What now?
Record scratch. Stop. Pause. Wait.
Scarlett’s mind came to a sudden halt. She couldn’t even comprehend what was just told to her. Time travel? What am I? In a fucking movie?!
She proceeds to give a fantastic impression of a fish. Mouth open and closing repeatedly with no sound being uttered. Finally, she gave a small, disbelieving scoff and thudded back on her chair. Her eyes down and looking at her limp hands.
What...what do I do now?
She felt the telltale tightness of her chest, the difficulty swallowing, and a burning behind her eyes. Her lips pressed together trying to hide them begin to wobble. Breaths became small gasps that quickly gained speed until she began to cry in earnest. Raising her trembling hands she dug the heels into her eyes, not really caring who was around to witness. For fucks sake she just found out she’s not in America anymore, she almost died, magic exists, fucking werewolves existed, and now she’s not even in her own time period. Everything crescendo into a thing and now she is, finally, breaking down after it all caught up to her. Thankfully neither man said anything, just let her get everything out, as she was catching back her breath and wiping the tears off her face, she heard a tink; glancing up underneath her hair that covered her face when she apparently leaned forward as she had her mini break down.
In front of her was an antique teacup, filled with tea and what looked like cream and sugar next to it. Looking at the Headmaster questioningly she met his eyes head on for the first time and saw the only thing showing was a vast understanding and kindness.
Softly, he explained while pushing the cup closer to her. “Here dear girl, drink some tea. I put some calming draught in it as well, it will help settle you down.”
Not even bothering to question, she reached forward and placed a couple cubes of sugar in her tea. Raising it to her lips with hands slowly calming down, she took a couple sips. Sitting there in silence, no one spoke while she finished her drink. After a couple minutes she felt herself calm, the stress was still there, as was the anxiety; but it was more in the background, easy to ignore. Her eyes closed as she took a deep inhale and slowly exhaled out. Using a technique, she began using when she was a teen; breathe in deep, and when exhaling, imagine all the negative thoughts and feelings leaving her body, slowly relaxing and untense her muscles at the same time.
It's been something she's always fallen back on, seemingly the only thing that really helps if she's not deep in a panic attack already. She opened her eyes to look down and the cup she was still holding, gently swirling around the dregs of tea leaves on the bottom of what was left. Speaking up softly, she asked. “So… what happens to me now?” Ice blue eyes raised to meet cornflower blue, begging for answers.
Dumbledore gave a soft smile, “There is a safe house, hidden by a Fidilius, that we can take you to. There you will be safe, and others who are staying as well can help look through books and spells to see if there is anything that we can do to get you home. At this moment, however, there isn't much more we can do. I am sorry I do not have any answers Ms. Davis, I and others, will try our best. Try not to lose hope, it may not be right away, but something will be found, I'm sure of it.” She guesses that is the best they can do right now, even so she can still admit to feeling scared. This is something she never imagined would happen to her.
She looked down and nodded, just to glance up when a thought flashed in her mind. “Wait, I don't have anything besides my bag and what I'm wearing now.”
“Ah yes, not to worry Ms. Davis, we can exchange our currency to muggle money, and someone can take you out to find clothes and other essentials. I'm not too concerned about Greyback finding you in muggle London. I believe Ms. Tonks would be a good companion for that!” Clapping his hands, the Headmaster stood up from his chair. Prompting Scarlett to set the cup back down and stand up alongside the still silent Remus.
Following the two over to the giant fireplace she just noticed, Scarlett looked over as Remus grabbed some weird greenish looking ash from a jar sitting on a shelf, just to throw it into the fire; causing it to flare and turn a bright green. Giving a slight jump she gave an incredulous look towards the slightly amused looking man.
Narrowing her eyes in suspicion at the mirth twinkling in his hazel eyes. He did that on purpose for my teasing earlier, didn't he?
