Chapter Nineteen
Hogsmeade
Jennifer put on the new burgundy riding dress Minerva and she had been working on, finishing it off with a thin black sash and long trailing black satin ribbons braided in her hair. She'd never had a chance to get to Hogsmeade before because of all of the games, events, Pegasi lessons and Apparation lessons last year. She stopped at the mirror in her room, consulting it on her appearance before looking in her own eyes to get a true reading. She frowned at herself.
"I don't know whether he's going or not. And I don't know if he'd notice the dress. Sirius is going, and I'm sure he'll notice," she told herself, reading her face again. "Oh, don't be silly. He knows I'm just going as a friend. Just go and have a good time and relax, that's the whole point, right? Try not to think about anything else." She wagged a finger at herself, glanced at the clock, and then glanced over at Ratfly. "I don't suppose you want to go?" she asked the sleepy bat. "Well, I'll open the window in case you change your mind. I might find something you might like today, not that you deserve it, you lazy thing." Scratching her familiar's head from where he hung on his perch, she grabbed her school cloak and headed out the door.
Sirius was already standing by the gate when she came up, and was talking with Rolanda who was keeping him company. He gazed at her almost wistfully before breaking into a warm smile. Rolanda watched the exchange with interest, waving at Jennifer.
"Good morning, Jennifer! Running a little late, aren't we?" Rolanda grinned at her. "The students left half an hour ago."
"You did say ten-thirty?" Jennifer peered at Sirius.
"I did indeed. Since we're Apparating we can afford a little extra time, and may I say it would have been worth the wait in any case, your radiant beauty is enough to take the chill out of the wintry air," Sirius said kissing her hand. Rolanda rolled her eyes at him.
"Nice dress, it's one of Minerva's designs, isn't it?" she asked politely.
"Yes, we made it together. She's been teaching me fabric transfiguration," Jennifer said.
"You are full of hidden talents, Jennifer! Is there anything you can't do?" Sirius asked.
"I can name one," offered Rolanda. Jennifer glanced around for stray students before sticking her tongue out at Rolanda, who chuckled. "You two better be off, and I need to be getting on patrol."
"You're not going at all?" Jennifer asked her.
"I may be down later," Rolanda smiled then waved as she took her broom across the grounds.
"Follow me, Jennifer," Sirius said and Disapparated.
Jennifer appeared close beside him, looking down at a bustling street of students and locals. Novelty shops from candy to joke shops lined the streets, and Jennifer couldn't help but grin. No wonder the students liked it here. Sirius offered his arm and they strolled down the street together. Several students stopped to stare at them, some of them waving hello to Jennifer as they passed by. "Let's see, where do you want to go first?"
"Not sure, I've never been here before," Jennifer admitted.
"Never been? And the village being so close? Well, we can't do a thing then until you meet Madame Rosmerta. She'd never forgive me," he said with a grin, leading her to a large building with a sign reading, The Three Broomsticks. Sirius opened the door and Jennifer gladly stepped into the warm room, glancing around. Even this early the pub was bustling, students crowding the tables with butterbeers and cocoadrops. A very pretty woman with sharp, calculating eyes and an ageless face was bustling around cheerfully, stopping every now and then to chat with the students. Sirius led Jennifer over and Rosmerta smiled at him.
"If it isn't Sirius Black! You're looking strikingly better every time I see you. And who is this, the love of your life?"
"Were I that lucky, no," Sirius chuckled. "Rosmerta, I would like you to meet Professor Jennifer Craw of Hogwarts."
"Aha! So this is the famous Professor Craw I've been hearing so much about. And just as lovely as the students boast as well," Rosmerta said, amused by Jennifer's pink cheeks.
"You've heard about me?" Jennifer asked.
"Rosmerta hears about everything," Sirius winked.
