The Dreamer's Curse

The Burrow's Inhabitants

[Chapter 9]

Apparently, making the perimeter unplottable was more work than I anticipated. Alice and Dumbledore had been at it for days, only ceasing for meals and sleep. They were currently circling the hedges slowly, their wands extended and their mouths moving soundlessly, muttering spells. No wonder Muggles think witchcraft is of the devil. It does look rather cryptic with all the chanting and wand waving. 

I popped a grape in my mouth. Already, the summer heat was seeping into the house. I glanced at the calendar. It's only the tenth of June. I had met the Weasley twins and the Malfoys on the second. Keeping track of two separate timetables was rather confusing. I supposed I'd be writing 2012 on parchment instead of 1991. I decided to do something more productive with my time, and took out my violin. I worked on Song of the Wind for the entire afternoon before I heard the front door shut. I could hear them whispering. I crept out of my room and hid at the top of the stairs, my curiosity flowed and ebbed. They were in the sitting room, exhaustion written across their faces.

"It's taking longer than I had hoped, Albus. At this rate, Samuel shall have our heads by nightfall!" Alice whispered. "How much longer do we need?"

"A fortnight, at least," Dumbledore replied. "Rest, Alice. If we are to do this properly, you need to rest."

"But Jane is not safe here, not until the compound is secure. He'll come looking, Albus, both you and I know he will." Alice's voice was laced with worry.

"Then we have no better option," Dumbledore cast a glance to the stairwell. "Jane, would you come down, please?"

I winced, ready for a lecture on eavesdropping. I came down and stood before them.

"Jane," Dumbledore peered down at me. "Until the cottage is unplottable, we must send you away." I frowned.

Alice stood and pulled me into a hug. "I wish you didn't have to leave, Jane, but you must."

"But I want to stay here, Alice, with you."

She knelt down so her clear blue eyes were looking straight into my deep ones. "Muchness is doing what we must, despite not wanting to. You mustn't lose your muchness, Jane."

"Very well," Dumbledore said grimly. "We shall leave you at the Burrow tonight."

“Albus,” Alice said thoughtfully. "We really should come up with a name for this place, don't you think?"

"No better time," he said, stroking his beard. "And what do you propose we name it?"

"I don't know," Alice muttered as she put on her coat. "Perhaps something that Jane and I have in common?"

"I don't quite like the sound of The Cursed Cottage," I said.

"Neither do I," Alice bit her lip. "Well, the Dreamers have all got the same eyes, except for Samuel. He's got brown eyes. What a peculiar skip in familial traits."

"Shall we call it the Sapphire Cottage?" Dumbledore asked.

Alice shook her head. "Too obvious, I think. Samuel will find it before you could say quidditch. What about Chrysocolla Cottage?"

"Lovely," Dumbledore smiled. "Chrysocolla Cottage."

"Besides that, I suppose I should tell you, Jane, we'll be casting a Fidelius Charm over Chrysocolla Cottage," Alice smiled. "I'll be its Secret Keeper."

"Jane, we'll be leaving in a little while. Go on and get your things," Dumbledore commanded. I did as I was told, stuffing a few sets of clothes into a plain red duffle bag and placing my violin back in its case. I grabbed a few books from the wardrobe—I’d found an odd number of them kept appearing there, you see – and place them on top of my clothes.