Dumbledore began talking, causing her attention to move to him, only to blink and ask for him to repeat what he said. “You will Floo with Remus to the safe house I spoke of earlier. There, he will introduce you to the people who are already settled. You simply need to step into the fireplace and hang onto his arm and wait for the spinning you will experience to stop, then you will simply step out.” He made a small hop on his heels, hands clasped behind his back. Scarlett’s eyes bounced back and forth from the green fire crackling merrily, to Dumbledore, to Remus, who stood patiently to the side, and back to the Headmaster.
“Are you fucking insane?!” She gestured wildly to the green flames, “I am not stepping into fire. Are you kidding me? How in the hell is that going to take me to wherever the fuck is we are supposed to go?” Groaning, she rubbed her temples.
Remus spoke up in response for the first time in a while. “I know it sounds weird, but I promise you will be perfectly safe, I will keep a hold on you, and I will guide you out. Nothing bad will happen.” He sent a reassuring smile and gestured her forward.
Huffing out, she moved forward and grabbed the hand reaching out to her as she was guided into the flames. Her movements were stiff, and she subconsciously was leaning her body back to stay away from the fire she was dragging her feet to. Remus, who was already standing and waiting, gave a small tug causing her to stumble forward with a small shriek. She clutched to him with her eyes squeezed shut, her body was slowly shuffled to the side and an arm wrapped around her. “See, Ms. Davis? You're alright, open your eyes.”
Peeking out one eye at a time, she gaped at the flames licking at her legs, like she was told it didn't hurt. It felt more like an odd breeze swirling around her. She relaxed a bit, still maintaining her grip on the man beside her. Glancing up she finally noticed how much taller he was compared to her, granted, she wasn't very tall herself. Being half Mexican and half Caucasian, she inherited her height from her mother's side of the family. The females from that side ranged from 5” to 5”2, she only topped them by an inch, herself being only 5”3. It always rankled her, being 26 and shorter than most people younger than her. Remus stood about a foot taller than her; catching his eye as he tilted his head down to check in on her, he squeezed her slightly in an attempt to give comfort. Breathing out she nodded her head, showing she was ready; closing her eyes she leaned in a bit more as she waited.
“Number 12 Grimmauld Place.” With a shwoomp he tossed the ash-like substance into the fire and they were gone in a literal flash. Scarlett thinks she definitely preferred whatever the hell this is compared to how she got to the castle before. Even though she felt like she was on a rollercoaster going around multiple loops, at least her body doesn't feel like she's being squeezed into a tube while simultaneously being pulled apart. The spinning finally stopped, and she stumbled from the fireplace she arrived in, too busy to see where she's at as she's coughing from the smoke she inhaled and causing her eyes too water.
The coughing subsided and after rubbing off the tears that escaped, she blinked and after giving a brief once over to the room she's in, (dark, dark and green. She could also see a lot of snake decorations that's being highlighted from the lamps casting a soft light around the small sitting room.) movement dragged her attention, just to meet narrowed, bitter, muddy brown eyes. Bulging from a large and pointed face, tipped with a comically large nose and framed with bat like ears.
What the hell is she looking at?
“Dirty mutt brought a nasty muggle into the Ancient and Honorable House of Black. Mistress would never allow this…”
Holy shit
“Kreacher! Get out of here you miserable elf!” A tall, thin male sauntered into the room and gave the…elf? A glare, to get the being moving.
Shuffling away after sending a look of disgust to the newly arrived figure, dark mutters followed him out of the room. “Yes, Master Black… Master allows nasty mudbloods and dark creatures…Dirtying Mistress’s home…” The small, hunched over figure disappears along with the disturbing words that filled the air. If this is what she is first being introduced to in a place she's supposed to be safe. Suffice to say… she's not feeling a lot of confidence in her safety.
“Ah, sorry about that luv! Ignore him, we all do really.” Striking gray eyes looked over to her, a smirk painting across his lips, slightly hidden by a neatly trimmed goatee. He looked clean and put together, wearing a suit-type jacket with no undershirt and slacks with loafers. His hair, black peppered around his fringe with white, fell around his face in loose curls to the tops of his shoulders. She couldn’t help but notice however, how… gaunt he looked, more like he recovered from starvation than actively starving, if that made sense. She noticed on his collar bone and what she could see of his slightly boney chest, and his hands that waved around when he addressed her; that they were covered in tattoos. She lasered in on that fact, as that is the only thing that's been around her that she actually knows.
