Chapter Ten

An Untimely Accident

Severus had been getting ready for a board meeting when Jennifer had returned. He listened intently to everything she had learned in Egypt as they went back to her office so she could repack the items in the security case and finish up her notes to send back with it.

"At least there wasn't a fight over letting you in to see it," Severus said when she had finished.

"Yes, well, apparently, Rinan has something on Councilor Moussa, that's how he's been able to keep his licensing over the years," Jennifer said.

"I suspected as much, actually, although I imagine were there anything truly significant found about the sarcophagus, you would have had difficulty seeing it, blackmail or not," Severus mused.

"I suppose you have a point," Jennifer admitted. "And it does prove Father's insistence that Geffard didn't die by an item… at least, not by one of these… and it further backs up John's idea that perhaps these were museum pieces."

"Then all that's left to do is to return the items and report your findings to your father," Severus said calmly. "And our interference in the matter is done, and we can move on to more important things, correct?"

"Oh, well… yes, I suppose," Jennifer said slowly, Severus frowning at her. "Although I did mention to Rinan that I might be willing to help him try to come up with a list of likely museum robberies that happened in the right time period…"

"Jennifer, how would you feel about organizing OWLS two years in a row?" Severus interrupted.

"Oh, honestly, Severus!" Jennifer protested.

"Yes, honestly," Severus said, a look of warning in his eyes.

"Besides, Severus, it didn't keep me out of trouble last year, so do you really think it would make a difference?" Jennifer challenged him. Severus paused.

"A valid point," Severus admitted, Jennifer flashing him an triumphant smile. "Although I would like to make one of my own. Sorting through old papers and old criminal records for hours on end in the Ministry basement isn't really your favorite chore, especially considering how closed off that room is… and considering the following your father has had over the years, perhaps it'd be better left to someone with more inclination and better suited to do so."

"Who? You?' Jennifer asked with surprise.

"Hardly funny. I don't have time to chase old newspaper clippings. Really, Jennifer, you have done your family duty and done your part as an item expert, leave the rest to the others, you have better things to do," Severus advised, but Jennifer didn't miss the pleading look buried beneath his scolding expression.

"All right, Severus, you're right, of course," Jennifer said with a sigh, gazing at the monkey paw pouch one last time before throwing it in and sealing the box. "Besides, I really should be doing research on Muggle doctors instead, shouldn't I?"

"Muggle doctors?" Severus repeated with a frown.

"Yes of course, Severus, in case we do decide to try and have another child," Jennifer said. "Don't you think under the circumstances it'd be prudent to look into it all to make a fair decision on it?"

"Jennifer…"

"At the very least, I should probably make an appointment with Sagittari and see what he thinks of the idea, shouldn't I?"

"Jennifer!"

"Aren't you late for a board meeting, Severus?" Jennifer interrupted, and rather than finish what he was going to say, expelled the deep breath he took and gazed critically between both his watch and his wife. "Better get going, Severus, tick, tick, tick," Jennifer said slyly.

"Tick, tick, tick," Severus said unenthusiastically, shaking his head as he walked out the door.

Jennifer waited until he was well away from her office before she chuckled softly to herself, and then locked the items in her Puzzle Box, placing the entire thing in her cloak pocket. Tossing it on a hook, she quickly went over her supplies for the next day of classes so she wouldn't have to go back down to her office again that weekend. Noting which ingredients were missing for her demonstrations, Jennifer pulled open the potion vault and hooked the door securely back with every intention of grabbing the ones she needed and get out of there as quickly as possible.

But when she got to the last ingredient, it wasn't where she had thought she had put it. Sighing with annoyance, Jennifer began to dig through the shelves, knowing she would have at least kept it in the general area. She shoved a row of sleep sand to the side as she tried to get a look behind it, but as she was peering at one of the labels, it suddenly grew dark.

Hitting her head on the top of the shelf in surprise, Jennifer immediately panicked, scrambling towards the door to push it open, knowing that Severus had put safeguards on the door to make certain it could always be opened from that side.

But the door didn't budge.

Her wand blazed to life as she lit up the room, focusing her attention on the door with every intention of blasting it open, forgetting that the seals on the vault put there to help prevent accidents would deflect most of her spells. She began beating on the door and trying to yell through it, but who would be anywhere near that part of the dungeon on a weekend?

