The Three Keys

A/N: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters, just my Laurel, her family and any misc. people that you don't already recognize. A/N: Okay everyone sing it with me…Ready? Here we go: 'IT'S AN AU WORLD AFTER ALL, IT'S AN AU WORLD AFTER ALL, IT'S A COMPLETELY ALTERNATE WORLD AFTER ALL.' That having been said, here in my post happily and unabashedly ignoring HBP, AU world; Dumbledore is still alive, Snape is still ambiguously evil and Draco has not had to face Voldy to save his skin….as yet.
So without further adieu, may I present to you:

Previously from Ch 35:

I will bid you farewell," the goblin paused, bowing formally to Draco, "Lord Malfoy."

Ezra smiled, "The paperwork is complete, the Heir's Privilege has been invoked. Your work here today is finished."

Rounding the corner Lucius stopped abruptly, holding a languid hand up to stop the men behind him, a cold smile turning his lips up, "Draco."

Draco's eyes narrowed, turning deep grey as he assessed Lucius and two – 'FUCK' – two other Quorum Death Eaters.

At that moment, Draco Malfoy, now unquestionably one of the most wealthy and powerful wizards in the known world had never felt so acutely alone in his entire life.

"Hello, Father," Draco drawled lazily, "What kept you?"

CH 36 – HEARTBREAK

"I must protest Headmaster. This is simply unacceptable, it's unheard of and completely absurd, I will not allow it!"

Maggie's eyes narrowed and her tone was clipped, "Oh for Merlin's sake, Severus, lighten up!"

Severus Snape turned and directed a quelling look toward Maggie Winters that would have intimidated the most errant of his students into submission without question. Maggie however, simply rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. "Batting those big, brown eyes at me isn't going to change anything, Sevvie, so I'd cut the flirting if I were you. You do remember I'm a married woman after all," Maggie winked at him and Snape's dark expression turned murderous.

"Magnolia," Snape's eyes narrowed and a ghost of a smile twitched one corner of his lips for a moment, as he watched Maggie wince at the use of her full name, "please rest assured that the very last thing I would ever do is," Snape's voice dropped low and mocking, "flirt," the word spat from his tongue like it was poison, "with you." Maggie folded her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrows. "And, please don't make such asinine comments again in front of the Headmaster."

Maggie grinned, "Sevvie, what are we, sixteen again?" Maggie just couldn't help needling Severus; he was an easy target. She'd forgotten how much fun it was to tease the irritable, persnickety bat. "Is the Headmaster going to give us detention if we misbehave? Maybe deduct a few house points even?" Maggie broke out into a rich laugh at that.

Snape said nothing, his eyes were mere slits, his jaw twitching noticeably; he scowled and turned back to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I will not have Draco staying here one more minute. I want him to come back with us to Hogwarts at once." He turned and eyed Maggie contemptuously, "I will not jeopardize his safety just to keep up appearances."

"What exactly is that supposed to mean, Severus?" Maggie asked quietly, her teasing mood gone in a flash.

Snape scoffed and swung back to face Dumbledore, his exaggerated movements making his robes flare about him dramatically. "Don't you find it curious, Headmaster that Draco rushes out to save Potter, risking his life on a 'tip' from dubious sources and just happens to run into Magnolia's daughter at the very same club? Draco seemed to have been influenced by this young witch and distracted by her. Why do you suppose that is? And just moments before they're attacked by Lucius, no less." Snape turned his head slightly, casting a sly glance at Maggie.

Maggie's eyes darkened dangerously and her voice became positively glacial, "What does Laurel's meeting Draco have anything to do with Lucius attacking them, Severus? Besides we've not proved who it was that attacked Draco yet. It may well have not been Lucius."

Snape's eyes gleamed, "Ah, I see, Magnolia. So you're still prote.."

Dumbledore sighed, "Severus…"

"Please let me finish, Headmaster," Snape interjected, he began pacing back and forth one pale hand gesturing lazily about, "Well, Magnolia, one has to wonder what the implications of such a – coincidental – meeting implies? What with your, shall we say, 'checkered' history and all. Look at the timing of the attack and the location. A Muggle club, full of all those simpletons." Maggie made a growling sound in her throat and Snape's eyebrows shot up. "And such a brazen attack so closely on the heels of your return to England."

