Chapter Twelve
Captured in Art
Jennifer combed through the paper with such an intense eagerness that Severus frowned disapprovingly at her, watching her fixedly until she finally looked up from the paper and gauged the thoughts behind his expression.
"I'm just concerned," Jennifer said. "You can't blame me for being concerned. I'm not contemplating getting involved."
"Good," Severus said simply, turning back to the homework he was marking.
"Auror Moody now suspects that the murderer of Cutmite might be a goblin," Jennifer said, Severus reluctantly looking up at her again, but Jennifer wasn't paying attention. She had a distant look on her face. "The possible motive being, of course, political, hoping to stir things up between the Ministry and the Bank Governors now that there's a new Minister in power."
"Yes," Severus said carefully, looking completely disinterested as he turned back to work. "Well, that's definitely not our problem, is it?"
"Oh, Severus really!" Jennifer said with exasperation, and Severus leaned back in resignation, folding his arms and tapping his finger against them. "You don't believe that what happened at the vault is sheer coincidence and that Father and the kids were merely at the wrong place at the wrong time! What about that bit with the secret?"
"Jennifer, might I point out that the word 'secret' could mean absolutely anything? It is human nature, when such a word is used, to immediately think about the worst-case secret we could think of, but couldn't the reference be simpler than that? The murderer very well may have thought that someone in the vault saw the crime or had some clue to who it was and the 'secret' as it were, merely points to that act."
"No, no, no, that's too easy," Jennifer said getting up. Severus managed to avoid rolling his eyes by rubbing them gently and got his spectacles thrust at him in response. "Father was down there looking for something… something related to this Scur business. It has got to be too much coincidence that a goblin dagger was involved in the murder of Mr. Brad as well, I'm sure there's a connection."
"Yes, and I'm sure from what you just told me, the Ministry is very much on the trail."
"Or are they?" Jennifer said with a frown.
"Jennifer, did you or did you not promise not to get involved in anything of this sort this year?" Severus asked point blank, his expression the same stony gaze as it had been at the beginning of the conversation.
"I wasn't proposing that we do so," Jennifer assured him. "I'm sure they have it under control."
"Good," Severus said, putting on his spectacles and turning back to his work.
"Although…" Jennifer began again, Severus sighing in response. "I'm not so sure how far we can trust Moody in this."
"Really? From what I've seen you have had more respect for the old man's methods than many others I know, including myself," Severus added wryly.
"Yes, but ever since Father got out, Alastor has been as close to father as Audi is, and you know how loyal she is to him," Jennifer said.
"Perhaps, but he is hardly going to side with any cause he feels is criminal either," Severus pointed out. Jennifer sighed and sat the paper down, going over to check the test potion she had bubbling.
"Funny how the lines between criminal and justice get all askew any time you're speaking of my father or anyone around him… it's like all the fine lines between right and wrong suddenly blur and it is hard to tell which is which," she murmured, gazing into the grey substance as she stirred the light in with the dark, watching the marbling effect thoughtfully.
Severus slipped off his spectacles again and gazed at her for a long time as if contemplating an answer. But then there was a pecking noise on the door, and Severus glanced at his watch.
"It must be your mail. Lunch hour is almost done."
"I've got it," Jennifer said, opening the door. Dodger immediately flew in, dropping the letters at her feet before hopping over to the stand, squabbling with Ratfly trying to get him to move over. "Now, he was there first! If you're going to act like that, I'll chuck you out again," she warned the owl as she picked up the letters, doing a double take when she caught sight of an official Ministry envelope. "Oh, what have I done this time?" She said out loud, thinking back to try and recall if she'd cast any dark magic in the last week.
"Apparently something to make another dent in the mischievous professor's Ministry fine fund," he said expressionlessly, but Jennifer knew he was teasing her. She opened it and frowned, for it wasn't anything like what she expected.
"It's a court order. They want to search the vault, and they want me to be present because of the nature of the items."