"Craters!" Jennifer cussed, attempting to keep herself calm despite the fact that the room was already starting to spin. She turned back into the room very much wishing she hadn't put down her cloak as she quickly looked around. "Fine, I'll brew something. I can manage a quick acid, can't I?" she said, pushing back her fear as best she could.

Emptying out a phial of one of the more harmless ingredients, Jennifer quickly transfigured it into a small cauldron and began pulling items off the shelves, dumping them in as she found them and then casting a spell on the cauldron to make the outside metal blazing hot. Reassuring herself that it would work and that the mixture was doing well, Jennifer reached up for the last ingredient to throw in.

But as she pushed some phials aside to get to it, one went toppling off and straight into the cauldron, and Jennifer cried out in dismay as it began to fill the vault with smoke. Coughing, she somehow managed to get a box of Alchemist's Cloth open and futilely put one over her mouth, for she had already breathed in quite a bit of the fumes, and under the circumstances, she didn't think it was going to be enough.

In the library storage room that also served as the headquarters for the Order of the Owls, the students of the order had assembled for their weekly meeting to vote on their goal for the year. Every hand went up almost immediately at the mention of the football stands; for they had all had to sit on them at one time or another, sometimes with splinters left as a reminder that they were little more than a pile of scrap wood.

"The good news about this project is that it won't cost anywhere near what the fountain did, and I've already secured a builder who's agreed to donate the work for free," Dale said. "In fact, I think those of us inclined to that sort of thing should pitch in so they can be done all the faster… it'd be great if we could get them done and serviceable before the spring season. We'll still have to run a fund raiser or two, of course, but we should be able to manage it in time."

"I don't mind pitching in some free labor," Bobby agreed.

"Sure, why not? Anything to get those fixed," Lucky said with a shrug.

"We shouldn't have any sort of trouble getting donations, I wouldn't think," Ambrose grinned. "Anyone who has ever sat in those seats would probably be willing to chip in for it, maybe we should just have an old fashioned charity drive for it."

"What? Beg for it?" Dirk said with disgust. "Really, with the mixed sentiment on whether or not Hogwarts should even be sponsoring such a sport, I'd rather not. It'd be like going door to door and have half of them slammed in one's face."

"I think half is probably exaggerating a bit," Laura said.

"Yes, but all the same, he has a point. There are still a lot of students out there who don't want to have a thing to do with the football crowd," Helena admitted with a sigh.

"Yeah? Well some of us aren't partial to Quidditch either," Lucky said irritably. "But if we took up a collection for that, I'd probably pitch in."

"Yes, well, there's the rub, because a lot wouldn't do the same for football," Beth said. "There are a lot of wizardborns who have absolutely no interest in it, and before you say anything, it's not just in our house, either. I've heard students from other houses saying that the school would be better off just concentrating on Quidditch. And considering a lot of them also think that the Headmaster will stop supporting it once Lucky graduates, they're not going to be inclined to donate, are they?"

"What?" Lucky said, looking quite angry, but she also noticed that everyone else had grown somber. "Has anyone else heard people saying this?" she demanded, but was not encouraged by the fact that no one else would look her in the eye… even Ambrose had his eyes on the table to prevent himself from looking at her.

"Look, Lucky, we've all heard it," Lindsay said with a sigh. "But it's rubbish, really! After all, Professor Snape didn't start the football program, my mother did, remember? And Madame Brittle has supported the program from the beginning, so I very seriously doubt it's going anywhere. Don't let it bother you," she added, despite the fact that she along with everyone else at the table knew that it would.

"Well, I think instead of worrying about those who've made up their minds not to support us, we should concentrate on the ones that do support us," Dale said, and then snapped his fingers. "I have an idea, how about we sponsor a sort of weekend soccer camp? We'll set up training areas on the pitch for different techniques and any student who likes can pay a small fee and we'll teach them some basic skills. It'll not only wean out any how don't have an interest in it, but it'll also encourage more people to get involved in the support who might have been on the fence about it and raise money at the same time. Especially considering between us we have all the major skills… Lucky can teach shooting, I'll do goalkeeper, Ambrose and Dirk can handle defensive maneuvers, and Gary and Bobby dribbling and offensive techniques, with the rest filling in as needed."

"Well, I'm sold on the idea," Connie said, some of the others agreeing with her. "But we'll have to sell it to the Headmaster and Madame Brittle as well, you know."

"I'd be willing to speak to Madame Brittle about it," Dirk ventured.

"And I'll speak to the Professor," Dale said with a nod.