"Well, I definitely knew I was going to be meeting Professor Craw today," she said amused. "Several people have already been in here determined to buy your first butterbeer. Four, in fact. And I must say you have quite a list of fans as I've never seen before. At any rate, you have four coming; I'm just wondering which one I'm going to tell got you the first if I am asked," she said with amusement.
"Well, who are were they?" Sirius asked, folding his arms, slightly annoyed that anyone beat him to it.
"Young Harry Potter was one, and Minister Weasley as well, our dear Headmaster, of course, and also a professor who wished to remain anonymous but I have just got to say, it's the first time I've ever known him to buy anyone a drink," she said, looking impressed. Sirius and Jennifer exchanged smirks.
"Gee I wonder who that might be," Sirius said wryly.
"I think I'd better take Dumbledore's first," Jennifer said quickly. "None of the others will be offended if they knew he beat them to it."
"How very diplomatic of you," Sirius laughed, and they went to a table. "One thing's for certain; you're not buying any drinks today. Once everyone else is covered, I'll pick up any extras."
"If this keeps up, I'm going to be heading back to the school tonight feeling like a balloon," she chuckled.
Jennifer quickly finished the drink, the warm liquid shaking off the morning chill. After promising Rosmerta they'd be back later to make good on the rest, they went off to look in the shops.
"I am definitely hoping to put a dent in my Christmas list," she said as they walked towards Honeydukes candy shop. "Last year I waited until the last moment on everything except the watch."
"Are you going to get me anything this year?" Sirius teased.
"Well, I can't if you won't let me go shopping without you," Jennifer pointed out.
The candy shop was filled with students, and as Jennifer and Sirius attempted to make their way around the edge to look, Ron and Hermione swam through the crowd to get to them.
"Professor Craw! Sirius! Did you really come together?" Ron asked. Hermione quickly elbowed him.
"Guess what, Professor Craw, the new Hogwarts Professor Series frog cards have come out. We haven't found one of you, yet," Hermione said.
"Oh, no! When Minerva wrote me about that over the summer I thought she was joking!" Jennifer said, horrified. "I'm not really in there, am I?"
"All of the Professors over the last hundred years are, including the current ones. I haven't had much luck though. All I've gotten that are still on staff are Snape and Trelawney. I even got that nut Lockhart." Ron said. "Haven't gotten Snape's picture to pop up once."
"I have Flitwick and Dumbledore," said Hermione.
"That does it. I'm getting me some frogs," Jennifer said.
"Good luck. I bet they run out before they get through that crowd," Ron said, "We got here early."
"Ginny and Harry's still in line, maybe you can get them to buy some for you," Hermione suggested.
"I'll go talk to them," Sirius winked and started wading through the students.
"Do you like my potion bottle necklace?" Hermione asked. "Aren't they neat?" Hermione handed her a gold chain necklace with a tiny potion bottle with a slight red tint, and a tiny gold stopper. "Everyone's getting one."
"Every girl is getting one. It's just a fad," Ron explained. "You're supposed to put something of your boyfriend or girlfriend or someone you like in it, like a picture or lock of hair or something, and it's supposed to bring you luck. Of course, you get them in the divination shop so I doubt it really works, but all of the girls think they're cute."
"Not just all the girls. Harry bought one, and I've seen a few of the other boys wearing them too," Hermione glared at him. "You're just not a romantic."
"Well, I want one!" Jennifer said, handing it back to her excitedly. "Do they come in different colors?"
"Yes, different colors and chains."
"You're not really going to wear one, are you?" Ron protested.
"Yes, and so should you. Don't be so stubborn," Jennifer teased him.
Sirius appeared with a couple of cases and a large bag. Harry and Ginny were carrying bags of their own and wearing matching gold tinted bottle necklaces.
"A case of frogs for me, a case of frogs for you, and I got you a sample bag of this and that as well," Sirius said cheerfully.
"Lovely! How much?" Jennifer asked
"Not a knut from you, girl. Just think of it as an early Christmas present. Besides, it makes me feel better for not being able to buy you your first drink."