The words left him and hit Maggie squarely in the chest, like the wind had been knocked out of her. Maggie's mouth dropped open, when she spoke it was breathless and rushed, "What with my…You, you cannot be serious?" Maggie stalked over to Snape yanking the front of his robes hard to bring his face down close to hers, her breath hissing on his cheeks, "Are you actually suggesting, you sniveling little snake, that I had something to do with that boy's attack?" Maggie's voice dropped very low, "And I would think very carefully how you answer that, Severus. You seem to forget that you're not the only one who knows where some skeletons are hidden, dear, old friend." Maggie sneered just as skillfully as Snape could ever have done.

"Draco is a Malfoy," Snape purred, taking Maggie's hands and prying her fingers open none to gently and removing himself from her grasp. He took a step back, his eyes glittering, he looked greatly satisfied as a twisted grin fitted itself to his face, "You know he is Lucius Malfoy's son."

"And?" Maggie demanded, ignoring the implication of his words and searching Snape's face, her eyes flicking over his stoic features looking for anything that might betray his thoughts. "Severus, you don't think that I could possibly have had a hand in that attack? You can't truly believe that I could…For heaven's sakes, Severus, Laurel was there! She's my daughter!" Maggie's expression fell, her eyes growing wide with realization. Her face became a cold mask instantly and she turned away, quite afraid she'd hex Severus if she looked at him for one more moment. "I see," she said curtly. "And do you feel this way too, Albus?" Maggie turned back to the seat where Dumbledore had been sitting moments before, only to find it vacated.

Neither Maggie nor Snape had noticed the elder wizard rise from his seat to go stand in front of the fireplace, his head bent in thought, his eyes closed, spectacles in hand. The quarreling twosome looked at him expectantly. Dumbledore took a moment before he began speaking. There was no mildness in his voice when he did. "It would appear that some things regardless of my hopes for the better, yet remain the same." The old wizard shook his great, flowing mane; "Severus, your suggestions are unfounded. There is absolutely no reason to entertain such notions. Just as implicitly as I trust you, so do I also trust Magnolia."

Maggie should have felt better after hearing Dumbledore's statement, but she was far too infuriated with Snape to let it go. She rounded on him immediately, "I want you to apologize, Severus," she demanded straightening her back and pulling herself up to her full height.

Snape's reply was sardonic, "Whatever for? Simply because I am not intimidated by your 'status' or family name to question your loyalties?" Maggie gasped and sputtered. "You have been away too long, Magnolia, but not long enough for me to forget. And I will never apologize for trying to keep one of my students safe," he paused and eyed her coldly, "and alive."

"You presumptuous prick!" she shrieked, "You arrogant, self-righteous, pompous ass! How could you, you of all people, bring up the past! You – you know what happened!" Maggie swung around, wand in hand instantly, aimed threateningly at Snape.

Snape rolled his eyes and muttered, "Really, how typically rash of you." Regardless he too drew his wand leisurely, holding it steady and directly at Maggie, his tone was even when he stated, mocking her previous comment, "You of all people, Magnolia know what I would dare to do."

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Dumbledore commanded. Maggie and Snape however, didn't drop their wands or take their eyes from each other. "I would have hoped after all these years and with the many talents, abilities and knowledge you both possess that perhaps you would have learned the great gift of tolerance by now." Neither responded. Dumbledore replaced his spectacles on the bridge of his nose before he spoke again, letting his words sink in, seeing that they had no affect, he continued, "Severus, you are an ambassador of Hogwarts and a respected professor and I expect you to act accordingly. Lower your wand." The statement was not a request.

Snape had not moved or batted an eye, "Lower your wand, Magnolia," he challenged.

"After you, Sevvie," she spat out, raising her wand a fraction higher.

Dumbledore closed his eyes, "Severus…"

Snape's mouth pressed into a thin line, his lips twisted into an ugly grimace, the skin turning white from the effort to keep his comments to himself. Nevertheless, he lowered his wand slowly.

"You're so very lucky that Albus is here, Sevvie, or you'd be leaving today with one less appendage than you came in with," Maggie said with a breathy snarl.

Snape's eyes turned black, "How charming. As always, your manners are impeccable, Magnolia."