"Well, now that that's settled, I was wondering if the Gryffindors had been giving any thought to who they want as a new member this year," Ambrose said.

"It's still early," Lucky shrugged. "I haven't thought much about it yet."

"Me either," Gary agreed.

"Well, I have a suggestion. Why don't you invite Natalie?" Winnie put in.

"Yes, that's a great idea!" Ambrose said enthusiastically.

"I think that'd be splendid," Lindsay agreed.

"She's a nice girl," Veronica said.

"And quite enthusiastic," Laura said with amusement.

"Hey! We're the Gryffindors here, it's our decision, not yours," Lucky scowled at them. "Besides, she's too popular! This is a group for outsiders, not main stream."

"So what you're saying is that your niece isn't weird enough to be here?" Bobby taunted her. Lucky stared fixedly at him for a moment.

"Yeah," Lucky said flatly, and the others laughed and began trying to coax her into changing her mind, despite her folded arms and stubborn expression.

Suddenly, a screeching noise pierced the air over their banter and they all looked around, finally focusing on a painting of a witch reading to a group of very young children. They had all looked up with their hands over their ears to see that a figure who didn't belong in the painting was standing there intentionally screeching the violin in his hand.

"An emergency?" Ambrose asked, and several of them jumped up as the portrait of Severus began making movements with his hands.

"Professor Craw's office…" Connie said, studying him carefully. "Potion closet…" she gasped. "Professor Craw's trapped in her potion storage vault!"

"Wait, Lucky!" Dale said as Lucky charged out the door, following behind her.

"What do we do?" Delia asked anxiously. "We should tell someone! Find someone who has a key!"

"Professor Snape can get in, but I don't think he's here at the moment, or the portrait wouldn't have come to us," Dirk said. "Maybe the hospital wing?"

"Or maybe Mr. Carnegie," Laura said. "Let's split up, we can cover more ground that way. If I'm not mistaken, Lucky is going to have a hard time opening that door, even as talented as she is."

It didn't take long for Lucky to get down the back staircase once she got there, diving into the laboratory and pushing the open office door wide so she could get in, first giving it a good tug.

"Wait, Lucky! It could be dangerous…"

"I don't care!" Lucky snapped, pulling with all her strength before finally putting her hands on the door, closing her eyes.

She did her best to calm herself down, attempting to picture the magical lock into her mind and break it down into ones and zeros, when she realized that the exceptions were connected to one another in multiple pathways and it was going to take a long time to track down a spot she could actually break… perhaps too long, she realized in a panic, but she had no choice but to try. Meanwhile, Dale was noticing an odd smell, and looked around, wondering where it came from, until he noticed a broken glass phial on the floor that had spilled a thick black substance around the bottom edge of the vault.

Dale heard footsteps and looked up to see Mr. Carnegie at the door.

"Mr. Carnegie! Do you have a key?" Dale asked.

"That would be Doctor Sagittari's department," Carnegie said, looking at the door as if trying to think of a way to take the whole thing off. "Are you sure she's in there? This door is designed so it'll always open from the other side."

"Yes, but look down here!" Dale said, pointing out the phial. "It looks like it was bumped off the shelf or something…" Carnie knelt down to test it.

"Definitely sealant…" Carnegie said and began going through the phials, quickly reading them. Dale jumped in to help him find something to dissolve it. He finally found something that Carnegie thought would work and Carnegie poured the mixture over the sealant. It quickly dissolved, and the caretaker stood up and began banging on the door.

"Professor Craw! Professor Craw, try the door!" Carnegie shouted.

"Can she even hear us?" Dale asked.

"I don't know," Carnegie said, then grabbed another potion off the shelf and drank it. "But it would seem that Miss Snape has the right of it. We need to force it open."

He waited for the telepathy potion to begin to work before putting one hand on the door and the other on Lucky's shoulder.

"Don't be alarmed, I'm simply using a potion to get a look at what you're doing, Miss Snape," Carnegie said. "Ah, I see! You're going to need to use a different technique than that for this sort of lock, I'm afraid. There isn't a weak link where there's a simple yes or no, you see."

"Then how do I fix it?" Lucky asked, obvious strain in her voice.

"By adding rather than trying to alter or subtract," Carnegie suggested.

Lucky frowned at the complex matrix in front of her, attempting to understand. But somehow when he spoke, she also got a picture in her head of what he had in mind, and even noticed that he was altering some of the lock himself. Taking his lead, Lucky began doing the same, adding to what was already there in a way that it changed the definition of the formula itself, able to pick up the speed faster and faster as the two of them got into a joint pattern.