“Uh, thanks, I guess... What... What is he?” Lips pursed; she crossed her arms over her chest; feeling unsettled now she is in another new place.
“That was Kreacher, he’s been the House Elf of the Black family since my Mother was alive. May she rot in hell.” He gave a boyish grin and rolled back and forth on the balls of his feet, disregarding the confused look that Scarlett knew showed on her face. Looking over at Remus, hoping he would explain more than whatever the other guy just said.
Sighing, Remus gave her a more in-depth explanation. “Ms. Davis,” Raising one of his hands to wave over at the still grinning man. “This is Sirius Black, he is the owner of Grimmauld Place, which is where we are now. He inherited it from his mother, which means he inherited Kreacher. Like Sirius said, Kreacher is a House Elf, they bond with a family and are essentially their servant.” Rushing to finish after seeing the growing bewilderment mixed with disgust; he went on. “I know that sounds bad. As someone who hasn’t grown up around it, trust me I get it. I promise though, House Elves's want to work, they actually need to, when they bond with a family, they take on a... Magical give and take. They love to work and are extremely loyal to the family they are bonded with and would never think to betray.”
A slight cough interrupted him, Remus rolled his eyes in response. “Okay, most House Elves wouldn't think to betray their bonded family, there are outliers, usually elfs who are severely mistreated. And even then, that's rare, we know of one elf who betrayed their family. He's actually working at Hogwarts now.”
“Ahh, good ol’ Dobby, Pup was smart helping him get out of Lucy’s mitts.”
Remus sent an amused smile over to Sirius. “Yes, you’re very proud Harry took on some of James' mischievousness.”
“Hey! You are too! Not just me Remus, besides we all know he's your little Cub!”
Waving that away, “Yes, well, anyway. Sirius, this is Ms. Scarlett Davis, she… stumbled upon Greyback; luckily, I was close by and was able to Apparate with her to Hogwarts. Ms. Davis is also… a muggle.”
Eyes blown wide; Sirius looked over to Scarlett. “A muggle huh? And Albus said she could stay here? Why not just send her back home?”
She looked down, both her hands twisting the strap of her bag, morosely, she whispered. “That will be kinda hard considering… considering I'm not from around here…”
Snorting, Sirius agreed, but not understanding what she really meant. “Clearly, you're an American! Even so, don't muggles have different ways to travel around now? Why not just do that?”
Scarlett ducked her head, making sure her hair covered her face as much as possible. Eyes closed tight and tried her hardest to keep the tears at bay. She's cried enough damn it; she already had her breakdown. While working on getting her composure back, Remus spoke quietly, making Sirius really understand what she meant.
“No, Sirius, she… she doesn't mean it like that, Ms. Davis… she's not from here… in this time period.” Silence filled the room, Scarlett couldn't make herself look up, too afraid if she did, she would cry all over again.
She was so deep in her own mind she didn't hear slow, hesitant steps begin making their way over to her. Feeling a warm hand settle gently on her shoulder she glanced up under her lashes. She met gray eyes, no longer mischievous, filled with sadness, but no pity. Which she really appreciated. His voice deepened into a comforting rumble, “I’m sorry, Scarlett, while I have never been in a situation like yours, I have been in one that I never thought I would get out of. It was scary and seemingly never ending. We have a very large library here, with rare tombs; it's possible we will find something here. If not, we will look into other avenues.” Squeezing her shoulder, he stood straight, and the fire in his eyes caused her to follow suit.
“Besides! It's not like you're not getting something out of all this!” Giving a wide smile he throws open his arms. “You get to learn about magic! And even see it, no less. Now what everyday muggle can say that? None, that's who, haha!” His excitement was infectious, and without realizing Scarlett started to smile, a real smile; showing her dimples she rarely graces others to see. He was right, while this situation seriously sucks, it isn't without its positives. She gets to see something she thought was make believe, a childish giddiness filled her chest, bubbling up fast making her keep check to not start giggling like she was five.
