Chapter Twenty

Of Elves and Men

What Tavros assumed would be a quiet walk back was anything but quiet, for Jennifer unabashedly began recounting exactly what happened to Severus while Bael listened with curious interest.

"She hadn't stirred until just before they began pummeling the door. I suppose it must have woken her… and you're right, it was foolish of me to let that sprite in, but it seemed quite harmless at the time…"

"Jennifer, you of all people know better than that, especially in foreign surroundings. I would have thought that you would have been more cautious," Severus said.

"But I could read the sprite somewhat, Severus, and he simply seemed to be worried about her. I didn't see anything wrong with her having a friend about, especially when I thought I had that chimney filled. You know, though, I think I would have been able to handle that situation if it hadn't been for that mind blast… I wasn't expecting it, honestly, and you know what my defenses are like when it comes to mental attacks…"

"What defenses?" Severus retorted.

"Exactly," Jennifer said with a sigh.

"Yes, well, as it so happens, I had experienced that sort of attack myself when I first came here, and even though I was prepared for it, I was caught off guard because my magic wasn't working… for some inexplicable reason," he added for good measure just to see the abashed expression on Jennifer's face. "And I thought Dumbledore's comments about thoughts being stronger than matter here was more abstract."

"Perhaps he did mean it like that… but I wonder if some of it doesn't have to do with their heritage. All and all it does explain why Ciardoth had such powers over our dreams, Severus."

"Ciardoth? Do you mean Ciara?" Bael asked.

"Ciardoth is the name she took when she came to our world," Severus explained. "She nearly destroyed it…"

"And your world as well," Jennifer added for good measure.

"You're talking about the time collapse," Bael said with a nod. "We had heard after the fact that she was behind it. Word had come out of Caerbrenin after things had begun to improve that the Gardener had returned from the Otherworld with news that she had been destroyed."

"And took most of the credit for it, no doubt," Severus said.

"There was a bit of a panic about it when it happened… a lot of sages were questioned about their lines of research. The king decreed that the study of time related devices is banned in our kingdom and anyone caught manipulating time would be thrown to the demons. That's also when Lord Aiden started putting in his policies against magic devices in general."

"How very ironic," Severus said.

"In what way, sir?" Bael asked.

"In many ways, actually, considering time manipulation played a part in how I defeated her, and that the damage she did to your world has something to do with why I'm here now," Severus admitted.

"You? You defeated Ciara and stopped the time collapse?" Tavros said with a laugh of disbelief. "That is the most ludicrous thing I've heard yet."

"Whether you believe it or not doesn't change the fact that he did it, nor does it change the fact that you wouldn't be around to be poking me in the back today if it wasn't for him keeping Ciardoth from destroying both our worlds," Jennifer said proudly.

"Another irony," Severus said dryly.

"Be quiet! I don't want to hear another peep out of any of you until we get back to the castle!" Tavros snarled.

"Or what? I'm already condemned," Jennifer challenged him.

"You don't have the authority to quiet me," Severus reminded him.

"I only take orders from Lord Severus," Bael added.

"Bael," Jennifer said with a smile, leaning forward to see around Severus. "I hope we have time to chat. I really do think you and I would become great friends."

"It would be an honor, m'lady," Bael said cordially.

"She is no lady!" Tavros snapped.

"She is more of a lady than you are a lord, sir. She acts the part, while you were simply born into the role," Bael said.

"How dare you take that…"

Whatever heated remark Tavros had been planning on saying was quickly cut short as a pair of guards rushed out of the surrounding darkness.

"Lord Severus!"

"We've been ordered to find you and bring you back to the castle, Lord Severus."

"I'm already doing that," Tavros said testily.

"Why?" Severus asked at the same time.

"Lord Aiden called out all the guards and bade them to look for you when Lady Niamh returned…"

"Niamh is back at the castle?" Tavros interrupted in surprise.

"Yes, m'lord. She was accosted while in the forest with Lord Severus, but was rescued by a passing trader. She is very worried that you have been waylaid as well, Lord Severus," the guard said. "We were sent to rescue you."

Everyone blinked at once.

"She what?" Tavros gaped. "Surely she cannot be that blind! He was the one responsible for her getting waylaid!"

"Actually, I'm the one who did it. I take full responsibility," Jennifer said proudly.

"Jennifer…" Severus began, but Bael tugged his arm.

