Chapter Three

Diagon, Dresses, and Dumbledore

The Leaky Cauldron erupted in greetings as Jennifer stepped out of the fireplace, followed by Corey and Freda Willowby. Jennifer stopped to wave at Hagrid, who was sitting at a table nearby, and introduced the new student to him.

"Ya still heading back ta the school tonigh', Professor?" Hagrid asked.

"Oh, definitely, I'm already packed. Dumbledore just needed me to get in touch with this waylaid student, and I needed to do some shopping of my own."

"Where's Professor Snape?" Hagrid asked.

"He'll be along… in fact, if he comes through here, could you let him know we'll be hitting the bank and Ollivander's first?"

"Coun' on it," Hagrid nodded, and went back over to his drink, wishing them well.

At the bank, Jennifer took them over to the exchange clerk and took the opportunity to give Corey some money for working for her over the summer. She then went to visit her own vault, grimacing at the meager savings she had as she filled her bag. She had almost been tempted to peek at her other vault, but knew she couldn't even had she wanted to.

Severus still had the letter that released the vault to her… she hadn't asked for it, figuring she would be less tempted to get into it if he had it. Sighing softly at the goblin tapping his foot at her vault door, she hopped back in the carts to take them up to the entrance where she met up with Corey and Freda.

It was the first time that Jennifer had been into Ollivander's or any other wand shop, so stepped in with intense curiosity. Jennifer's first wand had been a family heirloom, and the one she now had was borrowed, so she'd never had her own wand before. But now perhaps it was high time she returned that wand to Dumbledore and buy herself her very own wand for a change.

"Ah, a new student!" Ollivander said, smiling broadly as they came in. "Shall we be fitting him for a wand today?"

"Do you have anything for a student Focus Caster?" Jennifer asked. "He's going to need to learn wand techniques, but…"
"But not handicap his natural talent, eh? Yes, yes, let me see now. What is your name, sir?"

"Corey Willowby."

"Ah, new blood, then? Let's try something standard and go from there; thirteen and a half elm perhaps, and something subtle. Let's try this one."

Jennifer watched with fascination as Ollivander tried to narrow down the field, watching closely as Corey waved a series of wands, none of them seeming to please Ollivander, who narrowed the search down even further.

"It would have to be one of these three, I think. There is nothing subtler than toad wart, cat whisker or pixie wing in the shop." Corey picked over them thoughtfully, picking up the dark walnut wand with the toad wart in it, waving it experimentally as electricity sparkled in the air.

"There! There, yes I think that will do nicely. Excellent choice, Mr. Willowby, a thirteen and a half inch walnut toad wart. It should suit you well," Ollivander smiled. Corey paid him for the wand from his chore money, and Jennifer suggested they run across the street to Malkin's for uniforms while they were waiting for her to talk to Ollivander.

"And how may I help you…?"

"Jennifer Craw," she smiled. His face lit up.

"I should have known! You have your mother's eyes, and your father's hair, I see. I remember them well. And I hear you have had the pleasure of using some very famous wands. Started with Mallus Craw's ebony banshee hair, which he made with the help of a wandsmith by the name of Clemmons… not very respectable, they say, but in our circles a very talented artisan. And now, you're using a 13 1/3 birch Unicorn hair, is that not correct? May I see it?" Reluctantly Jennifer handed the wand over and Ollivander took it with reverence, admiring the balance before gingerly placing it on the counter.

"It has definitely been very well cared for over the years. You must be very honored to use it," he said, admiring the polish on the grain.

"Oh, I am," she assured him, "but I'd really like to give it back to the school and get my own wand."

"Are you sure you're ready to part with it?" he asked, glancing up at the door as it opened. "Ah, Professor Snape, 12 ½ ebon wood serpent's tooth. I never forget a wand."

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Ollivander. Just checking up on Professor Craw."

"Tell me, Professor, have you had any trouble with the aim or the balance on the wand?"

"Oh, no, of course not," Jennifer said.

"Is the weight good for you? Any trouble with fizzling?"

