Chapter 14: Thunder and Lightning
Severus first intercepted John Mallorn. "A potentially dangerous situation has been brought to our attention. We will meet as a family in the Headmaster's Office at 10 pm. You bring your mother, and I will bring Sarah. How did your chat with your mother go?"
"Mom was a bit upset that I hadn't told her at the beginning. She is glad that I got to go to study and all, and develop my talents, but I should have been forthcoming when I got the scholarship. If I had known about Hermione attending Hogwarts, and known that my mother knew about Hermione, I would not have hesitated to inform her. Mom says she will not be able to come for my graduation." John looked a bit hurt.
"It isn't that your mother doesn't want to come, John. She just may not be physically able. You are going to be a big brother twice, with any luck, by August."
"Congratulations, sir! Does this mean this was a shotgun wedding? I didn't think there was any coercion," John blushed, realizing that his mouth had outrun his tact. "I mean, you both seem so happy. Why didn't Mom tell me?"
"No, it wasn't a shotgun wedding, John, and we are very happy. Rose is waiting until she feels more secure. She is worried about all the possible things that can go wrong with twins, and her age is also an issue with her. I am only letting you in on the news early because of recent developments. Your mother is bearing three unknown spells, which have most likely smothered her talents, and we want to know what they are and try to remove them. You and your sister will also be checked tonight." Severus continued, "Do you recall ever meeting anyone magical before college?"
"I met Hermione when I was eight. She came to the States to meet her grandparents, and her mother brought her over one afternoon to visit. She treed me when I teased her too much. Just sent me flying into the boughs. She's got a temper," John smiled at the memory. "I got her back, though."
"Dare I ask what you did?" Severus was fascinated.
"I summoned a pitcher of lemonade and poured it all over her. She was sticky and soon covered with bees. I foolishly reminded her of that incident at lunch today. Don't know how long it will take her to simmer down."
Severus noticed that John hadn't taken his eyes off Hermione all the time they were talking. Poor lad, he thought. Hermione had quite a reputation as a bluestocking and a man hater. John was facing an uphill battle if he had any intentions toward her.
"The college in Salem does a spell check on all incoming students, Professor," John Mallorn added. "I think I am in the clear."
**************************************************
Ten o'clock found Severus leading Rose, Sarah and John up to Dumbledore's office. They mounted the staircase guarded by the gargoyle, although Sarah was afraid and her mother had to coax and command her.
Inside the office Albus Dumbledore greeted them, offered chairs, and introduced Professor Flitwick and Cursebreaker Bill Weasley of Gringotts Bank. Hermione Granger was also there, looking rather disagreeable, but silent.
"We are here to examine the Mallorn family for unknown spells," Dumbledore began. "Let's start with you, John. Please set aside your wand and any other charmed objects, and then remove any charms you cast yourself."
John took off his outer robe, revealing a form-fitting Muggle shirt and trousers. He terminated the Grooming spells he used. "I am ready, Professor."
Professor Flitwick performed a diagnostic spell: "Acclaro Incantatum!" He slowly walked around John, examining every shadow and shading. "I detect no spells, Headmaster."
"Nor do I. Anyone else?" Dumbledore asked. No one answered. "Very well. Rose, would you please remove the pendant, and Severus, you will have to remove her wedding ring. No, you cannot take it off, Rose. That is part of the spell." Rose gave both Dumbledore and her husband a dirty look. "On the other hand, Severus cannot remove his ring, either, without your assistance, so it is a fair bargain."
"I mean no disrespect, Professor, but if I am working with electricity, which I do in my line of work, an irremovable metal ring can be very dangerous," Rose said, as Severus gently pulled the wedding band off her hand.
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it," murmured Severus. "I love you, Rose." He kissed her and the Lover's Knot spell was undone.
"Now, if Hermione will remove the remaining spells she cast.fine. Is any of your clothing enchanted?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "Never mind, we can find out. Filius?"
Again Professor Flitwick cast the Discovery spell. "Yes, I see three remaining spells; nothing on the clothing, apparently. Let's take the most recent first. It appears to be a simple Entrancing Enchantment. Finite Incantatum Adamo."
