Chapter Twenty-Five
Children Lost
It was the first Muggle gathering of any kind that Jennifer Craw had ever gone to, and she wished so much that she had never needed to go. The funeral was tension from the first moment that she, Severus, and Corey arrived with Arthur Weasley. Corey's sister, Essie, sitting with her Aunt Rebecca Hunt, had darted immediately over to Corey despite Rebecca's stern voice, bursting into tears as she hugged him in both grief and relief to see him there and safe. Corey, who had been walking around in a daze and not ready yet to deal with his loss, gently hugged her back despite the fact that his lost expression never changed. It was, however, an encouraging sight to Jennifer, who had become worried about him when she first saw him in Minerva's office. Quiet and uncommunicative was not a way she had ever thought to describe Corey. But the moment was soon interrupted as Rebecca reached Essie's side, gently but firmly putting her hands on her shoulders and asking her to come and sit with her and Uncle Mark, her cold glance making it clear that she didn't want Corey along.
Jennifer watched in total confusion. What was Mrs. Hunt thinking, treating her own nephew like that? Jennifer had taken a step forward only to be stopped by a hand on her own shoulder, and turned to see the keen eyes of Dumbledore. His appearance was remarkably different right now in his black Muggle suit, large glasses and cropped beard, but there was no mistaking him to anyone who knew him. It was an understanding glance, but one that curtailed any thoughts of her going over to Rebecca and Essie.
Instead, Jennifer stayed with other attendees from the school. They were standing apart from everyone else, and the separation was as much the Muggles' doing as it was theirs. Severus, the least Mugglish looking of the group in his black turtleneck and black trench coat, stayed close to Corey, speaking softly to him as the two of them went to stand next to Jennifer.
Jennifer fought back her anger as someone stepped up to speak, watching the glances between Corey and Essie. Mr. Hunt, who had also noticed the exchange, glanced over nervously to see Jennifer watching, then whispered to Essie, who turned quickly around. Mr. Hunt, at least, didn't seem to blame Corey, but she was very afraid of all of them, including Corey. Jennifer frowned at that realization, suddenly concerned. Was the boy going to have to grow up in a house that feared him? Would they take him out of school? Or would they want him at all? She glanced down at Corey. He had been scarcely aware of his aunt's actions, it seemed, too immersed in his own grief to think about it. Jennifer put a comforting arm on his shoulder, even though his expression didn't even change because of the action. These two needed love and support right now, not anger.
She stood quietly during the rest of the ceremony, Severus close beside them, Jennifer so concerned over Corey that she hadn't noticed the strange flash of grief in Severus' own eyes, or the fact that he was having trouble standing his ground next to them. But Dumbledore, standing with Minerva and Angus Brim (who had brought Taylor, Doug and Julie) had been keeping a close eye on Severus, and was watching him carefully when Severus glanced his way. Dumbledore saw a side of Severus that hadn't seen in many years; a phantom of the past had emerged in that brief exchange, as Severus thought back to when his own father and stepmother were murdered. Severus had been eleven and home for the Christmas holidays when everything came crashing down… just like the boy standing in front of him. The road was an unpleasant one to travel, and one that Severus never had completely dealt with. But Dumbledore was quite certain, especially if his observations of Corey's relatives were correct, that Severus would be forced to deal with it one way or the other.
Jennifer thought the funeral would never end, the loss and grief so very heavy as if they were stuck in a bad dream. But at last she found herself numbly wiping tears out of her eyes as Severus led the boy up to the graves, undeniably - perhaps even to some surprisingly – supportive. She was aware of Minerva by her side giving her a comforting glance and handing her a fresh handkerchief. Relaxing slightly at the simple gesture, Jennifer smiled gratefully at her.
"Are you all right?" Minerva asked her quietly.
"I'm just so worried about Corey and Essie," Jennifer admitted, watching as Corey's three friends went over to him to talk to him. Severus stood and watched them for a while before turning and walking over to Dumbledore.
"Yes, we all are," Minerva sighed softly. "It's not going to be easy for them regardless of what the future holds. But Jennifer, we can only do so much. Professors should guide students as best we can through the hard times, but we're not a substitute for their family, after all. We can't see them all individually through everything."
"It's too late for a 'don't get too personal speech', Minerva," Jennifer said, looking over to her. "He was my friend before he was my student, and I just can't stay out of this, I just can't, so don't ask me to." Minerva studied her for a long moment then sighed.
"I understand, Jennifer," she said as they glanced back over to where the students were standing.