"Did you get your butterbeer?" Harry asked brightly.
"Oh, I haven't had the one you bought me yet, I'm afraid Dumbledore beat you to it. But I'll have yours later, thank you very much." Jennifer smiled at him.
"Dumbledore is always quicker than everyone else," Ron grinned.
"That's why he's the Headmaster," Hermione added.
"So where to now?" Ginny wondered.
"How about the joke shop?" Harry suggested.
"Just so long as Fred and George don't find out we went to the competition," Ginny grinned.
"We can call it research," Ron suggested.
"I really want to hit the divination shop," Jennifer said to Sirius.
"How about you guys hit Zonko's, we'll head to the Divine Vision, and then we can meet at the Dragonwing Deli for lunch?" Sirius suggested. They all agreed, and split up outside of the candy shop.
From the moment they entered the divination shop, Sirius and Jennifer knew where the bottles were, because a crowd of Hogwarts students were in that one corner, while the rest of the shop was fairly empty. Jennifer quickly squeezed her way in. She glanced over them thoughtfully, not really seeing one she liked. They were all way too colorful.
"Excuse me, do you have an opaque black one?" she asked the gypsy-clad man at the counter. He went into the back and came out with one with a silver chain, and then gave her a choice of clasps for a little extra, and she chose a tiny bat clasp that with wings that pinched shut. She quickly paid the five sickles for it and headed over to Sirius who was looking over a card set, showing it to him.
"What, you didn't get a matching one for you know who?" he teased in a low voice, chuckling.
"You've got to be kidding. You heard what Ron said. I can't imagine what his opinion is of these," Jennifer grinned.
"Well, allow me to help you put it on," Sirius insisted, as they stepped out of the shop, taking the necklace from her sack and clasping it around her neck. "There, all set, now let's go to lunch," he said cheerfully.
They ordered a stack of sandwiches and sat at an outside table, chatting about their purchases. After a couple sandwiches, Jennifer couldn't contain herself any longer and started opening her frogs, looking at her cards. After getting a couple of professors she'd never heard of, she finally got one of Rolanda. After a moment everyone else at the table started opening theirs, including Sirius, filling the table and ground surrounding them with chocolate frogs.
"Aha! I found a Jennifer Craw!" Sirius said, halfway through his box. "Let's see what it says about you…"
"I want to see the picture," she demanded.
"Hang on a moment. It says: Jennifer Corsiva Craw: Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Currently entering her second year at Hogwarts, Jennifer Craw has already earned a claim to fame last year leading a herd of Unicorns to a victory against the Azkaban Dementor Revolt. Jennifer joined the staff after teaching Item and Potion Creation Theory at Beauxbatons. She enjoys giving cooking tips, riding winged horses, and looking in mirrors." Jennifer sank in her seat with embarrassment as everyone at the table broke out laughing, her face turning bright red.
"Let me see the picture," Ron said, leaning over Sirius' shoulder to get a look. "Hey, that's a good one. That was taken on Christmas, wasn't it?" Jennifer's curiosity got the better of her and peered at it, nodding.
"McGonagall wanted a picture of me in the dress before we left the school. Boy, am I going to get her for this." Everyone at the table started to laugh again as Jennifer opened up another frog.
Jennifer ended up with two of herself, a Filius, two of Rolanda (one she traded with Ginny for a Hagrid) a Dumbledore, McGonagall and two of Sprout. She nibbled on one of the frogs that hadn't melted yet. They had gotten the last two cases, so it was going to be awhile before she was going to get more. She tried to trade a Sprout for Ron's Snape, but Ron only had one, and nobody else had gotten one. Ron had finally even gotten one of her, so she couldn't even bargain that.