Finally the door seemed to release and the caretaker pulled it open, a waft of smoke coming out. A dark look came over Carnegie's face when he saw it, and Dale cried out in dismay when he saw Professor Craw unconscious next to the door, looking quite grey, an alchemist cloth still in clutched in her hand.

"Jackie!" Lucky said, but Carnegie wouldn't let her go in.

"Away from the fumes, Miss Snape, we don't know what was in there," Carnegie snapped, kneeling beside her a moment. "Her breathing is shallow, I'll take her upstairs… Mr. Chance, stay by the door, don't let anyone in until Professor Snape arrives!"

"Yes, Mr. Carnegie," Dale said as Carnegie picked her up and carried her out with Lucky right on his heels.

Dale sighed, looking around at the pieces of shattered glass left over from the sealant. It could very easily have fallen off, he reasoned to himself, especially the way she stocked those shelves. And perhaps the hook slipped off somehow, he mused with a frown. But why did he get the strong feeling that there was more to it than just a string of bad luck?

From the moment Severus stepped in the room, he could tell that it was going to be one of those meetings. In fact, he could have already guessed it was going to be a headache. Finnegan had left the board last year, leaving his reformist slot open for grabs, and Severus couldn't help but wonder how Stella Bulstrode Hauk was going to vote. She was, after all, youngest in a family of traditionalists, a Slytherin through and through, and yet both Tonks and Erik jumped at the nomination as if she were a reformist. In fact, many other more likely and perhaps more qualified candidates had been passed and she was chosen on the sheer weight of the fact that both factions seemed to support her. Still, she had inherited well, and their contributions to the school were well known to the board, which had in turn contributed to their joint support of her taking the seat.

Severus remembered her as a fairly bright and yet reserved student during the last years he watched over Slytherin house… he shook off the memory, for that the same man who was her husband now had been the final straw to him stepping down from that position, and it wasn't exactly the most pleasant time in his life. Would she follow her family's leanings towards traditionalism as Balmweed and the others obviously hoped? If so, it was bound to be a very long year; for nothing ever seemed to get done when the board had an even number of each.

As Severus came in the room went quiet, despite the fact that it was obvious that there had been some sort of heated argument going on just before he had knocked. In fact, Eric was standing looking to either side of the table at Abraxus and at Tonks; Tonks, in fact, had her wand hand at her side as if trying to decide whether or not to flatten him.

"Good evening," Severus said, gazing at Tonks questioningly, but she simply nodded and put her hands back on the table. "I hope I'm not late."

"On the contrary, you're just in time," Eric said quickly. "Shall we start with your report, if you're ready?"

"Not there's much to report a week into school," Severus said, but handed over a scroll case. "There are no surprises in the budget. In fact, you'll find that we should actually manage to stay well under it this year, now that everything is running smoothly with the Muggle Studies farm. There were also no major book changes this year either, other than the ones for our new professor's agenda…"

"Ah yes, the bright young man of Durmstrang fame… how is he getting along?" Eric said, and Severus found himself wondering why he asked it like that.

"Considering I've only known him for a few weeks now, I can hardly judge, although his planned agenda does more than live up to his reputation, and he seems to be a capable teacher. I suppose we'll see by the holidays," Severus said noncommittally.

"No problems then?" Eric asked.

"No, not really, other than the typical new teacher adjusting to a new environment sort of thing, nothing that won't correct itself over time," Severus said with a shrug. "Any particular reason you're concerned?"

"I'm not if you're not," Eric said with a shrug and was about to continue when Norman let out an annoyed sigh.

"Actually," Norman interrupted, before Eric could move on. "We had a rather curious query from your new professor last week inquiring about certain school policies concerning discipline in the classroom. When I asked him why he was asking for the clarification, it was made obvious to me, although he was reluctant to talk about it, that he felt that one of his students seemed to be 'above the rules,' so to speak."

"Norman, since when does the board deal with such petty disputes? Hermione handled the matter that very day and explained our policy as far as demonstrations in that class were concerned. At his insistence, I myself had further words with him over the matter, and to be candid, I see no reason for it to have gone any further," Severus said firmly. "Such disciplinary and policy issues are my affair, not yours."

"I quite agree," Eric said.