Essie had somehow managed to wander over to them and was standing with Corey as he tried to comfort her, an arm around her as he dried off her tears with his hand. Grief appeared from underneath Corey's brave expression and Jennifer felt another sense of relief. It was not enough to be apparent to anyone else, she was sure, but her keen Truth Seeking abilities couldn't miss the change. But then she noticed that Mrs. Hunt had spotted them. Excusing herself quickly, Jennifer intercepted, walking up to her with a warm smile. The smile was not returned, instead was met with a cold, wary frown, her eyes flashing with anger.
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Craw. I'm one of Corey's teachers," Jennifer offered then continued after the pause indicated she wasn't going to reply. "Your brother was a very kind and wise person, as was Freda and their son. I'm so terribly sorry about your loss."
"Yes, you should be," Rebecca snapped, trying to take a step around her but Jennifer was a tad quicker.
"I just wanted you to know that if you need anything, just let me know. Corey and I have become close friends. He's one of our best students, and anything I can do to make things easier for Corey and Essie is important to me," Jennifer explained.
"I think you've done enough, don't you? If it weren't for you, if you hadn't interfered, if you had never come here, they wouldn't have been murdered at all! Get away from me, and keep that… that mutant away from Essie!" Rebecca said angrily as her husband came up behind her, trying to calm her down.
"Look, perhaps you're right about my staying here causing it, so fine. Blame me," Jennifer said, trying to keep her anger in check. "But don't take this out on Corey. He's just as much your brother's son as he ever was, and he needs his family right now, especially Essie, so please don't shut him out. Charles would want them together, you know that."
"How dare you say what my brother would or wouldn't want? Especially after your part in all this?" Rebecca asked, raising her voice.
"Miss Craw is right, Rebecca."
Jennifer looked up at the strangely familiar voice to see someone she remembered from the Muggle police office. It was Sergeant Brommel, walking up to Jennifer's side.
"I don't know how it comes that you are angry at the Professor over this, considering she wasn't even here at the time, but Charles respected her and I think you're doing him an injustice by taking your anger out on her, and even more so if you take it out on the boy," Brommel said firmly. "Don't make this worse for Corey than it already is. You know how kids are about blaming themselves over big things that wasn't their doing. Let the kids have some quiet time for now. They've lost everything they've ever known but each other."
"There's a lot going on here you don't understand, Sarge," Rebecca said with her eyes full of fire, pointing at her. "That woman is a witch! A work of the devil! Corey is lost to us now, a student of Satan's ways! He died the moment he left this world for their accursed one, and he is dead to us now. It was their folk that killed them! That cult was using real black magic, Brommel, and I'll be damned if I let Essie be corrupted by all this evil!" Rebecca said. She walked over and grabbed Essie's hand saying something inaudible to the rest of them before leading Essie away and yelling at her husband to get the car. Jennifer stood there in dismay, glancing over to Brommel who watched Rebecca with deep concern, patting Jennifer's shoulder.
"It's not your fault, Miss Craw. She's just in pain from losing her brother and his family. Don't take it to heart, you just take care of Corey, hm?" he said gently. Then he stepped over to the car to try and talk to her. Arthur Weasley joined him and they walked over to Rebecca who had shoved Essie in the car and shut the door; the anger in her voice evident despite the fact that she was too far away for Jennifer to make out what she was saying.
"Jennifer?" Dumbledore came up beside her. "We need to be leaving soon. Perhaps you and Severus should get Corey back. I suggest that you escort him to the hospital wing so that Poppy can recommend something to help him relax."
"All right, Professor," Jennifer said, searching for Severus' tall figure in the crowd. "Can I ask a question, first?"
"Of course, Jennifer," Dumbledore said.
"Why do some of these Muggles… many of them, in fact," Jennifer said, as she scanned some of the faces, "think all magic is evil?"
"That's a good question," Dumbledore agreed, walking her slowly over to the rest of their group. "Why do our own kind often see Muggles as unintelligent, or inferior, and that their world is less important than ours, even inconsequential? Or why do some see all werewolves as evil, or judge a person as evil based upon their family name and heritage?"
"I ask a question, and you give me more questions to think about," Jennifer muttered in annoyance.
"That was the general idea, yes," Dumbledore agreed quietly.
Once Corey was comfortably resting and the other students were back in their rooms, Jennifer and Severus went back up to Dumbledore's Study. They were soon joined by Minerva and Dumbledore, who were back in their normal guises again.
"Well, it's official," Minerva sighed as they came in, looking more serious than usual. "The Hunts are going to take over the sheep farm and manage the family business, but they have no intention of become Corey's guardian. They only want Essie."
"They can't do that!" Jennifer said with alarm. "How could she possibly even consider it? Corey is just as much their relative as Essie, not to mention how much they need each other right now. It sounds as if it that woman had it her way, they'd never see each other again!"
"Jennifer, I'm afraid there just isn't anything we can do about that," Minerva said, "I already tried to warn you, there are just some things we have no control over. She's already requested that he be turned over as a ward of the state."