"STOP calling me that, you know I hate being called that!" Snape's eyes glittered triumphantly at her vexed expression.

"Oh come now, Magnolia, It is your given name, after all," he goaded, "Or is it that hearing it just brings up too many bad memories of someone else, perhaps?"

"You are still the same heartless, insensitive bastard as you've always been," Maggie hissed. She waggled her wand at him tauntingly, "But I should have realized that even though a snake can sheds its old, dead skin, it still slithers among the dirt, Snivellus."

Snape's lip curled up in a sneer instantly, his wand snapped back up to Maggie's chest, "How dare you insult me and slur my good name, you annoying chit!"

"Good name?" Maggie burst out laughing, "You've got to be kidding me, right?" Both he and Maggie had quite forgotten that Dumbledore was there once again, quite forgotten in fact, that they were no longer sixteen years old. They were back in the throws of a complicated, painful walk through the past. Snape paled a shade at her words, he looked as if he was physically trying not to throttle the woman, "What?" Maggie taunted glibly on, "You scared?" She began slowly circling Snape, measuring his movements, calculating.

Snape hissed, "Scared? Of you? I think not."

"Oh, Sevvie," Maggie tutted, clicking her tongue and shaking her head slowly as she sized him up, shrewd eyes, scanning, recalling all his weaknesses. "I'd not be so confident if I were you. It's been quite a while since I've kicked your arse, but rest assured I can still do it," her eyes narrowed, "I will do it."

Dumbledore shook his head. His expression was somewhere between amusement and frustration as he stepped between the two. "Magnolia, I am quite sure that Severus has no desire to, ah, get his hind quarters or any other part of his person 'kicked' as you so colorfully put it. Please, both of you lower your wands and do remember that we are focusing on the children," his eyes sparkled briefly, almost enjoying the situation, "Not acting like them. Our differences, though they are there, should be put aside for the time being. "

Maggie glanced at Dumbledore and started. She smiled ruefully lowering her wand and had the good graces to look embarrassed. Her tone was flat when she spoke, "You're right of course. I apologize. Somehow Severus always manages to bring out the very best in me."

Snape made a sound at the back of his throat, but pocketed his wand in one quick, jerky motion. "What room is Draco in?" He looked quite disgusted. "I want you to fetch him as I wish to take him back to Hogwarts immediately."

Maggie's face clouded over instantly but Dumbledore silenced her with a quick wave of his hand, "Severus…"

Snape's eyes snapped to Dumbledore's, his expression turning incredulous at the look on the older man's face. "Headmaster, surely you can not possibly wish for Draco to remain here in this," Snape's eyes narrowed and his voice dripped venom, "clearly hostile environment? Draco needs to be protected; he needs to be back at Hogwarts."

"Severus, I think perhaps Draco should remain here. You've seen that he has developed quite a fondness for young Miss Winters and the feeling appears to be mutual. He is under Ministry protection here," Snape snorted and Dumbledore continued unperturbed, " and the Order as well. And remaining with Magnolia affords him the opportunity to be with Laurel, Harry and the Wesley children for the remainder of the summer. It will do him good to be around his peers."

"Peers?" Snape snapped appalled, "He'll be holed up with a house full of Gryffindors!"

Maggie rolled her eyes at Snape. "I was a Ravenclaw, if you remember," she turned to Dumbledore and smiled, "Thank you, Albus. Jack and I will watch over Draco as if he were our own, as we will all the children. Arthur and Molly will be here daily as well checking up on Ron and Ginny, so I don't foresee any serious problems."

"You don't foresee any serious problems?" Snape practically screamed, cutting her off. If Maggie hadn't been so upset with him at the moment she would have quite enjoyed watching his careful veneer of calm and indifference slip away. "Magnolia, what about Lucius? Does the fact that he tried to kill Draco, his son and Potter and your girl just hours ago not seem PROBLEM enough for you? There were two Death Eaters in your house just hours ago, spying for the Dark Lord and reporting to Lucius! Draco told us in the meeting. They cast dark magic in your 'well warded' house and escaped! Merlin woman, get it thorough your head he's…"

"Let's not start this again please, Severus. Magnolia is well aware of the situation and her home is reinforcing the wards. Let us speak with Draco this evening and for the time being let him rest. Magnolia, I appreciate the offer for dinner and I am happy to accept. I will return say around seven? But for now I must return to Hogwarts," Dumbledore nodded to Snape, "Shall we, Severus?" and turning without a further glace Dumbledore glided toward the entrance hall. "Tell the children that I look forward to supping with them this evening."