Despite her shoving it all down a small, quiet giggle passed her lips. “You're right, this is all very fantastical, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Ah! Amazing, come darling let me show you around this dreadful place!” Placing her under his arm, he begins to lead her to the house, explain what each room is and tell her all about the shitty history it holds.
Damn, this man is seriously trauma dumping. Running away? What sounds like a fairly abusive mother? Brother issues? Fuck, dead brother issues?! I'm fairly sure that isn't even everything! Psychologists would have a fuckin field day with him.
She was guided down a set of stairs, Sirius explaining that this is where the kitchen was, and she was more than welcome to help herself.
“The kitchen is in the basement? What kind of floor plan is that?” Sirius barked out a laugh, sounding very much like a canine. Why is she surrounded by people with animal qualities? Is this a regular thing around here? What’s next, someone turning into a fuckin cat?
With the door opened and Sirius bowing dramatically for her to enter first with an over the top, “Milady.” Causing her to snort in amusement as she walked by, just to suddenly stop when she looked up. The kitchen was large and open, a long dark wooden table stretched out between where the kitchen was on the far side of the room and the door she entered from.
Red. Sooooo many red heads, it's a whole fucking colony.
A short, plump woman stood at the stove, cooking. The mother I bet. A tall plump man sat at the head of the table, he was most likely the father if his matching hair is any indication, talking with a tall thin, and again, red-headed teen. Sitting next to him was a teenage girl, his sister, considering her head is also adorned with red hair. Two other teens sat across from the siblings; these two, besides the two men who walked her here, and herself; were the only ones who didn't fit with the red-headed Brady bunch. The boy had black, messy hair that fell over his forehead, round glasses sat on his face. He was slightly turned away so she couldn't see much, he did seem fairly skinny as well, although his clothes hid how much. He also seemed about average height for his age, maybe a bit smaller. He would have been the shortest, Scarlett thinks, if she wasn't there. Fuck you very much genetics, fuck you. The other female teen had very curly, mousy brown hair, slim and fair skinned like the rest of the people here, baring her, with her deep caramel skin.
Oh my god those curls are tragic, they could be absolutely gorgeous if they were taken care of right. Maybe I can give her some pointers?
A sudden burst of laughter made her jump a little, the cause was Sirius, on the other end of the table he was with a very tall set of twins, considering how close their heads are and whispering after the outburst, Scarlett has a feeling they are a troublesome bunch. Best to keep her eye out when those three are together.
She kept quiet and took it all in, seeing them, hearing them, helped her a bit. Seeing people so deep in a magical world with unknown powers and their limitations helped her keep them humanized. It sounds odd, but… she can see why this world is separated, she hasn't seen much to be honest, so she can't emphatically say she understands the full reason or cause. However, if the general public knew the possibilities, these people, these magical people would be worshiped, set on a pedestal.
Then it would turn all around, once something came up they couldn't do, wouldn't do. The populace would turn on them so fast, demonize them, hunt them down… another Salem Witch Trial…
Nevermind, she can clearly see why they hide and keep separate. Honestly? Even with the shitty way she got here, and the complete uncertainty and deep, bone rattling anxiety she has. She feels blessed, and really…Who wouldn't want to be around magic! Maybe things will start going up from here.
One can only hope.
A sudden presence appeared besides her, turning to see it was Remus. His hand settled on her upper back and guided her into the room and away from the wall she plastered herself too when she walked in.
“Hello, everyone.” His voice slightly raised to get everyone's attention did its job, and suddenly she had eight pairs of eyes on them.
“Remus! Now who do you have there?” The woman in the kitchen turned around and set hands on wide hips.
“This is Ms. Scarlett Davis, she will be staying here for a while. Albus will be along and explain everything more, at dinner. So please, make her feel welcome. She's a long way from home.”