"Well, I don't," Norman said. "I very much think it is our affair when it involves your daughter, considering she obviously has disciplinary issues and yet always seems to get away with things…"

"Considering that my daughter was well within her rights as a student, I don't see how who she was has anything to do with it," Severus said curtly. "And I have no intention of changing that particular policy, so I don't see how it's any concern of the board's."

"And what if all the students take her example and decide not to cooperate in classroom demonstrations as well?" Abraxus asked.

"Then I'm sure it'll show up in their marks," Severus said evenly. "Now, can we move along?"

"Yes, let's, although I doubt our next topic will go any better," Eric admitted. Norman and Abraxus both giving him a dirty look, while Severus frowned suspiciously. "Abraxus, since this latest proposal is your idea, why don't you tell him about it?"

"I don't think we need to discuss that with him now, Eric, unless we actually do vote it in," Abraxus said under his breath. "We've only just now started discussing it."

"I very well think he has the right to know what you want us to vote on beforehand," Eric said firmly. "We're going to either start discussing the matter now, or you're going to drop the proposal entirely."

"Do you mind not talking through me while I'm in the room?" Severus snapped.

"You've done it to me often enough," Abraxus said evenly. "But if you must know, I have proposed a small addendum to the hiring policies," he explained, Severus immediately squinting, "simply stating that the Headmaster may not hire a family member as faculty without first consulting the board." Severus stared at him.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Well, Severus, many of us think that the school would benefit from a more… diverse faculty… from various backgrounds, experiences, and so forth," Abraxus explained. "You, however, tend to mainly hire your own relatives."

"I hire whomever I feel is most capable for the job! And I'll have you know out of the three members of my family currently working at Hogwarts, it was Dumbledore who hired both Jennifer and my sister, and I hired Andrew to his position only at Dumbledore's recommendation," Severus said. "And I don't particularly see how who a candidate is related to should matter when I'm considering one's merits and how or even if they would be an asset to my school!"

"I notice you didn't mention the hiring of your other son, Severus," Abraxus said.

"He is not teaching this year, Abraxus, and even if he were, he was more than qualified to teach, especially in Defense considering his true profession. Come to think of it, I didn't originally hire him, either. My wife hired him when I went on leave, and he was willing to step down from head of the Auror Department to do so."

"I rather think his reasons behind his leaving the department were due more to the fact that his father was running amuck at the time rather than a willingness to teach," Abraxus said curtly.

"Didn't we decide we weren't going to bring up those rumors anymore, Abraxus?" Eric interrupted disapprovingly.

"The point is," Norman interrupted, "that we simply want a chance to go over any candidates who are related to you with an unbiased eye, for the school's sake."

"There is nothing unbiased about this proposal," Severus snapped. "Unbiased would mean looking at a person based on their qualifications, without any stigma attached because of their family background!"

"You tell him, Severus," Tonks said supportively, until she saw Eric giving her a dirty look.

"But don't you think there ought to be a limit, Severus?" Norman said, raising his voice over hers. "We simply want the opportunity to addressing certain matters, considering the complaints we've been getting towards favoritism over the years, and concern that perhaps that favoritism also spreads to decisions you make concerning staff issues." Severus squinted.

"Exactly what are you accusing me of?" Severus asked bluntly.

"Me? Nothing," Norman said calmly. "Although I have heard others mention that they believe that family members on your staff tend to always get the better end of any deal involving faculty disputes."

"If you heard anything at all to that effect, Norman, I am quite confident that it did not come from my staff," Severus said firmly, and then glanced at Abraxus. "And anything a student may have overheard was more than likely taken out of context."

"We simply want to make certain that the school is your first priority, Severus," Abraxus said.

"Abraxus, just because you have always made work your number one priority and constantly put your needs over those of your family, it doesn't mean the rest of the world works that way," Severus said, and Abraxus darkened noticeably. "I do not deny that my family is my first priority; but I have also always felt that the school and everyone in it as extended family. I will continue to do what I feel is best for both, just as I have always done."

"Well, almost always," Abraxus added in a low voice, and Severus locked his jaw.

"Severus," Caitlyn Shea said, and Severus slowly looked towards the woman whose expression was serious. "Let me be frank, since it's obvious that everyone else seems to be having trouble acting with proper restraint tonight," she said with a sideways glance at Norman and Abraxus who both seemed to settle back in their seats. "To be honest, I really don't agree with either of them as far as their reasons why they want this addendum passed. You're always going to get the occasional accusations of favoritism as far as younger relatives are concerned, and I imagine that won't stop anytime soon considering your brother is already there and how many grandchildren you have coming. And I also don't think you show undue favoritism towards your family concerning the school, either; one look at Jennifer's official school records easily discounts that," she said with a momentary look of amusement.

