Chapter Twenty-Two
A Festive Dance
Just before noon on Christmas Eve, Severus Snape released his detention victims who had been instructed to clean viscous black slime out of phials, polish cauldrons and scrub stains from exploded material off the ceiling. Finally he released Malfoy and his gang to clean themselves up. It would be the first day since they had been caught that they would be allowed to go to the festival and were quick to leave the Potion room. But Severus had caught the flash of anger in Draco's eyes and knew that all the scrubbing in the world was not going to erase it. At precisely noon there was a knock on his office door, and he let Corey in.
"Mr. Corey Willowby reporting as ordered, sir," Corey said cheerfully.
"So I see," Severus said, closing the door.
"So I get to go, right? I told you everything I was up to, and I laid low and kept quiet just like you asked me to." Corey reminded him persistently.
"Malfoy, Crabbe, and Longbottom will also be there," Severus said, folding his arms as he frowned at the boy, "and there can be no doubt they will be after revenge. The likelihood that they will believe your story about your 'accidental' miscalculation of the formula is next to none. Therefore, you will watch your back, you will keep your hands in your pockets, and you will not let this escalate any further. If anything happens, you will come straight to me and no one else. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir, Professor," Corey said, resisting the urge to salute. He was well aware that Snape wanted him to take this whole thing seriously. Then again, Snape always wanted everything taken seriously.
Severus dismissed him and told him to go ahead to the festival. Corey grinned widely, thanked him and left. There was little doubt to Severus that Corey still didn't have any idea of how serious things were getting, and all of the words of warning did not seem to get through to him. Severus had hoped to curtail Corey's impulsiveness by now, for Severus' sense of foreboding about the situation between Corey and Draco was growing steadily worse, as was his general concern for everyone involved. It was disturbing, very disturbing, how many events going on right now seemed frighteningly close to events that happened almost twenty years ago, and Severus didn't want them to repeat.
He spent a few hours marking test papers and testing the students' potion phials; he was half way through seventh years when Remus knocked and came in.
"There you are. I was wondering what was keeping you," Severus nodded to him and gestured over to the cauldron. "Happy Christmas, that's all you're getting from me." Remus chuckled and ladled himself the potion.
"Good, because I didn't get you anything either. Have you seen Sirius today?" Remus asked.
"No, I haven't been outside of the castle. I've been too busy," Severus explained, testing another phial with a dropper, watching it change color and making a mark on the paper in front of him. "Besides, I was waiting for you to get here."
"Thank you. Not exactly the way I want to be spending Christmas, I assure you," Remus said. "But as I was going to say, I was wondering if you noticed anything strange about him since he got back."
"No stranger than normal."
"Well, he wouldn't talk about it, and neither would Anna, but he's been brooding. I take it things didn't go well between them?" Remus asked. Severus looked up, squinting at him.
"If you're trying to imply that there's something going on between my sister and that…friend of yours, you're highly mistaken. She has more sense than to get mixed up with the likes of Black. Besides, I spoke to Anna myself after the incident and she didn't mention anything about him except for the fact he came barging in during a family dinner and made himself look like a fool," Severus said, testing another phial. The phial's color turned white and he grimaced at it, shook his head, and made another mark.
"Let me get this straight. Sirius Black chases your sister halfway across the world to make sure she's planning on returning back here to Hogwarts, comes back empty handed, and your sister comes back a week later and acts as if nothing happened, and you don't see anything to be concerned about?" Remus asked, amused.
"No," Severus said, straightening the papers and stoppering phials as he got up.
"What if they had come back together?" Remus challenged him. Severus glanced up and frowned at him for a moment before putting the phials back on his shelf. "Yes, that's what I thought," Remus said, drinking down his potion.
After Severus rid himself of Remus, he got dressed in one of his newer black robes and went to Jennifer's room, glancing at his watch to make sure he was not too early. Knocking gently beside the painting of the raven Dewhurst that covered her door, he spoke the password and entered to see Jennifer sitting on the couch in an alluring blue velvet dress, her long auburn hair down and curled around her face as she gazed thoughtfully out the open window. He stood there, watching her pensive face, wishing that he could read her as easily as she could read him. She was so incredibly beautiful sitting there that he almost wished that he could capture it, or stand there forever and just watch her, and found himself caught in incredulous wonder that such a witch could possibly be interested in someone like him. Just then she looked up in surprise, then smiled warmly at him and stood up.
