Chapter Five

Distinguished Guests

As Arthur Weasley's party Apparated in front of the main gate at precisely four o'clock, Jennifer Craw was there to meet them. To her credit, she didn't even flinch when she saw the full-blooded giant beside them.

"My name is Professor Jennifer Craw. Welcome to Hogwarts," she said with a warm smile, standing at front of the gate.

"Thank you, Professor Craw. I've heard of you, of course. I hope you like it here," Arthur smiled back. Jennifer found that she instantly liked him and understood with clarity why Dumbledore also liked him. There was just something rather down to earth about the man, for he had the sort of integrity that came from living an honest life. "Let me introduce you to the members of my party; some friends I have gathered that I think Dumbledore would like to meet. This is Arnie Peasegood from Accidental Magic…" Arnie offered his hand to her and she took it, smiling at him. Gangly in appearance, relaxed, sincere. "Daniel Cummings, from Improper Research and Disposal…" Daniel nodded politely. He was somewhat short and unkempt, and a bit concerned as if he had something else on his mind. "Ederick Thurspire, from the Animagi security office…" Ederick smiled broadly at her, clicking his heels and taking her hand, kissing it.

"Enchanté, Professeure," he said with a bow. Jennifer met his gaze, trying not to frown. The smile was definitely forced, she could tell, and what was up with the deliberate act? She was going to have to watch that one. "And last but by no means least, the representative I met just over the summer, Buffirn Gegoblast from Finland."

The giant smiled and nodded his head. He was quite hard to read and she was able to only get an impression of discomfort of his surroundings and his urgency.

"Pleashure ta be here at Hogwarts an' to be meetin' you and Professor Dumbledore," Buffirn said. Jennifer smiled up at him, suddenly glad of the high doors and ceilings in the upper halls.

"It is an honor to meet you all. If you will follow me, we will be going to see Dumbledore directly. Please stay with me and just ask if need anything, for I'll be happy to assist you."

With that Jennifer escorted them in, quietly surveying any devices they might have on them as they walked across the grounds. Gliding up to a second study that Dumbledore had set up that summer on the ninth floor, she opened the first door and then picked up a long silver tray.

"Wands, please?" she prompted with another smile.

All of the Ministry guests did a double take at the request. Arthur quickly recovered, setting his down on the tray.

"Isn't this rather unusual?" Daniel asked nervously, fishing out his wand.

"Yes, but these are unusual times," Jennifer reminded him. Arnie, who always kept his wand loosely in his belt, slid it out easily and put it on the tray. She turned to Ederick, who smiled at her like a doting elder despite the fact that he looked to be about the same age.

"It's quite all right, Professor. I left mine at the office," Ederick explained smoothly. Jennifer smiled back at him.

"It's in your right boot," Jennifer pointed out.

"Ah! So it is. I had quite forgotten," he said with a chuckle. He put the wand on the tray, his expression apologetic even though his eyes were expressing something else. Without comment, Jennifer handed the tray to a waitress in a painting that had been hung in the alcove. She then opened the inner door and showed them in, helping Buffirn who had to kneel to get past.

"Oh, I am terribly sorry about the doors! I'll have those widened. I wasn't expecting such a distinguished guest today," Albus Dumbledore said as he stood up to greet them. "Welcome to you all."

"I brought along some of our supporters just as you asked, Professor Dumbledore. I felt under the circumstances that it would be better if they came in person," Arthur explained.

"Ah, yes. Arnold Peasegood, Daniel Cummings, Ederick Thurspire, very glad to see all of you."

"And this is Buffirn Gegoblast from Finland," Arthur introduced.

"I am glad that at last some communication has opened between our kind and yours, if only it were for happier reasons," Dumbledore nodded politely.

" 'Agrid was pretty clear on the point on it. We dun' like getting' stirred up unneccesar'ly if y' understand, bu' this was a serious matter," Buffirn said, his voice low enough that the room seemed to tremble slightly when he spoke.

"Yes, very serious indeed, thank you for making the trip," nodded Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry, Professor Craw. Are we keeping you from your duties?" Ederick asked, again acting apologetic.

"Not at all," replied Jennifer calmly.

"Please, although I hope that anything spoken between us stays in this room, rest assured that any of my staff that attend these meetings are quite trustworthy. You may say anything in front of one of them as you would to me." Dumbledore said.

Jennifer did her best to try and hide her surprise. True, she knew that her jobs here meant being included in some private discussions, but having Dumbledore express trust someone he had only known two weeks was a bit alarming.

"I have a question, if you don't mind sir. I was wondering if you have had any word from Remus Lupin since he left your employ," Ederick asked. Arthur became uncomfortable. "We've been receiving strange reports of an animal pack around the area that no one recognizes, and we have reason to believe that there might be some connection…"

"Let me assure you that there is no reason to be concerned. The beasts in question are merely a part of the school's security and not a part of those who mean to do us harm," Dumbledore said.

