Chapter Twenty-One
Drawing the Lines
Jennifer didn't waste much time getting the lab straightened that night after classes. After a quick stop in the library and then to the nursery to pick up Quintin, she arrived upstairs to find Severus busy finishing up a last minute proposal for the board before their scheduled dinner in the study.
"How are Lucky and Leu taking this? I suppose word has spread through the school by now that it's official," Severus said, double checking his last paragraph.
"So it has," Jennifer said, putting Quintin in the crib and making sure he was comfortable. "They seem quite all right with it, perhaps even a little excited in a way, but then it's not their parents in the line of fire. Lucky is more concerned about some of her friends right now… so is Maurice, for that matter. I'm afraid Maurice has come to the conclusion that our father is completely indestructible."
"Yes, I came to a similar conclusion years ago," Severus said evenly. Jennifer sighed at him. "Don't worry about Thomas, Jennifer. He's more than a match for any vampire…"
"One, not an army. And do I have to remind you what happened when I tried to use dark magic on someone in that clan? That's practically the only magic father knows!"
"Oh, nonsense. He graduated at the top of his class when he went to Hogwarts, there's a plaque with his name to prove it in the Trophy Room. And besides, you know perfectly well what he was capable of doing when he had no magic at all. You have no reason to worry. If you must worry about something, worry about this entire situation in general and what might be behind it. Whoever is responsible for kidnapping Sibyl is behind this vampire war, Jennifer. And that same person not only knows that I have the Stone, but is quite interested in it."
"How do you know?"
"Because it's the only logical reason that anyone would want Sibyl out of the way," Severus said. "One if not all of those four horsemen must know the truth."
"Well, if they care whether the stone exists, they're certainly not immortal beings or mystic manifestations," Jennifer said.
"No, they are four wizards or witches, although who they might be or which one might be behind all this is hard to say considering how little we have to go on. That will change, however… this is just the beginning, and sooner or later, they will be coming this way, not they'll ever find it," Severus said.
"Well, perhaps not, Severus," Jennifer said, glancing at the crib. "But considering where Quintin sleeps, I shudder to think them coming in here looking for it."
"They wouldn't be looking if we were here, and there's no time that Quintin is ever left alone…"
"Except for that once that he scooted out the Door Lift, you mean…"
"Jennifer, must you bring up that incident every day and at every given opportunity? You never let things go do you," Severus said irritably, getting only an enigmatic smile in return. "He'll be twenty five and married and you'll still be bringing it up every day just to pester me." Jennifer laughed at that, but before he could come up with an appropriate threat, he noticed the quill to his appointment book flipping back several pages to the current date and time. "I wondered how long it would take Ace to get around to me."
"Should I leave?" Jennifer asked.
"Don't bother, you already know what it's about," Severus shrugged.
"Very well," Jennifer said, using the time it took him to get up the stairs to hand Quintin a bottle.
There was a sharp tap on the doors, and they opened to reveal Bellamy in his finest uniform and even his flight helmet as he marched up to the desk.
"Sir! I have come to you over a matter of most import," Bellamy declared.
"Oh, have you. Jennifer and I were about to have dinner, care to join us?" Severus asked unconcernedly, completely unsurprised by his attire.
"I'm afraid there's no time for that. You see, I have recently learned that it is now official; the Ministry of Magic and its constituents are at war with the vampires!" Bellamy said solemnly.
"Just the Donnacht clan of vampires, Bellamy, and yes, I know. I was at that council meeting," Severus said calmly. "Tea?"
"No time for that either, sir…"
"No time for tea? How very un-British of you," Severus commented. Jennifer turned around to hide the fact that she couldn't keep a straight face.
"I have come to tender my resignation, sir, for I plan to reenlist in the Royal Broom Force. I must go back to serve in our country's hour of need!" Bellamy explained, standing at attention.
"I see. Request denied, you have plenty of time for dinner now…"
"What? You can't deny my request. I can leave whenever I like!"
"Did you bother reading your contract before you signed it, Mr. Bellamy? Short of family crisis or personal injury, you are to give me nine month's notice or the end of term, whichever comes first. If you leave, you'll be under a breach of contract," Severus pointed out.