Maggie smiled, "I will, thank you, Albus." Snape moved to follow Dumbledore out of the den but Maggie stopped him. "Headmaster, I wonder, would you mind going on ahead? I'd like to speak privately with Severus for a moment."

Snape's eyes grew fractionally larger then he turned to Dumbledore, "I shall follow you shortly, Headmaster."

Dumbledore searched Snape's face for a moment and nodded and with his parting words, "Until tonight then, Magnolia!" was gone.

Snape turned back to Maggie, folding arms across his chest and peering down at her asked, "Are you hoping to continue your silly tirade of insults or do you actually have something worthwhile to discuss with me?"

Maggie took a deep breath and felt her cheeks tinge pink. She hated apologizing to this git, but she had been acting out of sorts with him. "I apologize, Severus. Really, I do. I, well, I'm rather frazzled at the moment and my head isn't where it usually is." She looked up at him and for the first time today Snape was taken aback by the haunted, hurt look in her eyes. He didn't like feeling regret for his actions toward this woman, but at the moment he did. "I'm sure Albus told you by now that Laurel was attacked in May."

Snape nodded solemnly. "With the Amatore Blasphemare, yes. Quite an obscure curse to be used by one so young as your daughter's suitor," he observed. "One would wonder where an adolescent wizard would come across such an old and long forgotten spell?"

Maggie looked grim. She closed her eyes and spoke quietly, "Yes, Jack and I have gone over that quite a bit. The boy comes from a very ancient family who hasn't exactly denounced any ties to the Dark Lord." Snape nodded again yet remained silent and Maggie continued, "And even though the curse isn't thought to be used any longer, we know that it is still being used."

"I'm not sure I follow you, Magnolia," Snape replied smoothly.

Maggie rolled her eyes, "Oh come off it, Severus. We both know who favors using the Amatore as one of his favorite binding curses. Just because the Ministry keeps a tight lid on the fact that it is not quite as 'long forgotten' as you put, doesn't mean I am not informed about it surfacing now and again, and each time the Dark Lord's signature is all over it." Her face paled as she opened the top two buttons of her shirt, yanking the material aside impatiently as if she were being suffocated. Maggie felt ill.

Snape pursed his lips, "It would appear you are more informed than I," he lied easily. "What would you have me do about it?"

"No one has said anything about the possible intimations, Severus, and God knows I don't want to think about it. But this is twice now that Laurel has been in life or death situations with suspicious circumstances. And this time there were Death Eaters directly involved. We know what it means when Death Eaters enter the equation, Severus. That's what I wanted to discuss with you."

Severus Snape raised his eyebrows; "There are no Death Eaters at Hogwarts, Magnoila." He cut her off at her next words, "Yes, yes, present company excluded," he snapped waiving an impatient hand in the air. "Regardless, Laurel will be as well protected as any other student at Hogwarts," disdain crept into his voice at his next words, "Just look at how Potter has managed to remain alive and intact all this time. And rest assured it is not for his lack of trying his very best to get himself killed at every opportunity that presents itself. Besides," he paused, "I'm sure Laurel knows you attended Hogwarts, does she not?"

Maggie knew where this conversation was going and she was determined that it would not go there. "Of course she is aware, Severus. However, there are things that she doesn't know. Things that will remain where they should, in the past," came her frosty reply.

Snape's expression was blank but his voice was mocking, "She doesn't know then?" he echoed. "I see."

"Severus, I need…I need to be able to trust in you. I need you to remember that Laurel is not me."

"I know that," he hissed.

"She's only a child, Severus. She's only seventeen."

"We were 'only' seventeen once as well, Magnolia. And she is not a child," he shot back.

"Laurel is not aware of what happened in the past, Severus and that is the way it will remain. She's not me, you have to remember that."

"Yes," he replied dryly, "you've mentioned that twice, as if I could somehow become confused."

Maggie ignored him, "I started a new life, Severus. You of all people should be able to appreciate that."