After lunch, Jennifer decided to get serious about Christmas shopping. Minerva tracked her down as they started for the sports shop, getting her to agree to help pitch in for a new bowling ball for Dumbledore so she didn't have to worry about that present. In the sports shop Harry and Ginny wanted to go towards the Quidditch section, pulling up short as Severus Snape walked through with a box in hand, looking at the students suspiciously before noticing Jennifer and Sirius, frowning at them.
"Staying out of trouble, I trust?" he asked as he walked by the group, hustling past them towards the front counter as if not wanting them to see what he had.
"So far so good," Sirius answered cheerfully, winking at Jennifer in front of him. Severus froze and glared sideways at Sirius before continuing on his way.
"What was that all about?" Jennifer asked Sirius, studying his face. Sirius, apparently, thought the fact that Severus didn't trust him with her was very funny.
"Never mind, let's just go look at the Quidditch equipment, shall we?" Sirius said cheerfully.
In the late afternoon, Hermione talked the other students into going to a used bookshop with her to look at something, so Sirius and Jennifer went back to the Three Broomsticks to relax. He picked a small quiet table near the back, and Rosmerta cheerfully served a Dark wizard wine to Sirius and another butterbeer to Jennifer.
"So, now that it's quiet, there's something I wanted to ask you about," Sirius said, taking her hand and gazing at her over the table. "I know you still care for him. It's in your eyes, you know. Those black ribbons in your hair and that bottle around your neck weren't done with me in mind. So why is it that you're not seeing him now? I'm not saying I expect to be here as anything but your friend. But as your friend, I know that you'd rather be here with him than me," he said, putting his other hand over the one he was holding.
"Even if we were together, he couldn't be here because of what he's doing, so there's no point talking about it," Jennifer said softly.
"Ah, is that what it is? Being forced to hide your feelings all the time?"
"Well, no, at least not just that," Jennifer sighed. They paused a moment as Rosmerta brought them some plates of stew and filled up their drinks. Sirius didn't let go of her hand, determined not to give her the opportunity to change the subject.
"So what else is it?" he asked when they were alone again. Jennifer sighed and shook her head.
"I can't have him being put at greater risk," she said softly. "I just can't bear it anymore. I don't want him to get hurt because of me." Sirius smiled and shook his head, pulling her hair out of her face.
"Jennifer, if you think staying away from him isn't going to hurt him, then you are a lot more naive than I thought. In any case, what risks he takes should be up to him, don't you think so?"
"No. I want a say in it too." Jennifer said firmly.
"Why? You haven't been giving him a say in what risks you've been taking lately," Sirius pointed out. He leaned back then, smirking at his bowl. "Well, either the menu has changed at the Brooms, or I just discovered a green-eyed monster," he declared, looking at his plate.
Jennifer glanced down to see his stew had been replaced with an overflowing pile of dog biscuits. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to keep herself from laughing as Sirius tried to nonchalantly glance around the room.
"Well, now that we got his attention," Sirius murmured with a grin, rubbing her hand, "maybe we should give him something to get jealous about." Jennifer stared at him, reading his expression.
"Sirius! You couldn't possibly have been flirting with me on purpose! But…"
"But you knew from my expression that I knew that we were just friends," Sirius grinned mischievously. "But that doesn't mean I haven't been flirting with you all day. And I have a good explanation for it too before you get angry with me. I was asked by two different people to look after you today, and the second person who asked thought it might be a good idea to make it look as if…"
"You and I were actually really seeing each other? Oh, Sirius!" Jennifer said, trying to pull her hand away. Just then Dumbledore walked up, smiling warmly at them.
"Good afternoon, Jennifer. Good afternoon, Sirius. How is it going?" he asked, looking between them.
"It's going perfectly, isn't it Jennifer? Except perhaps that I might have attracted a bit of extra attention," Sirius said mischievously, chewing on a dog biscuit.
