Chapter Twelve

Truth and Consequence

Harry had in sudden pain just before the end of Madame Trelawney's class, making her turn and scream. Ron, who had been making up an elaborate story about death and destruction by dragons that would hit the world after an earthquake twenty years from now, hadn't noticed Harry's hand rubbing his scar until that point. Trelawney pointed an accusing finger at Harry.

"Something very bad is going to happen to someone you know in less than a minute! You have my permission to leave early! And you too, Mr. Weasley!"

So, it just so happened that Harry and Ron, who had taken the back stairs to cut to their Transfiguration class, was passing the door of Jennifer's classroom just after she had left. Harry doubled over, much to Ron's alarm.

"What is it, what is it?" Ron flailed.

"It's in there, whatever it is," Harry winced, trying to get up. "Open it!"

"But what if –"

"Open it!"

Ron got out his wand, fear written on his face as he popped open the door… and saw nothing. He relaxed, sighing.

"Harry, come look. There's nothing in here." Harry slowly walked in, pain still shooting through his scar.

"I'm telling you that there's something wrong. Check for anything suspicious!" As Ron started looking around the classroom itself, Harry walked slowly up to the desk. "Professor Craw's books. It's not like her to go and leave her books lying around."

"Better not touch them, Harry. She's a smashing good teacher, but a professor's books? Probably turn you into a newt or something if you try and get at them." It was then that Harry saw the edge of a note sticking out from the book and reached to get it, wincing as he tried.

"It seems to be this note," Harry said. Ron came over and took it out, so both of them could see it.

"It's from Snape! Look! She just went to meet him."

"This isn't from Snape, Ron. It's from –"

"What are you two doing in here? And why do I keep hearing my name?" Ron and Harry jumped and turned to see Professor Snape standing in the doorway and frowning at them. "Are you trying to get test…"

"Shut up a moment!" Harry snapped, making Snape grow wide-eyed with surprise. "Professor Craw's in trouble! Voldemort has something to do with it! Ron, give him the note." Snape snatched the note out of their hands, unmistakable fear in his eyes.

"I want you both to go straight to Dumbledore and tell them what you found, and tell him I went to go look for her. Don't tell him anything until he's alone, understand?" Without saying another word, Severus turned around and disappeared down the corridor.

It didn't take her long to realize how much danger she was in. The moment she and the Death Eater that had been waiting for her arrived at the next location, she wondered if she was ever going to see the light of day again. Jennifer fell to her knees and bowed, closing her eyes to calm herself.

It was then the first spell hit her, a restraining spell, and right afterwards an imbibing spell, forcing her to drink a Veritaserum potion. Death Eaters surrounded her in a circle.

"Crucio!"

Like a fire starting from the inside and working out Jennifer was engulfed in pain. Only the restraining spell kept her from doubling over, and she gritted her teeth hard to keep herself from crying out.

"Hmm. Again."

"Crucio!"

She tried to hold back, but it was too much. Her body was wracking with pain and she couldn't move. She let out a soft sobbing sound, as much out of anger as the pain itself.

"Bravery is not an acceptable trait in a servant. Or didn't your master tell you that?" said the voice. "Question her. Make sure to remind her where she is after every answer."

"What is your name?" asked a voice. She recognized it immediately; it was Lucius Malfoy's voice.

"Jennifer Corsiva Craw."

"Crucio!" Jennifer stopped fighting her urge to cry out, realizing she'd need the strength to get her through. How long was she going to have to survive this?

"Who do you take orders from?"

"Severus Snape."

"Crucio!" Pain washed over her again, filling her senses with agony. She was only vaguely aware she was screaming.

"To whom do you give your loyalty?"

"Severus Snape."

"Crucio!" Her strength began to web and she knew she wasn't going to be able to take much more. Her body was crumbling to the point that numbness was at last setting in.

"Are you a Truth Seeker?"

"No." she gritted her teeth.

"Wait," said the voice, and there was a pause. "Ask her what makes her so sure?"

"What makes you so sure of that?" Malfoy asked.

"Dumbledore said so," she sobbed. "I am not like my mother."

"When did he say this?" Malfoy asked at the voice's prompting.

"A few weeks ago, when he put me on probation."

"Probation?"

"Yes. He thought I might have stolen the Mirror. Asked questions. I didn't say. And he was angry because I stole some documents. They threatened to sack me."

"You didn't tell them anything?" the voice asked.

"No, Snape ordered me not to tell anyone anything and go through him. So I did not tell."

She was giving out a lot more information than perhaps was warranted, she realized, but they hadn't hit her with the curse since she had. Malfoy was still keeping a firm handle on the restraining spell, however.

"What documents did you take?" Malfoy asked.

