Chapter Two

The Test

As Jennifer began to think about putting her studies away for the night, Audi returned, immediately taking off her cloak with a sigh. She glanced up the staircase, noticing the light coming from above.

"What a strange evening. Are you still up, Jen-girl? Come sit down with me for a moment before you're off to bed."

Audi built up the fire with a flick of the wand, pushing the cauldron and teakettle over it. Jennifer pushed away her notes and slipped down the stairs. She sat down at the table and looked over at Audi expectantly.

"Another curious death on another suspected dark wizard. Poof… gone… just like that. Investigation Council is not happy about it either, they've been trailing the dark wizard who just got nabbed for weeks."

"And they didn't see anything odd happening?" Jennifer asked. Audi gave her a look. It was obvious what her opinion was of the American Investigation Council.

"This one wasn't even a native; he was from France. Henri Dufrais, a magical research financier here on business." Audi leaned back in her rocking chair looking at Jennifer. Audi was holding something back that'd interest her, Jennifer thought.

"The parent company found out you were on the case and wants you to investigate? And something smells fishy, very… oh no, it couldn't be."

"Indeed yes, Jen-girl. Malfoy Enterprises and Magical Industries."

"But Malfoy doesn't know anything about it? About who's causing the deaths?"

"Well, the chap they sent down to me didn't know anything about it. Not that he could light a match unless you showed him which end was which."

"Sounds like Crabbe," Jennifer sighed. "Small world."

"And getting smaller. Just as well, I suppose, that it's almost time for you to be getting back. It wouldn't do for the Death Eaters to see the likes of us both in the same place. Death Eaters don't care for Truth Seekers much."

"So I've noticed," Jennifer said dryly. "It's actually surprising that they'd want you anywhere near this case. You don't suppose it's a setup, do you?" Audi frowned at her, reminding her what she'd been working on. "Too many tie-ins to the other cases? All of those random deaths," Jennifer sighed.

"Not completely random, Jen-girl, they did have one thing in common," she pointed out. "Each one of the victims was an expert in the dark arts. Every one. Still, most of them had started to keep a respectable enough record, at least in the last fifteen years or so."

"Perhaps someone's over here cleaning house for Voldemort," Jennifer thought grimly.

"That's one theory, definitely," Audi nodded. "So many of his supporters fled and started new lives after his apparent death. It's possible he's starting to feel comfortable enough to show his wrath."

"But that doesn't explain why Malfoy would want you to look into them."

"Public image, perhaps. Looks good to have an Auror on the payroll looking into things. People will figure it's all taken care of." Audi shrugged. "Still, I'm going to consider it. I need a holiday, and I have the feeling this case will lead me back to Britain. I haven't been there for over a decade, and I wouldn't mind seeing some of my old friends over there again."

Audi had been able to get an appointment for Jennifer's test, who ruefully realized it would be on her birthday. Perhaps that would bring her good luck, Jennifer thought as she spent the last week going over the written legal section of the test.

The written section of the test wasn't as bad as she had feared, and quickly turned it in to the Council Clerk. She drummed her fingers impatiently while waiting for him to look over it, hoping to get a peek at the score before the oral drill. She didn't get the chance, however, for she soon noticed a dragonfly speed into the room and land on a chair near her.

"Hello, Ms.?" Jennifer asked. The dragonfly quickly transformed in a woman in council robes.

"Good afternoon, I am Judge Vallid. I'll be going over your main exam, and if I'm satisfied then we'll see about you taking your Truth Seeker vow," the woman smiled thinly. Glancing at the judge's face for instructions, Jennifer walked out of the office, turned to the third door to her left and opened it, stepping in. There were seven people sitting at a table there, looking at her expectantly. The judge came in and closed the door.

The next part of the exam was actually designed more for those going into the investigation field. Each person at the table had bits and pieces of information she could read. From the bits of information they presented, she had to figure out who the prime suspect was, someone who was not in the room. When Jennifer figured out the answer, she chuckled.