"But we're under attack, sir!"
"We've faced much worse enemies in recent years compared to this clan of vampires, Mr. Bellamy," Severus said seriously. "Death Eaters that at one point were just as numerous and could strike at any time…"
"That was an internal affair sir…"
"And Ciardoth, which tried not to only destroy the human race but the entire universe…"
"One can't declare war against one woman either," Bellamy sighed impatiently.
"And yet after this country faced these obstacles, you expect me to overreact to a clan of angry vampires?" Severus asked.
"Sir, I am not asking you anything. I am simply informing you that I plan to leave whether you approve or not. If there is one thing I have learned from entering this retirement is that I am still a soldier at heart, sir, and if this country is being attacked, I want to be on the front lines where I belong!" Bellamy said. Severus gazed at him fixedly for a long time.
"So, you agree with me that you belong on the front lines of this assault," Severus said.
"Yes, sir!" Bellamy said firmly, wondering exactly when Severus agreed with him at all.
"Good," Severus said. "Have some tea. Let's discuss your current agenda." Bellamy stared at him dumbfounded as Severus handed a cup out to him.
"Are you completely mad?" Bellamy said, refusing to take the cup.
"No, that would probably be counterproductive at a time like this," Severus said.
"Ace, what my husband is trying to tell you is that Hogwarts is the front line," Jennifer said quietly. "Ask anyone at the Ministry including the Minister of Magic himself and they will doubtless inform you the same. The war with Voldemort ended here, the war with Ciardoth ended here, and regardless of whom it is we're truly fighting, this current war will end here."
"I couldn't have put it better myself," Severus agreed.
"Surely you can't truly believe that! This attack by the Donnacht clan has nothing to do with Hogwarts, let alone you personally!" Bellamy said in complete disbelief.
"I see. Armando, would you see if Mr. Pyther and his family are free to join us for dinner?" Severus said, Jennifer suddenly breaking out into a brilliant smile. "See if they can't get Aurelius here as well. Mr. Bellamy, you may as well sit down, you'll be here for the rest of the evening. But if by the end of it you still want to leave, be my guest, but not without being fully aware of just what it is you are walking away from."
"One evening, and you'll let me out of the contract?" Bellamy said.
"If that is what you want," Severus said.
After skipping his morning jog to finish marking some papers, Commander Bellamy returned to the classroom the next morning.
As dusk fell across the Ministry, it was a very different place than it had been the night before. Corded off areas outside had been explained away with every excuse from gas leaks to sewage, while hexed wooden barricades with rows of stakes at the top surrounded any entrances into the building. The phone booth had been temporarily dismantled, and the reception hall was filled with guards, as were the hallways; while overhead a patrol of brooms circled vigilantly about wearing shrouds to keep from being seen by curious Muggles. Everyone needed a badge, everyone needed a legitimate reason for being there, and Apparation had been limited to the reception hall and certain escape rooms reserved for the Ministers. It was definitely not a very friendly place, Jeffers mused… and even less friendly to him in general when he walked in ahead of the Marquis de Foncé who glanced at the security changed and shook his head.
"Petty," Foncé commented. "And quite futile."
"I'd be quiet, if I were you," Jeffers recommended. "We're on dangerous enough ground as it is."
"It's one of them!" one of the guards explained, and several wands came out. Quickly Jeffers got in front of him, flailing some papers even as they began gesturing.
"No no no! Legitimate business! The Minister himself asked me to bring him, not my fault!" Jeffers explained quickly. "These are the Marquis' diplomatic immunity papers. I would have done it myself, but the Minister refused to look at them without the Marquis being present." The officer took the papers, glancing over them with a frown.
"Wait here while we confirm this," the officer said, walking down the hall while the others stayed stationary with their wands pointed at them.
Jeffers frowned unhappily, only slightly reassured by the fact that they seemed to be questioning everyone else as well, only without the wands. Foncé, on the other hand, seemed quite bored both with the situation and the activity around the Ministry itself, looking completely disinterested. Finally the officer returned, pointing to two of the other guards.