Snape stared at her. "I can more than appreciate it. As you will recall; if it's not too far in the muddy past that you may have forgotten, but I also aided in your advantageously timed escape." Maggie let out a long breath from her nose and looked away, crossing her arms defensively. "I understand your desire to run away. My condoning it or not didn't matter then and it clearly doesn't now. But to escape by marrying a Muggle? Really, it is beneath you."

Maggie growled, frustrated now and her anger flared lightening quick again. "So we're back to that are we? I did not run away and you damn well know it! What I did do is meet a man. And how dare you say I escaped by marrying John! I fell in love with him and I married him. It just so happens that he is a Muggle."

Severus shook his head accusingly, "You, with your impeccable bloodlines and prestigious family," he rolled his eyes, "and your duty to fulfill. It's your birthright; a privilege, an honor and you risk it all by marrying a Muggle. You risk your children's legacy all for a Muggle. It's irreverent."

"My children's birthright is intact!" she growled.

"Is it?" Snape inquired. She would have believed his tone sincere if not for his black eyes suddenly becoming hooded and calculating, "Has Laurel preformed a Patronus yet? Has she called forth a Curadore?"

Maggie took a deep breath to calm her temper, "Don't you forget anything?" she shook her head in disbelief. "After all these years you still remember? Why I told you in the first place is beyond me." She threw her hands up in the air, "Ah the stupidly and ignorance of youth. And please let's not do the 'Muggle bashing' thing right now. Just because Laurel is half Muggle does not invalidate her privileges in the Cortez family. She will fulfill her duties. She is a Cortez and she is the rightful 'Tenedora de los Curadores'." The pride was evident in the tilt of Maggie's chin and the fire in her eyes.

Snape shrugged, "We shall see. And no, I never forget; I believe I mentioned that." If it were possible, Maggie would have thought that Severus actually looked hurt when he spoke quietly. "Magnolia, you should know the secrets you entrusted to me in friendship many years ago have not been broken."

Maggie looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then answered sincerely, "Thank you."

Snape seemed unimpressed, "My confidences are never broken, Magnolia. But then again, those who have trouble keeping confidences often doubt the integrity of others." Maggie's mouth dropped open and her face flushed, but surprisingly she immediately snapped her jaw closed and remained silent. When she turned her head and looked away scowling and clearly holding her tongue he continued, "We will know soon enough regarding Laurel's abilities."

After a moment Maggie seemed to regain her composure and spoke slowly as if measuring every word, "Yes that is true. Look, aside from all that, Severus, Laurel is still so very young and innocent." She glanced down at her hands and started fingering her wedding band, at hearing Snape's derisive snort her head shot up and she glared at him. "Do you know what Laurel told me when Draco was laying on our couch near death and I found out that he was Lucius' son?" she asked, anger and hurt were rolling off of her in waves so strong that Snape could feel it.

His eyes locked with hers. "One can only imagine," he couldn't keep the bite from his voice.

Maggie laughed bitterly, "Oh, Severus you will just love the irony in this." When Snape simply sighed and intoned his head at her, Maggie whispered in a hollow voice, her eyes becoming unfocused as if she were looking into the far recesses of her memories, "She told me not to judge Draco by the sins of his father." Snape's head snapped up and his shoulder's stiffened visibly. Maggie laughed again coming out of her trance. Her eyes held no trace of any mirth. "I told you, you'd appreciate it. Can you believe she actually said that to me, Severus? She actually told me not to judge Draco by the sins of his father! She has no idea what she said, but I told her I would honor that request. And now I will ask the same of you. I ask you not to judge Laurel by the sins of her mother. Can you do that, Severus?"

"I'm not a child and I don't need to be spoken to as one," he grimaced, clearly uncomfortable.

Maggie looked un-affronted, "I'm being absolutely serious, Severus. If someone should try to attack Laurel again I need to know that you will be there to protect her. I honestly wouldn't trust anyone else to keep her life safe other than you."

Snape's eyes grew cold. "Don't flatter me, Magnolia."

"I'm not flattering you," she said quietly, "I'm simply stating the truth. When it comes to potions you're exceptional, but when it comes to the dark arts I don't believe anyone can match you," she grinned smugly, "except perhaps me. But I won't be there to watch over my daughter - you will." Maggie grasped his arm again, "Promise me, Severus. Promise me that you will protect her. She did save Draco's life, if nothing else that should warrant some appreciation from you toward her."

