopotamus Found in Scotland � The Loch Ness?�
�Prominent Muggle Foster Home in Spain Ransacked by Cloaked Men�

Boring, boring... But the third article caught her eyes.

�Muggles Witness Capture of Arabella Figg�

She slammed the newspaper shut, her eyes wide, before tapping the boys and sneakily showing them the short article.

�Yesterday, Muggles of Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey, witnessed the arrest of former Hogwarts professor, Arabella Figg. Only previously convicted of minor wrong-doings, convictions for her arrest remains unknown to all except those with the warrant.
Witnesses express that the arrest was quick and without struggle. It is safe to say that Figg will plead not-guilty. The Prophet will be keeping their eye out for more information.
(Please note: Muggle witness� memories were cleared of the event.)�

For conspicuous� sake, Lily closed the paper, gave the boys a nonchalant �they-caught-her!� grin, and chatted to them about the Loch Ness Hippo.

~~~~~~

They both knew how easy it had been. Too easy, in fact, to slip into the muggle foster home, create an uproar, terrorize the residents, and place an imperious curse on their target.

The shameless wizards laughed over another round of vodka as the train rolled along, all too slowly. Not once did the thought of why they were breaking both wizard and muggle law cross their minds. They already knew the answer. Money. Already ridiculously rich misers would do anything to become even filthier in their greed.... and the dark lord knew that. And he took advantage of that...

�Anything else to drink, sirs?� The stewardess called inside the locked compartment.

�No thanks miss! Just leave us to count our coins!� One of the men made a greedy laugh as he winked at the others.

�You�re not smoking in there again, are you?�

�Not at all! What kind of service is this? Accusing your most frequent riders of smoking on the train! Ha! � Now please, leave us to our business. I�m sure there are many more that would like a drink.� As he heard her cart rattle away from their door, he grinned charmingly at his affiliates and used the compartment wall to put out his cigar.

Much further down the train, a young Spanish girl made her way back to her compartment after a nice breakfast in the express dining area. Although she was quite frightened from not knowing where she was, at least she was full. And the men she was with were taking care of her. Truth be told, they were quite nice � compared to popular belief, at any rate. As she neared her room, she stopped short, having heard her voice. She leaned in, straining her ears.

�Yes, that girl�s in for a rude awakening. Wait until she sees what we have in store for her.�

�What?� Another man answered. �What�s in store?�

The only one she knew at all, Carper Bates, spoke. �Why are you even doing this with us? � You don�t even know?�

�No. How am I supposed to, you git? You�re never exactly filling me in on the action.�

�I would if you weren�t so young. Why He sent you with us is beyond me. You were too much of a pansy to even curse the stupid little girl.�

She gasped, falling back against the wall with a most unwanted �thump�. All became silent in the compartment; when she heard footsteps toward the door, she sprinted for the compartment next to them, wishing against wish it wasn�t occupied.

Graciously, it was empty, all except a few belongings. Snapping the door shut, she then clamored on top of the seats on her tip-toes to further hear their conversation through the ventilation system,

�Do you have any idea of the situation we�re in here? They suspect something, the whole Ministry does. And since goody-two-shoes here forgot to tell us he didn�t obliverate the whole damn orphanage�s minds, they have witnesses! If it weren�t for me, we�d all be stuck, so I suggest you all listen to me, because I�m in charge.� To her, Bates definitely was more of a miser for power than she had thought.

�You?! The Dark Lord is our leader, and he said nothin� about appointin� no leaders!� One of the other, less-refined, men shouted.

�Shut it, unless you want to be put on my bad list with Junior over there! Now listen up! It was my brains that got us here, and my imperious curse that got the job done, so unless you want to be reported to Him, then watch your retorts!�

Imperious Curse? An unforgivable? She had heard about those at school, but once she was back at the foster home, she didn�t think she�d ever come in contact with magic again. Now she wasn�t casting the spells, she was cursed! Unable to think of anything better to do, she continued to listen in, until the door of her compartment creaked open.

A bug-like woman entered, wand drawn. �What do you think you�re � ?!�

She gasped loudly and bashed her head against the loft on the ceiling. Startled beyond belief, she couldn�t stabilize herself and quickly grabbed for anything within reach as she fell from the head rest of the compartment seats.

�No dear! Don�t fall!�

But it was all happening in a big blurr, and before she knew what was going on, a piece of luggage from the loft fell from the ceiling onto her head.