"I would have insisted that one or both of us went anyhow," Severus said. "In fact, I'd rather I went as well. When do they want this done?"
"He's asking for a convenient time," Jennifer shrugged. "Before the game perhaps?"
"That is hardly convenient," Severus frowned. "We both have security obligations."
"But Ciardoth…"
"I don't care, I would prefer we kept up security, although I agree with Brittle in removing the lightning rule," Severus said. "And I'd like to add that any student removing a Quidditch Porterband before the end of the game will result in suspension from further games," he added with a flash in his eye. "Especially relation."
Jennifer chuckled at that.
"Very well, our Tuesday morning conference. Wait, that's Halloween, isn't it?" Jennifer said.
"That'll do," Severus said.
"I wonder why they didn't ask to see the vault right off when it came out that that's where he was?" Jennifer frowned.
"Political reasons, Jennifer. The bank would have strongly protested any Ministry intrusions on their lower levels… clients with delicate items would be very put out if the bank didn't protest anyone from the outside looking into it. If the Ministry has gotten to the point it is insisting despite whatever findings the bank itself gave them, I would think that they are running into a dead end."
"Oh," Jennifer said.
"Which is still no reason to get involved," he emphasized before stowing his papers and glasses and giving her a quick kiss before heading to class. Jennifer gazed after him with a frown on her face before finally turning back to her potion.
It was a flyer passed around the next morning that let the students know what the plans were for Halloween, and the excitement through the Great Hall could hardly be abated.
"'Professor Scribe and the Adopt-a-Ghost program would like to announce its plan to host the First Annual Spectral Ball to be held in the Great Hall after the Halloween Feast," Andrew read. "The purpose of the feast will be to encourage more members into the society and raise public awareness. Please note that due to the sensitivity to our guests, séances or callings of any kind will not be permitted this year, even with supervision.'" Andrew read.
"Public awareness about ghosts?" Zack snorted. "What's to know? You're either aware of them or you're not."
"Oh is that all, sir?" Several people jumped as Nearly Headless Nick floated up from the center of the table. "Good morning, Miss Bailey! Are we still on for Tuesday Evening? Because if you would rather take a living date, I quite understand…"
"Oh, nonsense, Sir Nicholas! Any girl would be honored to be an escort for a knight," Rose said. Even though ghosts couldn't truly blush, the look on his face more than gave the impression that he would be had he the blood for it.
"Good, very good! Good morning, students," Nick said, continuing his path down the center of the table before finally fading away. Rose chuckled.
"That's the third time he's asked me if I was sure since the last Adopt-a-Ghost meeting," Rose grinned.
"We thought about doing that," Halbert said, "Although we haven't had much time what with helping Sagittari with the animals and all."
"Is it much fun?" Andrew asked.
"Well, sometimes," Rose said. "But sometimes it can be a lot of work, too. Most ghosts have a way of making you feel downright depressed if you spend too much time with them. The best thing to do is start off upbeat, and know when it's time to call it a day."
"So who's got the other house ghosts?" Zack asked curiously.
"Oh, just me and Pensington… Ravenclaw, being a teacher, thought it'd be a conflict of interest to get involved, I think, and everyone's too petrified of the Bloody Baron to ask him. But I hear Alicia jumped in and adopted Janus Craw."
"Good old Alicia, keeping it in the family," Andrew said approvingly. "Although I didn't even know she had joined up."
"What all is involved in this adopt-a-ghost thing, anyhow?" Zack asked curiously.
"Well mostly you just have to set aside an hour or two each week and keep them company. Many ghosts are rather neurotic, and the contact with the living actually helps pull them out of the shell, and with any luck that will help them towards ascending," Rose said.
"Ascending?" Halbert repeated.
"Yes, of course… to come at peace with themselves so they can release their ties and go on to their higher existence," Rose explained. "You'll find it helps to have some common interest to talk about, otherwise all they talk about is death and really… you don't want to go there," Rose assured them. "Going to join in? I've been trying to talk Alex into it, and it might help if one of you join too."