"Doesn't she have any idea what that will do to him?" Jennifer demanded, her temper getting the better of her. "He's barely responding now. How is he supposed to get through such a trauma without a family? How can she turn on her own kin like that? Right now he has us to turn to, but what's going to happen to him when summer comes?"
"Jennifer!" Minerva said sternly. "I thought we already had this discussion."
"I don't agree with that discussion!" Jennifer said hotly before walking up to Dumbledore's desk and staring him straight in the eye. "Professor Dumbledore, if Mrs. Hunt files release of custody, I'd like to adopt Corey."
Minerva was suddenly flustered, trying to get words out but coming up short, not knowing quite what to say. Dumbledore didn't say anything at first, holding his fingers together and laying them on his desk, looking at her searchingly. He was also aware of Severus, staying some distance behind her, watching the entire scene as if he had been apart of something similar once before.
"Look, I know this is completely unorthodox, but this isn't anything close to a normal situation. I know it's going to be a board nightmare, and I know it's a big responsibility, and will complicate my life teaching wise until Corey's out of school. But Corey needs to know he's not alone, and he needs somewhere to turn, and he needs a home to go to in the summer, and someone that understands him.
"Okay, so he's far from the model student. He's undeniably a troublemaker to the extreme, lazy yet ambitious, pretentious and defiant at times. In fact, I've seen the most patient teachers in this school threaten to shackle him in the dungeon at one time or another. But he's also very brilliant, and unquestionably talented, caring, and first to volunteer at anything… at least, anything not involving extra schoolwork. But the point is… well… I love the boy. And I don't want him to be tossed aside by anybody!"
Dumbledore studied her for a very long time. Then he sat back in his chair, his eyes looking down on his desk.
"So. We've come full circle now, haven't we?" he said as if to himself. "Was it so long ago that I made a similar statement to the Ministry in a rather similar situation?" He turned his attention to Severus, studying him as well. "Severus, you have just as much say so in this as Jennifer does, and considering the impulsive nature of it, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter." Jennifer blushed, instantly aware that she should have spoken to him first, glancing over at him nervously. Severus, who had been gazing steadily at Dumbledore, turned to Jennifer with a look that instantly put her at ease.
"If Jennifer hadn't spoken just now, I would have," Severus said simply, turning back to Dumbledore. "The boy is also going need a firm hand to keep him from getting too falsely assured in himself as well, and perhaps insight from someone who has… been through certain things. Besides," he added, coming up to stand by Jennifer's side. "If Essie is going to be staying at Haven's Bluff, the chances of them 'accidentally' bumping into each other are definitely going to be much higher living with us than if he were living with anyone else." Jennifer smiled lovingly at him.
"Well, then, I suppose the two of you should talk things over to make sure for certain this is what you both want. I have little doubt at this moment that you both do, but it'd make me feel better if you discussed it in more detail. After that, you'll have to find out if this is what Corey wants," Dumbledore reminded them sternly. "Of course, you know that whatever you decide, I'll support you. How can I possibly go against this? I could not, I don't think, even if I disagreed with you in principle. We must all do what is best for each other."
"You realize, I hope, that if you do plan to adopt, you are going to have to name a wedding date. You are going to have to be married," Minerva pointed out.
"Then make it the last weekend of school just before the students go home," Severus suggested, brushing back Jennifer's hair.
"Sounds perfect to me," Jennifer smiled at him, leaning back into him happily. Dumbledore then smiled as well, glancing back to Minerva.
"Life goes on," he said, sitting back up in his seat. "And as such, once this is well settled, I suppose we ought to turn our attention to how to stop this sort of thing from occurring again, as well as to give Jennifer a chance to continue her search for the Tomb." Jennifer nodded at that, sitting down in her chair.
"I feel utterly ridiculous."
Anna couldn't help but shake her head at Jennifer. She was scowling at herself in the mirror and at the white blouse with colorful floral embroidery and the dusty-rose slacks. Her auburn hair had been lightened considerably into a strawberry blonde, deftly curled around her face. Anna was busy twisting the rest of her hair into a wrap, glancing at her in the mirror. She definitely looked altogether different.
"This isn't going to work," Jennifer grumbled, shaking her head.
"Would you hold still?" Anna said in exasperation. "You look fine. I didn't spend all day shopping for you to have you start complaining now. Dumbledore wanted to make sure you looked authentically Muggle and I got as un-Jennifer as I could get without you looking phony. Now, let's go over the make up, shall we?"
"Oh, no, I'm not putting that stuff on my face. It's bad enough trying to walk in these shoes," Jennifer said. "Why can't I wear those other shoes you got me while I'm on the train?"
"Because sneakers aren't for nice clothes, it'd look silly. That's for the caves."