"What kind of spell is that?" Rose asked, with a touch of fear in her eyes.
Severus replied: "It causes a person to fall in love with the caster of the spell, and no, I didn't cast it. Do you know who did, Rose? Have your feelings towards someone in your past changed?"
Rose thought a moment, and then a very angry look appeared on her face. "I will discuss this later with you privately, Severus."
Dumbledore and Snape exchanged glances. "Very well, that seemed to be a relatively innocuous spell. What is next, Filius?"
"Finite Incantatum Iniqua!" said Professor Flitwick. "A very poorly cast hindrance spell. Someone sought to put you at a permanent disadvantage, Lady Severus. May I add that you seem to have punched holes in all these spells? Either that, or the casters were incredibly inept. I can understand that a deep attachment to our Potions Master would weaken the Adamo spell considerably, but the Bad Luck spell would not be damaged by anything other than your own abilities to overcome it."
"Well, Rose," said Severus, "You spoke truly when you said: 'Nobody could have such bad luck as I have and have a drop of magic, unless there is a kind of anti-magic. I have gallons of that.' You were fighting a very nasty kind of curse."
"The question is: who could have cast that curse?" said Dumbledore.
"This curse was not cast by the same person as the first one I removed," said Professor Flitwick. "And it was much older."
"How old, would you say, Professor?" asked Rose.
"The first spell was roughly 10 years old; this second one more like twenty- five," Flitwick remarked in an absent-minded way.
Rose wore a very strange, calculating expression; Severus was reminded of the day she spoke of wanting to cause an enemy a permanent injury. "I will not discuss this now. What of the final curse, Professor Flitwick?"
"Oh, it's a beauty! I haven't seen the like except in Egypt. Come on over, Bill. What do you make of it?" Flitwick was quite beside himself. "Forty- five years at least, and only slightly frayed about the edges."
Bill Weasley approached, wand extended, muttering various spells as he slowly circled Rose. Albus and Flitwick followed him, pointing out various aspects to each other. Severus was extremely uneasy, but held his place. Hermione and Rose's son were soaking in every flick and syllable, straining to observe the slightest detail. Sarah was patting Fawkes and talking baby talk to him.
"And there you have it, Professors," said Bill. "A curse worthy of the Pharaohs, the Druids, or the Babas Yaga."
"What are Babas Yaga?" Rose asked.
"That was the name given to witches in Central and Eastern Europe. There were colonies of very powerful women, Goddess worshippers, who dominated the steppes and plains and watercourses. The Romans called them Amazons, although the Amazons were only the warrior caste. The Babas were the priestesses and the power behind the thrones. Those Asian hordes that swept in from Mongolia were assimilated by the Babas' intentional strategy of seduce and conquer. The Ottoman Turks contrived a power-sharing arrangement. It took the First World War to remove all traces of their existence. We don't know whether the Babas died out, or renounced their magic, or went into hiding, but no trace of them has been seen for nearly one hundred years." Bill continued to circle and wave his wand.
"Maybe they emigrated," said Rose. "Maybe they settled in a land that resembled the plains and forests and field of home, where they could blend in with other émigrés from Poland and Russia and Hungary, where they wouldn't even need to learn another language, there were so many of them. They took Mary as an incarnation of the Goddess, and built new lives for their children in a land where war hadn't scarred the land and poisoned the crops, where the ground wasn't soaked in blood and poverty was escapable." She settled in a chair, suddenly overcome with fatigue, and rested her head in her hands, her unCharmed hair streaming over face, shoulders and breasts.
"What is the nature of this curse, gentlemen? Can you remove it?" Severus spoke everyone's thought.
"It appears to be a kind of Cloaking Curse, to prevent the use of one's power," Bill muttered. "We need to do some research before we even attempt to dispel this curse. I do not wish to cause any harm to your lady, Professor Snape, nor to any bystander."
"That leaves us with Sarah," said Severus. "Sarah, would you come here please? Professor? If you would be so kind?"
"Acclaro Incantatum!" Professor Flitwick cried, and then he stepped back, horrified. The wizards as one gasped, even Severus, whose Charms training was rusty from disuse.