"I bet all the good ghosts are already taken," Zack mumbled. "Maybe I'll look into it though. I've thought about it before."
"As long as we don't have to feed them," Halbert chuckled.
"Great! If we're lucky, Professor Scribe can match you up with ghosts before the ball!" Rose said.
But after History class when Zack, Alicia, and Morfinn stopped to look, Zack merely frowned, shaking his head as he looked down the list.
"The only ones left are a bunch of depressed wailers," he complained.
"Zack, most ghosts are depressed wailers," Alicia sighed. "That's why we cheer them up. Even Janus can be a real bear sometimes. Fortunately, I have help from…" she suddenly caught herself. "From Professor Ravenclaw."
"So instead of having one moping ghost you have two?" Zack chuckled.
"Perhaps you might try to get to know one or two of them, Mr. Black," Professor Scribe suggested with a smile. "You can meet quite a few of them at the ball! If you're truly considering helping one of our ghosts in need, I have a feeling that by talking to them you may find just the one who could use your enthusiasm to cheer them up!"
If Zack was looking for opportunities to meet ghosts there were plenty of them on the days leading to Halloween as ghosts who never came out came out in full force, Peeves entertained himself by throwing everything from raw eggs to rotten apples at the students, and the Baron challenged everyone who passed him. Even Xavier began to steer clear of him. But the Baron did find he met his match in Eigil, for as he popped out of the wall of Conspiracies with a face so horrific he could have caused a heart attack in a weaker student, Eigil drew himself up and growled back so ferociously that it gave the Baron pause, eyeing him with wary dislike before sulking back through the wall.
Professor Dumbledore stood at the landing of the main stairwell on the level of his study, gazing down at the moving staircases thoughtfully, his head slightly tilted and his gaze thoughtful. If any student had seen him, they might have supposed he was attempting to listen to the castle itself, although they might have been surprised to learn that that was exactly what he was doing. It was the night before Halloween, and Dumbledore gazed down as if trying to remember the circumstances behind the last time the ghosts were this riled up, and came to the only obvious conclusion he could make. If he had any doubts to his answer, it ended the moment he saw a lone, young Hufflepuff girl racing from her rooms and up the stairs towards the Trophy Room.
"Finally! I thought I would never finish my homework!" Alicia said with exasperation as she came in. "If it wasn't bad enough that Snape scheduled a test for Wednesday, he gave us a twenty-two inch essay to do on common dark nuisances due beforehand. I swear he is doing everything in his power to insure that nobody in his classes has fun tomorrow night."
"There's nothing more disruptive to a teacher than having a holiday in the middle of the week," Caprica chuckled. "And Halloween has a reputation for bringing out mischief in the best of students. Why, I would say it's even enough to make your brother Andrew plot against you."
"Plot against me?" Alicia said, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, dear. Unless I miss my guess, I believe he followed you here," Caprica said, and Alicia suddenly cried out his name and turned around, swatting the air with her sketchpad until it smacked against someone than began beating him with it.
"Ow! Ow! Cut it out, Alicia!" Andrew said at last as he appeared with his arms up, attempting to shield off the blows.
"You little spy! You horrible, horrible little spy!" Alicia declared.
"Calm down, sis! You can't blame me for being curious why you spend so much in time in here, you've got everyone wondering!" Andrew protested, Alicia suddenly stopping and staring at him.
"Really? Really everyone?" Alicia said concernedly.
"Well, Alex, Aurelius and me, anyhow," Andrew said, glancing around nonchalantly as if looking for something.
"Good evening, Andrew," Caprica said bemusedly.
"Hullo," Andrew said to the painting before turning to his sister. "So what exactly do you do in here, anyhow?"
"Talk to paintings," Alicia admitted sheepishly, her cheeks becoming rosy. Andrew gazed at her curiously.
"That's your big secret? That you talk to paintings?" Andrew said puzzledly. "You didn't have to keep that from us. I mean, I know what people say about… what I mean is, we wouldn't let anyone think you were crazy or anything."