"I already look silly! Can I at least wear my barrette? Bad enough I'm leaving my watch behind," Jennifer sighed, twisting the uncomfortable band on the wristwatch she had been given.
"Jennifer, that barrette moves on its own at times. It'd stick out like a neon sign," Anna sighed, taking a step back to look her over.
"A what?"
"Never mind. Well, I think it'll do. Here, put these on," Anna said, reaching in her bag and pulling out some clip pearl earrings. "They don't exactly match your mother's necklace, but it should be close enough."
"I wish you were going, Anna," Jennifer said and not for the first time. She cringed as she snapped on the earring, shaking her head from side to side as her ears began to go numb. "It's not going to be easy trying to keep Pyther and Severus from killing each other on this trip."
"Well, I have work to do now. Vallid needs me to help her with some things she's working on. Besides, I think you can manage. From what I've seen of Pyther, he's too afraid of Severus to do anything to tick him off, and with Dumbledore putting Severus in charge of the exhibition, Severus won't do anything bad to someone on his team. It's just not like him. He'll wait until you guys get back before he kills him," Anna grinned. There was a knock at the door, so Anna went over to answer it while Jennifer was still trying to decide if Anna was teasing or not. Suddenly Anna began laughing and did her best to stifle it, excusing herself as she let Severus in.
He was wearing a semi-casual brown suit, high collar white shirt and a loose brown tie. His hair had been pulled back into a small tail, and he came in staring thoughtfully at Jennifer, studying her apparel as surely as she was looking at his. He had at least gotten to pick out his own clothes, but he certainly seemed rather un-Snapeish out of his black wardrobe.
"How do I look, Titiana?"
"Well, the clothes work, although you should probably unbutton the collar," Anna suggested.
"No," Severus said simply, then glanced quizzically at Jennifer waiting for her opinion.
"I don't know, Severus, there's still something terribly wizardly about you," Jennifer admitted.
"She's right," Anna nodded, "Although I'm not quite sure what it is. Even out of black clothes he still has a gothic look about him," she said amused. "Maybe it's his hair."
"I think it's his eyes," Jennifer said thoughtfully, gazing into them. They were so dark, and so haunted at times, and yet she had always found herself entranced by them.
"Yeah, you might be right," Anna nodded thoughtfully. "Hold that thought, let me get Dumbledore and see what he thinks," she said, walking out. They were back a few moments later, Dumbledore's eyes twinkling amusedly when he saw them.
"Ah, yes, so you are about ready. Jennifer… or should I say Josephine… you look splendid. And Severus," Dumbledore pondered thoughtfully, looking at him a moment. "Might I suggest a slight addition?" He took out something shiny out of his pocket, a galleon, Jennifer realized, and in a blink transformed them into a pair of small lens gold reading glasses, much like his own, handing them over to Severus, who took them reluctantly.
Jennifer immediately decided she liked them, helping to soften his sharp features and give him a more scholarly look, accentuating the thoughtful, quiet nature that he often hid with his more dramatic side.
"Oh, now that's cute," Anna said with a teasing grin. "Definitely an improvement."
"Very cute, I like them," Jennifer agreed wholeheartedly. Severus frowned at her smiling face.
"I have been called a great many things, but that is definitely not one I've ever heard before," Severus said, moving to take them off. The other three protested so quickly at once that he paused and scowled.
"Oh come now Severus, it's only for a couple of days," Dumbledore reminded him. "It does make a big difference. No one will recognize you in those, and the last thing I want is for the three of you to get caught outside the country right now," he said, glancing at his watch. "You should be going. Pyther will meet you at the Hogwarts platform and you can reach the main platforms from there. He'll have all your paperwork, itinerary, passports and all that from the Ministry.
"Severus, Francis is taking a lot of very large risks in taking this journey, and I want you especially to remember that. In fact, it's probably been centuries since he's gotten up enough nerve to leave the country, let alone travel with someone he's afraid of. Please, try not to be too hard on him?" Severus nodded stiffly to Dumbledore, although not very convincingly. "And Jennifer, try not to worry about Corey. I will be here to keep an eye on things."
Anna went up and hugged them both warmly, Severus looking a tad uncomfortable, stiffly patting her back. Jennifer gazed up at Severus with a smile, picking up her Unremarkable suitcase and a cage with a wave to the others and Disapparating, Severus soon following her lead.
Under water and over land, the Muggle train system amazed and baffled Jennifer, who suddenly found herself enjoying this unusual holiday. She was traveling under the name Josephine Doyle, wife of Sebastian Doyle, a British archaeologist (played by Severus,) and guests of their good friend Felix Farber, an Austrian anthropologist (played, of course, by Francis Pyther.) At first Pyther seemed stiff and nervous, but once he had finally convinced himself that Severus wasn't about to murder him, he began to relax and became an interesting travel companion. In fact, Jennifer soon learned that he actually knew more about her family than she did, and as Severus sat and researched old Muggle myths on the murders, Pyther recounted some of the untold family history to Jennifer as he sat and scribbled on a large pad he had brought.