"The prime suspect, it so happens, is Auror Belle," she finally said. "At first I thought it was the judge, until the last person here revealed it had to be someone close to me to have succeeded in killing them. Which would mean, oddly enough, that I got murdered. Does that mean I'm off the case?" Jennifer asked grinned.

"You are now," Vallid said, asking her to have a seat. The witnesses left, leaving just the two of them in the room.

"I'm going to ask you a series of questions which you need to answer truthfully to. The integrity test is the most important part of the test after we've established you have the Gift. You have some impressive verification references, that alone would have convinced me you had the talent even before you had to prove it just now," she smiled. It was apparent to Jennifer from her face that it had been a long time since Vallid had seen a recommendation by Albus Dumbledore, or even Madame Belle, for that matter, although Vallid had known Audi for some time. "Nothing that I ask you will be recorded or leave this room. All they will see on the test is a pass or fail. Please remember that how you answer the question and what I see will determine where the line of questions go from there." Jennifer nodded.

"Let's start out with some easy questions then. Your name?"

"Jennifer Corsiva Craw."

"Occupation?"

"Professor of the Defense of the Dark Arts of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Where were you born?"

"London."

"What are you doing in Springfield, so far from home?"

"Studying with Madame Belle."

"What prompted for you to go so far to study?"

"The Ministry of Magic offered it. They need certified Truth Seekers."

"Why did they need seekers so badly?"

"There aren't any in the U.K. Most of them have been killed or are in hiding."

"Why do you want to become certified?"

"So I could help put the Death Eaters away."

"Who is Lucius Malfoy?" Jennifer blinked, looking at her in surprise. Vallid looked at her steadily.

"He's a suspected Death Eater."

"Do you suspect him to be a Death Eater?"

"I know he is," Jennifer said simply.

"Is he one of reasons you wish to get certified?" Vallid continued.

"Yes."

"And why is that?"

"He was involved in the death of my mother."

"How do you know this?"

"I had read it in his face." Jennifer said. Vallid nodded and leaned back thoughtfully.

"So, you have first hand knowledge he's a Death Eater, and ability knowledge that he was involved in the murder of your mother. I take it there's other evidence as well?"

"Yes, but nothing I think that can get him by itself." Jennifer admitted.

" So, you're a prime witness, but you don't feel your testimony will hold up in court?"

Jennifer nodded. Vallid gazed at her steadily for a long moment.

"Who is Severus Snape?" she asked at last.

"He's Potion's Master at Hogwarts, a fellow professor."

"Is he a Death Eater?"

Jennifer tried not to panic. The test was on integrity. Vallid never said she had to answer.

"I can't discuss anything to do with Severus Snape," she said at last.

"Why is that?" Vallid asked watching her closely.

"I'm entrusted with delicate information," Jennifer admitted.

"And if you were asked this in court at this moment, would you comply or risk contempt?"

"I'd risk contempt," Jennifer sighed, knowing that she would. She had risked a lot more to keep things quiet already. Was this question going to sink her, she wondered? How can she pass the test if she has to refuse to answer questions?

"All right, that's all my questions," Vallid said at last, looking at her thoughtfully and studying the worry that had developed in Jennifer's face. "You have passed the integrity test with flying colors. If you'll step outside, I'll be with you in a moment to read you your vows."

Jennifer smiled weakly, muttered a 'thanks', and walked out. If she'd done so well, then why did it feel like there was something wrong? Audi was across the hall when she exited, sitting in the front seat of a small hearing room. Jennifer walked in and sat beside her, as Audi studied her face.

"So, you passed! Well done, I knew you would. Sorry I wasn't here sooner, had to run home and take care of something. At least I'm here for the certification, eh?" she smiled. "I even brought you a present." Having Jennifer hold out her hand, Audacious gave Jennifer the small pocket mirror that Audi had taken away from her at the beginning of the summer. Without looking at it, Jennifer put it in her pocket.