"Don't feel bad, Alicia." Andrew looked over in surprise to see a painting of that very room, and a straw-haired youth and his friends watching them with amused expressions. "They said the same thing to me when I started doing it."
"Actually, I think I was talking to her more than you were at the end," said the dark-haired girl next to him.
"Corey?" Andrew said in surprise. "What in the world are you doing in a picture in here? I didn't know you won anything in school."
"Well I didn't exactly," Corey said with amusement. "Do you realize that you're talking to a painting?"
"Well, I suppose I'm beginning to understand now," Andrew said, looking at Alicia who merely smiled and shook her head.
"Not quite. Andrew, may I present to you to the painting of Professor Caprica Dusthorn, first appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts, and the best friend I've ever had," Alicia declared.
"Oh, nonsense, from what you've told me your brothers and sister are you true best friends," Caprica said, but smiled at her proudly.
"A Headmaster?" Andrew said curiously. "But… I don't think I've seen your picture in Dumbledore's study."
"This is the only one," Caprica assured him with a chuckle. "And I'm quite sure that the current Headmaster believes that one is enough," she winked. "I am half Pooka, and mischief is second nature to me, just as it seems it's second nature to you Snapes."
"But I don't understand," Andrew said, looking over at his sister. "See, the paintings of retired Headmasters are special. They're usually kept in Dumbledore's study. Why would this one… the first one… be kept apart?"
"To keep me out of trouble, of course," Caprica smiled. "Oh, I won't be in here forever. But right now I can do more good here than there."
"In what way?" Andrew asked. Caprica began to answer then thought about it, laughing.
"Goodness, you Snapes are an inquisitive bunch, but I should have thought no less. I could answer questions all night, I suppose, and you both would miss your curfews, get into trouble and then we'd all be under glass," she said, laughing at her joke. "So, Andrew, can you help us keep our little secret?"
"Why is it a secret?" Andrew asked.
"Because, dear boy, I find I can accomplish a lot more if the current faculty isn't nosing in," Caprica said bluntly, the look of amusement never leaving her face. "But I assure you that it is in the best interest of the school that I'm awake right now."
"You can trust her, Andrew," Alicia assured him.
"All right," Andrew said, glancing at all the other pictures thoughtfully. "So what sort of work do you do, Caprica?"
"Right now, my interest is in the upcoming ball," Caprica said. "The ghosts are all quite excited, and the paintings are as well."
"The paintings?"
"Yes! In fact, I've called a meeting for that very evening… after the students go to bed, of course. The ball will act as a perfect gathering spot for those planning to attend," Caprica said.
"Attend?" Andrew prompted.
"Caprica is on the board of the Committee of Conscious Paintings," Alicia explained with a grin. "They're allied with the Committee of Conscious Dead. And guess who runs both of them!"
"Well, the only person I can think of who could do both is Francis Pyther," Andrew concluded.
"Exactly! And the meeting is to decide whether to keep him on for another hundred years or not. And I am going to speak on his behalf!" Alicia beamed.
"Wow, that's quite an honor, I'd imagine," Andrew said in spite of himself. "But I say, does Dumbledore know about this meeting?"
"Oh, we need not trouble Dumbledore with such things. He has enough to contend with to make sure that certain students aren't out of their rooms past hours," she hinted with a smile.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Caprica!" Alicia promised.
"So you will, my dear. Good night, Andrew," Caprica added.
"See you," Andrew said, following his sister out of the room.
"I don't think last year would have been bearable for me if it hadn't been for Caprica," Alicia said as they walked to the stairs. "She was there when I didn't think I could talk to anybody… about the Broom Closet… about Aurelius."
"What did she have to say about Aurelius?" Andrew asked curiously.
