Chapter Nine

Competitions

Word spread around the pitch like wildfire and both students and professors alike were excited at the news that a Quidditch scout from the Canadian Sentinels had come to Hogwarts to watch the exhibition game… and it was, in fact, one of the reasons that the pre-season games were set up in the first place. Madame Rolanda Hooch had quickly pointed out the tall man who was speaking with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, but Jennifer really couldn't see much from that distance.

"Are you sure he's a real scout?" Jennifer said suspiciously. "Maybe I should go get a better look at him."

"Quite sure. Minerva was just here talking about it, saying that he was planning to go to the next two games so he can see all the teams. I think he's mainly got his eye on Finch-Fletchley, but it should be a lot of fun today. I bet the teams will be doing more than their usual best to try and impress him, which will be terribly amusing with so many new players who haven't even had a practice yet," Rolanda said with a grin. "I envy you."

"Well, if you feel that way about it, you can referee today," Jennifer offered.

"No, no, too late for that. Don't worry, Jennifer, you'll be fine. You're a great referee, and I think that maybe you might have gotten slightly better at flying too," she added. Jennifer knew better than that.

"Jennifer?" Minerva came down the corridor, smiling at them broadly. "Isn't this exciting? Good luck out there today! Oh, and after dinner, could you come up to my sitting room? I have something I need you to help me with."

"After dinner? But Minerva, I had plans…"

"What was that?" Minerva said, looking stern. "I thought Dumbledore distinctly told you not to make any plans of any sort for awhile. I did let you off all morning, I might add. I'll see you around seven." Jennifer's shoulders slumped slightly.

"Yes, Minerva, of course I'll be there," Jennifer said, and then Minerva nodded and walked off. Rolanda gave Jennifer a sympathetic look.

"You better go get set up. I'll keep an eye out for Severus for you," Rolanda told her. Jennifer reluctantly went out into the field with her Eagleflight A.U. broom in hand. It'd gone through several repairs over the last year but was holding up well considering it had been made for casual flight and did not really have the speed needed for refereeing.

Jennifer found that she could manage quite well by staying within a certain radius of the center, knowing from experience that if she had to force the broom into doing something in an emergency, it would. But Jennifer was not even close to upgrading to a model that wasn't an automatic. She checked carefully over the Quaffle, Bludgers and Snitch to make sure everything was in order, glancing at her watch to see how long she had before the gates opened. It was then she noticed that the third hand on the watch was centered on 'Quidditch Pitch' and Jennifer looked up to see Rolanda pointing her over to near the bottom of the teacher's box. Pomona, Filius and the scout were talking near the bottom of the stairs, watching curiously as Jennifer flew over to where Severus was standing nearby.

"I have to go help Minerva with something after dinner," she said, leaning over so only he could hear. Severus scowled with annoyance, putting his hands on his hips.

"They haven't given us any breathing room since we got back," he muttered in irritation. "All right, you'd better get out there. It can't be helped. And no more wild dives!" he added in a louder tone as she started to head back out. He shook his head at her, still remembering how badly she had pushed that broom over its maximum last year. There was only so much even an "uncrashable" broom could do. He watched her go, shaking his head at her before glancing over to see that the scout and two professors had gone up to take their seats, so Severus went to try and find a good spot to keep on eye on her.

Jennifer got back onto the Pitch as the players began to make their flight around the course, speeding in near the boxes even closer than usual as they were announced. Jennifer slid off her broom and stepped in front of the chest, Quaffle in hand as the students took their positions.

"All right, let's not show off too much today, guys," she grinned at the Ravenclaw team and then the Hufflepuff team, making eye contact with Justin. She then released the Snitch and Bludgers, counting softly to herself before releasing the Quaffle into the air. With one eye on the teams she gave the chest its normal shove, slipping on her goggles and soaring into the air.

Justin had quickly gained control over the Quaffle as the Ravenclaw Chasers went after him, veering towards the rings at top speed before suddenly veering up away from the waiting Ravenclaw Keeper, Rudy Loche, who had been protecting the far lower ring, and back-looping to come to position in front of the opposite ring for the goal. Jennifer shook her head at the maneuver and the obviously overdone play. She hovered to the other side of the field as Kris Devon flew threw the hoop, nearly knocking Susan off her broom as she tried to defend it.

Justin was quick to get the ball back, pretending to pass it to Eliza Marrer who shot ahead, trying to make the other Chasers think she still had the ball. The ploy worked for a moment, but as soon as the Beaters saw what was going on, two Bludgers sailed across the Pitch. Jennifer dodged as one of them flew over her head, attempting to get her focus back on the game. Justin spun upside down as the Bludgers sailed by and were immediately returned by Hufflepuff's Beaters. Jennifer quickly veered out of the way and got in position to chase Justin to the other side of the Pitch as he tried to shoot the Quaffle through the ring from above. But Rudy had been alert, knocking the ball far downfield and causing another Quaffle scramble.