"Mallus only had one son by the name of Vindious, as I'm sure you know. He was reputedly a sour, disagreeable man, concerned more with gaining and holding money than anything else. The direct family line might have died out then and there had his father not arranged a marriage for him to strengthen some overseas ties to the family. Well, for better or for worse, they got along somewhat well enough and had a son and a daughter." Jennifer suddenly blinked in surprise.
"I thought Vindious only had a son? I'm quite sure that is what the historical reference of the family says," Jennifer said with a frown. "Mortius was his name, I think."
"Yes, that is so, but what the book does not tell you is that he also had a sister by the name of Ambrosia. She wasn't someone the Craws wanted to remember and they did a good job of erasing her from the family history…well, to some extent," he smiled. "You see, Ambrosia was unfortunate enough to have fallen for an outsider. Knowing that her family would never approve, she got married secretly, and they did not discover it until she became pregnant with their child." Jennifer stared at him for a long time to make sure she understood. Someone in her family married a Muggle? It seemed rather incredulous, especially in those days, when such an event would have been viewed with complete contempt in such a prestigious family.
"What happened to them when the Craws found out?" Jennifer asked, dreading the worst.
"Vindious was furious, of course. Had it been Mallus who was her father she'd have been struck down as she stood before him, no doubt about that. But Vindious wasn't about to dirty his hands with it. He disowned her, and mysteriously enough, it was discovered that Ambrosia could not have any more children, and soon learned that her own son could not have any either. Her husband disappeared before his son reached his first birthday, and Ambrosia was forced to flee, moving back to their native country of England. There they were left in relative peace. Andrew grew up and found himself to have a particular talent in the healing arts. In fact, his talents and his willingness to help others prompted him to go into priesthood, and he became a regionally known 'miracle worker' of sorts."
"What do you know, a white sheep of the family," Jennifer chuckled softly. "That is strange, though. I can't think of anyone else in the Craw family line who was a physician of any kind."
"Yes, interesting, isn't it?" Pyther agreed with a smile. "But once Andrew was quite a bit older, he ended up having a very significant influence on the rest of the Craw line, despite their attempts to ostracize them. For Mortius, who had married much later than his sister, came to his fateful demise. He left behind a wife and three young children, not one of them to their eleventh year. Andrew had then arranged with her to tutor the three children discreetly. He never discouraged their natural talents in any way, but he did teach them quite a bit about the beliefs of Janus Craw and brought back a lot of the old values that had been destroyed almost to the point of being wiped from existence by Mallus."
"I often wondered about that," Jennifer said thoughtfully, her head in her hand. "Because I'd always known that Mallus was the worst of the line, and yet, when he was gone, it was in some ways as if the family picked up where it left off. Mallus became then more of a symbol of what one of the family was capable of, but normally didn't."
"At the same time, Josephine," Pyther said, looking at her seriously, "I also think that Craw family spent quite a bit of time talking up about how extraordinary his skills were and less about what atrocities that he committed. I think, in some respects, that Andrew might have been afraid that if the entire truth was known, the family might not have accepted a more… conservative attitude towards power in those changing times. I think you'll get to see what I mean when we get to where we're going," he added, scribbling on the bottom of the paper with some flourish.
Jennifer peered over curiously to see exactly what he was doing and brightened visibly when she saw that he'd been sketching all the while that they were talking. Severus, who had been immersed in a book of legends, had been completely unaware of the casual scrutiny, giving Pyther the opportunity to draw him as he sat there, in complete Muggle regalia, glasses and all. Jennifer was delighted.
"Oh, Felix! C'est magnifique! You really are a brilliant artist," Jennifer said, as Severus looked up suspiciously.
"For you, consider it a souvenir," Pyther smiled to Jennifer handing her the picture. Gazing over at it, Severus scowled, his eyes flashing dangerously at the artist.
"How dare you sketch me without my permission?" Severus snarled.
"Sebastian!"
"Spontaneous sketches always capture a moment better," Pyther said, sounding slightly nervous. "I was only trying to pass the time."
"Please don't be angry, mari, I've always wanted a better picture of you, and he really did mean well," Jennifer said, helplessly noting the furious look in his eyes. Just then a woman peered in.
"Pardon, but the kitchen is about to close for the evening in case you wished to get something," she smiled at them.
"Maybe I shall, I could use a stake right now," Severus said glaring at Pyther, "with plenty of garlic."