"It's a tad longer than I like, but yes, weight is fine and it executes perfectly. It does seem to pack a bit of a punch, sometimes. I tend to get more out of it then I expect." Jennifer admitted.

"That sounds like lingering effects from using a cursed wand for so long," he said, looking at her thoughtfully. "This wand seems to respond to you perfectly, but if you are quite sure you are ready for your own…"

"Oh, I'm quite sure," Jennifer said.

"Then we should find out if the wand is ready to part with you," he finished.

"Pardon?"

"Let's see what happens if I try to pick it up without you handing it to me," he said, reaching for the wand. Suddenly the wand flew out of reach, forcing itself into Jennifer's hand. "Mm, as I suspected. Please would you put it down again, Professor? And Professor Snape, if you would be so good as to try?" Severus reached down for the wand cautiously, but again, the wand darted away, soaring into the air and back into Jennifer's hand.

"Well, I think that, as they say, is that. I'm sorry, Professor, it appears I cannot sell you a wand today. You're not ready yet."

"But…"

"I know better than to argue with a wand as old as this. Many hands have held and used it, and it knows better than you or I where it belongs. I suggest you hold onto it for now. Besides, as a Professor of Hogwarts, it isn't as if it has actually left the school, after all."

"But…"

"I should get back to my categorizing, so much to do you know, many wands sold this time of year. Good Afternoon, Professor. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again… when you're both ready," he said, nodding to her and then to Severus before heading to the back. Jennifer sighed, putting the wand back up her sleeve.

"Well, no one can say I didn't try," Jennifer said.

"You have been paranoid about that wand ever since you found out whose it was at the trial last year. It's no wonder Dumbledore didn't tell you when he gave it to you. Perhaps you'll stop worrying so much now that it is obvious that no one can take it from you," Severus said.

"But Severus, I don't deserve to wield this wand," she protested as he opened the door for her.

"The wand thinks differently, are you going to try and argue with an inanimate object? Let's go, I need to stop by the apothecary."

"All right, but let's check up on the Willowbys first," Jennifer said.

At Madame Malkin's, Corey was already being fussed over as they quickly worked to get him measured. He was beaming as if it were Christmas morning, watching everything and everyone entering the shop.

"I thought I'd never see the day this one would look glad about school uniforms of any sort," Freda was telling Malkin. "Now here he is, happy as a lark in spring."

"Just as well you waited to take me school shopping, isn't it Mum?" Corey said cheerfully. "And now I get to go to Hogwarts!"

"Mind what I told you about gloating about it. I'll not stand for big heads in this family," Freda said again.

"Yes, Mum. Hullo, Professor Snape! Hullo again, Professor Craw!"

"Stand still, Mr. Willowby! We can't be about this all day," Madame Malkin said. She finally was able to finish the measurements and Corey jumped, watching in amazement as they drew robes sweaters, hats and gloves off the shelf, transforming into the correct sizes and quickly packed into a manageable bundle. Freda paid them with a look of accomplishment on her face.

"There, now we're two things down at least! Where to next?" Freda asked.

"The apothecary for a potion kit… it's not on the list but it probably should be… then cauldrons and phials, and then to Flourish and Blotts to get his books, and then if you like, to find him a familiar."

"Can I get a bat?" Corey asked.

"It says here cat or toad or owl," Freda pointed out to Corey. "I ask you, what good is a toad?"

"They're good to experiment on in Potions," Severus smirked.

"Neville uses his to help him remember things… they're good at sitting and listening and don't forget much. And also as an alarm clock, and a door guard." Jennifer said.

"Door guard, or door stop?" Snape inquired.

As they entered the busy apothecary, the head alchemist quickly dropped what he was doing, pointing at one of his assistants to take over the line so he could wait on Severus, who handed him a long list.

"Exeter, that last batch of centipede legs wasn't very potent. I'd like a fresher supply this time," Severus said critically.

"So sorry, sir, it was a bad year last year for those. I'm sure you'll find this shipment much more satisfactory. Oh, and that shipment of Egyptian Scarab carapaces you requested have finally come in as well," Jennifer had been craning her neck to get a peek at the list, then blinked at something.