Jennifer knew it was only a matter of time before a beat down would occur, for Ravenclaw's team was new and inexperienced. There was no sign of the Snitch as the totals reached 60-20; Ravenclaw finally getting the ball back in their hands after several upsets in passing. It was as they were reaching the rings that Jennifer caught sight of the Snitch from the corner of the eye, moving in the opposite direction.

In fact, it flew fairly close to Julie Brim, who seemed to have missed it! How could she have missed it, Jennifer wondered, then realized that the girl might have been stalling for more game time. Mark Lerring, who had come to the conclusion that the only way Ravenclaw was going to win was if he got it early, knew better than to stall. The Snitch went into a spiral through the center pitch and Lerring sped after it. Hesitating, Julie followed behind him, trying to focus. Just above them, Justin was successfully dominating the Quaffle, earning him the Beaters' brutal attentions.

As the Chasers raced once more to the Hufflepuff rings, the Ravenclaw Beaters saw the two Seekers below and the Bludgers were smacked down towards Julie, who was pulling ahead. One of them hit the back edge of her broom, causing it to spin and nearly crash into Mark who had to leap over her to avoid it. With no competition left, Mark quickly got his hand around the Snitch. The crowd went wild as Jennifer blew the whistle at the end of one of the biggest upsets Hufflepuff had seen for awhile. Julie righted her broom and skirted the ground, just lucky to have survived her first Quidditch game without any injuries when the game was called 170-80.

It was as Jennifer was putting away equipment after the game that she finally got her chance to meet the scout. Everyone else was still out in the pitch congratulating the team when he walked into the back, greeting her with a charming smile. Nearly as tall as Severus, Mars 'Pummeler' Jasper was in every other way his opposite in appearance. His crystal blue eyes gazed warmly at her, and his light blonde hair was neatly pulled into a short braid that trailed his back. He was proudly wearing his old Sentinel sweater, not in the least intimidated about everyone knowing what he was doing here at the school.

"I am honored to meet you at last, Professor Jennifer Craw, is it?" he said as he approached with a smile. "I'm Mars Pummeler Jasper… my friends just call me Pummeler. I used to be a Beater for the Sentinels. I hope you don't mind me coming back here. I spoke with Madame Hooch just a moment ago, and she said it would be all right."

"No, it's quite all right," Jennifer smiled. "So, you are here scouting out Justin Finch-Fletchley? Several of us were wondering," she admitted.

"Yes, among one or two others, Jennifer," he said, peering quizzically at her a moment to see if calling her that was all right. "I will be attending most of the games this season in point of fact. Justin definitely has potential. He's quite a Chaser, as I'm sure you've noticed."

"Yes, one of the best the school has had in a long time, so I'm told." Jennifer said.

"I was noticing something else that I was curious about. You seemed to be having a lot of trouble handling the broom out there. It didn't seem to respond well to you. Quite stiff, as a matter of fact," he hinted, studying her thoughtfully.

"Oh, that," Jennifer said, slightly embarrassed, opening up the closet and taking it out. "Yes, I have an Eagleflight Automatic. I'm not a very good flyer, so my fiancée got me something stable," Jennifer chuckled. "Actually, 'not very good' is probably being lenient on myself, because I'm rather intimidated by flying."

"Hm," Pummeler said thoughtfully, walking around her, taking the broom in hand. "I don't think it is the flying that's the problem. You probably just have the wrong broom for you. I suggest finding one that will guide you, but with a more sensitive touch, since it's quite obvious that you need a little more control over the situation. And perhaps a broom with a bit more speed? Not too much more, mind you, but just enough that you don't feel as if you're… hovering. I'm sure I can recommend a model that would suit you much better," he smiled, handing it back to her.

Suddenly Pummeler looked up and Jennifer followed his gaze to where Severus was standing with his arms folded, leaning on one side of the open gate. Although he looked calm, there was something in his expression that told Jennifer that he was far from it. In fact, he looked quite dangerous.

"Excuse me, am I interrupting?" Severus asked, peering quizzically at Pummeler.

"Severus, this is Pummeler Jasper, he's a Quidditch scout. Mr. Jasper, this is my fiancée, Professor Snape. He's the Potions Master here at Hogwarts."