"C'est tres drole, cheri, tres tres drole," Jennifer scowled at Severus warningly. "Mon mari is just joking. Merci, Madame, just some Ceylon tea?" As the woman left, Pyther got up, his voice coming out something like a squeak at first before clearing his throat.
"I think I'll go walk about a bit, excuse me," Pyther said, and Jennifer got up to let him through, watching him as he nervously slipped out. Jennifer sighed, looking over at Severus who was looking back at her with annoyance, moving to sit beside him.
"Severus, can't you relax just a little?" Jennifer whispered coaxingly, leaning her chin on his shoulder. "Pyther can't help what he is and he really is a nice guy." Severus leaned back to look at her, frowning.
"You actually like him, don't you?" Severus asked accusingly.
"Absolutely," Jennifer nodded, "don't forget I see people for who they really are. Why else would I be with an old grouch like you?" she teased, kissing him lightly. Severus put an arm around her, and Jennifer leaned back and turned her attention to the papers in front of her.
It was just after midnight when they switched trains in Brussels, and fortunately everything was on time. At a predetermined stop just after four in the morning, Jennifer went out to 'check' on Ratfly. She let the customs check his papers and put him back into baggage for the short remainder left on the trip, his cage tightly sealed with a seamless covering that would probably boggle the mind of anyone trying to get into it out of curiosity. And it was just as well, for anyone who would have been watching closely would have noticed quite a remarkable change in Ratfly's appearance…his nose scrunched and ears flattened and had even shrunk dramatically in size. In fact, they'd have noticed it wasn't a fruit bat at all, but a bat of a different type all together.
Following Jennifer's instructions, Ratfly, freed from his confined cage, flew off to see if there were a local Owlery where he could drop off a note, and would then catch up with them the next evening. Pyther was free to take Ratfly's place in the cage, so when Jennifer and Severus reached their stop near dawn, the vampire bat was safely protected in his temporary sleeping quarters.
Jennifer quickly learned that despite his reluctance to deal with Muggles, Severus was more than capable of doing it when he had to. Stuck in a country where she didn't know the language, she quickly became heavily reliant on him, understanding why Dumbledore had put him in charge. They checked into a small family hotel in the town and spent the day there resting. Jennifer awoke just a few minutes before five as Severus walked in the door, apparently having been out and about. He went over to the window and opened it just long enough for an irate, tired bat to come flying in, complaining irritably. Jennifer got up and took charge of the bat as Severus set papers on the table, shoving the cage sitting there so far to the side that it nearly teetered off the edge.
"Everything seems to be in order among the officials for tonight, and I arranged for a cab to pick us up around six thirty local time. Oh, and I picked up some of these," Severus said, taking out some electric torches, filling them with batteries as Jennifer watched carefully and showed her how to use one. "Once we get there, we'll see about finding a spot for Pyther to Apparate over to us. With any luck, they will leave us alone once we're at the caves, but I got these torches in case they don't," he explained, glancing over the local map. "Get into my cloak and see if there's a tray there. I arranged for someone to leave us a decent meal in the chest. And there should be something for it, too," he added, nodding curtly towards the cage, still halfway off the table.
"Well, that was thoughtful of you," Jennifer said, only slightly surprised as she dug through the cloak's pockets.
"Thoughtful, nothing. He didn't eat yesterday, and I've no intention of becoming a snack," Severus muttered. Jennifer sighed softly but smiled knowingly at him, pulling out the steaming tray of food. A note was laying on it as well, and Jennifer stacked some of Severus' papers to make room for it on the table, picking up the note.
"Got your message, good to hear you are safe. All is quiet again, Dumbledore on the move. Corey is the same. Francis' nourishment is in the sheepskin pouch. Take care, Minerva," Jennifer read out loud.
"Don't take the pouch out yet, let's not ruin our appetites, eat first," Severus suggested, pointing at the tray.
"Shouldn't we wake Pyther?" Jennifer asked, glancing out the window at the darkening sky.
"Eat first, it's getting late. I'll wake him up before we leave," Severus insisted.
Jennifer wasn't about to argue and ate quickly, enjoying the reminder of home in the strange surroundings. Severus drummed his fingers as he ate, impatient to get going and get it over with. Once they had finished, Severus jumped up to gather up his papers and bumped the table, causing the cage to go crashing to the ground.
"Oops," Severus smirked, and Jennifer became suspicious that it might have been intentional. "Oh, well, I suppose that means he's awake now," he added as he shoved the tray in his cloak. Muttering to herself and shaking her head, Jennifer gently lifted up the cage and unsealed the cover, opening it. A vampire bat immediately flew out, changing into a slightly irritable Francis Pyther.
"Good evening, Pyther, I hope you weren't too uncomfortable," Jennifer said sympathetically.
