Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Gauntlet

Jennifer woke in a comfortable bed, staring at the ceiling. She recognized the room at once and found herself remembering the last time she had been put in this room of the hospital wing. Had it only been two years ago? Suddenly she heard the door softly opening, and looked over to see Severus slip in, mildly surprised to see she was awake.

He came and sat on the edge of the bed, his right arm seemingly well again.

"This isn't how I'm supposed to wake up," Jennifer complained, grinning weakly at him.

"I would never have let you sleep so long had it been my choice," Severus said, feeling her forehead. "You've been out for a week."

"A week? Ugh, I'm going to be so behind," Jennifer said trying to sit up. Severus pushed her gently back down.

"And from what I hear, Dumbledore and Poppy plan to keep you hear another week, so you might as well try to relax. Are you cold?"

"Very. You don't look cold at all, though," Jennifer said.

"I'm roasting, thank you, they have this room turned into an oven. If only you'd stop taking off without telling me! I could have saved you a lot of trouble had you come to me with your plan first before taking off," Severus grumbled.

"You're the one to talk about not telling things. What about that potion?" Jennifer asked.

"Well, I wanted to be sure what all it had changed before I told you about it, if you want to know," Severus said. Jennifer stared at him.

"You took a potion without knowing completely what it did? Severus Snape! Talk about throwing caution to the wind, you're Potions Master at Hogwarts and you don't know better than to take a potion without knowing what it did?"

"Now don't get yourself all riled up on my account. You're supposed to be resting. When it became obvious to me that I was the one who needed to take the potion, I went down and talked to Icarus after one of my visits to your father and made sure the 'price' he spoke of wasn't anything that'd kill me or hinder our relationship in any way. Once I was assured of that, I decided it was time to take that chance, and it's a good thing that I did. Where would we be now, if I hadn't heard the snakes or if I hadn't been immune to that bite? And what about you taking the chance casting a new spell without even testing it? You could have lost your teachers license over that if it hadn't worked."

"We didn't have a choice," Jennifer shrugged defensively. "What was I going to do, stand and watch while the snakes found a way to make us all sick?"

There was a knock at the door and Dumbledore came in with a smoking goblet, smiling when he noticed her awake. Severus got up and sat in a chair on the other side of the bed, nodding to him.

"Good to see you with your eyes open again, Jennifer. Good morning, Severus, I trust that you aren't getting her too excited her first day awake. And how are you feeling?"

"Cold," Jennifer said, sitting up slightly as her pillows were raised from behind her.

"Drink this, it'll help some," Dumbledore said.

"What is it?" Jennifer asked.

"Oh, something I concocted on my own," he said, his eyes twinkling at the scowl on Severus' face. "Now, Severus, you have your secret recipes I have mine. What matters is that it works not who made it." Jennifer drank the warm amber liquid feeling a rush of warmth in her cheeks as she finished it, handing it back. "Yes, I see that's made a difference all ready."

"Does that mean I can get back to work soon?" Jennifer asked hopefully.

"I'm sure we can arrange having some of your paperwork sent up here if you're bored. I have Severus, Filius and Minerva helping fill in for you until Poppy releases you," Dumbledore said.

"I finally get out of those dratted History classes, and now I have to teach Defense," Severus chided her.

"As if you didn't prefer Defense anyhow. I hope you don't have them scared too badly by the time I get back," Jennifer teased.

"Hm, scared no, intimidated perhaps," Severus offered. Dumbledore chuckled slightly and stood back up, patting her hand.

"Well, I'll let you two finish catching up. Severus, the moment she seems tired, you let her sleep, now, the more rest she gets the sooner she'll be back to her old self again," Dumbledore said, leaving the room.

Over the next week, Jennifer had quite a few visitors of both staff and students, often chased away by Severus or Poppy, determined to let her recover. What little time she was awake between them she had decided to start working out her plans for that year's gauntlet for seventh year finals…a large labyrinth style test filled with obstacles to test the students' defense knowledge. She'd adopted the idea last year and met with great success, and was having fun working on the design for this year's test. She put it aside when Harry came to visit, recounting to her for the first time what had happened with Voldemort during the battle. She listened thoughtfully as he recounted Draco's denouncement, wondering what others might follow that lead. There could be little doubt now that the Death Eaters were starting to crumble from within, and that could only mean bad news for their leader.

