Chapter Twenty-One

Justification

"Do you know who Hanz reminds me of?" Severus asked. He had managed to get far enough ahead of Jennifer that he was starting the third book while she was half-way through the second. Jennifer put a finger on her spot and looked up curiously. "Draco Malfoy."

"Really? You think they've got Draco Malfoy as the first president of the Megalomaniacs Club?" Jennifer said, not as convinced.

"Yes, I think it fits, granted it is an exaggerated version of him, just like everything in these books. I think when you get to this one you'll agree with me, since he starts to mellow out a bit in this one. I'm sure you must recall how he was when you first came to Hogwarts as opposed to when he graduated."

Jennifer turned her book over a moment.

"He was a nightmare, really, that first year... he tested me constantly, trying to find out where I stood on things. So did you, actually," Jennifer said.

"Yes, but for different reasons. I didn't like the idea of Craw's offspring showing up out of the blue when things were starting to come to a head with Voldemort, and I thought Dumbledore's faith in you was extremely premature," Severus said in such a way that Jennifer smirked softly at him. "With Draco, I believe what he was looking for was confirmation. He wanted you to be a follower of Voldemort because he wanted further justification for his own choices in the matter. I think he was starting to question his parent's positions even then, actually. He was looking for validation that he was making the right decisions by following them and Voldemort, to help alleviate any guilt or blame he may have been feeling about the Death Eaters and their involvement in Cedric's death. That is also why he was so quick to turn on Voldemort when it became obvious that Voldemort had little intention of helping his father and was acting behind his back. He no longer had justification for his actions that could be blamed on anyone else but himself. Without that scapegoat to appease his conscience, he felt no other choice but to stand for himself."

"That's very insightful," Jennifer admitted. "You knew him even better than I had thought back then."

"He spent countless hours in my office, Jennifer, and many times he tried to find justification through me. And more often than not, I gave him that justification, unfortunately. One of many student sacrifices I had to make to be certain my cover wasn't comprised," Severus murmured.

"You had no choice," Jennifer said with a gentle smile. "And those students may have had a rough time, but most of them came out of Hogwarts much better than when they came into that school... especially Draco."

"Most," Severus brooded. Jennifer gazed at him steadily. "Yes, I know, we can't save them all, and I really have learned to accept that for the most part. It is simply that these books are bringing back memories and picking at old wounds."

"Then concentrate on the more ridiculous parts, such as some of the attempts these students are making trying to take over the school or the exaggerated interactions," Jennifer suggested. "I'm in the middle of reading about the Wizard's Duel between Miss Young and Professor Frump."

"You would find that amusing. I remember how many times Draco attempted to goad us into sparring as well..."

"I hope Miss Young wins," Jennifer said, refusing to let Severus get on that subject again.

"Prepare to be disappointed..."

"Hey, no spoilers!" Jennifer snapped, turning back to her book. But a few lines later she growled.

"They were interrupted!" she exclaimed.

"You should be used to that by now. Still, I wouldn't worry about it. The students will return from Christmas to find quite a shock..."

"Severus, you are doing it again! That's it, I'm taking the lead on reading. Put that book down and get us some drinks and snacks," she ordered. Severus sneered at that but dutifully put his snake bookmark back in place.

"It really isn't a spoiler, you know," he explained, getting up. "Young and Frump fighting constantly through the first half of the book is more than just a plot device to give the MC a reason to try and take over the school again. They were fighting because we spent the better half of the term fighting with each other in reality as well. You were constantly angry with me for taking too many chances, and I was constantly angry with you for getting involved when I asked you not to, including that incident during Halloween when you tried to "save me," and you would have gotten killed if Audi and your father hadn't stepped in when they had."

"I remember that," Jennifer said, flipping back through pages. "Although in here they make it seem like a good against evil... with you being the evil," she teased.

"I don't doubt that quite a number of students must have seen it that way, considering none of them knew the details of any of that. Besides that, none of the incidents that the author based on real events are exactly as they happened. They are exaggerated incidents from the students' points of view. And even though Hermione, Harry, and Ron were well informed about what was going on that year, none of the other students knew anything other than what the papers were telling them about the Ivory Skull. Which is why, of course, it comes as such a shock to them when they come back from Christmas holiday to find out that Young and Frump are engaged. I found the incident extremely amusing."

