Chapter Twelve

Close Calls

Dumbledore had wasted no time, sending the Knight Bus directly to the door and whisking the Muggle couple and their suitcases safely away to a location they had decided on the summer before. And by five until midnight, as Jennifer rushed upstairs to grab her Shroud, the house of Dr. and Dr. Granger of Mulberry was dark and quiet.

Dark cloaked figures began to descend upon the neighborhood, as one by one the city lights around them grew dim and puffed out like candles before a storm.

Jennifer Apparated a block away, throwing on the Shroud before Apparating up on the roof of the house where they had gathered, lying as still as she could. She felt her heart beat rapidly as she attempted to count the Death Eaters coming near. There were so many more now, she thought, many more than she had ever seen together before. But this was Halloween, and Voldemort had called them all in attempt to attack at the heart of Hogwarts by hurting those outside of its protection. She smiled grimly, knowing for certain that they would not find any prey tonight. Therein lay the danger that she had perceived for Severus; that the blame would fall on him. For once, she wanted the followers of Voldemort to know the truth. She watched closely as a group of them entered and then came out again, edging a little closer so that she could hear.

"What do you mean there is no one here?" A voice snapped angrily. Jennifer knew at once it was Voldemort.

"There's no one. Nothing is out of place, perhaps they have just gone somewhere for the evening," said a voice that she didn't recognize.

"Lucius, take your group ahead to the next one," Voldemort said. A dozen figures Disapparated, then Voldemort himself went in, followed by two others. Inhaling sharply, Jennifer pulled the Shroud closer around her, then Apparated to the roof of the Granger house, crouching down along the back ridge. Just as she got the nerve to peer down the front side, Malfoy's group reappeared on the front lawn, and one of them, Lucius, Jennifer thought, walked over to the house.

"Master, they are gone as well, and there's a sign of a rush. The closet was opened, and drawers, and there were no suitcases around," Lucius said. Jennifer heard footsteps below her vision on the porch.

"So, they were forewarned. How were they warned? Dumbledore has been here in this house, I can sense it!" Voldemort growled. "And none of you knew our plans until I called you this very evening. So who could have possibly been able to do it? You. You wouldn't happen to have any ideas on how this may have occurred… would you, Severus?" Voldemort snarled, approaching one of the cloaked figures. "After all, you were the closest to Dumbledore when you were called, and you took a long time in getting here."

"I was on grounds air patrol, Master, just as I had told you I would be. All of the professors were still there when I left." Severus said calmly.

"Apparently you are either less informed than usual, Severus, or there is a leak. You wouldn't happen to know where that leak might be, would you?" Voldemort's voice was threatening, and Jennifer was aware of the group beginning to encircle them.

Glancing up at the stars in silent prayer, Jennifer laid flat against the roof, holding her wand to her throat softly casting an echo spell.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Voldemort and his goons with no fashion sense," Jennifer said loudly, the echo resonating around the area, causing them to look around with a start. "Kind of late to be out begging for candy, isn't it? Fortunately, that mark your curse left on Harry has betrayed you again. You'll not be finding any treats to slay tonight I think. As usual, we're one step ahead of you. Give it up, Voldemort, you were doomed before you even started. Your reign of terror won't last forever."

"It's Craw! Don't just stand there, find her and kill her, kill her, kill her!" he shouted angrily as the Death Eaters began to spread out. "Dementors, go seek your revenge! You may have helped steal our intended prey, Craw, but I will find much satisfaction in ridding this world of you forever!"

"Monstre hostis!" Several of them cried out, as she tried to slide behind the chimney out of their range.

"Materia ligare!" She heard Malfoy's voice shout from below and too her right along the side of the house. Quickly she tried to roll out of the way, but it was too late, a shock wave went through her, sealing her off from Disapparating. "Got her," Malfoy said with satisfaction. Two Dementors rose into her view, reaching to pull down their hoods.