"That's an awful lot of Shadowpetal. Is that what you've been adding to your sedative? Admit it, it's one of them isn't it?" she challenged Severus mischievously. Severus scowled at her.

"I've told you time and time again, I am not telling you that formula."

"Aha! That is one of them, I see it in your face," Jennifer taunted him with a gleeful chuckle.

"You won't get the measurements right even if you do figure out all the ingredient variations," Severus scowled at her, making a mental note not to bring her with him to the apothecary again. He felt eyes on him and noticed Corey watching them with interest. "What are you looking at?" Severus snapped.

"Er, uh, could you help me pick out my equipment for Potions class, Professor? I was wondering what sort of flaws I should be looking out for?"

Severus stared at him calculatingly, getting ready to say something. He then noticed Jennifer watching him with an amused grin.

"Hm. Well, it will take Exeter some time to fill that. Follow, I'll show you," he scowled, walking out towards the Cauldron Shop. Corey winked at Jennifer and hurriedly went over to follow Severus.

"Now there's talent," Jennifer chuckled, standing next to Freda who was saving her a place in line. "Your son is definitely a lil' charmer isn't he?"

"And he'll use it to try to get out of as much work as possible, he always has," Freda chuckled back. "Never was much at applying himself, that one. He's a dreamer. I hope he doesn't throw this talent of his away because of it. Wait until he realizes he's going to have to work for it."

"That'll come to him very soon, I think," Jennifer assured her.

As much as Jennifer loved the small cottage, nothing could compare to coming home to Hogwarts. Jennifer had her office unpacked in record time, everything in its pre-assigned place. She then decided to leave her suite for later, heading towards the staff room to see who was hanging around for dinner.

"Hello, Poppy! Hello, Filius!"

"Jennifer, welcome back!" Filius Flitwick said brightly. "So nice to see you've returned, did you have a good summer?"

"Fantastic but too quiet, even with the Ministry calling me to London every other week to interview people. I'll sure be glad when Audi gets back. How are you doing, Poppy? Enjoy your visit with your daughter?"

"Doing fairly well, and yes it was nice, Jennifer. We spent it on the Riviera, gentle Mediterranean breezes… sunburns… rather boring at times though, you know how I like to keep busy," Poppy Pomfrey winked. Jennifer chuckled and got ready to ask Filius something when she heard her name called. Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration Professor and her direct supervisor, was standing in the doorway.

"Jennifer, are you busy? I have something I've been waiting to show you for ages. Welcome back, by the way," she added with a thin smile. Jennifer quickly excused herself and joined Minerva, chatting about the summer and telling her about restoring the cottage.

"I suppose it was sort of a waste being a rental and all, but I did want it livable. I even went to see Pomona several times to ask her advice about the herb garden I had started.

"Well it definitely sounds like you've been keeping busy, and doing side work for the Ministry I hear as well."

"They've been driving me crazy ever since Audi went back to America. You'd almost think I was a licensed Truth Seeker the way Arthur goes on about it."

"They've been running Dumbledore ragged this summer as well," McGonagall sighed.

"Don't tell me you've been here all summer?" Jennifer frowned.

"Quite a bit of it, but it was just as well. It gave me time to work on a very important project," she smiled, opening the door into her rooms.

The sitting room was divided into two sections; the first half of it a sitting area with plush chairs and a sturdy stone table with an elaborate wizard chess set. Jennifer had never seen her or anyone sit down and actually play it, but the pieces looked as if it were half way through a game.

Jennifer suspected it was an ongoing game that Minerva was having with Dumbledore, because every so often while they were in the room Minerva would glance at it thoughtfully as if contemplating her next move.

The other half of the room was filled with bolts of white fabric, remnants, tables and notions used in transfiguration sewing, a hobby of Minerva's that Jennifer had come to appreciate often coming over on an afternoon off to help Minerva work on some of her more basic designs. The time together helped them bond a friendship beyond just professional, and gave Jennifer plenty of opportunities to open up. It had always been easy to talk to Minerva about Severus, for Minerva better than anyone seemed to understand Jennifer's view on things, but also had year of experience of dealing with Severus so often offered good advice on how to handle the disputes that came up from time to time.