So there were Animagi working for Dumbledore? Jennifer was quite positive he was leaving out more than he was telling, and she also noted that he never did say whether he had word from this Lupin fellow. From what she read from Dumbledore, the Headmaster did know where he was.

"Daniel Cummings has some important news for you as well, Dumbledore, which is why I asked him to come." Arthur put in, quick to change the subject.

"Yes, thank you," Daniel said with a nod. "It's about some of the things that have been sent down to me by Mr. Fudge. You see, I'm in Improper Research and Disposal…"

"He's the trash man." Arnie summarized, earning a sharp glance from Arthur. Daniel also gave Arnie an annoyed look.

"Yes, well, it's my job to destroy sensitive material and items that it might not be reconstructed by magic means, and that's no easy task."

"Yes, I have had very delicate matters that I myself have had to use that alternative," said Dumbledore politely. "And you are saying some of the material brought to you was unusual?"

"More than unusual. Downright improper," he nodded fiercely. "Lots of court records, ministry bios, things of that nature. I wasn't quite sure what to do about it, and then Arnie here comes down to dump his items, and suggests I take it to Minister Weasley. I'm afraid I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, but I'd been noticing things going downhill for quite some time from the documents I was getting, and this just took the cake, so to speak."

"I have them now, Professor," Arthur put in. "It's quite a collection and some you'd be interested in. I've got them somewhere safe."

Dumbledore looked up at him thoughtfully. "Well, if it's somewhere in your home, the bank, or the Ministry, I suggest you rethink your strategy and bring them here instead. It might be a bit safer if anyone gets wind that those papers didn't get destroyed. Does anyone else know about them who isn't in this room?"

"Uh, yes sir. Hanna Ford who works with me down in the basement also knows about them. She was there when I started glancing through them. I've known her for years, and she thought it was a bit odd too," Daniel said.

"All the same, it might be dangerous to keep them on hand. Fudge must have done this. Anyone else would have had them destroyed privately," Arthur conjectured.

"He's just not the same Fudge as he used to be. You should see the way he's acting," Arnie put in. "Nervous, almost scared, always looking around his shoulder while we're out and about."

"I've been trying to talk some sense into him, Professor, but he's not listening," Arthur explained.

"Yes, yes, I know," Dumbledore sighed.

"I was, however, finally able to get special permission to make contact with the giants, as you can see," Arthur added.

"We were surprised being spoke t', an' very angr' at first," Buffirn admitted, "aft' th last time we'd dealin's with wizards, an' promises dey can't keep. But then we met Hagrid, who didn't make any promises bu' friendship, an' tha's when everyone started to listen."

"Why don't we go speak with Hagrid now and then we can talk about our next step," Dumbledore suggested, getting up. "We'll meet just inside the Dark Forest, I think, where we have some cover. Jennifer, would you return their wands and secure things here? I will speak with you later this evening."

"Of course, Professor. It was pleasant meeting all of you," Jennifer smiled and then walked out to ask the waitress portrait for the silver tray. The doors around the alcove grew in height, making way for their larger guest. One by one, the wizards of the Ministry took back their wands, Arthur thanking her politely in return. Dumbledore gave her a sideways glance and a smile as he led them down the hall.

Sighing with relief, Jennifer glanced at her watch. Her last class would just be wrapping up, and she wondered if Severus followed her lesson plan. Resisting the temptation to peek, she went instead towards the Quidditch Pitch to watch the last few minutes of practice.

As she walked around the bottom of the stands, she caught the sight of something golden as it zoomed above her head. Instinctively she dove and not a moment too soon. The Seeker had just started his dive and veered off right above her, spinning quickly around. Sharp ringing laughter met her ears, and she looked up towards the middle of the field to see Rolanda bent over with laughter.

"Great dive, Professor Craw! I bet you were a good Chaser in your day!"

"Chaser nothing. I couldn't even stay on the bloody broomstick," Jennifer muttered too low for the others to hear.

"Professor Craw, up here!" Hermione and Ron were waving from the stands above her. Picking herself up and cautiously keeping an eye on the team's whereabouts, she sat down beside them.

"Watching the practice, I see," Jennifer said.

"Yes, Gryffindors have last periods free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, that's how they get practice in," Hermione explained. "But I thought you had a class now."

"I do, but I had business earlier. Professor Snape is filling in."

"I can't help but feel sorry for them, then," Ron shook his head. Jennifer couldn't help but chuckle.

"You don't like the professor, I take it?" she asked.

"Hardly anybody does, except those in Slytherin," Ron snorted, getting a jab from Hermione. "What?"

"It's all right. I'm not going to scold you about it when I point blank asked an opinion, even if I'm not so sure how accurate the observation is," Jennifer grinned.