"Expecto patronum!" Jennifer cried, a pair of angry Unicorns of light speeding out from her wand, spearing the Dementors who shrieked in pain. As they disintegrated, she heard loud, cold laughter.

"Ah, so there you are, little shadow, your Unicorns have betrayed you. It's long past time that you were repaid for defying me, my dear. Come, my servants, gather around I would not wish to leave anyone out. Let's all cast Cruciatus Curse at the same time and see if there's anything left of her afterwards, shall we? This one definitely deserves a less immediate death. Wands out, everyone…" Voldemort instructed as he walked around the house towards the back to get a better view.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Suddenly Jennifer saw a green light from the corner of her eye, and a Death Eater fell.

"One down, another forty nine or so to go!" a loud whisper called out. But as everyone turned to look at the new assailant, Jennifer was quickly grabbed, hand over her mouth, and she found herself being forced up onto the chimney.

"I think it came from that tree," Severus shouted, casting the enemy reveal spell in that direction.

"Wait, there's someone else on the roof!" Lucius warned, glancing back up at the building.

"Not any more there's not," the loud whisper hissed, sounding as if it were laughing. "Looks as if yet another prey has slipped away from you tonight, Voldemort. And yet I have gotten another of mine. So long, Dansguild. Your mother has now been avenged." Bright flashes of light seared across at the tree, but it was too late, the figure had already Disapparated, leaving only the flaming oak in his wake.

"I should have known she was one of them!" Voldemort said, drowning in his own rage, his fury causing a couple of the Death Eaters to back up nervously. "There was never a Craw born without Dark magic in their blood. I've had enough excuses from you, Severus, get back there and find out exactly how Dumbledore found out we were coming. Malfoy, find a way to get that foolish girl away from that school and destroy her in any way you see fit. If you can contain her mother, I'm sure you can find a way to contain her."

Jennifer stepped out of the fireplace and immediately found a hold spell cast on her and her wand snatched out of her hand.

"What did you think you were doing out there?" a woman's voice under a mask demanded angrily, putting Jennifer's wand under her belt. "Do you have a death wish? Because it almost came true tonight, Jen-girl. They were going to literally turn you inside out!"

"Audi Belle?" Jennifer stammered. "You're the Ivory Skull?"

"No, I'm not, but it was a damn good thing we were there, or you'd be bug splatter over the top of that house right now. What's gotten into you trying to pull a stunt like that? Yes, yes, I know, Severus. It's all over your face, you didn't want him to get stuck taking the blame. Well, Jen-girl, did it ever occur to you that throwing your life away like that might have caused him more pain and anguish to him than his own death might have? And what about the impact it'd have on the school? After I went out of my way to get mixed up in this whole mess, sticking up for what you and Severus were trying to do, and then you do something so careless!" Audacious stopped short; trying to contain her anger as a second robed figure stepped in from the next room, his fists tightly clenched.

"Get that… that child … out of my sight at once," he hissed angrily. "Don't give her back the wand. It's obvious she's not responsible enough to wield it properly."

"You can't keep my wand, it's cursed!" Jennifer exclaimed.

"Yes, so I heard you tell Snape when I went to try and kill him," he snapped. "And I swear to you, girl, if you keep messing up my plans, I will make sure you are stuffed out of the picture for a long, long, time, until even Dumbledore will think you are dead." With that, the figure Disapparated.

Audi took off her hooded cloak and mask then released Jennifer from the hold spell. She grabbed her arm firmly and leading her back to the chimney, hitting her with another dose of floo powder, telling her to head to Hogsmeade station. They arrived in the ticket lounge just a moment later, Audi glancing around quickly before leading her outside into the darkness.

"Don't bother trying to talk anyone into thinking I'm with the Ivory Skull. My word will stand up over yours, and I guarantee you they won't find any evidence to support it."

"Why are you helping him when you were after him for so long? I thought you didn't agree with his brand of justice!" Jennifer said.