~~~~~~

Professor Trelawney gazed in apprehension at the girl laying before her, unconscious. Needless to say, she had not expected to find an eavesdropping young girl in her compartment, but she was even more unprepared for the vision that was to follow.

As she sat, fanning the girl�s face with a condensed copy of the American Salem Witch Trials, the room started to get hazy, her eyes filled with fog. The scene before her changed to that of 12 years earlier, at the girl�s birth. She couldn�t tell the baby was the same as the girl before her. She just knew.

�Miranda, isn�t she gorgeous?�
�She�s the most beautiful thing I�ve ever seen. � And she�s the heir to our line.�
A man, whose face was plastered with a ridiculously joyous smile, nodded. �We�ve needed an heir. But no one must know, Miranda, you know that. We�ve talked about it.�
�Yes... we have. It�s just... what if she has to find out the hard way? What if we�re not there for her to know?�
The doctor walked into the room, pulling out his wand menacingly. �I know you�re new parents, but I�m sorry to inform you.�
�Inform us of what?�
�...That you won�t be around to tell her what she needs to know...�

There was a blazing lime light before Trelawney could further consider what had happened, and time jumped five years.

�But I want it...I want it now...� A very small girl pouted with her hands to her sides. Her orphanage had gone out to see the animal fair in town, and she had fallen in love with a newborn pony. She had never wanted anything in her life, but now she was taken by the tiny Shetland whose lips tickled her as it ate oats from her small hand.
�I�m sorry, but you know you can�t have the horse.� The adult was compassionate, but firm.
�It�s not a �horse�! It�s a Shepland.� She replied huffily, not even caring that she had said it incorrectly. Even at the age of five, she was the most observant child most people had ever seen.
�Well you can�t just �have� the pony.�
�But why?�
�...Because we just don�t have the money. You wouldn�t want to make your friends jealous, would you? � And where would we keep it?�
�On the porch of course.� She replied exasperatedly, like it was the most obvious thing on earth.
�No, young lady! I�m sorry, but you can�t have the horse, now come on!�
As her guardian began tugging her away from the pony ring, she went out of control. Her eyes became a vivid red while smoke literally poured from her ears. Her breath was laboured, and her pulse racing as the Shetland�s tether unhooked itself and the gate opened itself, leading the way for the pony to come to her.
She shrieked gleefully when the pony galloped over to her happily, not even caring about what she had just done, or even how she had done it. All she knew was that before she could feel its lips tickle her hand again, her guardian had thrown her on to her side and was running in the other direction, eyes wide with fear from all those staring at the five-year-old in her arms who had just, somehow, set the pony loose.

~~~~~~

As her vision cleared up and her mind returned to normal, Trelawney sat in stunned silence. Never before had the Sight been this vivid. She credited herself with the number of predictions she had made in her lifetime, but this vision had been one in a million. Her gift of Seeing was nothing something that could be controlled or predicted, but still, she had not expected it to come to her now, of all times. Her sister was getting married � again � and she had this to deal with now.

�Ok... think, Sybil, think... You just had a very vivid and clear vision... There�s no doubting what it means. But to miss your sister�s wedding?�

She argued with herself.

�But the Sight has put the future in your hands! This girl needs to be taken care of! You can�t just throw that away!�

�No...� She agreed with her instinct. �That�s right. I have a situation that needs to be dealt with. Sis is just gonna have to wait. � And for all I know, she�ll have a 5th husband in little over a year.�

In a matter of minutes, she had made up her mind to set up a floo connection to America.

~~~~~~

Sprinting through the corridors, McGonagall self-consciously urged Dumbledore to be in his office. Usually she knew where he was at almost all times, but she hadn�t heard or seen of him since their last meeting with Lily and the boys.