"All right, gentlemen," Albus Dumbledore said with a sigh, after they had stood in shock for several minutes. "We have done as much as I am willing to risk tonight. Hermione and Rose, will you take Sarah and put her to bed? She looks about to drop."
"If you will excuse us, Albus, John and I will go along with the ladies," said Severus. "We will be taking refreshment in my chambers once Sarah is settled, if you should wish to join us in discussion."
"Don't wait up for me; I will not be joining you tonight," Dumbledore replied. "And do try to get some sleep. The problem is just as it was for all these years; we can take some small measure of time to solve it. I prescribe Dreamless Sleep for you all: take it!"
Hermione led the way, while John and Sarah followed after, and Rose and Severus brought up the rear. "Russ?" whispered Rose.
"Later, love," he replied. Hermione bade them all goodnight, as did Sarah. Sarah hugged her mother, brother, and then Severus; Hermione took Sarah off to her rooms. "John, would you join us for a drink?" Severus asked. The three continued down to the Potion Master's chambers.
Severus fetched five vials of Dreamless Sleep potion. He summoned Dobby to deliver a vial to Hermione, with orders to use it, and another to Professor Flitwick. He then poured wine for his wife and stepson. "Has anyone anything to say? Rose, would you share with us your thoughts?"
Rose drank half her wine. "I shouldn't be drinking, but I'm in need of a crutch right now. John, do you remember Rafael? You were only about 6 at the time. I was madly in love with him, and now I know why. He ran away when he felt that things were getting too sticky, that he ought to marry me. Too bad he didn't take the spell off, first. He must have known I was a witch; everyone must have known, except me! People have been inflicting their power on me right and left, but no one bothered to clue me in. Why didn't you know I was a witch, Severus? It must be written in large letters over me." She turned to her husband, in torment.
"It isn't, love. The Cloaking Spell is seamless and encompassing. The longer you live with it, the more it draws upon your own power to strengthen itself. In my own defense, I am not a Charms Master, either. I had no reason to suspect that you weren't the Muggle you thought you were. Your lack of self-knowledge also added to the effectiveness of the spell. I don't think anyone who met you after the Cloaking Spell was cast would have been able to tell you were Magical at first glance, nor even after years of acquaintance, until you did something unexpected when under unusual stress. After all, Flitwick did say that there was some fraying of the spell. Your natural power has been fighting this spell all along, and taking any outlet available. I think this Rafael was taking advantage of your relative powerlessness and abusing his own power. Do you think your first husband cast the Ill-Luck Spell?"
"Either he or someone in the family. Most likely he did. He was always tremendously jealous of any small success of mine. He would go out of his way to sabotage my projects and plans, even if he suffered as a result." Rose turned to her son. "I am asking your forgiveness, John, for choosing so poor a father for you. I know you felt the lack of a father while growing up; but I felt that, to protect you and Sarah, we all had to get away from him. He didn't start out as an evil person, but somewhere along the way, around the time of Sarah's birth, he started to change. He chose to hurt us, and I wasn't willing to be a victim, nor to have you two children be victimized." Rose finished her wine and set the goblet down. "Funny, I never noticed that he was different."
"He wasn't different from you, love, just unprincipled. You were always attracting and attracted to wizards all unknowing. You just found some really rotten ones." Severus poured himself another glass. Including this one, he thought, the Death Eater, spy, and tormentor of his young students. John stood up.
"Mother, I ask your forgiveness for any sullen behavior on my part. I think that under the circumstances you were very wise to leave the man who fathered me and keep us all as far away from him as possible. I agreed to change my name when you did, because I know some of the nasty things he did, and I was happy to disown him. It was very hard at times, but there are lots of kids growing up in America without fathers, so I wasn't unique. And sir," John addressed Severus Snape, "I would like to call you 'Father' if you wouldn't be uncomfortable with that. Sarah would, too. She likes you very much."