"Actually…" Alicia said, thinking back, "Actually I did most of the talking. She didn't really say anything, well, against him, or even for him, really. We just talked about how I felt. Really, Andrew, she's a very good listener. A lot like you in that way," Alicia said as they paused at the landing to say their goodbyes before heading off in their separate directions. But Andrew was still thoughtful as he walked to the Gryffindor rooms, more conscious than ever of the heightened moans and wails and chuckles of the ghosts floating through the halls.
Jennifer dreaded the descent to the Craw vault, even though she had always enjoyed the fast speed and quick turns of the carts. She kneaded her head as they stepped out, attempting to alleviate the growing pressure upon her temples and reminding herself she was just imagining it, concentrating instead on the others. Ederick Thurspire and Alastor Moody were busy putting on their gloves, while she and Severus were already wearing theirs. Griphook didn't bother, nor did anyone expect him to do so. Goblins working for the bank had their own protections against curses, especially on gold, although, Jennifer remembered with a grin, it was hardly foolproof. Still, she was quite certain that nothing in the Craw vault could do what the comb with Midas' hair had done. Almost restlessly, Moody checked around the outside of the vault and peered thoughtfully at the tracks, and Thurspire made a play at doing the same, although Jennifer could see from his expression that he felt it a futile examination. Finally Moody nodded, and Jennifer unlocked the vault and opened it, making sure she was the first to step inside.
"Is that the only key to this vault, or does your father have a duplicate?" Thurspire asked curiously.
"Goblin keys cannot be duplicated," Griphook said evenly, but there was an indignant flash in his eyes.
"There's only one, he merely borrowed it," Jennifer said.
"I see, and did he borrow it with your permission?" Thurspire asked thoughtfully.
"This is his vault," Jennifer said firmly. "It's true he gave it to me as a wedding gift, but as far as I'm concerned its contents are still his as much as mine. If he needed something out of it, I have no objections."
"Jennifer, I am not sure if this occurred to you or not, but if this vault had been in his possession at the time of his arrest, all of its contents would have surely been confiscated by the Ministry," Thurspire said with amusement. "I have a feeling that Craw realized it when he gave you that key in the first place." Jennifer stared at him, speechless. "You do realize that if you did willingly allow him in and he took out an item that he is not allowed by his restrictions to use that you would be held partially responsible for any actions taken with that said item? Now, come clean, I'm sure you're not that irresponsible. He took the key from you, did he not?" Severus suddenly stepped up, putting a hand in front of his wife to stop her from answering.
"You are here," Severus said icily, "to investigate the disappearance and murder of the goblin Cutmite, and for that reason alone did we give you permission to enter this vault. If you continue to attempt to try to entrap my wife into implicating her father or herself in these imaginary crimes of yours, I shall personally go to Minister Malfoy about your conduct and see to it that you're put in your place."
"No need to get excited, Severus, I was merely asking," Thurspire said with a thin smile.
"I already said he borrowed the key," Jennifer spoke up stubbornly. "And that being said, let's drop it."
"All right, but I'm afraid it may do you more harm than good in saying so. After all, if your father faces murder charges for killing Cutmite, he's beyond your power to save anyhow," Thurspire said.
"What?" Jennifer stared at him. "You're insane! What reason would he have? And he wouldn't have killed anyone with my children watching either!"
"You are forgetting, Jennifer, that we found the cart still at this location. Might it not be possible that he sent the children on ahead, and came back to do the deed?"
"Thurspire, the children all stated they heard something before they left the vault," Severus said, his patience wearing thinner by the second. "And what reason would Craw have for killing a goblin when he knew it would cost him his life?"
"Craw could have made the sounds himself… one doesn't need magic to throw one's voice," Thurspire said. Moody rolled his magic eye and shook his head. Suddenly he caught sight of something, both eyes turning to gaze at it curiously. "As for the reason, that is obvious. He may not have wished for the guard to see exactly what was taken out of the vault…something, in fact, that he probably plans to use to perpetuate Malfoy's death, and therefore condemning his own life. Death then, would be no concern, provided he could stall long enough to do what he set out to do. As far as we know, he could be descending on the mansion right now."