"Why, what happens?" Jennifer asked, and he raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You did say no spoilers," he reminded her. Jennifer scrunched up her face. "And you'll find the actions of the MC after the announcement is quite fictional."

Jennifer fiercely started reading, quite determined to get caught up despite his obvious lure to get her to do just that. When she did catch up, she couldn't help but laugh, as the MC dismantled Frump's Potion Lab of Death in hopes to find out what potion he had used to persuade her. But in the end, their attempts had been for nothing; they learned by the end of the book that she was blackmailed to save her father from certain doom.

Thomas Craw looked over the contents of his suitcase thoughtfully, making certain he had everything. Snapping his fingers, he tossed his newest TV magazine and several newspapers before snapping it shut.

"Master Craw?" called out Colette's voice.

"Come on out, Colette," Thomas said. Colette came out, looking quite worried. He didn't typically ask her to appear. Thomas was quick to notice her reaction, but his expression didn't lose his somber expression. "It's all right, Colette," he said gruffly. "What was it that you needed?"

"Mistress Craw asks if you would come down to the parlor, Master Thomas," Colette explained. "Minister Clemmons and Master Maurice wish to speak to you and say it's urgent."

"I don't suppose you could stall for ten more minutes so I can sneak out the back?" Thomas said with annoyance, Colette frowned unsurely. "Never mind, I'll deal with it," he decided, picking up his suitcase.

"Do you want me to get that?" Colette asked.

"No, I've got it," Thomas said, walking towards the door.

"Oh, but Master Thomas dropped a handkerchief, monsieur. It didn't get in the case," Colette said, picking it up and holding it out for him.

"Really?" Thomas said, looking at it. "Nope, not mine. Must be yours," he said handing it to her. Colette looked at it, then gazed at him unsurely. "Do with it what you will, it's up to you," he said with a shrug, walking out the door. Colette stared hard after him before disappearing again.

Alex and Maurice heard his footsteps and looked up as he walked down the hallway, both of them blinking in surprise to see the suitcase.

"Good, glad you're here, Maurice. I needed to talk to you."

"Are you going somewhere?" Alex demanded.

"I've decided to take Fleur and Quintin on a holiday," he explained. "Hyperion Festival. Big deal up north this time of year. Maurice, you and Beth can handle things here, right?"

"You can't go right now!" Alex cried out in disbelief. "Hogwarts is under siege! There's a curse..."

"Sorry, not my jurisdiction. Talk to your Father," he suggested. "I haven't taken any paid days since the games, and I still have over a few months worth of holiday saved up, so I figured I'd use one of them. Besides, it'll get Quintin out of the line of fire if there is something going on. Fleur, are you packed?"

"Thomas, to be honest, I did not think you were being serious..."

"Colette can help, Mistress," Colette's voice called up.

"It's up to you," Thomas shrugged, then gestured to Quintin. "I'm taking him ahead to get some lunch. Can you meet us at the cafe?"

"You're really serious about this!" Alex said, still in shock. "Grandfather..."

"Alex, you're the Minister of Mysteries, for craters sake! Can't you handle it?" Thomas snapped.

"Craters!" Quintin agreed supportively.

"Er... do me a favor and don't tell your Mother he said that. See you in a few weeks," Thomas said, taking Quintin's hand and walking into the floo. "Port station!" said his muffled voice, followed by a puff of powder before the two of them disappeared.

"Am I the only one who thinks that Grandfather was acting entirely out of character?" Alex asked. "Maurice, when was the last time your father went on an extended holiday?"

"Prison, perhaps?" Maurice suggested.

"That doesn't count," Alex said. "I just don't understand why everyone who can help us suddenly wants to go on holiday!"

"Did you talk to Draco?"

"He said talk to my father and until then I'm in charge," Alex said. "And now that Grandfather has left, I suppose that's official now. And since I can't go in..." she glanced at Maurice. "I guess we're going with my original plan, Hanz."

"Fine. But I'm not playing Hanz," Maurice said firmly, walking to his room to pack his Cloak Chest.