"I think it wise to let her do so, sir. They won't kill her in her condition, but they will kill you," Bael murmured to him. "You won't find a way out of this if you are dead, sir."

"I don't care what she says or even what Niamh says! Lord Severus plotted this whole thing, and I have every intention of seeing this man beheaded!" Tavros said.

"Whatever happened to just having me run through?" Severus mused.

"I wasn't as vexed then!" Tavros snapped.

"I have orders to deliver him straight to Lord Aiden, sir," the guard said, wary of the man's temper.

"Lead on!" Tavros scowled.

The procession made quite a curious impression to those peeking down hallways and out of doors as they walked through the castle. The court itself was relatively quiet, for most had retired for the evening. Aiden was still there, attempting to comfort his upset daughter, but she jumped up as soon as they came into the room.

"Severus! You're all right!" she said with relief, running up and hugging him.

"Well done finding him! We've been quite concerned," Aiden said with approving nods to the guards.

"Stand away from him, cousin! He means you nothing but harm!" Tavros said, pulling her away protectively.

"In this fact alone are you mistaken, Tavros. No one ever intended to harm her," Severus said evenly.

"Of course Severus wouldn't harm her, Tavros," Aiden said with a sigh of exasperation. "And who is this woman? Is this the one the trader told us about?"

"I only saw her back, father, but the hair is right," Niamh agreed.

"My lord," Tavros spoke. "This women used something similar to Sidhe magic to knock out Niamh's escort in the woods, and then to kidnap her… as both the guards involved and Captain Cethe will also testify to. But I highly doubt she did it on her own. I believe that the Lord Severus intentionally led Niamh there for that purpose, which was why Dain saw him enter the castle alone earlier in the evening."

"That's true, my lord, he did return alone earlier in the evening," Dain quickly agreed.

"He came back to fetch me, Lord Aiden," Bael quickly intervened, glancing over at Severus. Severus nodded subtly in response to the questioning gaze. "He came back to ask me to assist him, then we went immediately back into the forest to try to find his lady."

"Which one?" Tavros retorted, but before Bael could answer, there was a commotion behind him as Captain Cethe and several of the other guards came in.

"Your pardon, my lord, but I have received word from the other guards that the Lady Niamh had been found," Cethe said.

"I have been back for a while now. Trader Tanwyll rescued me while you and dear Tavros were keeping this woman busy at the door," Niamh explained.

"Always ready to serve you, my lady," Cethe said formally.

"Captain Cethe, is this the woman that waylaid your soldiers?" Aiden asked.

"Yes, my lord, it is," Cethe said solemnly.

"He also seems to think that Lord Severus is involved in this. Have you any evidence of this belief?" Aiden asked.

"No, my lord. Although his arrival at the castle without Lady Niamh did seem suspicious…"

"He went only to seek help, sir," Bael quickly intervened.

"Do not fret, Bael, as of yet I have not heard any testimony from either the trader or anyone else of seeing any laws broken except by this woman here," Aiden said. "But I must now wonder why it is she is still alive, especially considering that neither Tavros nor my guard captain are known to stay their swords when justice needs carried out."

"It is because she is with child, my lord," Tavros said distastefully. "Lord Severus' child." Niamh's eyes widened in surprise, staring between the woman and the calm look on Severus' face before her eyes fell onto Jennifer's ring.

"What did you say?" Aiden said in obvious shock himself.

"Jennifer is my wife, Lord Aiden," Severus said evenly.

"Hello," Jennifer said, wiggling her fingers in greeting with a rueful grin on her face.

"So this was an act of jealousy…" Aiden murmured.

"Hardly, no. It was simply an act of me trying to get my husband and his belongings out of this castle and back home where he belongs," Jennifer said. "And I would do it all over again if given the opportunity, only this time around I'd chuck the sprite out first," she amended. "Let's be reasonable here, Lord Aiden. Your daughter isn't love with Severus, she's simply in love with the idea of being in love. And despite all attempts to convince you that he has other obligations, you have been blind to the fact that he's been married all because I was home and not here. Well, I am here now, so it's high time you both got over this nonsense, let Severus have his sphere back, and let him go. I think it should be more obvious now than ever that Severus couldn't possibly be her intended mate."