"Do you know if Lupin is okay? He took some bad bites that night," Jennifer asked.

"Oh, yes, it seems right after I went after Corey, Sirius showed up to talk to Anna. When the barrier went up he took the rest of the flyers to the old mansion until the quarantine was lifted, and Ron said Lupin was there when they left in the morning, collapsed on the couch downstairs. He's staying at the cottage right now, though, helping Anna take care of Sirius," Harry explained. Jennifer blinked.

"What's wrong with Sirius?" She asked.

"Nobody's told you?" Harry said in surprise, "He was attacked by a wraith."

"A wraith? A wraith here?" Jennifer said, sitting straight up. "No! But there hasn't been a wraith reported in England in years, they were all chased out in 1536…"

"Yes, yes, I know, I take your class remember? But Dumbledore seemed awfully convinced it was a wraith when he came over afterwards. I think we might have lost him entirely if it wasn't for the fact that someone Anna had sensed he was in danger and collapsed to go protect him.," Harry explained. "She was at the school at the time, that's how Dumbledore found out what had happened and got there to try and help. He thinks that perhaps the wraith had been there for awhile, we just hadn't realized it because the Banshee was so close by."

"Yes, sidhe of any kind repel wraiths," Jennifer nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, someone has killed the Banshee. Her dust was found the same night as the attack. Firenze actually came out of the Dark Forest and talked to Dumbledore right after the last of the snakes were gone, and told them that her death was going to cause catastrophic events and that the forest would see more evil enter it than ever before," Harry said. Jennifer leaned back tiredly, looking worried. "Sirius is going to be all right now though, Dumbledore says it'll take some time, but he'll probably be up about the time you're on your feet again."

"I'm glad to hear that everyone's all right," Jennifer said with a sigh. "But why does it seem that every time we stop one thing two more things come and take its place?"

Just then, Severus entered with a stack of books in hand, squinting suspiciously at Harry when he saw the look on Jennifer's face.

"Well, I guess I had better get going, Professor. I'll be very glad to have you back in the classroom again. It's just not the same without you," Harry said, getting up. Jennifer smiled slightly, seeing what he wasn't saying as well.

"Thanks, Harry," she smiled at him, as he hastily made his way out of the room. Severus watched him steadily until he left, closing the door behind him. "Why didn't you tell me about the wraith?"

"Oh, is that what that was all about," Severus scowled. "Dumbledore didn't want to worry you about it until you were well, but yes, it appears that the Banshee is dead, and it is quite possible that a greater range of unsavory creatures might be roaming the forest from now on. We'll have to be much more careful now, but I doubt anything will happen so long as we're on our guard."

"You always say that," Jennifer said, shaking her head slightly and smiling at him. "Everyone can't be on their guard all the time, Severus."

"Perhaps not, but don't let a student catch you saying that, you're the Defense Professor." Severus reminded her. "Here are the papers from the first years. What's that you're working on?"

"The Gauntlet. I'm almost done, want to see?" Jennifer said, handing it over. She traded for the homework paper, sifting through them. She paused at Corey's copy in amazement. "I don't believe it, complete essay questions? And they even make sense? What did you do, hang him up by his toes?"

"Well, not for very long," Severus said in a tone Jennifer had learned to recognize as humor as he looked over her map and notes. "Hm. Nice layout, but not much of a challenge yet, is it? What do you have planned for the main obstacles?" Jennifer looked up and stared at him. He was being serious.

"Those are the main obstacles," Jennifer said. "You really think it's too easy, don't you?"

"I'm not saying another word. Every time I offer you any advice on teaching, you nearly snap my head off, and you're supposed to be resting so I don't want to argue. Besides, it's your class, if you want them to be able to coast through that's your choice, although I might be a tad worried about some of their safeties in the real world," Severus said, handing it back to her.

"I have elements of every single thing they've covered in their class in the maze."

"Yes, presented individually, but out there things don't come at you one by one, as you well know. You've spaced these all out in such a way even a first year could get through it even though they haven't seen half of this stuff." Severus said.

"Oh now, you're going too far. I might not be out to hurt them, but there's certainly no way a first year student can possibly run this Gauntlet." Jennifer said, irritated.