Minerva strode into the sewing side of her room without a moment's pause at the chessboard as she walked back to a covered dressmaker's doll, glancing back to give Jennifer a mysterious smile. It was then that Jennifer knew what was coming, trying to hide her excitement.

"Now, if you don't like it, promise me you'll tell me truthfully," she insisted.

"All right, I promise," Jennifer said, getting impatient. Minerva then uncovered the gown with a flourish, and Jennifer found herself at a loss for words.

Glossy white satin formed the puffed sleeves and sleek bodice of the dress, silk ribbons laced down the front and creating small heart-shaped designs. The bottom half draped voluminously out from the gown's tiny waist, trimmed with draping ribbons and finely embroidered with white silk hearts and roses. Along the bottom were pairs of ravens and pure white turtledoves with onyx eyes, holding onto stems of intertwining roses. As she watched, Jennifer thought she noticed one of the birds flutter and stretch, then a moment later she noticed one of the turtledoves stop to scratch beneath a wing.

"Well? Say something! I'm not a Truth Seeker, you know," Minerva finally demanded.

"I don't know what to say," Jennifer stammered. "It's beautiful!"

"And you'll look beautiful in it, I imagine, when the time finally comes," Minerva said, proudly touching the fabric. Jennifer hugged her, thanking her warmly. "I had hoped you'd like it. I've always wanted to do a wedding gown."

"I love it! I can't wait to see Severus' face when I wear this."

"Well, now, I suppose you'll have to," Minerva shook her head with a smile. "Won't you both reconsider and name a date we can all look forward to?"

"No, Minerva, I'm not going to go against Severus on this one. You know how he feels about it," Jennifer said, shaking her head. "We'll wait. Oh, but I am glad this is here and waiting! It's fantastic!"

"Let's keep it a secret, then you can surprise him," Minerva said mischievously as they covered it up. "I have a few finishing touches left to do, then I'll put it away until you're ready for it."

"Thank you so much," said Jennifer, dreamily gazing off, imagining herself walking down the Great Hall in the dress. Minerva chuckled at the look in her face. Just then there was a knock at the door and Minerva rushed over to open it.

"Ah, good evening, Professor Dumbledore. You're back early," Minerva said, a question in her voice.

"Yes, I need to speak with Jennifer," Dumbledore said evenly. "In my study." The expression on his face keyed Jennifer into how much trouble she was in, and she didn't have to read too far to figure out why.

Quickly she walked out the door gnawing on her lip, while Dumbledore paused to speak to Minerva. The stairs were being annoyingly agreeable, allowing her to go straight up to his study. Finding the door open, she went in and smiled softly at Fawkes who eyed her in return from his perch. She owed one of her borrowed lives to that Phoenix because of her last encounter with Voldemort. It was just after she had been reunited with her father, whom she had thought was dead, and who was hell-bent to kill Voldemort that evening. But Jennifer had stopped him, for if she hadn't intervened, it would have both her father and Severus since they had been linked to Voldemort by a cursed placed on the Dark Mark.

She heard someone on the stairs and glanced up to see Dumbledore, the doors automatically closing as he walked over to his desk.

"Sit down, Jennifer," he said, picking up an envelope on the desk and handing it to her. It was from the Ministry. Jennifer opened it with dread, fairly sure what was coming.

Headmaster Dumbledore-

It has been brought to our attention that one of your professors, Jennifer Corsiva Craw, was observed to have been teaching a Muggle pre-acceptance into a magic school, who then used those skills in situations in front of Muggles that might have been construed as "alarming" to those present. Please feel free to deal with this matter as you see fit, but remind her that such occurrences can be grounds for having her license revoked.

The Board of Governors, Department of Misuse of Magic, and Department of Muggle Affairs.

P.S. Enclosed is a second letter for Professor Craw including the lists of fines and violations.

Jennifer slowly took out the second note, unfolded it, glanced at the totals, winced, and then folded it back up again. She looked up at Dumbledore, handing him back the first letter. He took it but sat there quietly as if waiting for her to say something.