"Well, I'll see if I can't nail him down. He's obviously around here somewhere," Dumbledore winked. Jennifer just looked between them with her mouth open. "Oh, Jennifer, while I'm here, I heard from Harry that you have an extra Jennifer Craw card. Could I persuade you to trade one for a Severus Snape? I would love to have the full set, you know. As a memoir," he smiled, taking the card out of his pocket.
Severus frowned from where he stood outside the pub window. Sirius just didn't get the hint, apparently; he was just sitting there crunching on the dog biscuit. Severus felt like kicking himself for allowing himself to trust Sirius to watch Jennifer. He'd known Sirius had been interested in her, but he never expected him to be so flippant about it, especially when Sirius had known that Severus had intended to stick around and make sure nothing went wrong today. Dumbledore then went over to talk to the two, and Severus, guessing that Dumbledore would easily figure out where the spell on the food came from, decided perhaps it was a good time to find a different location. Quickly he turned down the street, leaning against outside wall of the candy shop while keeping an eye on the door of the pub. It was then he heard several familiar voices, coming out of the store beside him.
"We should go tell Craw and Sirius they found another two cases before word gets out," Harry said, "I think they went to the Broomsticks for dinner."
"No, don't tell them! Sirius will come in and buy them all up again. Everyone's getting ready to leave, so maybe we should just wait and skive off sometime so we can come up here when its…." Ron's lost his train of thought when Severus peered around the corner, glaring at them.
"Planning on sneaking out and you haven't even left yet?" Severus asked, looking at the four students who froze in their tracks. "If I ever catch any of you trying to sneak out of the school again, let me assure you that you won't be getting permission to leave the school again until you graduate!"
"You know, Professor, if you keep lurking around corners like that, you're going to end up giving one of the students a heart attack!" Ron said, but he was backing up very quickly.
"Come on, Ron, we know you were just joking," Ginny said chuckling nervously and the four of them booked it away from the shop, glancing back every now and then to make sure he wasn't following them.
Severus shook his head, making a mental note to keep a tight leash on Ron once they got back. Just then, he noticed Jennifer and Sirius come out and turn in his direction. They stopped a moment to talk to the four students before continuing on. Severus slipped behind the building, calculating that they were going in.
"Honestly, Sirius, you are being horrendous," Jennifer was saying as they neared him. "Can't you behave even for a little while? What's done is done, so please don't make it worse."
"I'm only doing it for your own good. I have your best interests at heart, Jennifer. You know I'd do anything to see you happy, and I just want to make sure you get the life you deserve. Now, come on, let's see if they really do have more frogs."
Sirius put a comforting arm around her as they walked in. It was getting late and few students were in the shop now, most of them rushing to meet the bus on time. Jennifer, who decided to get a better look at the merchandise in the shop now that it was empty, went over to pick up some licorice cauldrons off a shelf along with ten more chocolate frogs. She put them on the counter and turned around, wondering where Sirius went. Just then Severus came in, picked a cockroach off the floor, and put it in a jar with cheesecloth over the lid.
"Severus!" Jennifer said in surprise.
"Oh, don't worry, I haven't hurt him. Yet. Sirius and I just need to have a little chat, don't we, Sirius?" Severus said, looking in the jar. Jennifer hurriedly finished her purchase and was still trying to talk Severus into letting him out when Dumbledore appeared in the doorway.
"Jennifer, why don't you head on back to the gate? I expect Minerva is already there waiting," Dumbledore suggested. She glanced at Severus who was grimacing at Dumbledore unhappily. Confident that Dumbledore could sort this out on his own, Jennifer left the shop and Disapparated, appearing in front of the gates. Minerva, who'd come back early so that she could meet the bus when it came back, greeted her warmly.
"Where's Sirius? He didn't Apparate back with you?" she asked curiously.
"No, Severus was bugging him," Jennifer explained.
"Great Scott, you didn't leave them alone together, did you?" Minerva asked.
"No, no, Dumbledore's with them," Jennifer reassured her. "I'm sure he'll put a lid on things."