"Which means?" Hermione asked.

"Well, perhaps you'll figure that out in my class," Jennifer said enigmatically. As the whistle blew, she chuckled and stood up. Harry came to a stop just below them on his broom. "Good save, Harry, thanks for not taking my head off there."

Relieved that she wasn't in the least bit angry, Harry smiled.

"You've got quick reflexes too, Professor," he replied.

"Duck and cover is my specialty," Jennifer joked, and the other three exchanged grins.

"So how do you like Hogwarts so far, Professor?" Hermione asked politely.

"It's definitely big," Jennifer admitted with a grin. "And I can't make up my mind who's more colorful; the other professors or the students. I think I'll like it here."

"So how long have you been teaching?" Ron asked, getting glances from Hermione and Harry.

"That depends. First, why don't you tell me how much money you got on figuring out how old I am?" Jennifer asked. Ron blinked in surprise.

"She's got your game, Ron," Harry grinned.

"Not much. But I guessed twenty-one, so did I nail it?" Ron asked brightly. Hermione shook her head. "Don't look at me like that, Hermione. She's the one that mentioned it."

"I'm old enough to be a professor and young enough to keep up with you students, and that's all you need to be concerned about. I swear you Hogwarts students are a nosy bunch. I never had this much attention at Beauxbatons! Of course, I was only an assistant

Potion instructor there," Jennifer admitted.

"You went from assistant Potion instructor to Defense here?" Ron asked, amazed. "Man, if that didn't burn old Snape I don't what will. He's been after that job for years."

"So I've been informed," Jennifer said. "But never mind that. It's time for dinner, isn't it? We might as well head in."

After dinner, Jennifer made her way up to Dumbledore's regular study to find that he was already sitting at his desk waiting for her.

"So, what did you think of our guests, Jennifer?" he asked after offering her a seat. She leaned back in the tall high-backed chair as she had done just two weeks before, mulling over the question before answering.

"Well, there's no doubt in my mind that Arnie and Daniel are behind us. The giant has his reservations, and rightly so, but I feel his concerns are more for his people rather than disloyalty." Albus Dumbledore nodded.

"Those were my feelings as well. I notice, however, that you didn't mention Ederick. Was it he who prompted you to go ahead and test them with the wands?" Jennifer hesitated.

"Well, I'm not really sure if he's against us or not, and I could be overreacting, but I decided to take your advice and err on the side of caution. You see, from the moment we met, I knew that Ederick hated me with an overwhelming ferocity, and I didn't understand it," Jennifer admitted.

"Hated you? How very interesting. And what about me?" Albus asked.

"He doesn't particularly like you, sir, but I didn't see all out hate either," Jennifer shrugged with a sigh. "I don't know what to make of it. Is it hatred towards me personally? Is it towards my father for fleeing the wrath of Voldemort? Or my father for being what he was?" she asked herself, but then shook her head. "In any case, I didn't think it was worth risking it. I'm sorry if it was just a personal thing, and from the tone, it very well may have been."

"No, no. I trust your instincts and you should trust them as well, Jennifer. Hatred is not something you normally see in someone whom you've just met. Dislike, distrust, but hatred?" Dumbledore asked as much to himself as to her.

"But why would anyone hold a grudge against me because of my parents? That doesn't make any sense to me either." Jennifer hadn't meant to say that out loud, but it had been bugging her the last couple of days as small comments about her father had slipped out from students in the corridors.

"Your parents never talked to you about why they left, did they?" Dumbledore asked gently.

"Not ever directly. Not specifics. I asked when I was younger, and they said not to worry. When father died, I asked my mother, but she would not answer except to tell me that it was all over now and not to think about it." Jennifer looked down. "She's dead… I know she is. I saw it in her face before it happened; she had known something was coming. I had always thought that her Truth Seeking would protect her."

"Ah, Jennifer. Truth Seeking is a marvelous ability to have, but it is by no means foolproof, as I'm sure you realize by now. Even if you can see one's face clearly, it may not always tell you why someone is doing what they are, or what caused it, or what the final result will be. Without knowing the right question to ask, you couldn't tell from your observations of your father what horrors he might have witnessed or what prompted him to try and get you and Alice out of harm's way in the first place." Jennifer looked into his eyes searchingly but saw only gentle concern.

"There were many reasons for me wanting you on my staff," he continued, "such as your ability as a teacher, your talents, and your stubbornness. But it is also because just as you make us safer by being here, you in return are safer being here. You may at some point have to face the answers to the questions you have been asking yourself, and some of them may be quite painful. But I have every faith that you'll rise to the occasion and march through with flying colors."

"Of course I will," Jennifer agreed cheerfully, looking for some levity. "Truth is my specialty. Of course, a little old fashioned digging never hurts either," she added with a grin.