�Fizzing Whizbee!� She enunciated to the gargoyle, which sprang to life, revealing the familiar spiral escalator. She burst into the circular office, and broke into a triumphant grin to see the headmaster sitting at his desk, cleaning his spectacles and reading a letter from � telling my the mysteriously loopy handwriting � Sybil Trelawney. She found it very odd that he was cleaning his glasses with a dry rag in dull muggle fashion. He could just as easily flick his wand to clean them. � But she did not run to his office to comment on his preference for cleaning spectacles, or why their divination teacher had yet to return from her sister�s fourth wedding.

�Albus! Did you see the Prophet?� She flung the crinkled newspaper onto his desk.

�Yes, yes, Minerva. I did see.� Despite his assurance at having read the paper already, he opening to the article in mention.

�They caught her!� She positively beamed. �The children must be able to get their memories back, right?�

He gave her a semi-doubtful look. �Be patient, Minerva. We�ll have to see...�

~~~~~~

�Ok, child,� Professor Trelawney spoke to the young girl in her arms, despite her having just awoken from unconsciousness. �Just cooperate with me, and I�ll make sure you�re not found by that lot of men. � Now, this may feel a bit strange...� She performed the disillusionment charm with a flit of her wand on top of the girl�s head. It felt like she had cracked an egg on top of her, and inch by inch, as the spell ran down her body, she blended in with the train compartment around her. �There, doing ok?�

The girl, truly amazed at being turned into a human chameleon, gawked at her hands, which were now the color and texture of the seat behind her. �Where... where are we going?�, said she, attempting to focus her vision. �I don�t really even know who you are. � True, you were my divination professor at Hogwarts, but why are you smuggling me off the train?�

�The Sight has shown me that which I cannot utter here. It is for your own good, and the good of the future, child. � You are going to America.�

She gasped. �America, Professor Trelawney?�

�Yes, dear, now come. The train has stopped. You are not to bump into anything, much less something alive. Better to not draw any suspicions. Ready?�

She nodded indifferently.

�Follow me then.�

Touching nothing proved to be more tricky than it had sounded. The train station was practically inaccessible as it was, being a Saturday morning. By the time they had made it to a cab and through the wizard bar that lodged a fireplace, she had managed to only nudge four humans and one hag; thankfully, Sybil was able to convince them of her apology of accidently hitting them with her hand bag in order to kill a pesky fly.

Once at the fireplace, Professor Trelawney � speaking as though talking to the individual bricks of the mantle � explained to the girl that she must hold on and not breath in any of the ashes. They stepped into the bed of green ashes � consisting mostly of floo powder residue � and at the sound of Trelawney�s voice, were whirling through a void of space until suddenly, the navel-tugging sensation ceased. The professor landed seemingly gracefully, except for the absence of her fly-like glasses, while the other fell with quite a lot of force.

�Why didn�t we come out through a fireplace?� The girl asked, confused. �We did come by floo.�

�Special floo. America is strange, dear. Not all things are the same, and not all floo takes you to another fireplace. At least not this floo.� Sybil inhaled heavily, and picked up her bag. �Isn�t it lovely here?� All one could see were rows upon rows of apple trees, and fields of grass that hosted a multitude of sheep. The trees idly swayed with the light breeze, and the sky was a cloudless blue. �I�ve always loved America, Texas especially. Contrary to what lads today think, Texas is quite safe. I�ve seen far less death omens here. � Yes, less death omens...� she said hazily. Abruptly, she began striding down the gravel path towards a house.

Once they arrived on the porch of the home, the girl saw that it was not a house, it was more of a small manor, bearing the title of �Sweengster�s Sheep Lot�. After knocking on the door, Sybil jumped, frightened, as a beautiful woman with long, cascading black hair, approached them from behind. �Why, Sybil Trelawney, who�da thought it?�

The professor spun around happily at the sound of her friend�s voice. �You never change a bit, do you, dear?� She scanned the woman, eyeing her beautiful features which were clouded by the sight of dirty overalls and a straw hat.

�So what brings y�all to my neck of the woods? Goodness knows I haven�t had any company since last summer! You will be staying, won�t you, Sybil?�

�No, no... This little girl here,� She motioned to the Spanish lass on her right who was desperately trying to stay invisible. �She�s been in a right stew. � Can we come in? I�ll explain everything over tea, perhaps?�

�Oh certainly, let�s go in.� Her host said with warm welcome.

Almost an hour later, Trelawney had finally finished the tale of how she had found this girl on the train, had visions about her, and brought here. �And I know you�re always short on company, so I was hoping she could stay here with you.� Her eyes wandered to the girl sitting across from her, cramming her plate with Jewish apple cake. �I think she could be of a lot of help.�

�Yes... Sybil, could you join me in the kitchen? � And you dear, please continue to help yourself.�

The two of them went to the kitchen, and she didn�t wait a moment to throw out the question that had been on her mind. �Why is she really here? � Do you expect me to train her, Sybil?�

�Yes.� She said flatly. �I do.�

�What? Why? � How!?�

�Her orphanage was broken into, and she has no where to go. I had a vision, and I know she�s important for the future.�

�But... Syb... your predictions are hardly...�

She finished for her. �...Accurate? Oh but my dear, I am sure of this one. You must train her to be a fine witch. I know she is a psychokinetic, and you should be able to tell by now, too. It�s up to you. I�ll check up on you in a few weeks.�

�But �!�

�Thank you, dear!� She interrupted and vanished with a short pop.

The woman, exasperated, violently threw a dish rag across the room and sighed. She had had enough of �important-kids-of-the-future� for one year. After the gang she housed last summer, sh didn�t think she�d have to do it again. �Why is it that I�m always in the middle of this?�

~~~~~~

Back at Hogwarts, the headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus were in Dumbledore�s office, awaiting the arrival of a band of aurors. The kids all knew why they were there, but were they really going to be able to do anything about their memories? Nobody knew, and that�s what kept them all silent.

�Are you sure they�re coming, Albus? You did give them access to your office fireplace, didn�t you?� McGonagall was fidgeting uneasily in her high-backed chair.

�Be at ease, Minerva. They are coming.�

No sooner had he spoken that several bodies stepped through a bed of green flames, in company of their dear old Professor Figg, bound by magical handcuffs. The man in front went to greet Dumbledore, and then his son. �James, I know you may not know me, but I�m your father. I�m going to do my best to get your memory back.� He looked overly confident and arrogant, much the same as James was before his memory was stolen.

Dumbledore acknowledged all that had entered and politely asked all the new-comers, other than Figg and Minister Potter, to leave the room. He closed the door behind all them, and turned to find Arabella Figg trembling. She clearly wasn�t aware of the situation. �What is go...going on?� She then looked intently at the Minister. �You aren�t going to send me to... to Azkaban...� she shuddered, �...are you?�

�Not yet,� Carson reassured the middle-aged woman. �Do you remember what happened the night in question, the night 2 weeks ago to the day?�

Frightened, she nodded no.

�Do you remember where you were that night? � Shopping, lounging at home, out having dinner... visiting a dungeon?�

The emphasis caused her head to shoot up and look at his face, but she quickly turned away to avoid his piercing stare. �I know nothing of what you speak...nothing about a... dungeon.�

Carson crouched to her level and stared her straight in the eye, urging the interrogation to become firmer. �Do you remember anything that happened that night?� When she merely shook her head, he roared �Speak!�

She jumped, startled, and quickly said, �I don�t know what you�re talking about!�

�Then why are you trembling? � I want answers, Arabella, and I know you�re not so weak you cannot answer.�

What he said obviously stirred courage in the depths of her being, because before he knew what had hit him, Arabella�s body shot up, and glowered at him with the bravery of a Gryffindor. �What do you think I am, Carson Potter? Are you trying to accuse me just because I�m not answering your questions at full volumn? Well listen now. � How would you feel if the ministry�s top team of aurors arrested you at the break of day? And what�s more, without even cause! But did I complain? Certainly not, but I will be forced to if I don�t get some answers right now. Why did you arrest me? I want to know what you think I did, because truthfully, I don�t have a damn clue!� By the time she had finished, she was prodding Carson roughly in the chest with her index finger, and he was staring at her with utmost satisfaction and wonder. If anyone had the courage to get in Minister Potter�s face, then they definitely weren�t worried about being guilty.

Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Professor McGonagall were dumbstruck. The kids had no remembrance of Carson Potter, but were smart enough to know by both his clothes, demeanor, and troop of wizards, that he wasn�t used to being yelled at to his face. McGonagall was simply in shock that a woman under arrest would dare such a thing. Dumbledore, on the other hand, merely chuckled and let Carson continue handling the situation.