"The documents that were found in the Ministry of Magic's trash room. They were court documents of the Death Seeker acquittals. I copied the ones in Dumbledore's study."

"Where are they now?" Malfoy demanded. His voice was angry, but not at her.

"Snape found out I had them and took them from me. Dumbledore still has the originals."

"Anything else, Master?" Malfoy asked.

"Hm. Put her in front of the Mirror. If there is any disloyalty we've not yet found, her desires will betray her."

She stood, having no control over her body, which was weakened from the pain. The mirror was brought before her and she gazed into it, at last understanding something about the Mirror that she hadn't before. She saw herself next to Snape, and they were somewhere safe.

"What do you see?" Malfoy asked.

"I see myself standing with Severus Snape in the back of the Hogwarts Library, where this Mirror was taken," she stammered, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"Interesting, very interesting," said the cold voice. "I am going to have to ask your master exactly how he managed to get such complete control over his puppet. I underestimated him.

"Spare her," the voice continued after a moment. "She's not a threat. Perhaps she can be useful in finding the real documents, hm?"

"Send her back in one piece sir?" Malfoy asked again.

"I did not say that," the cold voice said. "It might give Severus reason to pause if he sees how we treat those we even suspect of betraying us. If he's so clever, he can find his own explanation to Dumbledore as to how she got hurt."

How she managed to safely Apparate back to the Forest she wasn't quite sure, but once she got there, she couldn't manage another step. She fell, groaning in pain. She knew she was bleeding. She knew she had to get up, but she couldn't. Her leg was broken, and both her wrists, and she just didn't have any will left. Suddenly she heard a neigh and felt warm breath on her, a breath that gave her enough energy to open her eyes. A Unicorn stood above her, whinnying.

"I can't do it. I can't. I need help please. Can't you get help?"

The beast stepped away a bit, neighing loudly. Hazily she was aware of other hoof beats growing louder by the second.

"Professor! I've found her!" called a loud gruff voice. She winced with pain from the loud noises. She felt someone over her and heard him cursing angrily, vaguely aware that it was Severus.

"It's ok," she said weakly, cringing in pain. "I did well. You're safe."

"I couldn't care less about that at the moment," Severus said briskly. She felt a cloak drop over her. "Save your strength, I'm taking you back to Hogwarts." Quickly he made a stretcher, gently levitating her onto it, cringing when she cringed as she was laid upon it.

Hogwarts, she thought, it sounded lovely. Where had she heard that name before? "Good luck Professor," she heard the gruff voice say. "I only hope the Unicorn's breath was enough."

Opening her eyes, she winced in pain from something she did not expect… light. There's light? She kept envisioning herself in intense pain as she slept; pain and stubborn will, and the only light was a white beast that carried her out of the darkness. As her eyes began to focus she saw a hint of gold, and then a sleeve, and silver hair, and finally she realized someone was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Dumbledore," she murmured softly. He smiled at her. He was thinking of how glad he was to see her awake. "Oh Professor, I'm sorry. I was thinking, that day… what you said… it saved my life."

"Not now, not now, Jennifer. It is much too early for you to relive those memories. You are very lucky to be here right now. I suggest you just rest and try to relax."

"Severus?"

"He's all right, Jennifer. He's a bit frantic, but all right. I made him take one of his own nasty sedatives and coaxed him to go to bed," Dumbledore said. Jennifer chuckled, but then stopped because it hurt too much.

"I feel so… raw."

"You were hit with quite a wave of curses. Poppy mended the bones but the nerves will take time. The nightmares haven't been helping either. You have been screaming out in your sleep these last few hours." Jennifer blinked, then frowned. "Don't be angry with yourself, Jennifer. I've seen very strong men do the same after what you just went through."

"Ha. But I'm better than them. I know no fear," she murmured indignantly.

"Shall I get you a mirror?" Dumbledore said, looking at her over the rim of his glasses.

"No, thank you," she pouted weakly, knowing quite well that he was teasing her.

"Drink this to help your nightmares, and then sleep for a while longer. When you awaken, you, Severus and I are going to have to have a long talk about exactly what happened." He held a cup out to her, and she felt her pillow lift her head up.

"I don't ever want to talk about it," Jennifer drank down the golden liquid, handing him back the cup. "I just can't." She frowned at the thought, still too fresh in her mind even as the potion started to take hold.

"Don't worry, Jennifer, we'll all work this through together. I won't leave you alone like that again, or so blind either." The pillow went back down, and she yawned, annoyed at how quickly it was taking effect.

"Thank you, Professor, I wish I had your foresight sometimes."

"Foresight is just another word for experience, Jennifer," Dumbledore smiled in amusement, watching as Jennifer drifted off to sleep.