Post by Karlynne on Apr 13, 2005 15:01:53 GMT -5
I’m in a rather foul mood and I was reminded of a story I had read years ago, which inspired this piece. Sorry, I can’t recall the title of the story. It’s been twenty years or more. Karlie
A Woman’s Touch
There’s something about a man in love that makes him say foolish things. I don’t know if it begins as soon as he realizes he’s in love or if it takes hold after he expresses it but Albus Dumbledore had just uttered the most absurd statement that ever poured from his mouth. He had just said to me, Minerva McGonagall his current and last lover, to stay put and not get involved.
Alastor Moody, Albus’ best friend and an auror in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had arrived in time for tea. Summers at Hogwarts were extremely casual and teatime fluctuated daily.
Alastor had refused tea, as was his custom, and drank from the flask on his hip. He had chosen not to use his teacup so I rightly assumed his flask did not contain the warm brew. The fumes wafting toward my nose correctly identified Ogden’s Firewhiskey. The twinkle in Albus’ eyes told me a little sleight of hand had taken place and if I were to sample my love’s Earl Grey, I would imbibe more than the essence of tealeaves.
After a few minutes of pleasantries Alastor mentioned the purpose of his visit. There was a killer on the loose. Every Wednesday for the past four weeks a witch had been killed. One had been killed while shopping in Diagon Alley, another as she left St. Mungos after visiting a friend. The third had been murdered while walking home from a date. She had only been steps from the apparation point of one of the many in and around London. The latest had been killed after leaving Gladrags. None of the women knew each other and they were of varying ages but there were two common similarities among them all; long blonde hair and each had been alone at night. The scariest part of it all was the women had not been killed by magical means. They had been strangled.
Alastor had come to get Albus’ opinion on the killings and if possible his aid. I listened while they spoke, as I tend to do. They chattered about motives and methods of apprehension. Alastor was certain it was a frustrated squib committing the crimes. Perhaps he was a scorned admirer or even a jealous one. It was possible that he had been dumped by his love, a blonde, for a wizard. I listened with one ear while turning to my own thoughts. Albus had been aiding Alastor for years. This seemed like one instance where I might be of service.
Albus apparently had been watching me because he immediately told me that I would not be needed and he would brook no argument from me. Alastor echoed Albus’ sentiment but hastily excused himself when he caught the expression on my face.
Three weeks passed along with the lives of three more witches. The magical community was outraged and many women were refusing to leave their houses. Shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were losing revenue and many were clamoring at the ministry to solve the crimes and capture the killer.
Alastor and Albus were meeting daily but no idea had been put forth until tonight. I was tired of their grumbling and mutterings. I could stay out of it no longer. I told them my plans and ideas to capture the criminal by using a decoy to parade around and hopefully attract the eye of the killer. She would be watched by a taskforce of aurors and the killer would be subdued before any harm could befall her. After all he wasn’t using magic to kill the women.
Alastor liked the idea at once and even Albus thought it had merit. I was pleased but telling them the idea was the easy part. The next step would be a little harder and take more convincing. I wanted to be the decoy. Albus immediately refused.
The seasoned auror, coward that he was, immediately found reason to leave the castle and Albus and I had the first of many rows that night.
I did what any woman in my position would have done. I refused to speak with him and chose to sleep in another bed for the next several weeks. Unfortunately it was several weeks with the serial killings continuing. Alastor had used a female auror the first week after I told him my idea but she was killed before the aurors trailing her could even draw their wands. The killer escaped unseen. The next week a male auror had been charmed to appear as a woman and with the liberal use of glamour charms and hair coloring spells, he closely resembled those already killed. The auror had not been bothered but another witch had been killed a few dozen yards away.
It was decided that the killer was not a squib and that the magical sensation and the liberal use of glamour charms had allowed the killer to see something wasn’t quite right with the decoy and he chose another victim.
The third week another decoy was used but again he was passed over and another witch was killed instead. I feel safe in saying he was passed over because no blonde witch was venturing outside, even those with short hair. Women with light brown hair were remaining at home.
The end of July was upon us when Albus finally called a truce. I had remained out of sight for the past week. I did not want to make accusations to him but I would be unable to refrain from reproaching him with my eyes. Each morning I was finding it harder and harder to read the Daily Prophet and the lack of clues the ministry had in finding the killer or even identifying him.
It was after midnight and I was already in bed and half asleep when I felt Albus slip in beside me. He pulled me towards him and I snuggled in close. I missed having him hold me in his arms. I did not gloat over my victory nor did I feel like I had won.
The arms wrapped around me trembled and shook and I realized Albus was fighting greater demons than I imagined. I knew he loved me unlike any other before and the thought of losing me was more than he could bear. I lovingly stroked his back and placed kisses on the side of his neck. I could offer no reassurance.