"Oh, I've been in tighter spots. I slept well enough. I take it that it's nearly time to go?" he asked. Severus, who had retrieved a pouch from his cloak held it distastefully out to Pyther. "Thank you," Pyther said gratefully, ignoring the look he had gotten from the wizard.
"We're going to head down. We'll send Ratfly after you when it's safe for you to walk over. Come along, Josephine," Severus said, transforming his cloak back into a coat and putting it on. Jennifer put her own on and followed him, offering Pyther a smile and a wave on her way out the door.
The cab was waiting just on time and they sped quickly to the site, stopping at a low fenced area just outside of it to speak with a bored looking guard, who showed them in. The main cavern was wired for light, and sections of the floor had been layered carefully from previous excavations. It was an eerie feeling when they stepped in, like a cache on a battlefield, and many presences lingered, Jennifer was sure of that.
"Here's where the majority of lost children were found," Severus said, translating for Jennifer. "He says to look around as much as we like and he'll be on the grounds if we need him."
Once he left, Severus went outside for a moment, and Jennifer found herself trying to listen to the room. She thought then she saw something from the corner of her eye and swiftly turned her head, but it was gone before she could catch it.
"Welcome to the Chamber of Lost Children," Pyther said as he entered behind Severus. "I want you to meet some friends of mine. I met them quite a few years ago when I had to seek refuge here one morning." He then said something in a strange German dialect, which was answered from all around, and Jennifer heard his last name called over and over again by young voices. Ghostly forms materialized around them, dozens of them, most of them filthy and thin, their cloths soiled with dirty hair and faces; sad, fearful faces, but still obviously glad to see the vampire. They were heartbreaking to look upon, some of them so young that they were being held by older siblings; eternally comforting each other. A small group of the older children went and spoke with Pyther, Severus frowning with concentration trying to understand the distorted speech. After a moment, the older children glided over to speak with the others, some of them looking curiously over at Severus and Jennifer.
"What are they saying?" Jennifer asked after a few moments, getting impatient.
"I told them why we're here and why you are with me," Pyther explained with a smile. "They're debating whether or not to show us where the crypt is. So far, I think they've decided you're not very scary," he said with amusement.
"Oh, wonderful. That's good to know," Jennifer muttered.
"Actually, it's better than you know, considering they just told me that a man had come here three years ago who they were sure was a Craw and they wouldn't let him in because they thought he was scary," Pyther said. Jennifer and Severus exchanged scowls.
"Remind me to have a long talk with my father about that when we get back," Jennifer said.
"And why he didn't this place mention it before," Severus nodded in irritation.
"Definitely," Jennifer grunted, glancing back at the large group of children. "They're so young, so very young. Why didn't they ascend?"
"Fear has made their souls older than their time on earth," Pyther sighed. "They are afraid his spirit might waken and afraid evil might come back."
"Did you tell them about the painting? About Dumbledore banishing him?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, although I'm not sure they believed me," Pyther sighed. "Their fears are warranted, considering what they went through. Mallus Craw came to get something from the town, what I'm not quite sure, the children do not say. The tale tells of gold, but I think that is just to hide the truth behind what he was after. He sent the plagues after the town, of that I'm sure. They tried to trick him by giving them something in place of what he wanted. That was when he took the children for ransom using his siren's call, and held them for many weeks. But the townspeople had sought aid, and a posse of wizards who had already been tracking him soon arrived. Angry about their part in tipping off his whereabouts, Craw slaughtered the children and fled into the inner caverns, where he met his doom. The cavern was then sealed, and the children, I think, have had a hand in making sure the Muggle archaeologists haven't found it."
Pyther paused as the older group of children began to approach again, looking at them with expressions unusually serious for their young ages. Pyther didn't translate, but Jennifer could tell from their faces they were going to show them in. In fact, they quietly slipped down a narrow damp passageway and the three living followed behind, soon exchanging their wan electric torch lights for the brighter blue wisp lights, fairly certain that the remaining children would keep the guard out if he came to check on them.
Several of the more daring children followed along, some of them clutching rag dolls and sucking at immaterial thumbs as they watched the strangers with intense curiosity. At last they stopped at what appeared to be a dead end, and Pyther took out his wand, pointing at the cavern wall they indicated. A thin line not visible a moment before began to glow with light, and a wall of rock split apart and slid out of the way at Pyther's spell, leaving an area large enough to squeeze through. Severus went in immediately, followed closely behind by Jennifer, who cringed at the stale smell of the air as they entered.
A great stone slab covered the center of the floor that appeared to have been neatly cut from the ceiling, cold and bare. As the wisp lights hovered in, Jennifer noticed chiseled writing on each wall. Pyther went over to inspect one wall, and Severus glanced at another, brushing off the letters.