Severus Snape was struck dumb. He looked up at John, and saw no mockery there. He looked at Rose. She was smiling, even though ears were running down her cheeks. "I would be honored, John, to call you my son, and Sarah my daughter." He stood. The men extended hands to shake, and then found themselves embracing. John's eyes were rather bright. Severus felt his throat so tight he might choke. He paced the room a bit, picking up a piece of parchment and a quill. "Rose, what is your ex-husband's name, if it isn't Mallorn?"
"Thorquist, Erik Thorquist. He emigrated from Sweden to attend school in America, which is where I met him." Rose was lost in memories.
Severus felt a bit faint. That name was not unknown in the wizard's world. "Is Thorquist still in America?"
"Last I heard he was in California. I had to hire a private investigator to track him down for child support. He had remarried and adopted some children from Korea. Why?" Rose regarded her husband solemnly. He didn't look well, all of a sudden.
"Dumbledore will want to know. Who do you think cast the Cloaking Spell, Rose?"
"Well, if you are all correct, then I would think one or more of my great- grandmothers were Babas. Why they would cripple me, and make me unable to protect myself from wizards, I do not know." Rose pondered the past. "I knew three out of four of my great-grandmothers, and two great- grandfathers. They were all immigrants direct from Central Europe. Most never learned much English, so my dealings with them as a young child were very limited."
"I will send the Headmaster a summary of our discussion tonight. I think we have all had as much excitement as we can handle without a break." Severus pulled Rose to her feet. "Why don't you get ready for bed now? I'll bring you your potion when I am ready to take mine. And John, you are staying in the Slytherin guest suite. I will walk you down there. Be right back, love." John hugged his mother and followed Severus out.
In the corridor, John turned to his stepfather. "What about Sarah? You didn't say anything about her and neither did the Headmaster."
"You saw, did you not?" John nodded. "We do not want to say anything until we have complete information. Whatever we discover, your mother will be devastated. Albus is looking into the matter, as is Flitwick. Here is your room, and here is your potion. It is very quick to take effect, so lie down first. Tomorrow we can take counsel again. Goodnight, Son."
"Goodnight, Father." Severus found himself again in the young man's embrace, and thought that Thorquist was an idiot as well as a criminal, to give up such a loving wife and children to pursue the Dark Arts.
Severus first intercepted John Mallorn. "A potentially dangerous situation has been brought to our attention. We will meet as a family in the Headmaster's Office at 10 pm. You bring your mother, and I will bring Sarah. How did your chat with your mother go?"
"Mom was a bit upset that I hadn't told her at the beginning. She is glad that I got to go to study and all, and develop my talents, but I should have been forthcoming when I got the scholarship. If I had known about Hermione attending Hogwarts, and known that my mother knew about Hermione, I would not have hesitated to inform her. Mom says she will not be able to come for my graduation." John looked a bit hurt.
"It isn't that your mother doesn't want to come, John. She just may not be physically able. You are going to be a big brother twice, with any luck, by August."
"Congratulations, sir! Does this mean this was a shotgun wedding? I didn't think there was any coercion," John blushed, realizing that his mouth had outrun his tact. "I mean, you both seem so happy. Why didn't Mom tell me?"
"No, it wasn't a shotgun wedding, John, and we are very happy. Rose is waiting until she feels more secure. She is worried about all the possible things that can go wrong with twins, and her age is also an issue with her. I am only letting you in on the news early because of recent developments. Your mother is bearing three unknown spells, which have most likely smothered her talents, and we want to know what they are and try to remove them. You and your sister will also be checked tonight." Severus continued, "Do you recall ever meeting anyone magical before college?"
"I met Hermione when I was eight. She came to the States to meet her grandparents, and her mother brought her over one afternoon to visit. She treed me when I teased her too much. Just sent me flying into the boughs. She's got a temper," John smiled at the memory. "I got her back, though."
"Dare I ask what you did?" Severus was fascinated.
"I summoned a pitcher of lemonade and poured it all over her. She was sticky and soon covered with bees. I foolishly reminded her of that incident at lunch today. Don't know how long it will take her to simmer down."
Severus noticed that John hadn't taken his eyes off Hermione all the time they were talking. Poor lad, he thought. Hermione had quite a reputation as a bluestocking and a man hater. John was facing an uphill battle if he had any intentions toward her.