Kisses became caresses and soon we were lost in our separate battles. He tried to convince himself that he could protect me while I told myself I could take care of me. It took a long while before we found release and acceptance before finally succumbing to sleep.
Albus contacted Alastor the following morning and we put a plan into action. I insisted on implementing a few ideas of my own. I refused to put muggle dye in my hair but I would cover my raven locks with a blonde wig.
I also planned to lead the killer to a safe house. With so many witches killed it wasn’t common to see many out regardless of the color of their hair and it was even more rare to see one out at night.
Albus, Alastor, and a few other like-minded individuals spent the afternoon setting the plan into motion. The strategy was worthy of any battle plan although there was only a command of twelve instead of thousands.
I was partly excited and partly afraid. I was glad Albus was including me into all aspects of his life. I wanted to share more than his bed and the same place of employment. I wanted all of him.
We were able to find a few minutes alone after dinner and I must say the kiss he placed upon my lips spoke volumes and told me more than he had ever revealed to me. I was humbled that he allowed me to see the fear in his eyes but I was touched to see it battled the pride glimmering inside also. My spirits were high as I returned his kiss filled with promises of my own.
We had decided a walk near Hogsmeade was best. It would take five minutes at most, which was a risk a witch might take if she deemed it important. I left the house of a friend willing to aid us and carefully looked around.
I had my wand out and in plain view. I couldn’t see anyone but I knew six pairs of eyes were trained on me. The best part of being an animagus is the attributes received after you’ve mastered the skill. I sensed an additional person within a minute of leaving and starting on my journey.
I walked quickly like a woman scared but determined but it was an act. I felt exhilarated. Tonight the killer would be captured. I occasionally glanced around but I was nearing my goal. I instinctively knew he wouldn’t strike me until I reached it. The safe house was unlit but I made it to the porch in a few more strides.
I felt his hands on my neck at the same time the door opened and my would-be- killer was pulled inside. I was grabbed in a fierce hug and pressed myself tightly against my love. He waited until my heart was no longer pounding before we entered the house.
Magical ropes that would not release him bound the scum. He was hardly more than a boy, eighteen or nineteen at most and the supercilious smirk on his mouth made me want to turn the tables and throttle him.
A Woman’s Touch
There’s something about a man in love that makes him say foolish things. I don’t know if it begins as soon as he realizes he’s in love or if it takes hold after he expresses it but Albus Dumbledore had just uttered the most absurd statement that ever poured from his mouth. He had just said to me, Minerva McGonagall his current and last lover, to stay put and not get involved.
Alastor Moody, Albus’ best friend and an auror in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had arrived in time for tea. Summers at Hogwarts were extremely casual and teatime fluctuated daily.
Alastor had refused tea, as was his custom, and drank from the flask on his hip. He had chosen not to use his teacup so I rightly assumed his flask did not contain the warm brew. The fumes wafting toward my nose correctly identified Ogden’s Firewhiskey. The twinkle in Albus’ eyes told me a little sleight of hand had taken place and if I were to sample my love’s Earl Grey, I would imbibe more than the essence of tealeaves.
After a few minutes of pleasantries Alastor mentioned the purpose of his visit. There was a killer on the loose. Every Wednesday for the past four weeks a witch had been killed. One had been killed while shopping in Diagon Alley, another as she left St. Mungos after visiting a friend. The third had been murdered while walking home from a date. She had only been steps from the apparation point of one of the many in and around London. The latest had been killed after leaving Gladrags. None of the women knew each other and they were of varying ages but there were two common similarities among them all; long blonde hair and each had been alone at night. The scariest part of it all was the women had not been killed by magical means. They had been strangled.
Alastor had come to get Albus’ opinion on the killings and if possible his aid. I listened while they spoke, as I tend to do. They chattered about motives and methods of apprehension. Alastor was certain it was a frustrated squib committing the crimes. Perhaps he was a scorned admirer or even a jealous one. It was possible that he had been dumped by his love, a blonde, for a wizard. I listened with one ear while turning to my own thoughts. Albus had been aiding Alastor for years. This seemed like one instance where I might be of service.
Albus apparently had been watching me because he immediately told me that I would not be needed and he would brook no argument from me. Alastor echoed Albus’ sentiment but hastily excused himself when he caught the expression on my face.
Three weeks passed along with the lives of three more witches. The magical community was outraged and many women were refusing to leave their houses. Shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were losing revenue and many were clamoring at the ministry to solve the crimes and capture the killer.
Alastor and Albus were meeting daily but no idea had been put forth until tonight. I was tired of their grumbling and mutterings. I could stay out of it no longer. I told them my plans and ideas to capture the criminal by using a decoy to parade around and hopefully attract the eye of the killer. She would be watched by a taskforce of aurors and the killer would be subdued before any harm could befall her. After all he wasn’t using magic to kill the women.