"You are a condemned woman, Jennifer," Aiden said coldly. "By all accounts, you should already be dead, and will be with time. Take her to the dungeons…where she will stay until the child is born and a proper nursemaid found. We will carry out her sentence then. Until that time, I'm afraid we'll simply have to hold off the wedding for a few moon cycles," he said, putting a comforting arm around his daughter when he noticed her stony face. Cethe bowed formally to Aiden before taking Jennifer by the arm, a curious exchange of gazes between Jennifer and Severus taking place before she was led away. "And I suggest everyone get some rest, for it has been an upsetting day for all of us."

"But aren't you going to do something about him?" Tavros said in frustration, glaring at Severus.

"Don't worry, m'lord, I'll look after him," Bael ventured.

"That is not what I meant!" Tavros snapped, watching helplessly as Severus and Bael strode out of the room behind Captain Cethe.

"Tavros, you are going to find someone to take to the river to praise Danu this moon, I hope?" Aiden asked crisply. Glaring at his uncle angrily, Tavros stormed out of the court with Dain meekly following behind him.

"Here, Jennifer, try to take some more water. After all, you're the one that thought to pack some."

"I don't think I can handle any more, Harry, thanks though. I didn't pack it anyhow, Severus did. He gave me the cloak."

"Well remind me to thank him when we get out of here."

"Harry, I don't think that shield spell is going to last much longer." Harry nodded slowly.

"I know."

"I have a polyform snake potion in the inside of my cloak. I would like you to have it."

"Oh, no. I'm not going to have this argument with you again. Besides, think of everything you have to live for! In fact, Jennifer, I think you should take it."

"Harry, at this point I doubt it'd stay in my stomach long enough to work."

"Very well, then, we'll stay together. Do you hear that?"

"Harry, I can barely hear you. Hear what?"

"It almost sounded like Dumbledore, calling our names."

"Oh, I thought that was my father, but I suppose not, if you hear it too."

"Yes I hear it too! Dumbledore, where are you?"

"Jennifer, get out your mirror."

"My mirror, yes… I gave it to Harry. Where is Harry?"

"You are dreaming, Jennifer. Wake up and get out your mirror."

"This isn't a dream, Professor Dumbledore, but I don't remember this…"

"It is a dream, Jennifer, but it is truly me speaking to you from inside your pocket. Get out your mirror."

Jennifer opened her eyes. Her head was pounding and she was breathing heavy and realizing she was on the verge of hyperventilating. But instead of the rubble of the Tomb she found herself in a stark, uncomfortable cell, which was clearly not made for long time confinement. No candles or lights of any kind had been provided, nor was there even any sort of set up for going to the bathroom inside the cells itself. Only a pitcher of clear water had been given to her, which only proved to be a cruel reminder that she was likely going to have to wait until morning for the former. Six months? Of this? That would be two years time in her world… Lucky would be out of school by then, and poor Leu would be more than a little convinced that perhaps his bad luck had carried over to his newest set of parents, losing them before he barely began to know them. No… Severus would never let that happen, she told herself to stave off the depression. But how was she going to get out?

"Jennifer, are you awake yet?" said the muffled voice of Albus Dumbledore.

"Yes! Yes, where are you?" Jennifer said in surprise, standing up much too quickly and having to sit back down again.

"In your pocket," Albus said calmly.

"What? Oh! The mirror! I'd forgotten!" Jennifer said in surprise, pulling out her yellow pocket mirror and opening it. "But I can't see!"

"Come now, Jennifer. Surely you can conjure up a bit of wisplight without a stick in your hand," Albus tsked at her.

"I'm sorry… I don't think I'm still quite awake yet," Jennifer said in embarrassment, murmuring the spell that dimly lit up the room. "I've had a rather long two days."

"Merlin wanted me to check up on you. Did you find Severus?" Albus asked.

"Yes… yes, he's fine, although we are in a bit of a mess at the moment," Jennifer admitted.

"I gathered as much, considering your dream and considering your surroundings…"

"Oh, yes, it's a long story, really. It seems that Severus hit his head coming out of the portal and has been stuck at Tir Danaan because the lord here took away the anchor sphere and won't give it back… well, not unless Severus marries his daughter which, obviously, isn't going to happen," Jennifer said. Albus blinked.

"That does indeed sound like a long story. And they put you in a cell to keep you out of the way?" Albus asked.

"Oh, no, not exactly. It's on account of the fact we decided to kidnap his daughter in an attempt to ransom her for the sphere," Jennifer explained. Albus furrowed his brows.

"How very unlike Severus to attempt a stunt like that! That doesn't sound like the sort of plan he normally comes up with," Albus said.