"Very well, you may follow us. We'll escort you to the minister's war office," the officer said, turning back down the hall. The guards stayed with them for the entire walk, and none of them looked very happy to be there, eyeing the vampire warily despite the fact that Foncé didn't seem to even acknowledge their existence. They led them down a twisted, maze-like hall, passing many corridors and making so many turns that they were all turned around.
"I don't remember any of this," Jeffers admitted when the corridors seemed to turn into hedges.
"It's new; a brainchild of the Minister of Mysteries, or so I'm told. Quite ingenious, actually, not that you will see all of its security features… if you're lucky," he added coldly. "Of course, it will be interesting trying to figure out how to get you past the garden at this time of day."
"Garden?" Jeffers asked curiously, but as they turned the corner, the Marquis stopped cold in his tracks as pure sunlight beamed down into the corridor in front of them.
Curiosity overcame Jeffers and he pushed forward to look out of the maze into the large garden at the heart of the maze.
"Why! It's a Polynesian garden! And I swear by the sunlight beaming down on us that it is morning!" Jeffers exclaimed.
"Yes, so it is. I'm told a private citizen bought it and is allowing the Ministry to borrow it for the duration. Nice and balmy out here, isn't it?" the officer said.
"I cannot go out there!" Foncé hissed angrily. "The Minister will just have to come out here instead."
"Sorry, Marquis, can't be done. Security matters, you know," the officer explained, pulling out his Night Shroud. "We'll have to cover you up as best we can and make a run for it."
"A run for what?" Foncé asked warily.
"My guess would be that palm-thatched cottage down the way," Jeffers said with interest.
"Yes, that's the war office," the officer explained. "Don't worry, there are port stations inside, so we'll likely only have to run you through it one way."
"Wait! I need more protection than that!" Foncé hissed, and soon his head was piled up with cloaks galore. Jeffers and the guards seemed quite happy to take them off, feeling quite content to take in the warm, somewhat sticky climate and the cool brine-filled breezes.
"Alright, let's have a go and see if he makes it," the officer said mischievously. "Go get the office door, Sam, and we'll run at the count of three. One…two…"
"Wait! I'm not sure this will…" Foncé was cut off as the guards grabbed hold of each arm and darted out of the maze.
Jeffers stepped out slowly, watching with fascination as the cloaks and shrouds over him began to smoke as they sprinted towards the cottage, Foncé howling the entire way. It was hard, however, to press on, for it was a lovely day on the island. They had come out of what appeared to be a low, square concrete building and onto a high ridge overlooking the beach. Down below, two women in deck chairs sat up and looked around, apparently having heard the commotion.
"Isn't this glorious!" Jeffers exclaimed.
"Come, counselor, we must shut the door," one of the guards said insistently. Jeffers reluctantly jogged over to the cottage, the heavy door slamming shut the moment he stepped into what looked like an exact replica of the Minister's reception room.
"A bit singed, were we?" Percy asked from where he stood inside an office door. The smoldering vampire hissed at him angrily, baring his fangs before touching his face and hair to make sure it hadn't been burned. "Bring him in, Captain Cassell," he said, stepping into the office in front of them. "Your pardon, Minister, but it would appear that protective clothing didn't protect the Marquis completely."
"Good," Draco said briskly, eyeing Foncé with such open dislike that the vampire squinted at him in return. "Mr. Jeffers has informed us that you have filed for diplomatic immunity. However, we have no need for a diplomat. British citizens who were killed by vampirism may have certain rights within the country, but they don't apply to vampires outside of it, no matter what the community of Sentient Non-humans might like. There will be no diplomacy at the end of this conflict, it will be either your clan's complete surrender or destruction. Care to surrender now?"
"I had nothing to do with this! I have numerous witnesses that I was at Abraxus Coventry's party that night…"
"Forty minutes after sundown, according to Minister Craw, and not one of them can account for seeing you every moment of that party…"
"Of course not, there were a lot of people there, and people do tend to wander in and out of groups…"
"Or out of the building completely, not that whether your alibi is shaky or not really matters that much considering you are not a citizen here. However, being that we cannot prove you were a part of this planned invasion or had foreknowledge of it, you will be deported rather than destroyed. But if you ever step foot on British soil again, the RBF, LE office, and Aurors have been granted the right to eliminate you regardless of the circumstances. If you plan to leave your property here, I suggest you hire one of your wizard friends to run it for you. Cassell, remove his visa and escort him back to his own country immediately."