"The college in Salem does a spell check on all incoming students, Professor," John Mallorn added. "I think I am in the clear."
**************************************************
Ten o'clock found Severus leading Rose, Sarah and John up to Dumbledore's office. They mounted the staircase guarded by the gargoyle, although Sarah was afraid and her mother had to coax and command her.
Inside the office Albus Dumbledore greeted them, offered chairs, and introduced Professor Flitwick and Cursebreaker Bill Weasley of Gringotts Bank. Hermione Granger was also there, looking rather disagreeable, but silent.
"We are here to examine the Mallorn family for unknown spells," Dumbledore began. "Let's start with you, John. Please set aside your wand and any other charmed objects, and then remove any charms you cast yourself."
John took off his outer robe, revealing a form-fitting Muggle shirt and trousers. He terminated the Grooming spells he used. "I am ready, Professor."
Professor Flitwick performed a diagnostic spell: "Acclaro Incantatum!" He slowly walked around John, examining every shadow and shading. "I detect no spells, Headmaster."
"Nor do I. Anyone else?" Dumbledore asked. No one answered. "Very well. Rose, would you please remove the pendant, and Severus, you will have to remove her wedding ring. No, you cannot take it off, Rose. That is part of the spell." Rose gave both Dumbledore and her husband a dirty look. "On the other hand, Severus cannot remove his ring, either, without your assistance, so it is a fair bargain."
"I mean no disrespect, Professor, but if I am working with electricity, which I do in my line of work, an irremovable metal ring can be very dangerous," Rose said, as Severus gently pulled the wedding band off her hand.
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it," murmured Severus. "I love you, Rose." He kissed her and the Lover's Knot spell was undone.
"Now, if Hermione will remove the remaining spells she cast.fine. Is any of your clothing enchanted?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "Never mind, we can find out. Filius?"
Again Professor Flitwick cast the Discovery spell. "Yes, I see three remaining spells; nothing on the clothing, apparently. Let's take the most recent first. It appears to be a simple Entrancing Enchantment. Finite Incantatum Adamo."
"What kind of spell is that?" Rose asked, with a touch of fear in her eyes.
Severus replied: "It causes a person to fall in love with the caster of the spell, and no, I didn't cast it. Do you know who did, Rose? Have your feelings towards someone in your past changed?"
Rose thought a moment, and then a very angry look appeared on her face. "I will discuss this later with you privately, Severus."
Dumbledore and Snape exchanged glances. "Very well, that seemed to be a relatively innocuous spell. What is next, Filius?"
"Finite Incantatum Iniqua!" said Professor Flitwick. "A very poorly cast hindrance spell. Someone sought to put you at a permanent disadvantage, Lady Severus. May I add that you seem to have punched holes in all these spells? Either that, or the casters were incredibly inept. I can understand that a deep attachment to our Potions Master would weaken the Adamo spell considerably, but the Bad Luck spell would not be damaged by anything other than your own abilities to overcome it."
"Well, Rose," said Severus, "You spoke truly when you said: 'Nobody could have such bad luck as I have and have a drop of magic, unless there is a kind of anti-magic. I have gallons of that.' You were fighting a very nasty kind of curse."
"The question is: who could have cast that curse?" said Dumbledore.
"This curse was not cast by the same person as the first one I removed," said Professor Flitwick. "And it was much older."
"How old, would you say, Professor?" asked Rose.
"The first spell was roughly 10 years old; this second one more like twenty- five," Flitwick remarked in an absent-minded way.
Rose wore a very strange, calculating expression; Severus was reminded of the day she spoke of wanting to cause an enemy a permanent injury. "I will not discuss this now. What of the final curse, Professor Flitwick?"
"Oh, it's a beauty! I haven't seen the like except in Egypt. Come on over, Bill. What do you make of it?" Flitwick was quite beside himself. "Forty- five years at least, and only slightly frayed about the edges."
Bill Weasley approached, wand extended, muttering various spells as he slowly circled Rose. Albus and Flitwick followed him, pointing out various aspects to each other. Severus was extremely uneasy, but held his place. Hermione and Rose's son were soaking in every flick and syllable, straining to observe the slightest detail. Sarah was patting Fawkes and talking baby talk to him.