"I didn't then and I don't now, but someone had to do something. You have only yourself to blame for getting me into this. Thanks to you and that fool Snape of yours, everyone has been taking incomprehensible risks covering for you. If either of you had any sense at all, you'd start taking a look around to see how many people you've pulled into this insane web you've woven yourselves into!" she snapped.

Audi walked away and Disapparated, leaving Jennifer standing by the lake. She sighed, suddenly getting the feeling that wasn't the only words she was going to hear tonight.

Covering her head with the Shroud again, Jennifer unshrank her automatic broom and flew up over the lake, heading towards the parapet. No one appeared to be there as she quietly alighted, retracted her broom and put it away. She had to quickly get down to the Great Hall, she thought, hopefully before anyone stopped her to ask where she'd been. Pulling off the Shroud and stuffing it in her cloak, she crept over to the door, listening for footsteps on the stairs just outside it. It was just as she reached for the handle that she heard a cough behind her.

"Going so soon?"

Jennifer took a deep breath and turned around to face Dumbledore. The look on his face was thoughtful rather than judgmental, but after the yelling she had just received, she found herself feeling guilty for leaving her post like that, even if she did ask permission.

"I was just… going to check on the students," Jennifer said slowly. "How are their parents?"

"All of our Muggle and half-Muggle parents arrived safely at their second locations and I'm sure are settling in. I was a tad worried that we would not have the time to get them all out, but it appears the Death Eaters were delayed enough that we were able to get to them all," he smiled softly. Jennifer relaxed a bit. At least she knew now some good came out of her escapade. "You have a great many people in this school at the moment concerned about your welfare right now, Jennifer. Your decision to leave when you did caused quite a stir."

"I had to, I was afraid that…" she paused, trying to think of what she wanted to say.

"Afraid, Jennifer?" Dumbledore said gently.

"Yes, well, I wasn't afraid for myself, exactly," Jennifer said. Dumbledore smiled at her and nodded.

"You know, I once heard one of my professors claim that fear couldn't harm or manipulate a person unless they let it. You wouldn't remember who might have said that, do you?" he asked.

"That would have been me," Jennifer nodded sheepishly. "It's just that every time I get afraid, I feel like I have to go fix whatever it is causing it as quickly as possible so I don't have to deal with it."

"And that tactic has worked out remarkably for you in the past, and no one could possibly deny that," Dumbledore said. "You've been through more in a year and a half than most have to contend with in a lifetime and have always come out on top. But perhaps it's time you began to learn how to look before you leap. Sometimes doing what seems to be a good solution at the moment can have negative long term effects on yourself and others that you may not realize."

"It was a mistake then," Jennifer sighed.

"I did not say that. Really, only you can decide that, no matter what anyone else thinks. You are responsible for your own actions. All I am suggesting is that you slow down a little before you act."

"But then what if I end up being too late?" Jennifer asked. "I'd never forgive myself."

"You can't be everywhere, Jennifer. You can't always arrive on time. You can't stop every evil curse or death any more than I can," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "You know, you and Severus are alike in so many ways; headstrong, sharp, always trying to stay a step ahead. There's something I said to him the other day that I think I will offer to you now, because, I think, it comes at the heart of this whole thing. It's much easier to trust someone with your life than it is to trust someone with their own. Learning how to do that, however, will reap its own rewards, and you won't be spending all of your time running yourself into the ground when you're only human, after all."

Jennifer nodded slowly and sighed, knowing as usual he was right. Dumbledore patted her arm gently then glanced towards the door, listening to the heavy footsteps pelting up the stairs. Suddenly the door slammed open with a loud *CRACK* that made Jennifer wince. Severus stormed through it and over to them looking more furious than Jennifer had ever seen him before, and it was without question directed at her.

"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, but I need to speak to Professor Craw alone." Severus said gritting his teeth slightly. Jennifer's eyes grew wide in surprise. She'd never heard him ask Dumbledore to leave like that either.