"I have a servant, Minister…"
"Don't worry, she'll be tossed out as well," Draco said coolly. "Cassell, if you don't mind? I have a lot of other work to do."
"Fine, but there is something that you should know," Foncé said in the same cool tone. "That bag of rice on your desk… it won't protect you from the Donnacht. That counting curse only affects the Bridal Clan, and not us. Pity that you don't know what our clan's personal quirks are, and there may be a time when you regret throwing me out."
"I highly doubt it," Draco said unconcernedly, waving him away.
"I'll be at my northern office if you need me," Foncé said as he was escorted around to the portkey stations.
"Confident mosquito, isn't he?" Draco said to Percy.
"A bit too confident if you ask me. I bet he tries to sneak back over here," Percy admitted.
"Good, then we can finally get rid of that thing once and for all," Draco said, then glanced up at the woman in the shorts bikini who was peering in the door.
"So is he gone then?" Alex asked.
"For now," Draco said. "And this island is a security precaution, Clemmons. It isn't here for your personal leisure."
"Well, no, but it's a brilliant place for a work break, isn't it? We're going to have a fish fry on the beach for the nightshift's lunch break if you want to come," Alex added brightly. Draco stared at her icily. "I'll take that as a no. See you there, Percy!"
"See you, Alex," Percy said, and found Draco's eyes on him the moment she left. "Sorry, Minister, I already committed. I'm bringing the ice chest, you see." Draco rolled his eyes and shook his head before turning his attention back to responding to foreign reactions.
After clearing off his desk and making certain that Descartes was fed and comfortable, Severus left his study, making certain the doors stayed open before slipping down the back stairs with a notebook in hand. He listened to the sounds of the school as he walked and could hear students in the halls on different floors, discussing the latest news or their homework. Everyone seemed quite calm at the moment; everyone except Bellamy, whom he had sent on a broom patrol to keep him occupied. The library seemed to be quite busy, but not uncommonly so for the middle of week. Boulderdash looked up from his desk and watched the Headmaster carefully as he made his way over to him.
"Ah, Headmaster. I was actually just expecting a note," Boulderdash admitted.
"Professor Sinistra is borrowing the observatory for her Astrology class, and I needed to get some research done anyway. Besides, I assume it is important, since you never bother me with anything less," Severus said.
"Yes. Quite. What did you want to research? Not vampires, I hope," Boulderdash sneered.
"You must be joking. After that business with Francis, I probably know more about that subject than many experts in the field," Severus said dryly.
"It's just as well. Between curious students and staff alike I doubt I have a single tome on vampires that isn't reserved," Boulderdash admitted.
"Any students in particular?" Severus squinted.
"No, I'd say they were equally curious," the librarian mused.
"Have any recently checked out a lot of books concerning the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?" Severus asked suspiciously.
"Yes, one that I can think of… Ambrose Bailey, for an Advanced Divination assignment I think," Boulderdash said.
"Why am I not surprised," Severus sighed. "Very well, I'll just take everything you didn't give him, short of any Old Testament copies, I have several of those already."
"Yes, Headmaster, and I also have a few copies of what I did give him as well. Perhaps you would like to get settled in the research library while I fetch these for you," Boulderdash suggested.
"Thank you," Severus said, but only took a step before he found himself gazing at the door with the engraved owl on it.
"It's the other way," Boulderdash pointed out.
"Yes, I know," Severus said curtly, pausing only to comment to several students at an overly talkative table before slipping into the back room.
It was empty; but Severus did not find that fact surprising. The staff had little enough time for their side projects under normal circumstances, but with the added patrols it left little time for such things. The light was dim, but he chose not to correct it right away so that he could step over to the windows and look out into the night. It was mostly clear and yet a bit windy, for he saw shadows moving with the trees. He watched them distractedly as he contemplated the passage of time; and how clear his memory was of the Christmas morning he had stood there waiting for Jennifer to arrive. There had been shadows then as well; shadows of a different sort. His thoughts wandered to other memories over the years until they inevitably focused back on the present, wondering how best to prepare for an adversary when he had no idea as of yet who it might be.