"I'm so sorry, Severus, I didn't hear you come in," Jennifer said, grabbing her Night Shroud and twisting it up to use as a wrap. "I'm ready, I think. How do I look?" she asked, spinning around.
"Like someone who should be locked in a tower until she's safely married," Severus said, only partially teasing. "If I could only find a way to keep you from escaping."
"You don't have to worry about me, Severus. I'm not going anywhere," Jennifer declared, linking her arm with his. "I'm already where I want to be, and who I want to be with, and nothing will be able to change that."
"And if I asked you to marry me tonight?" he asked quietly.
"Then I would, of course! But you know, I don't think Minerva has all of the brides maid dresses done, so I think she'd be a tad livid," Jennifer chuckled. "And besides, what ever happened to your vision of a marriage in the Great Hall with everyone there to see?" Severus stood in front of the door, pausing a moment before he opened it to gaze into her eyes, taking on a more serious expression.
"I still want that," he murmured.
"You don't want to wait until Voldemort is defeated anymore, do you?" Jennifer asked softly, her face also becoming more serious.
"Do I still want him and all of his followers defeated before we are married? Yes. Am I still willing to put our lives on hold waiting for it to happen?" he asked himself. He shook his head. "No. His presence has already run my life for far too long. And so has," he sighed sharply, "my quest for vengeance. Three years ago, it was the only thing that mattered to me. But I think it's time I started living for the future instead of the past, and I'm only sorry that it took me so long to realize it." Jennifer smiled with pure happiness, kissing him lovingly.
"I would have waited until the end of time for you if I had to. Besides, the extra year gave us more time to get to know each other. Like how annoyingly overprotective you can get," Jennifer teased.
"And how annoyingly headstrong you can get," Severus accused her as he opened the door and towards the stairwell.
"Me? Look who's talking! You're as stubborn as a dragon," Jennifer told him with a grin. "And just as bad tempered sometimes."
"Don't give me that. You can be just as bad tempered as I, and I don't direct it at you. However, you seem to direct it at me all the time," Severus said.
"Oh, you don't? What about last Halloween?" Jennifer asked.
"That was different. You deserved it," Severus said defensively.
"Well, so did you," Jennifer chuckled.
"You walked out on me," he accused her.
"I had good reasons, though, admit it," Jennifer said.
"I'll admit nothing of the sort," Severus said back. Minerva, who had been standing at the main door talking to a student, suddenly peered over as they approached and shook her head at them.
"Are the two of you going to be arguing like that all night?" Minerva asked them with a thin smile.
"No, if she keeps it up I'm throwing her back up on the color wheel," Severus said.
"Not in this dress, you don't!" Jennifer replied. "Minerva, please ask him to behave!"
"Let me just remind both of you that you're supposed to be chaperones to the dance and not the main event," Minerva said, her smile growing a little.
"She started it," Severus said defensively. Jennifer laughed and waved at Minerva as they walked outside, leaving Minerva to chuckle softly to herself.
It was still quite early, but the tables under the canopy had already been rearranged around a dance floor that seemed to be made of the same, ice-like tiles that was on the floor of the Three Broomsticks pavilion. They had dinner at a table near the bar just before the outside guests started to arrive and students began to trickle out, most of them looking somewhat awkward in their formal apparel. It was then that Jennifer noticed Sirius sitting by himself drinking a Butterbeer, brooding as he waited for Harry to come down. Jennifer went over, Severus close behind, trying to read Sirius' face from where he sat.
"Happy Christmas Eve, Sirius! Good to see you!" Jennifer greeted him warmly. "Where's Anna?" Severus gave Jennifer a dirty look.
"She already had a date," Sirius said glumly, "and she wouldn't say who with." Jennifer blinked and looked over at Severus.