"Magnolia," Snape hissed with barely suppressed fury, "I may be ruthless and I will do whatever I need to in order to achieve my goals. But don't think that even I am heartless enough to let an innocent child fall victim to harm if I can do anything to prevent it." His voice dropped low and venomous, "Even your child."

Maggie dropped her hand from his arm, "Good," she said visibly relieved, "That's all I need to know. By the way, you'll find that Laurel is quite adept at potions as well."

Snape rolled his eyes, "Humph. We shall see," he turned to leave the room and thought better of it, pausing in the doorway and turning back to address Maggie one last time. "He's more dangerous than you know, Magnolia," he said quietly. His tone brooked no argument.

"We're not going to have this conversation," she retorted.

"He's changed," Snape continued on stubbornly.

Maggie looked resigned, "It would appear that we are, then. Okay, look, Severus we all know that sometimes things are not what they appear to be. You of all people know that."

"You have his wand don't you?" he continued, completely ignoring Maggie. "You can easily see what spell was last cast from it. Your daughter claims to have taken it from him immediately after he cursed Draco. That will prove it."

Maggie shut her eyes and Snape saw the fatigue and uncertainty in her momentarily unguarded expression. The instant she opened them again however, the moment was gone and her walls had returned. "That proves nothing and you know it. Anyone could have picked up his wand and used it. True it will reveal the last spell, but not who cast it; its inconclusive evidence."

Snape strode back to her and grasped Maggie's arm holding it firmly forcing her to look him in the eyes. "He's one of them, Maggie."

She snorted and yanked her arm free. "Yes he is. And what does that prove, Severus; so are you."

Snape's jaw clenched tightly and he glared at Maggie. "It's not the same thing at all and you know it."

Maggie's expression was closed off and set. "Look, even though he appears to be behind this, I just cannot fathom someone intentionally trying to hurt their child, even Lucius." Snape shook his head dispassionately. "I concede he does appear to be at fault, but you know very well that what appears so clearly to be the truth, even convincingly so, can in fact be just smoke and mirrors. You are a master at that."

Snape tone was mutinous, "Thank you for the compliment, Magnolia. However, in this case things are exactly as they appear to be." He turned and swept from the room and spun around to face Maggie once more, "I am surprised, Maggie at your reluctance to accept the truth. Especially since your knowing the truth about Lucius is exactly why we are standing here today." Snape didn't wait for Maggie's reply. Instead he buttoned his cloak and stated, Regardless, I will watch over Laurel, I give my word."

"Thank heavens for small favors," came a low voice from Snape's left.

Snape tensed instantly and turned his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Winters," he replied coldly.

"Snape," came the icy return.

"You'll be back for dinner then?" Maggie jumped in; interrupting the two men's challenging glares.

"Of course," Snape answered continuing to eye Jack warily, then turning to look down his nose at Maggie he stated matter-of-factly, "I will be here to support Draco when we tell him what his father has done. He should be surrounded by those who care about him and he will have nothing less."

Without another word Snape turned and strode away.

Maggie bristled in defense, her words of retort left sitting on her tongue like bitter apple. She scowled at the spot where he had been for several seconds. "You asked him to watch over Laurel?" Jack asked quizzically, breaking her train of thought.

"I did. There's no one better at the Defensive Arts in that school than Severus. I would think of trusting her safety with no one else," Maggie huffed.

Jack shoved his hands in his pockets as he always did when he very stressed and quirked his head, "Do YOU trust him after everything that's happened?"

Maggie sagged against the doorframe, "He understands, Jack that the past has nothing to do with Laurel. We discussed it and I believe he will keep her as safe as he can. Besides, Albus is there. She'll be better protected at Hogwarts than anywhere else. How long have you been standing there?"

Jack's voice was crisp, "Long enough to know that Snape is still Snape. He still hates us lowly Muggles."

"Jack…" she sighed wearily.

"It's all right, Maggie," Jack ran his hands through his hair in frustration and Maggie realized he looked tired, probably just as tired as she felt.