"Thanks, Audi, for everything. I've learned a lot this summer," Jennifer smiled at her.

"You're tired and homesick," Audi told her gently, "I know. But you'll be going back soon enough. And then you'll miss me," she cackled madly, "of course, not as much as you're missing someone else right now."

"Audi, stop picking on me, it's been a long test," Jennifer scolded her.

Just then Judge Vallid entered along with a handful of other court officials, stepping to the front of a podium, motioning for Jennifer to rise. Jennifer stood in front of her, watching as she read from a giant law book.

"The formal position of Truth Seeker is not an easy one. To be a Truth Seeker, you must not only possess a rare ability, but the willingness to serve as an extension of the court, to offer expert testimony, and to put aside all bias to act in honest and honorable manner. A Truth Seeker must show utmost integrity, with herself as well as others, willing to do whatever it takes to protect the rights of all pursuant of good, as well as to accurately and fairly testify against those who would commit any crime punishable by law. A Truth Seeker may not dictate her own justice, but abide by the will of the court to help determine the outcome of a trial. She must put aside all other loyalties and bias from the moment she enters the court until the moment she leaves. Nothing but truth in its purest form must influence her actions in the presence of justice.

"Jennifer Corsiva Craw, you have been found to have the Gift, total comprehension of gift techniques, court knowledge, and the integrity necessary to be certified as a Truth Seeker. Are you now ready to take the oath?"

Jennifer looked up into Vallid's eyes, seeing only her own reflection. But she did not have to see anything else to know what she had to do.

"Actually, no. Thank you, but I don't think I can," Jennifer said at last. Vallid smiled thinly at her, but she was aware of the other officials looking at each other in surprise.

"Truth, to me, isn't a cut and dry thing," she continued softly, "It's colored with experience, emotion, circumstance, morals, personality, trust, conditioning. When I look at people and see the facts in their faces, I do not accept it as truth. I first ask why is it there? How come it's there? If it's bad, what can I do to change it, and if it's good, how can I help? Truth is different for everyone, really, so all I'm really gathering is information. And information by itself just don't constitute truth as far as I'm concerned, and therefore, I can't take this vow and be honest to myself. I'm sorry, Judge, councilmen. I'm sorry, Audi."

Audi came up behind her looking anything but upset; in fact Jennifer was quite surprised just how pleased the old woman was when the she hugged her. Vallid looked pleased as well, stepping up to shake her hand.

"It's been a while since someone got as far as you did and stepped away, Jennifer. I think you made the right decision," Vallid smiled. "May I save your answer, for the record?" Jennifer nodded to her with a weak smile.

"Please feel free. I am already starting to forget what I said." Jennifer admitted, still slightly confused by their reaction. Vallid then handed her a card with her name and office addresses on it.

"I am not going to say anything about what we discussed, Jennifer. In fact, normally I take a forgetfulness dose after the integrity test," Vallid admitted. "This time, however, I'm not going to. I want you to promise me if something comes up where you need a certified Truth Seeker or a counselor that can't be bought, or won't charge for services for that matter. Just send a note out to me, and I'll come." Vallid told Jennifer, looking at her with a determined expression on her face. "Promise?"

"I promise," Jennifer nodded, with a smile. Audacious was looking at Vallid as if that was something unheard of, but Vallid ignored the look.

"Good, then I will see you later. Have a safe trip home," Vallid added, walking out of the room. Audi stared after the judge in amazement.

"Goodness, Jennifer, however did you manage to do that?" Audi finally said, putting an arm around her as they walked out of the room.

"Do what?" Jennifer asked.

"Jen-girl, don't you realize that Judge Lunette Vallid is top Truth Seeker in all the world? I've never known her to make such a commitment in one sitting," she said in complete amazement. "You must have made quite an impression."