"Did she say anything to you?" Jennifer asked.
"No," Severus said, irritated. "Let's check the guest list."
The two of them wandered over to the gate where Audacious Belle stood guard. She was talking to Arthur and Molly Weasley, who were just coming in. They took a moment to greet them as well, Arthur pausing to complement Jennifer on her dress as well as the festival, deciding to take a look around before the dance started. It was then that Jennifer was able to talk Audi into a look at the guest list.
"Well?" Severus asked impatiently.
"Give me a minute! So far I don't see anyone out of the ordinary," Jennifer told him. "Ugh, Pummeler Jasper? You don't think…"
"Not with my sister," Severus said in annoyance. "Anyone else?"
"Extended staff, people from the Ministry, and friends of the school. I don't know who else she might have met, but there's definitely no one unexpected here," Jennifer sighed, handing the list back to Audi, who seemed to be holding back laughter.
"It had better not be Mars Jasper," Severus muttered then glared at annoyance at Audi. "Do you know something we don't?" Jennifer looked over at her too, but Audi was busy greeting Vallid, who smiled at them warmly.
"Merry Christmas, all!" Vallid said. She was wearing a festive holly red brocade dress robe with a bright green sash, looking quite elegant but still as professional as ever. "Jennifer, Audi, you look splendid!"
"Enter and be welcome," Audi cackled, checking her name off the list. "Glad to see you could make it. I wasn't sure if you would."
"Oh, I'm not staying all night, just for awhile, then I'm off towards home for dinner with the family. So where's all the action at? This is quite a spread," Vallid said, winking at Jennifer.
"We can walk you over," Jennifer offered with a smile. Students now bustled around them in front of the market tents for their last minute shopping, and Vallid couldn't help but run in and get some candy from Honeydukes before they headed to the canopy.
"You can't get the handmade candies in the States. Everything is mass produced over there," she explained, patting her candy away in her pocket. "I have a grandson that will be happy to see these in the morning."
Dumbledore had arrived by the time they had gotten back, and Vallid went immediately over to where he sat with Arthur and Molly Weasley. Harry and Ginny had joined Sirius, and Hermione and Ron had already hit the dance floor.
"Professor Craw!" Corey, Taylor, and Doug walked up to them, and Corey bowed as gracefully as he could. "M'lady witch, you look positively enchanting! May I have the honor of this dance?" he said, trying to make his voice sound older and more dignified.
Biting back laughter, Jennifer offered him her hand, winking at Severus as they went out on the dance floor. Doug sighed and handed Taylor a couple of sickles, who in turn grinned and thanked him. Severus scowled knowingly at them, and the two boys decided to quickly clear out.
Surveying the room, Severus recognized Ludo Bagman, and who else would be walking with him than Mars Jasper, chatting like old friends. Severus relaxed slightly and smirked, figuring the two of them would probably keep each other occupied for hours, trying to outdo each other's Quidditch stories. But where was Anna? It was then he noticed that Sirius had gotten up and only Ginny and Ron were sitting there now. He peered around curiously.
Sirius had turned to glance towards the path as he listened to Harry recount the tale of Crabbe and Amadeus getting caught on the slide. Nearly the entire school knew about it now… it was too good to keep a secret for too long, although the eyewitness chose to remain anonymous.
"They had to have used an Invisibility Potion. That's probably why they got stuck in Snape's detention," Hermione grinned. "Somebody must have really botched it for them to have come out of it so early."
"I think I know who, too," Ron said with a grin. "I bet it was Corey Willowby. I saw him in the common room the other day and asked him why he wasn't at the festival. He said he was in trouble, but he didn't say for what. This is just like something he would do." Hermione looked over at him thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure that Corey could actually make the potion. The formula is just too complex for a first year," she said.
"Corey is anything but normal," Ginny replied. "He never forgets anything that he reads, you know. He was quoting poetry to me in the common room the other day."
"Oh, not again," Harry said, frowning. "I really have to have a talk with him."
"Oh, Harry, he's perfectly harmless," Ginny shook her head.