"Yup," she agreed then, "I fear that will never change." Maggie smiled feebly in a vain attempt to lighten the heavy mood between them. Discussing her past always strained their otherwise solid relationship.

Jack sucked on his front teeth thoughtfully for a moment and asked, "Do you think Dumbledore is right in trusting him?"

Maggie shrugged, "He's never given Dumbledore any reason to doubt him all these years, so yes I suppose so. Even though he is an annoying old bat."

Jack nodded curtly and walked past her into the den. "You should tell her, Maggie. She deserves to know, especially after all that's happened. It's only fair."

"Fair to whom, Jack?" Maggie snapped, twisting around to confront him, "It's none of her business and I have no intention of muddling her down with my past."

Snape didn't win this argument and neither would he.

"Maggie…"

"We agreed to this already when we moved here, Jack, when we agreed to send her to Hogwarts. She's better off not knowing anything." Maggie stalked into the den now and flung herself on the couch realizing with a start that she was bone tired.

"How can you say that, Maggie? Laurel is mixed up with Malfoy's son! Uhh, don't shake your head at me, honey; I'm not saying he's involved in any of this, that's pretty obvious. What I'm saying is that Malfoy tried to kill his boy, for God's sake! If it weren't for you and Laurel he would have succeeded. He's one lucky kid." Jack shoved his hands in his pockets again and started pacing slowly in front of her, "Maggie, I think we need to watch Laurel closely where Draco is concerned. I'm not sure her being involved with him is a good idea. Hell, I know it isn't. But I'm worried if we forbid her to see him what she'd do."

Maggie shifted uneasily under her husband's gaze. Truly she didn't have a problem with Draco, the problem lie with the other Malfoy male. "I don't think that's an issue at this point, Jack. They just met and it does look like they're drawn to each other, but Harry seems interested in Laurel too."

Jack groaned, "Great. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I think I'm just going to forbid her to date until she's thirty."

Maggie chuckled dropping her head to rest on the back of the couch and closing her eyes. "Let's give that some serious consideration," she agreed. "Regardless, they'll all be leaving for Hogwarts in a few weeks time and we know once they're at school, well," she stopped short and raised her eyes to Jack's, "the kids will be left to their own devices. And as much as I'd like to tell Laurel what to do concerning Draco, I trust her good judgment. And we already know she saw his soul, she said it's pure and I believe her."

"So do I," Jack agreed tiredly.

"Besides if I had listened to my mum telling me who I could and couldn't see, I dare say we'd be not here at this moment," Maggie said, her face darkening at the memory of when she first introduced her future husband to her family and the events that lead up to their meeting and courtship and eventual marriage.

Jack caught her look and smiled, "If your mother had her way today, I think she'd just obliviate my mind and send me on my merry way." His face sobered, "At least she didn't try to hurt you for your differences in your beliefs." His expression grew fierce at the very idea.

Maggie sniffed and quirked a tiny smile at him as she pulled herself stiffly up from the couch. "Jack, I just simply cannot believe that any parent would knowingly try to hurt their child." Her expression grew thoughtful and her voice wistful as she continued, "There's got to be another explanation." Maggie walked over to Jack and put her hands on his arms and looked up into his eyes. Her gaze was piercing and so full of conviction. "Jack, how can you believe that any father would try so viciously to kill their child? You can't believe that, can you? Honestly?"

Jack shook his head slowly, "No, Maggie I can't see it. But we're not like them. We have morals and values. You're too trusting," he said softly, his thumb running across her cheek and down her jaw, "It's why I love you so much. But some people, Maggie don't deserve your trust."

Maggie turned her cheek into her husband's chest and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms tightly around him. 'I hope you're wrong, Jack. I hope everyone is wrong.'

Most of all she hoped that tiny, niggling feeling in the back of her mind that was whispering to her was wrong.

For Maggie wanted to believe her own words so desperately. She was ignoring what had abruptly begun bubbling up and trickling out of her soul like a freshly opened wound. Maggie would not surrender to that old feeling again. She had thought that it was long gone after all these years. She had believed that is should have withered away after meeting John and falling in love. After marrying a good man and raising a wonderful family it should have disappeared forever.

Why then was she suddenly hurting so very much?

Apparently Maggie had been wrong, because there it was, fresh and hot and surprisingly strong…

It was the pain of heartbreak.