"Of course, Severus. I was on my way down to the kitchen for some hot chocolate anyhow. Good night, Jennifer. I'll let Minerva know you've arrived home safely and in one piece."

"For now," Severus added, glaring at her as he paced along the wall.

"Uh, Professor Dumbledore?"

"Now, Jennifer," Dumbledore began as he pried the door out of the wall. "You made the decision to leave on your own, you may deal with the consequences on your own," he said. "Good night, Severus. I'll make sure you aren't disturbed, or heard for that matter." Severus nodded, watching as Dumbledore closed the door behind them.

Severus kept pacing in front of her, stopping every now and then as if he was going to say something before continuing to pace again. Jennifer watched him anxiously but didn't try to speak; getting the feeling that would only make things worse. Finally he stopped, facing the wall, folding his arms.

"Do you have any idea of what you just put me through?" Severus asked, his voice cold with anger. "Do you? No? Well I will tell you then," he said, pacing again. "I knew the moment we arrived that they were gone, although I had no idea what tipped them off. None of us were told where we were going tonight until we had gotten there. When they were found missing, I went in with Voldemort and Wormtail, who of course noticed the missing suitcases, knowing they had flown. And then, as I was attempting to explain to them that I had nothing to do with it, I heard the last voice I had expected to hear at that moment. Yours.

"I knew you hadn't a chance hiding from so many, but I had hoped that'd you have enough sense to get out of there before they had time to look. But no, you did not. And there I was, trying to figure out what I could do after Malfoy bound you from Disapparating. And then, Voldemort decided to have us all participate in a mass Cruciatus Curse… a pain overload. Have you ever seen someone die like that? I have, more times than I care to remember. In fact, it was after I had witnessed two deaths such as these that I first realized how over my head I was so many years ago. I was not about to stand there and watch them do that to you. As Voldemort gathered everyone, I was taking a step back with full intention of Apparating up to you, thinking at the very least I could try to shield you in hopes to buy you enough time to get away. But then, right beside me, Cain Dansguild fell dead, and I knew, somehow, that it was the man from the Dark Forest who had done it.

"As the chaos broke out, I learned that you had disappeared. I wanted nothing more to check my watch at that moment, to make sure you were safe… I had no idea if you were any better or worse for being where you were or if you were even alive. I thought I had lost you forever, and all because you decided to come and play 'hero' or perhaps 'martyr' would be the more appropriate term. You certainly couldn't have picked a worse time to break your word about not leaving without talking to me first!"

"I was only trying to help," Jennifer said softly, trying to remain calm, "and you have no room to talk about wondering whether I'm alive or not, when I have to deal with that every single time you leave the school."

"I don't put myself intentionally in the line of fire," he snapped.

"How can you say that? You're in the line of fire every single time you leave! We've been walking on eggshells for over a year now, and with every passing day, things get more out of hand. With the exception of helping the Unicorns which I did to protect this school, everything I've done was to protect you, including tonight, because I knew Voldemort would suspect you if I hadn't interfered. I have done everything you asked, even hid behind lies and half-truths to keep our relationship a secret. We've both taken risks, considering the big risk you took in letting me live in the first place when Voldemort tried to kill me last year."

"Well, I don't want you taking risks for me, ever. I'm not going to let you put yourself in jeopardy on my account. Do not interfere again!" Severus said angrily, walking up to her. "No more arguments. I want your word that you'll not try anything that stupid again!" Jennifer stared at him for a long while. It was as if he hadn't heard a word she had said.

"All right, Severus. Have it your way. I won't interfere again, if that's what you want. And while we're at it, I don't want you taking any risks for me anymore, either. Live your life any way you want it, just don't consider me a part of it anymore. If you won't let me stand beside you, then I don't want to be with you at all."

Turning around, Jennifer quickly threw open the door and ran down the stairs, not daring to look back. After taking a moment to step in the bathroom to wash off her tear-streaked face, she went back to the Great Hall to relieve Filius and Minerva, trying to pretend that nothing had happened.