"Ah yes, I've heard of you, Professor Snape…"

"I'm quite sure you have."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Pummeler continued with a smile, holding out his hand. Severus, who had no intention of shaking his hand, didn't even bother to nod, eyeing him with unmasked dislike.

"Well, it was at least a pleasure to meet you, Jennifer Craw. I'll be back some other time. You're a very lucky man, Professor Snape," he added with a strained smile.

"Yes, and I plan to stay that way," Severus threatened in such a viciously steely tone that Jennifer's eyes went wide with surprise.

Clearing his throat, Pummeler nodded and smiled warmly at Jennifer, carefully avoiding the irate professor. Severus didn't take his eyes off the scout until he was well out of range.

"Severus, what's gotten into you? That was totally rude. He was just trying to be nice." Jennifer said, walking over to him. Severus stared at her in surprise.

"You know, for a Truth Seeker, you can be as blind as a bat in daylight at times, Jennifer. You really have no idea what he was doing back here, do you?"

"Yes, he came back here because he noticed I was having problems with my broom and wanted to help," Jennifer said in annoyance with her hands on her hips. "What in the world is wrong with that?"

"Oh, I'm sure he noticed quite a bit… just as sure as I know that it wasn't your flying he was noticing. And by the way, he wasn't talking about your broom, either," Severus scowled, storming out of the gate. Jennifer stared after him in complete bewilderment.

Monday morning, Jennifer finally found some time to try and research some of her family history, hoping also to perhaps track down some more information on the Mallus Craw wand at the same time. Stopping by her office for a notebook, she decided to wander down the back stairs and peek in the door of potions class where first years were having their first look at Severus Snape. He had already started on his 'how to handle ingredients' lecture, when suddenly he turned around and slammed a book on the desk of a student sitting behind him, causing Jennifer and the entire class to jump in surprise.

"Did I say to get anything out yet? I didn't give you direction to get anything out, Mr. Brim, put it away immediately until I instruct you to!" he snarled, glaring around at the rest of the students in annoyance. "Now, the next thing you need to learn, after only getting out ingredients and equipment when I tell you, is how to handle ingredients without damaging or mangling them. If you don't plan to do anything but throw them into pots without even inspecting them for previous damage, you are wasting my time and the school's because you won't ever pass this class. Put your hand down, Mr. Willowby! When I want your opinion on something I will ask for it. Just because you think you can get away with smarting off in other people's classes doesn't mean that I will put up with it in here!" Severus snarled.

Jennifer blinked, wondering if hers was one of the classes he was talking about. Suddenly he noticed her casually watching from the doorway. He quickly attempted to cover up his momentary hesitation by telling them to look over their first set of ingredients lists. She smiled at him and waved before slipping down the hallway, shaking her head with a chuckle. One thing was certain; he probably never had any trouble keeping any students awake. Jennifer wondered what would happen to a student who actually did fall asleep in his class. Not that Severus would actually experiment on a sleeping student, but she would bet that the students probably thought he would.

In the library Jennifer combed the shelves, frowning in frustration at not being able to find any of the books on her list. Finally getting annoyed, she double-checked in the lists to make sure the library had those copies, and then headed up to Madame Pince.

"Irma, can you help me find out who has these particular books out? It seems like every volume I'm looking for is taken and I want to know who all to track down." Jennifer said. The librarian quickly compared Jennifer's list with her own, smiling thinly at her.

"Well, you have only yourself to blame," she said after a moment. "A History of Dark Wizards, Famous Wandsmiths from the 10th Century to Present and the first two volumes of Wizard's Who's Who have all been checked out by Miss Hermione Granger."

This was probably the last thing that Jennifer wanted to hear, although she had suspected it. How was it that she knew? Surely even if she had managed to somehow guess that those caverns were there to look for the Tomb, she'd not have been able to make a connection to the wand. And considering Hermione had these books, she probably knew more right now than she did. Jennifer frowned with irritation. Well, she was just going to have to confront her about it. Jennifer's father made it clear that she had to find this before anyone, and the last thing she needed were students getting a jump on it.

Jennifer had seventh year classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so after class the next day she asked Hermione to stay a moment, waiting for the rest of the students to clear out before turning to the girl standing in front of the desk.

"Hermione, I don't want to be insistent about this or anything, but there are some books you just checked out from the library that I need to see," Jennifer said. Hermione looked at her in such a calculating way that Jennifer paused. Hermione knew exactly what books she meant.

"That's funny, Professor, because there's a book that you checked out from the library that I need to see," she said back. "Perhaps we could switch when we are done?" Jennifer frowned at her.

"Hermione, I'm not sure what you've found out, but whatever it is, don't you think you ought to tell me about it?" Jennifer asked.