"Um… well, no, I suppose it isn't. It was my plan, actually," Jennifer said sheepishly. "And in my defense, it was working splendidly until one of them came in as a sprite to rescue her and another one invaded my mind and knocked me out. But how was I to know they could do that?"

"You didn't, of course… you had no idea what to expect, which was why that plan was so entirely risky from the beginning. However did you get Severus to agree to it?" Albus asked.

"Well… there is the fact that I have magic and he doesn't, and he was also still in a slight state of shock of becoming a father again…"

"Yes, that would explain it," Albus said with a sigh, shaking his head. "Where is he now? The next cell over, I suppose."

"No, we were able to convince them that he had nothing to do with it, actually, which is just as well because Lord Aiden's nephew was really wanting to kill him on the spot. Apparently from what I've read off of Tavros, his destiny is to rule over this province someday, and he sees Severus as someone trying to stop it from happening. I imagine he's probably watching Severus like a hawk right now," Jennifer sighed.

"Obviously, and I know Severus isn't going to stand for you being in that cell for long if he can help it," Albus said.

"Of course he won't," Jennifer said, feeling reassured by the tone of his voice. "Of course he won't, so don't worry about us. We'll find a way out of this mess."

"If you need any help, I suggest you contact Prince Tambryn, for I have had word that he was on his way to Tir Danaan to consult Aepheri. He is a good friend of mine, and I am certain he would be willing to step in… especially considering how many stories I've told him about you and Severus," Albus added with amusement. "Of course, none of those stories involved kidnapping," he added thoughtfully.

"Well, maybe if he hears the whole story, it will make a difference," Jennifer said.

"More than likely," Albus agreed. But then he paused as if trying to see behind her. Jennifer turned around and noticed the reflection of another light source around the corner. She quickly snapped the mirror shut and put it away, dousing her light.

"I know I heard something that time," came a whisper from the darkness.

"All I hear is you complaining about hearing things," said a woman's calm voice as the glow came nearer. The woman paused before Jennifer could see more than a pair of shadows. "She appears to be sitting up."

"Perhaps she heard something as well," said a man's irritated voice.

The woman held up the lantern then to her face, her eyes glistening strangely as she looked inside. Her face seemed strangely familiar.

"Wow, a red head," Jennifer said. "The way they treated me, I was thinking everyone was blonde here."

"I have Sidhe blood in my veins… as do you, I see," the woman said. "My name is Irian, High Priestess of Tir Danaan. This is Sage Gannon, my husband…"

"Your servant, you mean," Gannon grunted, bending over to take a look at the lock.

"Pay him no mind, he is often crass when he discovers that I am right about something," Irian said. "We have come to set you free."

"Set me free?" Jennifer repeated in disbelief, walking up to the bars. "But what about Severus?"

"He is in no danger at the moment, but Tavros is keeping a close eye on him," Irian said. "With Tavros focus on him, it will give us the opportunity we need to get safely away."

"I can't leave him here…" Jennifer began warily.

"But you must, or all will be lost," Irian said insistantly.

"Why?" Jennifer asked.

"Because I have the sphere," Gannon said evenly. "And if we are found with it, it will cost us our lives as well as yours."

"If we can get you safely away, there will be opportunities for us to get to Severus," Irian said solemnly.

"All right, but I must go by that guard post and see if I can find my wand," Jennifer said.

"A wand?" Gannon repeated.

"A magical device that helps me focus my magic," Jennifer explained.

"Are all humans so dependent on devices?" Gannon asked curiously.

"Oh, never mind that, Gannon, just open the door," Irian insisted. Gannon sighed and concentrated on the lock until at last the door swung open. "Here, put on this priestess cloak."

"Thank you," Jennifer said sincerely, donning the cloak and following Irian out past a slumbering guard and up the stairs.

It was only a few minutes later when Bael and Severus crossed the main corridor and slipped down the stairs, stopping short when they saw the sleeping guard. Carefully working their way around him, the two went in to the cell to find it empty. Severus stared at it in bewilderment, turning to Bael questioningly.

"It seems that she has already rescued herself," Bael observed.

"She can't have, not when we have her wand," Severus said.

"I don't see why she'd need it," Bael said.

"I suppose in a way she doesn't, but most witches and wizards depend on them, especially Jennifer," Severus sighed, glancing at his ring. "She seems nervous but otherwise all right, so she must have gotten out somehow. We need to go back to that old guard tower."