"Epitaph, looks like, written in old German," Pyther said.
"This one's in English," Severus said, reading it. "Here lies the Screamer whose coming was foretold, now eternally silenced. May no other undertake the darkest quest; for those who seek to master the power of death shall only become its servant."
"This one would translate quite close to the same," Pyther said, glancing at the other walls. "It looks like the other two are Italian and French."
"The French says the same," Jennifer nodded, glancing back over at the English version thoughtfully.
"Don't tell me we came all the way here and there is nothing here," Severus said with slight irritation in his voice.
"Well, we knew it was a long shot," Pyther sighed, glancing at it thoughtfully.
"There is something here," Jennifer said after a moment, earning quizzical looks from the other two. "Severus, do you remember what Icarus said about the gem? The Keeper is to use it when she is at her darkest moment. Darkest quest, darkest moment, I think there's a real connection there." Severus gave her a doubtful look. "Seeking power over death…the twelve death spells, which we know are written in the Forbidden tomb. I'm pretty sure that last sentence is directly referring to the tomb," she said, taking out her wand. "Help me move this slab out of the way, I want to take a closer look." Wobbling slightly at their spell, the slab slowly lifted onto its side and back as Jennifer looked into a shallow grave. The corpse had been tossed into the hole with only the semblance of a proper burial, shallowly laid and dusted with dirt. Jennifer carefully removed it glancing over the skeletal remains when she spotted something interesting. He was wearing an ornate sheath, meant for a dagger, and Jennifer was quite certain it was the mate to her family dagger. He also had a ring, a family ring, with a large green stone set in silver.
"Cover for me," Jennifer said, bringing out her Puzzlebox and putting on some gloves.
"Jennifer, are you sure this is wise? Grave robbing?" Pyther asked, frowning disapprovingly. Severus frowned at him, but turned his attention quickly to Jennifer.
"Oh, Pyther, you sound like a superstitious Muggle. Mallus' spirit is gone now, and I can assure you this would have gone to me had the circumstances of his death had been different," Jennifer said, gingerly lifting it out and putting it into her box. "Why the dagger wasn't in it, though, is definitely a mystery. Why carry the sheath without the dagger? It just doesn't make sense," She carefully slid the ring off, feeling it tingle even through her heavy gloves. Frowning slightly at the sensation. "This one we need to be careful with," she muttered, then found a cloth to wrap it in before putting it in the box.
Little else of interest was on the remains that she could sense or see and she stood, brushing herself off as Pyther and Severus eased the slab back into place. They then carefully wrote down each inscription, scanning everything to make sure they hadn't missed anything before leaving, sealing the room behind themselves. Outside the children were still hovering nervously about the door, immediately questioning Pyther the moment they were safely out.
"You know, Jennifer, there's a simple explanation for why the dagger was missing," Severus said as they walked towards the front, the ghosts parting nervously out of their way. "And it's the same reason that Mallus Craw's wasn't there. A Craw must have been a member of the posse that had gone after them." Jennifer stared at him for a long moment.
"I hope you don't mean to imply that he was killed by another Craw," Jennifer said defensively, feeling a strange surge of pride flaring up. "Our family has a code against warring with itself, regardless of what they've done. A Craw wouldn't kill another Craw, it's just unthinkable."
"I'm only saying a Craw probably had been there," Severus said, looking at her expressionlessly. "I doubt that Mallus would have been using any other wand but his own, especially with the power it possessed, and we know that he had used one, the evidence for that is all around us. Yet you have said yourself that the wand has not left family hands, nor has the dagger to your knowledge. Not to mention the fact both of which have distinct curses on them to keep those without Craw blood from touching them. And, since I think you're right that he had probably been carrying the dagger as well as the scabbard, someone must have taken it before the body had been buried. So, either one of the posse had taken the items and delivered them to your family, or more likely, a Craw was a member of the posse."
"Let's ask the children," Jennifer said, biting back her anger. "Pyther, could you ask them if they recall seeing anyone removing a dagger and a wand from Craw before they left?" Pyther nodded and then asked them, as Jennifer frowned, watching their expressions impatiently. She suddenly felt Severus' hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, strangely supportive. Pyther nodded thoughtfully, glancing back over to them, studying the look in Jennifer's eyes.
"They remember him well, it seems that the man had been there once before when they had been still alive, apparently to ask him to surrender. It was his son, Vindious, and apparently, when he refused to do so, Vindious came and led five others besides himself to the caves. By the time they had returned, it had been too late to save the children. That was when they finally hunted him down and killed him together."
"Vindious as well?" Jennifer asked sharply. Pyther said something to them and they nodded, looking at Jennifer in such a way she had to accept it. She leaned back into Severus and sighed softly, not feeling much in the mood to learn any more family history for a while.