"But I was more than a bit concerned last year when the school had three of its major subjects being taught by your family, Severus, I'll admit it, especially when it came out that Aurelius had gotten hold of Excalibur and was making efforts to return it. What if there had been a major family crisis? You would have lost professors in three subjects taken by the majority of students, plus yourself, as Headmaster, plus your sister, and although she doesn't teach a major subject, she still teaches a class that is required for everyone to take. How would the school function if all of you needed to attend a family emergency?" she asked. The soft sound of a knock on the bottom of the table could be heard from her seat. "I wouldn't wonder if the school had to shut down and cancel classes until it was over, and that, Severus, is what worries me most, and why I might support this movement." Severus could see Shaun and Dana, the other two traditionalists, nodding out of the corner of his eye.

"I seriously doubt that any crisis would occur that would pull us all out of the castle at once," Severus said. "However, were that to happen, let me assure you that my Deputy Headmaster is more than capable of handling such an event, and I am quite certain that between my resources and hers that the school will continue as it always has. And if for some reason a crisis affects both my family as well as the school itself, we'll do whatever's necessary to put things right, just as I always have done in the past. Regardless of those concerns, I still see no need for you to prejudice my family for being born a Snape, not that any of them other than Andrew have really shown any true interest in teaching as a full time profession, nor do I expect there will be any for some time to come."

"Then why fight it, Severus?" Norman asked with a sigh.

"The principle of it," Severus said curtly. "So long as the candidate is qualified and agrees to the morality clause, it is my place to decide who my faculty will be, not yours. Your hiring includes only administration, although I am wondering since you seem to be questioning my hiring judgment whether or not you will be reconsidering my position next."

"There is no danger of that, Severus," Eric said firmly. Even Norman turned quite somber at that, having no inclination whatsoever to change Headmasters. In fact, the only person at the table who seemed even remotely in favor of the idea was Abraxus. "Perhaps it's time we moved on from this discussion until we've had time to mull it over and think about it clearly without the tempers."

"If you're simply stalling in hopes that we'll drop the matter, it isn't going to work this time, Eric," Abraxus said firmly.

"Did you have anything else you wanted to bring up, Severus?" Eric asked, ignoring him.

"Yes, actually… um… I'm sorry, where did that copy of the budget I handed over go? I was wondering if we could go ahead and go over the payroll allowance, for there are a couple my faculty overdue for a raise, considering the hours they've been putting in during recent years, and I'd rather get that approved so I can take care of that…"

"Ah, so that's why the budget is in order this year, to attempt to prove to us we have enough money to pay for your roof?" Abraxus asked. Severus gazed at him with such a piercing expression that Eric felt his skin crawl.

"Neither of them are relation," Severus said curtly. "And for the record, I personally gave up asking for raises a long time ago, considering how much of my money ends up going right back into the school. I'd much prefer keeping the budget versatile and tuitions as low as possible."

"Yes, well, you really need to get out of the habit of dipping in your coin pouch so much and come to us if something doesn't fit into the budget, Severus. I swear I get an earful about that from Griphook every time I'm at the bank," Eric chided him gently as he looked over the scroll, while Abraxus shook his head.

"Perhaps I would, if I ever thought any of them would ever pass," Severus said evenly.

Just then there was a very insistent knock and the door opened, Harold Gimler peering in.

"Your pardon, governors, but there's an urgent message from the school," Harold explained, holding a note out. Severus blinked in surprise and then took it. He read it and quickly folding it up, resisting the urge to grab his pocket watch.

"There has been an accident in the school concerning one of the staff, and I need to leave at once," Severus said, putting the note away.

"Family member?" Abraxus inquired.

"Regardless if they are or not, they are still staff!" Severus barked angrily, his patience completely gone. "If you want to question my intentions any more, it'll simply have to wait until next meeting. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

"We'll have any suggestions or recommended changed to the budget finished and sent to the school tonight, Severus," Eric said firmly, ignoring the dirty looks he got from the rest when they realized they were going to be there for a while, emergency or not.

Severus simply nodded curtly and went out the door, Harold shutting it behind him. By the time Harold turned back around, the Headmaster was already gone.