"Again?" Bael said with exasperation. "But we just came from there!"

"Jennifer doesn't know we went out there to fetch her wand, so if she got out on her own, she'll likely head there first. Come on," Severus said.

"For some reason, I'm starting to think we're in for yet another long night," Bael said with a sigh, following him out.

Around the corner, Tavros peered out and was immediately disappointed when he realized that Severus and Bael stepped out of the dungeon alone. Disgruntled and annoyed that they hadn't tried to rescue her, he sheathed his sword.

But before he could attempt to follow, he had to slip back into the shadows as a third figure crept gracefully out of the corridor across from the dungeon and slipped down the stairs. Niamh was in for a surprise, for the guard was still lying there. Kneeling beside him to make certain he was all right, Niamh then stepped over to the cells long enough to determine that Jennifer was gone.

"What in a demon's dream is this?" Tavros exclaimed, and Niamh whirled around in surprise as Tavros began trying to shake the guard awake. "What happened to you? Niamh!"

"He was already like that when I came down, Tavros," Niamh said evenly.

"Powerful magic," the guard murmured. "Overpowered my mind."

"What? Some guard you are, they should have sent a second down here. Where is the woman?"

"Oh, she's fine," Niamh said. Tavros took only one look at his cousin before striding past her to stare into the empty cell. "Wherever she is," Niamh added as an afterthought.

"But I saw them leave without her! How could she have… never mind! She must be found at once, and anyone found with her be put to death for aiding a dangerous criminal."

"Oh, leave them alone!" Niamh shouted, pulling him back. "They're no threat to you anymore, Tavros, just let them go if they wish to go." Tavros stared at her.

"What has gotten into you?" Tavros asked.

"You were right, about Severus, Tavros," Niamh said quietly. "I knew the moment I saw them together that he wasn't who I was fated to be with and I… well, I came down here to free her tonight. I would have had she not already been gone. Maybe it'd be better if we all just let them go."

"After what that woman did to you?" Tavros said.

"She had every right to be cross with me considering how I acted, and it doesn't really matter anyway. He loves her, Tavros," Niamh explained softly.

"That may be, but my eyes are not colored by infatuation as yours are, and she is still a criminal… a criminal who is known to be dangerous and has now escaped," Tavros snapped.

"But she is only here to find her husband and return home," Niamh said.

"Then my course is clear. I simply have to follow Lord Severus to find her. I doubt she'd leave without him," Tavros reasoned and hurried up the stairs, ignoring Niamh's pleading words.

"Come, come, we must hurry," Gannon said impatiently as they scoured the tower.

"It will not go any faster if you pressure her," Irian chided her husband.

"I was about here when they caught me, it should be right here," Jennifer said, looking under the couch.

"Perhaps someone picked it up," Gannon suggested.

"Looking for this?" asked Severus from where he stood near the crumbled wall, swinging Jennifer's wand between his fingertips.

"Severus," Jennifer said with relief, hugging him and taking her wand.

"What are you doing here?" Irian snapped.

"What is he doing here? What are the two of you doing here?" Bael asked in surprise.

"Never mind that, they cannot be together right now! Tavros is certain to be following you," Gannon hissed.

"Gannon is right. Come, Jennifer, we must go at once," Irian insisted.

"He isn't following us. We dodged him some time ago," Bael protested.

"Assuming that he lost Severus' scent, which I highly doubt," Gannon said. "This would be one of the first places he'd look."

"Yes, it probably is," Severus admitted, watching as Jennifer who then followed Irian into the darkness. "I suppose it would be asking too much to ask if you happened to rescue the sphere as well?" he asked when they were gone.

"Yes it is asking too much," Gannon snapped. "But Jennifer has the sphere now, nonetheless. Now please, for our wives' sakes if not your own, go back to the castle before we are seen together!"

"I need to grab some my things from the castle anyway," Severus said, and he and Bael stepped back out. But as they walked out of the guard tower, they noticed half a dozen castle guards creating a half circle around the entrance.

"Going somewhere?" Tavros asked coldly. Gannon groaned softly, and Tavros looked over, staring at him in surprise. "What treachery is this? What are you doing here?"

"I was showing Lord Severus a bit of magic before he leaves," Gannon said, glancing over at Bael who nodded back to him.

"No one is going anywhere," Tavros said with certainty.