"You think maybe he's found anything out about the potion class?" Hermione asked suddenly, looking out on the dance floor where the boy was stiffly dancing with Professor Craw.
"Maybe it's time we asked him," Harry said, getting up. "Come on, Hermione, the song's almost over. I'll go dance with Craw and you can try and get something out of Corey."
It was just after they left that Sirius spotted Anna and excused himself from the table. She had paused to speak to Rosmerta over near the bar, and Sirius found himself immediately entranced with her, standing in an exquisite silk gown with a green bodice that fluted out into a filmy, silvery skirt. He approached cautiously and Rosmerta smiled at him. Anna looked up, amused to see him in his rich dark blue dress robes after seeing him mostly in white shirts and jeans.
"Good evening, Rosmerta, Anna; you both look unbelievably lovely tonight," Sirius bowed, kissing first Rosmerta's hand then Anna's. "I trust you are both enjoying your evening thus far?"
"Don't give me that act, where have you been lately? You've been avoiding me all week," Anna snapped with irritation. Rosmerta quickly excused herself.
"What do you mean where have I been? You're the one that's never home. I've been where I've always been, guarding the forest." Sirius said with irritation. "And I thought you told me you had a date."
"I do," she said, peering in the Brooms pavilion. It was then that someone came towards them, smiling warmly at Anna as he handed her a drink, and then nodding to Sirius with a guarded smile. Sirius stared at him with complete disbelief and utter contempt. "Sirius, I don't suppose you know my date, Ederick Thurspire?"
"Yes, we've met," Ederick said, sipping his drink.
"You have got to be kidding." Sirius said after a moment. "Just how did you meet this rare and indisputable master of incompetence?"
"Sirius!"
"It's quite all right, Anna. It would have been asking too much of him to set aside past differences for an evening and be a gentleman. But, in the spirit of the season, perhaps you can spare the lady from creating a scene?" Ederick asked in a polite, almost amused tone. Sirius glared at him, literally biting his tongue.
"For Anna, I would do anything to make her happy," Sirius said, bowing almost mockingly this time. "But putting up with you is definitely pushing it." Sirius glanced back at Anna, who looked anything but happy. "I'll be around all evening if you need me," he said and stalked away. He then saw Severus standing near the dance floor and went over to him. Severus gazed at him quizzically. "She's here with Ederick Thurspire," Sirius muttered, jerking his head to indicate behind him.
"You cannot be serious." Severus said with a blank expression on his face.
"Not only am I Sirius, but I'm serious. Look for yourself."
Severus took a few steps, blinking and shaking his head to himself, as he saw them sit down at a table, talking amiably. He strode over as Ederick was in the middle of explaining a case he was working on.
"Good evening, Anna, Happy Christmas," Severus said evenly, while keeping a wary eye on Ederick.
"Merry Christmas, Severus! Where's Jennifer?" Anna asked.
"Dancing with the students. She's always a popular partner," Severus said, waving it off. "Might I ask just where, exactly, did you come across this walking amoeba?"
Anna stared at him. Why was everyone so hard on Ederick? He was a really nice guy, and Dumbledore had had no concerns about inviting him. In fact, he had thought it rather amusing.
"Ederick and I met at the Ministry one of the times Vallid took me with her and he was interested in Muggle police work, which I was involved in, as I've told you before. He's also quite intelligent and I'd rather you not insult his intelligence anymore, thanks."
"I can't insult something he has nothing of," Severus said calmly. "Why don't you tell her about your investigation of me, Ederick? Perhaps she'd find that interesting. Or is this just another way of getting to me?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Severus. I've more important priorities than you at the moment. As for Anna, let me assure you my interest is based on her charm, kindness, and personality. In other words, she's completely the opposite of her older brother. It is a good thing that I don't judge people by their families," Ederick replied. Anna looked at Ederick and was about ready to say something but Severus was quicker, his temper beginning to rise.