"All right, I'll make a deal with you," Severus said folding his arms. "Let's go ahead and build this thing as soon as you feel up to it. I'll find a first year volunteer to run it. If he's able to get through it without a scratch and within normal time limits, then you will let me help you build one we both feel is fair." Jennifer drummed her fingers on the papers thoughtfully. She felt strangely like she was being set up, but at the same time she really wanted to prove once and for all that she didn't need his advice.

"All right, you're on," Jennifer said, glancing at her notes, "but I wasn't quite finished with this so you'll have to let me finish what I'd already started."

"Add away," Severus said, kissing her gently. "But try not to overextend yourself. It can wait until you are better." He got up, leaving her to her work as she fussed with the papers, quite aware that she was watching him leave from the corner of her eye. The moment the door was shut behind him, Jennifer scrambled for her seventh-year book, pouring through the pages wondering what else she could possibly throw into the trap.

The last of the chill left her and her strength returned, and Jennifer was quite glad to get back into the classroom, frantically trying to sort out what had been covered in her absence and back into her routine. As springtime flourished and Quidditch got back into full swing, Severus was privately relieved that Jennifer's broom was beyond repair, quickly giving him an excuse to take over referee and field security. Instead, Jennifer spent her extra time building the test, sticking as closely as she had to her original design while still adding a few more challenges. In a small raised tower just above the maze, Jennifer sat in the late afternoon sun running the final tests when Severus finally found her.

"Filius is looking for you. He wanted to know if you still wanted to take a look at the Staff of Eyre before it gets sent to the Minister of Artifacts," Severus said, leaning on the tower. "This will be your last chance before it gets sent tomorrow."

"Oh, I know. Dumbledore thought I should go look at it too. I just wanted to finish this today, and, I think I have! At least good enough for a test subject," Jennifer grinned and climbed down. "I don't suppose you've a volunteer for the Gauntlet yet?"

"Actually, yes I have, and I'm sure he'll be ready any time you would like to run it," Severus said, avoiding her gaze as he opened the door leading back into the castle.

"Who'd you get? Casper?" Jennifer asked curiously, and Severus shook his head at her, making a face.

"Please. He'd probably get lost the moment he got away from the entrance. No, I asked my Gryffindor-Ravenclaw class, and actually got several volunteers, that is until I explained it might be life threatening, but we'd be sure to have a stretcher to the hospital nearby…" Jennifer stopped and turned around with a knowing look on her face.

"In other words, you manipulated it so that Corey Willowby would be the only one excited about doing it. You cheater!" Jennifer said, hands on her hips.

"I didn't cheat," Severus said indignantly with a stark look on his face, "he volunteered by his own free will."

"Ha! You know as well as I do that Corey is by far an ordinary first year student!"

"Yes, but by your own admission he's not the top of the class either," Severus pointed out.

"Sure, because he doesn't turn in homework! That doesn't mean his applied knowledge isn't above average and you know it." Jennifer argued.

"If I remember correctly, the deal was if any first year could get through it?" Severus said. "But if you want to concede so we can go ahead and get started on a real test…"

"On a real test?" Jennifer said. Several students hanging outside the library looked up curiously at her raised voice. Sighing with irritation, Jennifer turned into the hall towards Filius' office. "We'll run the Gauntlet after dinner," Jennifer said, feeling her temperature rising. Part of her knew that he was only trying to help, but ever since they had first met, she had felt that he always had reserved criticism for her teaching. Why had it always bugged her so much? It suddenly occurred to her that he had always been the only person inside the school who had ever said anything about her teaching at all. Perhaps that's what was bothering her.

Corey found himself the center of attention at dinner when he 'accidentally' slipped out that Snape had asked him to try his luck on the Gauntlet. Both first and seventh years huddled around him.

"No one has been allowed back there for the past two weeks," Ron said, "she refused to give us a story for the paper on it."

"Of course she did, Ron, you really think a professor wants their tests revealed almost two months ahead of time?" Hermione said.

"So, Corey, when you get through that thing, you're going to tell us what's in it, right?" Seamus asked, winking at him.

"Wull, if I get through it, Snape said they're going to work together and come up with an even worse one, so it wouldn't do you much good in any case," Corey said.

"What? Snape and Craw making one together?" Neville said in a near panic. "Corey, you wouldn't be willing to take a dive if it looks like you'd get through it, would you?"

"Hey, that's a pretty good idea, what do you say, Corey, we'll make it worth your while," Seamus said.