Alastor liked the idea at once and even Albus thought it had merit. I was pleased but telling them the idea was the easy part. The next step would be a little harder and take more convincing. I wanted to be the decoy. Albus immediately refused.
The seasoned auror, coward that he was, immediately found reason to leave the castle and Albus and I had the first of many rows that night.
I did what any woman in my position would have done. I refused to speak with him and chose to sleep in another bed for the next several weeks. Unfortunately it was several weeks with the serial killings continuing. Alastor had used a female auror the first week after I told him my idea but she was killed before the aurors trailing her could even draw their wands. The killer escaped unseen. The next week a male auror had been charmed to appear as a woman and with the liberal use of glamour charms and hair coloring spells, he closely resembled those already killed. The auror had not been bothered but another witch had been killed a few dozen yards away.
It was decided that the killer was not a squib and that the magical sensation and the liberal use of glamour charms had allowed the killer to see something wasn’t quite right with the decoy and he chose another victim.
The third week another decoy was used but again he was passed over and another witch was killed instead. I feel safe in saying he was passed over because no blonde witch was venturing outside, even those with short hair. Women with light brown hair were remaining at home.
The end of July was upon us when Albus finally called a truce. I had remained out of sight for the past week. I did not want to make accusations to him but I would be unable to refrain from reproaching him with my eyes. Each morning I was finding it harder and harder to read the Daily Prophet and the lack of clues the ministry had in finding the killer or even identifying him.
It was after midnight and I was already in bed and half asleep when I felt Albus slip in beside me. He pulled me towards him and I snuggled in close. I missed having him hold me in his arms. I did not gloat over my victory nor did I feel like I had won.
The arms wrapped around me trembled and shook and I realized Albus was fighting greater demons than I imagined. I knew he loved me unlike any other before and the thought of losing me was more than he could bear. I lovingly stroked his back and placed kisses on the side of his neck. I could offer no reassurance.
Kisses became caresses and soon we were lost in our separate battles. He tried to convince himself that he could protect me while I told myself I could take care of me. It took a long while before we found release and acceptance before finally succumbing to sleep.
Albus contacted Alastor the following morning and we put a plan into action. I insisted on implementing a few ideas of my own. I refused to put muggle dye in my hair but I would cover my raven locks with a blonde wig.
I also planned to lead the killer to a safe house. With so many witches killed it wasn’t common to see many out regardless of the color of their hair and it was even more rare to see one out at night.
Albus, Alastor, and a few other like-minded individuals spent the afternoon setting the plan into motion. The strategy was worthy of any battle plan although there was only a command of twelve instead of thousands.
I was partly excited and partly afraid. I was glad Albus was including me into all aspects of his life. I wanted to share more than his bed and the same place of employment. I wanted all of him.
We were able to find a few minutes alone after dinner and I must say the kiss he placed upon my lips spoke volumes and told me more than he had ever revealed to me. I was humbled that he allowed me to see the fear in his eyes but I was touched to see it battled the pride glimmering inside also. My spirits were high as I returned his kiss filled with promises of my own.
We had decided a walk near Hogsmeade was best. It would take five minutes at most, which was a risk a witch might take if she deemed it important. I left the house of a friend willing to aid us and carefully looked around.
I had my wand out and in plain view. I couldn’t see anyone but I knew six pairs of eyes were trained on me. The best part of being an animagus is the attributes received after you’ve mastered the skill. I sensed an additional person within a minute of leaving and starting on my journey.
I walked quickly like a woman scared but determined but it was an act. I felt exhilarated. Tonight the killer would be captured. I occasionally glanced around but I was nearing my goal. I instinctively knew he wouldn’t strike me until I reached it. The safe house was unlit but I made it to the porch in a few more strides.
I felt his hands on my neck at the same time the door opened and my would-be- killer was pulled inside. I was grabbed in a fierce hug and pressed myself tightly against my love. He waited until my heart was no longer pounding before we entered the house.
Magical ropes that would not release him bound the scum. He was hardly more than a boy, eighteen or nineteen at most and the supercilious smirk on his mouth made me want to turn the tables and throttle him.
and wrote me something. This sitting around the hospital sucks. Thank you, Karlie and baby Emma says thanks too. Kacie
I can be so evil. Krys
I'm relieved you found another form of release instead of acting on your feelings. I hope you can find comfort in writing. Kalex
How can you even remember reading those stories? Now I'll have nightmares. I didn't recognize the story at all but Kim emailed it to me and I agree, there isn't much similarity with the story but I guess it spawned a plot bunny. Kammie
Karmin 
Krys