"Funny, you seemed to judge Jennifer quickly enough based on her family," Severus snapped, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Anna, I don't know what this so-called investigator has told you about his work, but what he hasn't told you is that his overall opinion of this school and its staff is questionable. I would take anything that he says with a grain of salt. Why don't you do us all a favor and the next time you need a scapegoat accuse yourself so we aren't tempted to kill you again." With that, Severus walked off, leaving Anna to rub her aching head as Ederick put a comforting arm around her, telling her not to worry about it.
Severus tapped his hand against his arm in total irritation, looking around again. Corey, it seemed, was at Harry's table in a huddle that could not mean anything good. He was just about to go over there when he felt an arm wrap around his and looked over to meet Jennifer's warm smile.
"There you are, I've been looking for you. Save me from the students, please!" Jennifer begged, chuckling. "None of them can dance! All right, Harry's definitely gotten better, but those first years are murder. What's wrong? Anna?"
"She's here with Ederick Thurspire," Severus muttered. Jennifer made a face.
"That's disgusting. How did Sirius take it?" she asked.
"How did Sirius take it?" Severus frowned at her. "She's my sister. What does it matter what Sirius thinks?" Jennifer smiled tolerantly.
"I can guess what you think. I feel the same way about him and you know it." Jennifer said, trying to coax him out on the dance floor. "And I think, even if you don't want to admit it, you know why it matters what Sirius thinks," she said softly. "Come now, wouldn't you rather have Sirius seeing your sister than Ederick Thurspire?"
"If that is our only two choices, I suggest we lock her in a tower instead of you until we can find more options," Severus muttered, leading a chuckling Jennifer out onto the dance floor.
Jennifer's face lit up immediately, her enthusiasm so apparent that Severus couldn't help but smile softly. It had been two years since they had danced in public, when Jennifer could barely dance at all. Now she was gliding across the floor with apparent ease. Jennifer was also keenly aware that this was the first time they were able to show any semblance of affection towards each other in front of the school and was enjoying every moment of it, secretly tired of always having to go through great lengths to be discreet. Even Severus seemed to be enjoying himself, just content to have Jennifer safely in his arms, unaware of how evident his adoration of her was showing.
It wasn't until after the first song ended that Jennifer noticed that there had been quite a number of eyes on them and suddenly felt like she was being viewed as a novelty. Severus for his part seemed unconcerned, and in a very rare occurrence seemed rather oblivious of everything else around him, questioning her softly during the second dance when she noticed Sirius Black sitting by himself barely touching his drink. Jennifer slowed noticeably to read his face, and Severus followed her gaze, frowning before looking back towards her.
"What is it?" he asked with a quiet sigh.
"He's just miserable, and confused," Jennifer confided quietly, low enough that no one else around them could hear. "He doesn't understand why she keeps giving him the cold shoulder."
"Wouldn't anybody?" Severus snorted.
"No, but a Snape would," Jennifer said, ignoring the tone in his voice. "I don't know if he scares her, or she's just scared of herself, or if she's just being stubborn, or a bit of all three. But I know she does really like him and is doing everything to convince herself she doesn't. You know, I think you should go talk to him." Severus blinked at her in surprise.
"Me? Why should I talk to him? I can't stand him. The last thing I want to do is encourage him," Severus said, looking slightly irritated.
"You don't have to encourage him, just help him understand, that's all. And actually, the fact you don't like each other may make him more willing to listen to you. He probably thinks his friends are just trying to say stuff to make him feel better. Besides, even with everything that happened, I think you really do care what happens to him to some extent. I can see it in your face," Jennifer admitted.
"Liar," he muttered. Jennifer stopped cold and gave Severus such a hurt, angry look that he immediately regretted saying that word. "Jennifer, I didn't mean…"
"No, just be quiet and try listening to me for a change. This isn't about you and Sirius, it's about Sirius and your sister. Right now Sirius needs someone to talk to and you happen to be the only one who can not only relate to both sides, but can get through that skull of his right now. You told me earlier that you wanted to put the past behind you and start living for the future. Well, now you have a chance to prove it," Jennifer said and walked off the dance floor, storming over to Dumbledore's table. Severus sighed loudly and scowled before turning to where Sirius sat and reluctantly walking over.