"You're forgetting Craw's a Truth Seeker. She'd nail me for sure, and Craw's pretty scary when she's mad," Corey said. Ginny nudged Corey, trying to get his attention.

"Oh, go on, Corey, she can't be all that bad," Doug said from the other side of him, egging him on mischievously.

"She keeps Snape in his place, don't she?" Corey said. He heard someone clearing her throat behind him and nearly choked on his pumpkin bread, setting it carefully down. He looked behind him with a cheerful, slightly nervous smile. "Professor McGonagall? Lovely evening, isn't it?"

"Yes, isn't it, Mr. Willowby. I just thought I would come by and let you know I'll be joining you and the professors this evening to help keep things fair. I also thought I might come over and offer you some advice. First, I wouldn't be getting it into your head to repeat anything you might find in the test, because I can assure you that Professor Craw intends to change it enough so that any information you bring out would be useless to those who my be interested in learning it," she said, her eyes wandering to other members of the table, who were pretending to only notice their plates. "And also, I'd advise you not to try anything to make things easier on your upper classmates later on by failing on purpose. You wouldn't be doing them or yourself any favors, and I might accidentally slip and let the other professors know about this conversation on the subject," she added, her eyes darting over to Seamus and Neville, who looked uncomfortable. "Good luck, Mr. Willowby," she said, wandering up to the front. Corey exhaled, grimacing slightly.

"Leave it to old McGonagall to put a damper on an opportunity," Doug said, and Corey nodded heartily in agreement.

Night was just beginning to fall as Professor Craw escorted Corey out to the west side, and the sounds of day activity started to wane, replaced by the more subtle sounds of frogs and owls and crickets.

"Now Corey, the way this works is once you step in the Gauntlet, everything inside will appear completely real to you, even though in reality…with a couple of exceptions…it's really just a collection of spells and illusions made to simulate the real thing. Remember the object isn't to hack your way through; it's to defend yourself on the way through. Use your head first, spell later," she instructed. "I realize most of the things in there you'll have no knowledge on. Just remember what I taught you that first month…common sense is your most important asset, and don't let your fears get the better of you, keep a clear head. If you get in trouble or feel you can't continue, just send up a signal and we'll pull you out, ok?" Jennifer told him, pausing in front of the maze. "You won't see us when you're inside, but we'll be right up there," Jennifer said, nodding to the small wooden platform raised slightly over the Gauntlet where McGonagall and Snape were talking.

"Thanks, although, I don't know why you're telling me all this. I know you want me to fail," Corey said. Jennifer smiled and sighed softly, shaking her head at him.

"Professionally, there's nothing I'd like better to show Snape I know what I'm doing so I can tell him to mind his own business. But I don't want you to fail, far from it. And really, so long as you do your best, there's no way you can fail. There's no shame in admitting defeat either, just use your judgment. We know you've got some brains in that mischievous head of yours. Let's see if you can use them," she said, knocking playfully on his head. Corey grinned and saluted her, and at her nod he stepped in as the maze around him began to change and he saw himself standing in the Dark Forest. Jennifer quickly headed up to the platform, sitting on the other side of Minerva.

"Quite a setup, Jennifer, it reminds me a bit of the tri-tournament games," Minerva said, peering at where Corey was standing, trying to chose between three paths.

"Yes, Harry told me about it a few years ago, that's how I got the idea," Jennifer admitted. "It didn't seem to make any sense to me to have a huge written test for a final for a subject like this, so I'm glad Dumbledore let me do it. This is a little more elaborate than last year…"

"I notice you didn't use Peeves this time," Severus smirked.

"I also learn from my mistakes, thank you," Jennifer said sticking his nose up at him, turning her attention back to Corey. He had chosen the most lit path, the third one, and Jennifer nodded. "He shouldn't have any trouble with the first trap on that route, that's the willow and will'o'wisp trap," Jennifer admitted. Just as she thought, the moment he studied the lights trying to guide him under the tree he knew something was wrong. Muttering a spell he called a blue wisp light into his hand to attract their attention and made it float into the distance, the white wisps following it like moths to fire. The tree itself posed a different problem, for Corey hardly believed their trying to lead him there was an accident, even though the corridor farther in was in the same direction.