�Well, Arabella...� He gave her an expression of devout approval before removing his glasses and cleaning them with his robes, �That certainly was a vast improvement to all your previous answers. And also, I daresay I deserved that.�

Her curt nod admitted that she completely agreed.

Carson continued. �The biased side of me is telling me you did, indeed, perform a wrong-doing. Yet my logical side is telling me that no one could ever stare me straight in the eye, speak to me as such, and lie about it. Yes, that takes a good deal of courage, more so if you weren�t speaking the truth.�

At the sound of Figg�s sigh of relief, Carson rounded on her and continued his potent speech. �You passed the natural interrogation, but how about a little veritaserum?�

All in the room noticed that she did not hesitate to drink the entire phial of the truth-telling potion.

�Now,� Mr. Potter continued. �Where were you on the night in question?�

She answered automatically, entranced. �I know not, sir.�

�Do you really not? � So you weren�t in Hogwarts or anywhere near the grounds?�

�I told you, I don�t know.�

�So you can�t recall anything of that night?�

She paused before answering. ��No, I cannot.�

�Has this happened often, you not remembering things?�

�Yes. One minute I�ll be knitting in my kitchen, and the next thing I know, I�m in London, two days later, with a new set of robes on.�

Dumbledore and Carson exchanged looks of understanding before he continued the interrogation.

�How often does this happen?�

�Many times... I�m not sure because a lot of the times, I wake up and don�t even know how long I�ve been sleeping.�

Carson was now deep in though, to the point of pacing the room with his chin resting in his hand poignantly. �So, Ms. Figg... is it safe to say that it was not you that was in the dungeons of Hogwarts two weeks ago?�

�Yes.�

His tone was becoming stronger, more sure of himself. �So it is safe to say that you are innocent of all charges against you?�

�That I cannot answer, for I do not know of what I am charged!� Her temper soared to a frightening level.

Carson was almost to the point of theatrical yelling, spellbound by the careful mind-procedure he was operating. It took all his strength not to fire his questions right back at her, all his strength to not answer to the competitive beckoning she showed by her voice. He knew that if he did not keep his head on straight, she was a bomb waiting for a reason to go off. Clenching his teeth, he continued, barely able to keep it down to a dull roar. �So, Ms. Figg � and tell me clearly � Are you saying that you, in no way, shape, or form, remember assisting in the removal of these children�s memories?...!

�No, I did �...!� Stopping abruptly, her eyes opened twice as much as they had been, and she turned her head to look at the four students sitting with her in the room, all staring back at her unbelievingly. The epiphany of what she had just heard hit her as hard as an unsuspecting bludger to the head. She breathed deeply, repeating to herself what she thought Carson had just said. She whispered, carefully, as if someone unwanted might hear her. �Mem...memories? � You think I... I stole their...memories?� Arabella was astounded that they�d think she�d do such a horrible act, and showed them so by amounting all her bravery to yell at the Minister again. �Where did this preposterous idea come from? I had them in class! Who would do such a thing?� She spun to face Dumbledore. �You�re crazy if you believe I�d do that to them! I could never obliviate their minds!�

For the first time, Dumbledore spoke, tenderly, as if to a lamb. �Please, calm yourself, Arabella. � There�s a good girl. � As much as you hate to believe it, we have proof that you did indeed, perform a dangerously fatal memory charm on these four students.�

Figg let out a cry of pure scandalization, but Dumbledore calmed her before she had another rageful outbreak. �Please, hear us out. � I confiscated a strange device Lily had in her shoulder bag, and upon hearing it, there was no doubt that you were, indeed the culprit behind the loss of their memories.�

Arabella looked around the room in hopes to miraculously see someone who would stand by her testimonial. When she saw she had no such luck, she tried focusing her attention back on the headmaster.

�Would you like to hear the recording?�

She hesitated before answering. � � I have no such desire, but if I must...�

For the third time, the students relived the scene in the dungeons where they had lost every ray of light in their lives, where Figg had mercilessly tortured them with the cruciatus, and then brutally stole twelve years worth of accomplishments, love, and life. By the time the recording was finished, Arabella was melting in her own tears, on the verge of giving them her life in exchange. Whether she was directing her voice to those in the room or a higher power, no one interrupted her helpless plea for mercy. By now, everyone save Carson had tears in their eyes.