At Dumbledore's table, the Headmaster and his guests greeted Jennifer warmly as she pulled over a chair.
"Where's Severus?" Arthur asked curiously.
"I sent him over to have a talk with Sirius," Jennifer admitted, sitting down. "I thought it was about time those two worked some things out."
"I couldn't agree more," Dumbledore said with a pleased smile. "I commend you, Jennifer, you were just able to accomplish something I haven't been able to do in months. Thank you."
"It was time," Jennifer shrugged slightly, and Dumbledore smiled understandingly, nodding.
"I can't begin to express how glad I am to hear that," he smiled.
"By the way, Jennifer, who taught you how to dance? I thought you told me you danced like you rode a broom," Rolanda asked teasingly.
"I used to. Severus taught me, probably to spare his feet from another onslaught," Jennifer chuckled at herself.
"So the next time the magic card company does another Hogwarts series, should we add ballroom dancing to your hobbies?" Minerva asked mischievously.
"Yes, please, but let's leave out the mirror thing this time, okay?" Jennifer pleaded. "I love dancing now, I wish we had dances more often!" Dumbledore smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with understanding.
"Well, we'll have to see if we can't remedy that," he winked at her. "As long as we don't suffer from a lack of chaperones."
"Ah, there's Percy and Penelope! Excuse me a moment, while I let them know where we are," Molly Weasley said, getting up.
"They're getting married in April, aren't they?" Minerva asked politely.
"Yes, that's the plan at the moment anyway," Arthur said cheerfully. "It's on a weekend, so I'm hoping you can all make it."
"I will be there, definitely," Minerva said with a smile.
"I too, with any luck," Dumbledore added.
"By the way, what of you and Severus, Jennifer? Any thoughts of naming a date?" Arthur smiled at her politely.
"Well, yes, that is, I mean…we're discussing it," Jennifer admitted. Dumbledore, Minerva, and Rolanda all looked at her.
"Well, it's about time," Minerva said breaking into a smile. "You were right again, Albus." Jennifer looked over at Dumbledore suspiciously, who was beaming at Jennifer.
"Of course, I knew they would come around. And I am very glad to hear that as well," Dumbledore said.
Suddenly Jennifer saw something that made her jump up in pure panic, making everyone at the table look at her in surprise.
"Great stars, Anna is dancing with Francis Pyther!" Jennifer said as they swung past the table, glancing back to where Sirius and Severus were still sitting, hoping they didn't notice.
"Wait, Jennifer, you can't possibly jump in there. I'll do it," Rolanda said quickly and got up. Dumbledore also got up and followed her over, and Jennifer looked around and spotted Ederick talking to Molly, Penelope, and Percy. Jennifer asked him to dance, gritting her teeth behind her forced smile. Ederick, completely surprised, found Jennifer dragging him to the far side of the dance floor.
"Stay over here. If Severus sees you dancing with me, he might want to hurt you," Jennifer said quickly.
"Care to explain what this is all about?" Ederick asked, gazing at her suspiciously.
"Don't let Francis Pyther cut in and dance with Anna, okay?" Jennifer said, glancing across the floor. She relaxed slightly as Anna was dancing with Dumbledore now, and Pyther was dancing with Madame Hooch.
"Why not?" Ederick asked puzzled.
"Trust, me, Ederick, just don't let it happen again. I don't know about you, but I really would like to see things stay nonvolatile tonight," Jennifer said. Just then someone came up and tapped Ederick's shoulder, and it turned out to be Mars Pummeler Jasper, bowing politely and asking to cut in. Before Jennifer could protest, Ederick quickly gave him her hand and moved away, his curiosity spurring him into motion.
Jennifer belatedly realized it might have been better if she had explained the entire situation to him before letting him go. But it was too late now, and she suddenly found herself oozing across the dance floor with Mars, who was smiling at her in a way she decidedly didn't like.
"You look positively tantalizing this evening, Jennifer. I hope you don't mind my cutting in, but I saw how gracefully you move across the floor and wanted a chance to dance with the most enticingly lovely witch at the ball," he said, spinning her gently around.