"And there you have it, Professors," said Bill. "A curse worthy of the Pharaohs, the Druids, or the Babas Yaga."
"What are Babas Yaga?" Rose asked.
"That was the name given to witches in Central and Eastern Europe. There were colonies of very powerful women, Goddess worshippers, who dominated the steppes and plains and watercourses. The Romans called them Amazons, although the Amazons were only the warrior caste. The Babas were the priestesses and the power behind the thrones. Those Asian hordes that swept in from Mongolia were assimilated by the Babas' intentional strategy of seduce and conquer. The Ottoman Turks contrived a power-sharing arrangement. It took the First World War to remove all traces of their existence. We don't know whether the Babas died out, or renounced their magic, or went into hiding, but no trace of them has been seen for nearly one hundred years." Bill continued to circle and wave his wand.
"Maybe they emigrated," said Rose. "Maybe they settled in a land that resembled the plains and forests and field of home, where they could blend in with other émigrés from Poland and Russia and Hungary, where they wouldn't even need to learn another language, there were so many of them. They took Mary as an incarnation of the Goddess, and built new lives for their children in a land where war hadn't scarred the land and poisoned the crops, where the ground wasn't soaked in blood and poverty was escapable." She settled in a chair, suddenly overcome with fatigue, and rested her head in her hands, her unCharmed hair streaming over face, shoulders and breasts.
"What is the nature of this curse, gentlemen? Can you remove it?" Severus spoke everyone's thought.
"It appears to be a kind of Cloaking Curse, to prevent the use of one's power," Bill muttered. "We need to do some research before we even attempt to dispel this curse. I do not wish to cause any harm to your lady, Professor Snape, nor to any bystander."
"That leaves us with Sarah," said Severus. "Sarah, would you come here please? Professor? If you would be so kind?"
"Acclaro Incantatum!" Professor Flitwick cried, and then he stepped back, horrified. The wizards as one gasped, even Severus, whose Charms training was rusty from disuse.
"All right, gentlemen," Albus Dumbledore said with a sigh, after they had stood in shock for several minutes. "We have done as much as I am willing to risk tonight. Hermione and Rose, will you take Sarah and put her to bed? She looks about to drop."
"If you will excuse us, Albus, John and I will go along with the ladies," said Severus. "We will be taking refreshment in my chambers once Sarah is settled, if you should wish to join us in discussion."
"Don't wait up for me; I will not be joining you tonight," Dumbledore replied. "And do try to get some sleep. The problem is just as it was for all these years; we can take some small measure of time to solve it. I prescribe Dreamless Sleep for you all: take it!"
Hermione led the way, while John and Sarah followed after, and Rose and Severus brought up the rear. "Russ?" whispered Rose.
"Later, love," he replied. Hermione bade them all goodnight, as did Sarah. Sarah hugged her mother, brother, and then Severus; Hermione took Sarah off to her rooms. "John, would you join us for a drink?" Severus asked. The three continued down to the Potion Master's chambers.
Severus fetched five vials of Dreamless Sleep potion. He summoned Dobby to deliver a vial to Hermione, with orders to use it, and another to Professor Flitwick. He then poured wine for his wife and stepson. "Has anyone anything to say? Rose, would you share with us your thoughts?"
Rose drank half her wine. "I shouldn't be drinking, but I'm in need of a crutch right now. John, do you remember Rafael? You were only about 6 at the time. I was madly in love with him, and now I know why. He ran away when he felt that things were getting too sticky, that he ought to marry me. Too bad he didn't take the spell off, first. He must have known I was a witch; everyone must have known, except me! People have been inflicting their power on me right and left, but no one bothered to clue me in. Why didn't you know I was a witch, Severus? It must be written in large letters over me." She turned to her husband, in torment.