�Please, Minister, don�t send me to Azkaban. Don�t hand me over to the dementors!� On her hands and knees, she clung to his robes as her last hope. �I�d never use an Unforgivable, please, you must believe me! Don�t force me to live that kind of life, it wasn�t me! I don�t even remember it at all! Please, Minister...please!...�

After a scene such as this, Professor McGonagall was completely convinced, and helped her to her feet. �There there, Bella... here, dry your eyes.� She handed her a pink handkerchief and spoke to the officials in front of her. �Carson, Albus... children... you know what you see here is genuine. You cannot ask anymore of her; she�s spoken truthfully and from the heart. You must see this.�

Carson smiled. �Indeed I do, Minerva.�

She nodded, almost cheerfully, and addressed the headmaster. �And you, Albus?�

Behind his half-moon spectacles, Lily was sure she saw a twinkle, as bright as that of Sirius� star. �There is only one explanation,� he replied. �Arabella, you were under an Imperious Curse, and a very strong one, I might add. There is no doubt in my mind. You have all the symptoms: loss of self; the habit of forgetting where you are and how you got there; fear in what others see of you; and most of all, you are an average woman with an average life and average recognition. The perfect target for an Imperious Curse.�

Figg beamed at him with all the admiration in the world.

For the first time, the victims spoke. �I don�t blame you, Ms. Figg.� Lily smiled at her, and none would have objected to her sincerity.

�Yeah, me too.� James stated.

�So does this mean we get our memories back?� Said Sirius.

�Yeah,� Remus said. �I wouldn�t mind being able to remember my family.�

Dumbledore�s grin dove into their hearts, and they knew his answer even before he said it. Joy overrided his entire expression. �Yes, Sirius. Yes, Remus, James, and Lily.� He motioned towards Arabella. �As long as the caster of the spell whole-heartedly agrees to return your memories, she may perform the counter-curse. � Arabella, you know what to do.�

Without an ounce of shyness, she stepped forward, brandished her wand, closed her eyes, and with every fiber of her being, performed the most important spell of her life.

Their eyes grew wide as a strand of blue light pulled itself from the tip of her wand and grew to the full length of the room. Embedded in that light was happiness, sorrow, laughter, joy, families, friends, knowledge, wisdom, and hope. They could all see their own memories as clearly as if they were happening for the first time. Soon, the strand was so long and so mentally profound that it began to wind itself around them, embracing them with all their cherished memories.

Lily could physically see herself at her first football game, she knew her parents, she saw the day Mr. Potter had told her she was a witch, she saw herself shopping in Diagon Alley. Lo and behold, she was even happy to see her sister, Petunia, even though she was being yelled at by her for when she spilled chocolate ice cream on Petunia�s new party dress. And then... she saw Kristy, who, until now, she had entirely forgot. Upon impulse, she began to cry over her best friend that she didn�t even know had died. It was the greatest sorrow she had ever felt her entire life, because even though it was hard the first time, it was even harder to have to relive it.

Reluctantly looking up, she saw the rest of the room entirely surround with the lifelong memories of four adolescents, all teary-eyed, but still filled with great happiness. Then, the blue light stopped flowing from Figg�s wand, and, taking the shape of a mystical cloud, it delved into her forehead like a life-giving force from heaven. The four of them could feel the radiance racing through them as they regained their place in time and memory, until finally, they felt their soul permanently embedded with the heavy, but greatly needed, force of love and experience.

Never before had Lily felt such a range of emotion all at one time. Any more and she knew she wouldn�t have been able to take it all in, it was all too much. How hard it was to bear the feeling of such a great emotional pain as her best friend�s death mixed with the immense thrill of simply being. Words couldn�t even come close to describe the thrilling wave of life that had seized her, not ever wanting to let go. Looking around at those that she loved, she knew that it was, without a doubt, the most overwhelming and joyous moment she could ever imagine.

Finale of:
Year 3: Jeopardy Amidst Imminent Revelations

Chapter 14

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