That was when his gaze fell on the covered pedestal in the center of the room. After all, it had come in rather handy the last time someone was after the Stone, he mused. Was it the Stone that had caused it to react? Perhaps it was Trelawney's curse that had affected it, or the influence of Ambrose, who despite his very young age had already begun to discover his heritage through the crystals. It was a dangerous idea, he knew, despite the security precautions he had taken with the device he had created that split the crystal into three separate fragments, refocusing it with mirrors in hopes of discerning the truth from lies, past from future, memories from predictions. Still, it had been a while since he had tried, and perhaps it was overdue. A single clue might make all the difference, he reasoned, striding over to the pedestal with determination and pulling the dark cloth away.
The crystals began to react almost immediately, but certainly not in the way that he was expecting. For instead of showing any sort of vision or even the fog that sometimes occurred with unfocused thought, all three crystals and the adjacent mirrors showed the same image of a Fae woman with a gaze older than written history.
"Good evening, Severus," the Lady said.
"Aunt Viviane," Severus said with guarded politeness. "I see you have returned."
"I am merely observing," Viviane assured him, despite the fact that it was obvious she didn't care whether her saying so reassured him or not. "The crystals called me back, and I am here only to guard them."
"I see. Guard them from what, exactly?" Severus asked.
"Something unexpected happened last night… I can only guess its meaning," Viviane admitted quietly.
"Something to do with the attack?"
"I suppose that would depend on which attack you mean," Viviane admitted with a thin smile. "Suffice it to say that although the events taking place were following the path of fate, a decision made by one of the players was not. For that reason alone did I come back to insure that my part in this is minimal."
"Let me see if I understand this correctly. You are saying, essentially, that you returned to make certain this change in decision by someone else does not drag you into this situation somehow?" Severus asked.
"Correct, Severus. After all, this entire conflict boils down to a war between life and death… the right to exist versus the desire to destroy. It is a very selfish battle, no matter which side you take, really… and as an immortal, it is a battle I have no interest in nor any desire to take sides on. Vampire or not, Stone or not, you're all mortal as far as I'm concerned and will die eventually, and to be perfectly honest I don't care if you live ten thousand years as long you aren't constantly in my way. So, although I am here, this conflict is not mine, so don't expect me to do more than look after my own interests," Viviane said.
"Thank you, actually I prefer it that way," Severus admitted.
"Yes, I'm sure you do," Viviane said, more amused than offended. "Anna tells me you have a new son. Has he caused you much trouble?"
"Not at all," Severus said evenly, having very little desire to discuss family affairs.
"I see. But it is just a matter of time, isn't it?" Viviane said enigmatically. "I should return to my observations, as you should probably return to yours. But be careful, Severus, not to rule any possibility out prematurely. The result of that right now would be quite devastating."
"I shall take every precaution as I always have, Aunt Viviane, thank you," Severus said.
"That may not be enough this time," Viviane said evenly. "Good luck, Severus, and please let Anna know that I've returned and that I will be here when she needs me."
Severus frowned as the crystals clouded over. He wondered about her use of when instead of if, and why she sounded so certain that Anna would need her. Was he reading too much into that? But no, she had warned Severus not to rule anything out, and that warning was strangely sincere. But why would she have done so? Severus covered the crystal then stared at the dark cloth thoughtfully. It was obvious that her words were truthful on this occasion; as obvious as her reluctance was to be there at all. The only reason, in fact, that Severus could think of that could have motivated to have said such a thing was if she truly believed that Severus was heading for a dire situation. It was her promise to his stepmother that had compelled her to speak, he realized. And despite the method of communication, despite who the message was from, the danger suddenly seemed all the more real to Severus even though he had yet to understand it.
The door opened behind him, and in came Boulderdash carrying a large stack of books.
"Headmaster," Boulderdash greeted quietly, setting them on the table before finally noticing the wizard's distant gaze. "I gathered every book I knew of with even the vaguest reference of the Four Horsemen, even a few with unproven anecdotal accounts. I hope I didn't go overboard."