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Moody said, ignoring Thurspire's conjectures completely as he carefully picked up a sheet of drawing paper off the floor of the vault. "Why, it's a sketch of your house, I believe. It must be one of Alicia's. But what is it doing in here?" Moody asked, gazing at Jennifer with a rather intense expression.
"She must have dropped it in the confusion," Jennifer said quickly. "She always has her sketchbook with her."
"It's strangely off center, as if she was drawing in a hurry," Moody mused.
"More than likely, knowing our daughter, she was bored with being down in this vault and was merely doing it to pass the time," Severus said, gazing at him evenly.
"Yes, but then why did she not take her time?" Moody said with an enigmatic smile.
"Moody, what the devil difference does it make? I hardly think a child's drawing is a clue to the murder," Thurspire said irritably.
"Of course not, Thurspire, you know best," Moody chuckled in such a maniacal fashion that Thurspire gazed back at him guardedly. "Well, I've seen all I need to here, thanks for your patience."
"Just a minute, Moody, I haven't had a chance to look around yet," Thurspire said.
"There's no need. I'm quite convinced now that Craw could not possibly have done it, nor, by the way, was the item he took out cursed, Thurspire."
"And just how do you know that?" Thurspire snapped.
"Simple. I asked Griphook here," Moody said, and Griphook nodded and grinned grimly at Thurspire. "I'm afraid then your theory has no motive, and I assure you no opportunity either. Craw was in this vault when whatever happened to Cutmite happened."
"And where is your evidence?" Thurspire demanded as they exited the vault.
"I have a better question," Moody said, fixing both eyes on him. "Where's yours?"
"The cart, for one thing!"
"Oh dash the cart, Thurspire," Moody said. "Don't you think it's likely that the murderer would have come in a cart of his own? He may have easily taken the catwalk to another part of the vault… where he may have gotten into his own vault as a way to store or disguise the corpse in some way in order to get it out."
"He could not have stored it, Auror, as we do take inventory each evening," Griphook said.
"Fine, then he had something in his vault used to transport items and took it out that way, such as a Chest Cloak. And then when that was done, he'd leave the article so that nothing seemed disturbed, then went out in the first available cart. Whether he took the same one or not is really beside the point, and the fact that any specific cart was at a specific location really has no relevance. I, however, have some means to prove my theory. Griphook, can I get a list of everyone on this level who got into their vault that day? Especially anyone who might have had their vault recently moved down here. An employee list might be handy as well."
"I'll need the paperwork first since that would go against our customer confidentiality," Griphook insisted.
"Of course, sir. I'm sure Thurspire would be happy to take our findings to Minister Malfoy and Magistrate Muse, wouldn't you, Minister?" Alastor said cheerfully, patting him on the back. "After you, dear Jennifer. Do you mind if I accompany you both back to Hogwarts? I'd like to drop in on Albus and say hello."
If Jennifer was quiet on the way out, it was overcome by the fact that Moody was unusually chatty to the point of being slightly obnoxious… especially to Thurspire, it seemed, who couldn't leave fast enough. Then Moody grew quiet and thoughtful, and it wasn't until they Apparated near the station for the walk around the lake that he finally spoke again.
"You know, Jennifer," Alastor said. "I've been living with Audi quite a few years now, and I've learned to read her like a book, rather as if I was a Truth Seeker myself. And if there has been one thing I've learned, it is that Truth Seekers are the worst liars in the world," he said with a wicked smile.
"How much do you know?" Severus asked calmly, his eyes on the path as if the answer meant nothing to him.
"Enough to know that you won't be able to keep the secret of that extraordinary daughter of yours a secret forever," Alastor said. "Oh, I'll keep it for now, provided of course that Craw doesn't get arrested for a crime we all know he didn't commit, but there is one condition."
"And that is?" Jennifer asked resignedly, gazing up at Severus who nodded to her.
"That I get to see it in action," Alastor grinned wickedly with a twinkle in both his eyes.