"That depends. I mean, if you're working on the same thing we are, which if you're looking for the same books, you probably are, why don't we work together on it instead?"

"Sucking up to the teachers again, are we, Granger?" Jennifer and Hermione looked up to see Malfoy and Crabbe come in followed by several of the other seventh year Slytherins for her next class.

"That's quite enough, Draco, just take a seat," Jennifer said, writing a pass for Hermione. "We're talk about this later," she added, handing it to her.

Hermione nodded and left, and Jennifer began to wonder if she ought not tell Severus about all this as well. But when would she have the time? That night she was helping Minerva finish the rest of the year evaluations so that they could situate a couple of the students that passed their missed year, so she seriously doubted she'd be able to find time then.

Wednesday night was the first meeting of the Sparring Club, and after three weeks of only seeing Severus every now and then at mealtimes, she was looking forward to the time together, even in the presence of forty to fifty students. The students that took dueling last year automatically turned in their wands into the rack, made specifically so only the owners could get back their wands. The first timers and first years Jennifer quickly took in hand, going over the long list of rules with them. Corey, Taylor and Doug were there, along with second year Katie Marrer and several new Slytherin boys including Casper Wyatt and Antonius Deiter. Jennifer was keenly aware that the second years were lopsided towards Slytherin students, however, for none of the students that had missed their first year were allowed to try to test out. That meant that particular class would always have more Slytherin than the rest of the houses, for many of those who would have evened it out had started a year late.

Corey went over to the table as they went to pick out practice wands, sighing as he picked one out.

"Just another thing that needs a wand. I wish I didn't have to use the silly thing," Corey complained, picking out a random wand, not caring one wit if it matched his own weight and length or not.

"Well, since the whole point is to disarm and stop your opponent, it would sort of defeat the purpose if they didn't have to disarm you," Taylor said. "Besides, if it's Flitwick you're worried about, he did say he didn't expect any of us to get it right the first couple days. Give it time."

"True, but you don't know what it's like knowing you can cast a spell without it and not being allowed to. I don't see the point in learning wands at all if I don't need them." Corey complained. Jennifer came up behind them, putting a hand on Corey's shoulder.

"I can think of one good reason. Self-discipline," she said, smiling at Corey. "And believe it or not, I know exactly what you're going through. When I was your age, I could do a lot of things my school wouldn't let me. Instead, I had to learn the ways they did things, and it was definitely not easy for me either. Trust me, Corey, it might be frustrating now, but you'll appreciate it when you get older." Jennifer looked up and Corey noticed her face brighten as Severus Snape walked in. Doug didn't seem so pleased to see him, looking almost grieved.

"Corey, you didn't tell me he was in charge," he whispered loudly, eyeing the Potion Master with dislike.

"Of course, that's one of the reasons I signed up," Corey grinned.

"You know, Corey, you're a lot of fun to hang with and all, but you sure are balmy at times," Doug told him.

As they took their places in the front of the house lines, Corey soon discovered that he didn't really care for forms; learning just how to place feet and arms to attack and just how to stand and lean during blocks seemed positively pointless to him. But he became quickly alert as Professor Snape came over and firmly nudged his foot and arm in place, telling him to pay attention or go find something else to do. Corey quickly straightened up and finished the exercise, but was glad when the first years were separated from the main group when it came time to learn a dueling spell.

"All right, just say the word with your stances. Later, you'll be able to get in the ring and practice it on each other with a real wand," Jennifer had told them. "Make sure you inflect your voice now. One two three…" The first years all did their stance, saying Expelliarmus as they pointed their wands in front of them. Jennifer promptly dropped her wand. As the students chuckled, Jennifer glanced thoughtfully at Corey, who shrugged. Okay, so he hadn't meant to cast, but she was pretty sure that somehow that was what happened. The practice wands might be enough to keep a new student from casting a spell, but in the hands of a Focus Caster, it might as well have been a real wand. Picking her own up again, she asked everyone to try it again, counted to three, and had them do the movement. But this time Jennifer was ready, and quickly blocked the spell as at came in towards her, looking thoughtfully at Corey afterwards.

"All right, Corey, why don't you sit on the bench for a moment until we start sparring?" Jennifer said with a smile. "I'm quite sure now that you know the spell well enough to use it properly."

As the boy went to sit down, Jennifer found herself contemplating if Corey was even going to be able to duel at all. His talent might give him a definite advantage over the other students; would that be fair? Jennifer wasn't sure… she really didn't want to discourage him, but at the same time she couldn't help but wonder if he was ever going to be able to play by the rules with such an irresistible urge to use his remarkable ability. Only time would tell, she supposed, setting up that night's sparring matches.