"It isn't, love. The Cloaking Spell is seamless and encompassing. The longer you live with it, the more it draws upon your own power to strengthen itself. In my own defense, I am not a Charms Master, either. I had no reason to suspect that you weren't the Muggle you thought you were. Your lack of self-knowledge also added to the effectiveness of the spell. I don't think anyone who met you after the Cloaking Spell was cast would have been able to tell you were Magical at first glance, nor even after years of acquaintance, until you did something unexpected when under unusual stress. After all, Flitwick did say that there was some fraying of the spell. Your natural power has been fighting this spell all along, and taking any outlet available. I think this Rafael was taking advantage of your relative powerlessness and abusing his own power. Do you think your first husband cast the Ill-Luck Spell?"
"Either he or someone in the family. Most likely he did. He was always tremendously jealous of any small success of mine. He would go out of his way to sabotage my projects and plans, even if he suffered as a result." Rose turned to her son. "I am asking your forgiveness, John, for choosing so poor a father for you. I know you felt the lack of a father while growing up; but I felt that, to protect you and Sarah, we all had to get away from him. He didn't start out as an evil person, but somewhere along the way, around the time of Sarah's birth, he started to change. He chose to hurt us, and I wasn't willing to be a victim, nor to have you two children be victimized." Rose finished her wine and set the goblet down. "Funny, I never noticed that he was different."
"He wasn't different from you, love, just unprincipled. You were always attracting and attracted to wizards all unknowing. You just found some really rotten ones." Severus poured himself another glass. Including this one, he thought, the Death Eater, spy, and tormentor of his young students. John stood up.
"Mother, I ask your forgiveness for any sullen behavior on my part. I think that under the circumstances you were very wise to leave the man who fathered me and keep us all as far away from him as possible. I agreed to change my name when you did, because I know some of the nasty things he did, and I was happy to disown him. It was very hard at times, but there are lots of kids growing up in America without fathers, so I wasn't unique. And sir," John addressed Severus Snape, "I would like to call you 'Father' if you wouldn't be uncomfortable with that. Sarah would, too. She likes you very much."
Severus Snape was struck dumb. He looked up at John, and saw no mockery there. He looked at Rose. She was smiling, even though ears were running down her cheeks. "I would be honored, John, to call you my son, and Sarah my daughter." He stood. The men extended hands to shake, and then found themselves embracing. John's eyes were rather bright. Severus felt his throat so tight he might choke. He paced the room a bit, picking up a piece of parchment and a quill. "Rose, what is your ex-husband's name, if it isn't Mallorn?"
"Thorquist, Erik Thorquist. He emigrated from Sweden to attend school in America, which is where I met him." Rose was lost in memories.
Severus felt a bit faint. That name was not unknown in the wizard's world. "Is Thorquist still in America?"
"Last I heard he was in California. I had to hire a private investigator to track him down for child support. He had remarried and adopted some children from Korea. Why?" Rose regarded her husband solemnly. He didn't look well, all of a sudden.
"Dumbledore will want to know. Who do you think cast the Cloaking Spell, Rose?"
"Well, if you are all correct, then I would think one or more of my great- grandmothers were Babas. Why they would cripple me, and make me unable to protect myself from wizards, I do not know." Rose pondered the past. "I knew three out of four of my great-grandmothers, and two great- grandfathers. They were all immigrants direct from Central Europe. Most never learned much English, so my dealings with them as a young child were very limited."
"I will send the Headmaster a summary of our discussion tonight. I think we have all had as much excitement as we can handle without a break." Severus pulled Rose to her feet. "Why don't you get ready for bed now? I'll bring you your potion when I am ready to take mine. And John, you are staying in the Slytherin guest suite. I will walk you down there. Be right back, love." John hugged his mother and followed Severus out.
In the corridor, John turned to his stepfather. "What about Sarah? You didn't say anything about her and neither did the Headmaster."
"You saw, did you not?" John nodded. "We do not want to say anything until we have complete information. Whatever we discover, your mother will be devastated. Albus is looking into the matter, as is Flitwick. Here is your room, and here is your potion. It is very quick to take effect, so lie down first. Tomorrow we can take counsel again. Goodnight, Son."
"Goodnight, Father." Severus found himself again in the young man's embrace, and thought that Thorquist was an idiot as well as a criminal, to give up such a loving wife and children to pursue the Dark Arts.