"And also one of the most unavailable," Jennifer reminded him.
"Of course, that's what makes you so tantalizing," he winked flirtatiously. Jennifer was in the process of imagining all the different things she would like to turn him into when Harry came up and tapped on his shoulder. Before cutting in, however, he pulled Mars aside, said something and pointed to where Ederick and Anna were dancing before coming back over to dance with Jennifer.
"You know, dances are exhausting work," Harry confided to Jennifer as he picked up the dance.
"Harry, what are you up to?" Jennifer said, reading his face. "And why did you tell Pummeler that Anna wanted to dance with him?"
"I'm doing it for her own good, Professor," he grinned, guiding her closer to the outside tables, nodding to Ron. Ron nodded back, and watched Anna and Pummeler for a moment before he hurried over to Sirius and Severus. Ederick, in the meantime, had decided to go over and have a few words with Francis Pyther, and wasn't paying much attention to what was happening on the floor. He would have been a bit better off if he had, perhaps, because Pummeler was quite taken with his beautiful new dance partner.
"For her own good? Harry, trust me, Mr. Jasper is, well, a total slime ball," Jennifer said.
"I know," Harry said, grinning wickedly. "I caught him trying to make a pass at Madame Hooch last game. Last time he'll try that again, that's for sure. Nobody messes with Madame Hooch."
It was as Sirius stepped up to Anna and Pummeler that Harry and Jennifer stopped even the pretense of dancing, standing on the dance floor watching as Sirius said a few short words to him, hiding behind a charming smile. But whatever he said must have been far from complementary, because Pummeler became red faced, bowing coldly and storming off towards the bar. Sirius then took Anna's hand, barely giving her time to recover before gently leading her across the floor.
"Not bad, Harry," Jennifer grinned, as they watched Pummeler pass by. "Guess it's out of our hands now."
"Not quite, there's still Ederick to deal with," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Don't worry about Ederick." Harry and Jennifer jumped and looked around to see Severus standing behind them. "I think he's going to preoccupied for awhile," he said, smirking slightly. Ederick was still talking to Pyther, who was standing guardedly next to him, rubbing a small stone nervously in one of his hands. Pyther then nodded, and the two of them walked out of the canopied area and over to Pyther's tent.
"I hope Pyther's not in any danger," Jennifer said worriedly, causing Severus to stare at her with a startled expression on his face.
"Well, I think we're going to go head for the rides now. Thanks for the dance, Professor!" Harry said, bowing and waving.
"Tell me why you just said that," Severus said in a low voice. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were flashing.
"Dumbledore had a long talk with him yesterday, and I was present at the time," Jennifer explained, trying not to give anything away about the gift. "You know, he really isn't a bad guy, once you get to know him." Severus instantly became convinced that his idea to lock her in a tower wasn't so bad of an idea after all. "Look, he knew a few things that might help us find the Tomb. In fact, he even knows where Mallus Craw is buried."
"I don't care if he knows where Solomon's treasure is. You're not to go anywhere near him," Severus snapped.
"Severus, not only is Pyther not capable of hurting a fly, but even if he was a threat, I can easily handle one of his kind. Besides, you get along all right with Remus."
"That's an entirely different situation. He's in little danger of starving from his affliction," Severus pointed out.
"Hello again, Jennifer, Severus," Dumbledore said, having come up beside them. "I don't think this is the time or place to be talking about this, do you? Why don't we go sit down at my table and relax a bit and chat," he smiled.
As they walked back to the table, they were distracted by the sudden presence of Audi Belle with an arm around Pummeler Jasper and a wand under his ribs, followed closely behind by Rosmerta, who had an annoyed, dangerous flash in her eyes.
"Trouble?" Dumbledore asked, pausing thoughtfully.
"No trouble, Albus dear, just having Audi take out the trash for me," Rosmerta said with a smile as they headed towards the gate. Ron, Hermione, Ginny ,and Harry, who had been heading over to the rides, paused to watch as Audi and Rosmerta, exchanging triumphant grins before running to catch up with Sirius and Anna.