That certainty instantly melted along with the rest of the world around them. A flash of bright colors seemed to go off in front of their eyes; but it didn't take long for Severus to figure out that wasn't exactly what had happened at all. It was a mental change; the rules that his mind had formed through his life to evaluate the world around him had been lifted, and a battle was ensuing within an expanded reality where thought was just as deadly as the physical confrontation waging beneath it. But from that understanding combined with his knowledge of Ancient Magic, he realized he was simply seeing spells that he himself had cast in the past, just in a different perspective. He found himself fascinated by Gannon's actions as he stunned Tavros long enough to start taking out the guards, vaguely aware that Bael was helping him by bringing a couple of them to the ground himself.

"You should go join Lady Jennifer, there's nothing more you can do," Bael's voice said in his ear. "Stay to the road, no one will follow when you're in the forest. May your fate be kind, my friend."

"Yours as well," Severus said back and then with the guidance of a persistent nudge in the right direction hurried blindly forward.

It was not long, however, before the darkness of the material forest, and with it came a strange pit in his stomach as he realized that his last words to Bael held no weight at all. He slowed slightly, torn by the dilemma, but somehow managed to force himself forward until he had no choice but to stop, for a dense, gigantic thicket of thorns blocked the way. Deciding that the road was more likely to be closer to the castle than far from it, Severus picked a direction, and was rather relieved when within a few minutes of walking he found the break in the briars and a pair of guards sleeping near the road.

"Jennifer?" he called out, and he immediately saw a familiar blue light up ahead, hurrying over to meet her.

"What are you doing here?" Irian asked.

"Tavros caught up with us," Severus admitted, Irian's face expression becoming dark as she pulled her hood over her face. "But Gannon and Bael are doing an impressive job in subduing him and his men."

"I must go and join my husband," Irian said in a strange tone. "And you two must go on, and save our ungrateful world from our own negligence."

"It was my negligence, Irian, that caused all of this," Severus sighed.

"No, it was ours, for underestimating Ciara when we should have been more wary of a girl brought to us without a fate," Irian said. "Farewell, Lord and Lady. I hope you remember Tir Danaan well."

"Thank you, Irian," Jennifer said gratefully as the priestess hurried down the road and past the briar. Jennifer hugged Severus in relief, but then noticed how stiff he was. "Perhaps we should go further on before we find somewhere to hide for the evening."

"They are dead, you know," Severus said quietly. "Irian, Gannon, and Bael. There will be no leniency; they will be killed for stealing the sphere and for helping us escape."

"Perhaps we should ask them to go with us?" Jennifer suggested.
"No, Irian and Gannon are too loyal to Aiden to run, I am certain of that. So is Bael… but the idea of sacrificing them on our behalf over such a petty, insane situation as this is nothing short of abominable," Severus growled. "I have enough blood on my hands already, the thought of these people taking the fall for us does not sit well with me at all. Jennifer, I think it would be best if perhaps you went on without me."

"I'll do no such thing!" Jennifer said in horror.

"This is about more than you and me, Jennifer. That sphere must be put in the ground, and you have the magic to do it…"

"And I also haven't got a clue how to do it! All the powers in the world don't do a bit of good without the knowledge to do anything with it, you of all people know that! And what good would it do if you went back? You'd only end up getting yourself killed and undermining everything they did to get us where we are!" Jennifer said.

"There must be something we can do!" Severus said. "This stupid justice system of theirs! How can they so willingly end the lives of people who do not deserve such treatment?"

"Well, I don't think there's enough time to school them on justice reform now, is there?" Jennifer sighed. "I really wish I knew where the prince was." Severus stopped short.

"Prince? What prince?"

"The prince that Albus was talking about," Jennifer said. Severus stared at her in confusion. "Albus contacted me from the mirror told me that one of the princes was coming to Tir Danaan to seek advice from Apheri and that if we got into too much trouble to find him because he might intervene for us, but he wasn't sure if he was here yet or not."

"He's here," Severus said with certainty. "He's here, and I even know where. Come, Jennifer, we need to hurry! Wait… leave that sphere here, I don't want it stolen again."

"No, I can't say that I blame you," Jennifer said, quickly taking out the pouch with the sphere and casting a few quick charms on the pouch before hiding it deep within a tree and casting another spell to close it off.

"Contact Albus and let him know where it is, just in case something goes wrong," Severus advised as they hurried back towards the Thornwood. "Although it would be nice if something actually went right for a change."

"Knock on wood," Jennifer said, and did so before following Severus towards the village.