"No, I don't want to leave anything out. We know too little about this situation to try to pick and choose," Severus decided, suddenly appearing much more focused. "And what was it you wanted to see me about? You never did say."
"No, I was waiting to catch you alone, which is why I decided to meet you back here," Boulderdash admitted reluctantly. "It is about the two goblins who went missing on Halloween along with the other Ministry officials. The bank is demanding that the Ministry do something about it."
"I'm quite sure the Ministry is doing everything they can about it," Severus said. "As I understand it from Aurelius, they are moving quite quickly to try and re-secure the Ministry so they can launch some sort of counterattack."
"Yes, I know that as well as you do, but the bank doesn't believe that the Ministry is quite as concerned about the two missing goblins as they are about the rest of those who went missing," Boulderdash growled softly. "They have declared neutrality, stating that the Ministry is just as much to blame for their disappearance as the vampires who took them, saying that their lax security over their years and recent complacency are responsible for this occurring."
"I agree to some extent, but Draco is not likely to be sympathetic. He will maintain his focus on the problem at hand and more than likely dismiss any sort of diplomatic protests. This is not the time," Severus said.
"When the beast is wounded, the vultures will rise, Severus. I wouldn't doubt that the bank is hoping to use this to get the Ministry to make some concessions," Boulderdash explained.
"It won't go over well," Severus said.
"Yes, that is why I thought I'd better warn you," Boulderdash said. "I should get back to the desk, good luck with your research."
"Thank you, let me know if there are any further developments," Severus said, watching him go before sitting down. But he hadn't been reading long before he laced his fingers together and gazed out the window at the night, attempting to organize his thoughts.
Foncé Apparated into the middle of the dark grove and bowed deeply to the elders who were standing there.
"Reverent Father," Foncé acknowledged.
"You are late," Rafe said crisply.
"The Minister rejected my plea for diplomatic immunity and deported me. I had to return home to secure certain papers and rescue my servant…"
"Never mind your reason for being late. What have you to report?"
"The Ministry found a way to bring sunlight into the Ministry at night and put a command center in the middle of it…real sunlight," Foncé said.
"How?" Rafe hissed. "Mirrors?"
"I don't know how," Foncé said, but took off his gloves to show the burns on them. "But it was not any sort of magic contrived or imitation sunlight by any means. One of their toy army men commented that it was devised by the Minister of Mysteries."
"Who is it?" Rafe asked, his red eyes flashing with fire. "Surely whoever is behind this is tasting the strength of our fear by now, as should be the Ministry itself."
"At the moment the Ministry is acting on anger, not fear, Father," Foncé explained.
"Then we will simply find ways of making those who hired them afraid instead," Rafe said icily. "Scornfang, Steelbite, present yourselves," he beckoned. From the ranks of bats came two small figures with eyes that were strangely red and maniacal grins on their fanged goblin faces.
"You nurtured the goblins? But their blood is too thick!"
"Yes, I'm afraid poor Maitre will have trouble recovering from the experience, but it was for the good of the clan after all," Rafe said. "They will bring terror and fear to the wizards who defy us."
"I can bring my own terror and fear to them, without the aid of these mutant servants…"
"Brothers, Foncé, they are your brothers now," Rafe reminded him, while the two goblins grinned at him in complete dislike. "And you, son, will either bring me the Minister or you will bring me a proper tribute the next we meet, unless you want to fall further out of favor."
"And what was wrong with my last offering?"
"It was intriguing, and admittedly amusing, but I doubt any would come to claim her," Rafe said, shaking his head sadly. Foncé squinted.
"You saved the woman as well? But I thought she would be destroyed!"
"It is not your place to say who is brought into the fold and who is not, Wingard. You are not a member of my inner circle, and you are certainly no Reverent. Leave me. Do not come back until you bring back someone whose presence will be missed. And if it does not please me, you will find your territories much, much smaller, for I shall hand them over to other members of the clan who may make better use of them. What do you say to that, daughter? Would you like to put a claim on Scotland should he fail?" Rafe asked, glancing over at an older seeming woman with wild, dark hair and a strange distant calm within her red eyes.
"Yes, Reverent Father. I would like that very much," Sibyl Trelawney agreed with a cold thin smile.