"He, uh. He kept watching the house… he knew it was there. He came back nearly every day, just watching. I thought leaving it would have been worse than settling it, so to speak, so I asked him in. But I didn't teach him, Professor. Well, not really." Jennifer said.

"Jennifer, passively teaching someone is just as valid a teaching method as any. Can you honestly say that you weren't allowing him to learn by observation of you and your environment?" Dumbledore asked. Jennifer shifted uncomfortably. "He must have been over there nearly every day since you met. I know this because Minerva was having a terrible time trying to get a letter to Corey Willowby and came to me about it. It didn't take long to figure out what was going on. Your secret ended up protecting the boy's location as well as yours… counterproductively, I might add. He may have not gotten his letter at all had Minerva not come to me. And then where would we be now, Jennifer? Indeed, where would we be if it was never intended that he develop his talent at all?"

"Oh, but Professor, he must have been. He's a natural Focus Caster. Severus and I thought…" Dumbledore's frown deepened.

"Severus was in on this as well?" he asked. Whoops, Jennifer thought. She hadn't had any intention of getting him in trouble.

"He tried to talk me out of it. I'd already known Corey for a while at the point that he found out about it," Jennifer explained.

"I see. He tried to talk you out of it but didn't succeed, it seems, nor did he mention it to anyone else."

"Sir, I really didn't have any intention to go that far, I was just…"

"Are you saying that you believe you had any right to approach the boy in the first place?" Dumbledore asked, gazing sternly at her.

"No, sir. Sorry, sir. But…"

"No, no buts, Jennifer. What kind of life would the boy have had to have tasted magic and then had it Obliviated away? Do you think he would have forgotten forever? It's one thing to have watched someone else; after a time you can talk yourself into thinking you've imagined it. But it is quite another to have actually done it and then forced to forget. He would have spent his whole life pining over something and know not what, something he'd never be allowed to do again. A scar, a heavy scar that would haunt his dreams and never would have been able to heal completely.

"The board thinks you have crossed the line on this one, and I agree with them. You know better than this, Jennifer, and Severus… Severus most decidedly knows better."

"Yes, sir."

"It's also evident that you have developed quite a bond with this boy, for good or ill, I do not know. I trust, however, that favoritism will not taint your classes?" Jennifer blinked at that.

"I should think not," she said indignantly. "They haven't with Harry and the rest, and they certainly won't now." Dumbledore smiled faintly, and Jennifer saw from his expression that such accusations had already come to Dumbledore about favoritism in the past. Before she could protest, Dumbledore held up a hand.

"It's all right, Jennifer. I know you've been undeniably fair to all of your students. However, do not be surprised if this issue comes up more often than ever because of this," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I am going to go ahead and pay these fines. However, you are going to have some extra duties for the next few months, so I wouldn't make any plans, if I were you. You'll report to Minerva or I at the end of every day from now until I deem it fit to release you from them. I do not want you to lose your license or your job over this, Jennifer, but I can not express the severity of this enough."

"Yes Professor, I understand." Jennifer said, nodding slowly. She had known she was doing something she wasn't supposed to and still did it, regardless of the consequences. That was the bottom line, and she knew it. Watching her face a moment, Dumbledore nodded, then smiled gently.

"I must admit, however, I am very interested in meeting this new student who seems to have a way of sinking my best Professors. A Focus Caster, hmm? It seems to be a time for rare talents. Speaking of which, one of your first duties will be to escort the students from London to Hogwarts in a couple weeks; Remus Lupin is already assigned to do so, but I have a deep suspicion that there is something not quite right," he sighed. "I don't know what's going on, so I'd rather err on the side of caution and make certain that the students are protected from the start. Some of the students that missed last year will be coming back as well… they'll be a year behind where they should have been, but we should welcome them back into the fold. In any case, I have a lot to do before I can head back to London, so you should probably head downstairs and get something to eat. Oh, and please ask Severus to step up here as soon as he can," Dumbledore said. Jennifer cringed and nodded, wanting to kick herself for mentioning he was there. She went down the stairs, glancing at her watch.