Cautiously Corey picked up a branch and threw it, and suddenly the tree moved and snatched it out of the air in anger, working to shred it. So that's it, he thought, he was going to have to distract it to get past it. Gathering up a pile of leaves and moving it cautiously just in reach for the tree, he cast flamare on the leaves, making the dry pile burst into flame. The tree frantically began to beat on it with its branches, allowing Corey just enough time to pass through to the other side.

He entered then what appeared to be a swamp area. As he carefully worked his way through the muck, making sure nothing hazardous was in his way, he heard something moving around in the water, followed by a hissing sound. Well, Corey thought, he had enough dealing with snakes now to last him a lifetime, one more wouldn't matter. Perhaps he should just petrify it when he sees it, he thought, taking a few more steps towards the next path.

That was when he saw her, half-serpent half-woman; her hair slithering as she came out of the wood. Corey dove for cover behind a tree, incredibly glad she was facing the other way, or he would have been lost for sure. And although they had not covered gorgons in class before, Corey knew enough of Muggle mythology to know what they did. Well, he thought, he could make the area dark so that her gaze would not stone him, but then it would be too dark for him to see the exit, and Corey had little doubt that she, being a reptilian like creature, had much better vision in the dark than he did. If he only had a mirror, he thought. It was then he glanced thoughtfully at the water. He did have a mirror! Or at least, he could have if the water wasn't so murky. Holding his hand out to the water he cast a purification spell, watching the fogginess begin to clear even as the hissing noises got closer. Closing his eyes tightly, he then cast luminus, lighting up the area with bright light as a slight screech of surprise erupted nearby, falling suddenly silent. Slowly opening one eye, listening for the hissing sound, he peered around the edge of the tree to find the creature had gotten quite close indeed, but had chanced to look in the water around her, and was now caught with an angry expression on her stone face. Corey relaxed noticeably, leaning on the tree a moment, wondering how many of these things he was going to have to figure out before the end.

"Two down, six more to go," Severus said calmly. Jennifer, who was unconsciously biting her thumbnails, nodded curtly.

"He's having to stop and think things through. If he keeps up at this rate he won't make the time limit," she commented. But to her surprise, Corey zoomed through the fire hound trap, creating enough steam from his water spell that he could rush past with minimal burns, and was able to fight the shadow fiend by animating his own shadow and sending it after it.

"There's only one creature trap left before the advanced dark curses traps," Jennifer told Severus and Minerva on the platform, "and if he remembers what he's already learned in fear training, he shouldn't have any trouble with the Boggart." But Severus suddenly looked worried, glancing at Jennifer then intently towards Corey.

The boy stood thoughtfully in front of the cave, wondering what sort of monster he was going to have to pass this time. Perhaps a dragon, he wondered? No, that was probably too obvious. Keeping one hand raised guardedly, he began to walk past the cave, trying to keep alert to any movement. Suddenly a familiar shape moved into view, dark, menacing, angry, hurt, and disappointed all at once. It was the ghost of Corey's father.

Color drained from Jennifer's face as she saw the boy step back and a chill went through her. How could he possibly face this fear now? When he didn't even know what a Boggart was?

"I'm getting him out of there," Jennifer said suddenly.

"You might be right, perhaps it'd be better…"

"No," Minerva said, cutting Severus off in such a firm tone he and Jennifer both looked over at her. "Let the boy decide if he's ready to come out or not. He's going to have to deal with this sooner or later."

Corey took a step back, waiting for the words he dreaded to hear from his father. They never did come…his father only stood there, looking angry and disappointed. Then strangely the face changed, and it became his mother, sad and disapproving, giving him an expression she normally reserved for when he she thought he was being a deep family embarrassment. Corey took another step back, and found himself against a tree. What am I doing, he asked himself. My parents aren't really here. This must be a part of the test somehow. But Corey also knew that Craw would never have done anything on purpose to have this happen. No, it was triggered by something else, himself, he realized, and his own deep fears.

"This isn't real," he said quietly to himself, staring at the figure. "I don't believe it! They wouldn't be disappointed in me, I only feel that because…because I was here at the school, safe and having fun at the festival, and I couldn't do anything to stop it. But it wasn't my fault then, and it isn't now! Avert Phantasm!"

Jennifer knew that that disillusion spell wouldn't work on the Boggart directly, but indirectly it left it trying to figure out how else to scare the boy. At that moment however, angry and determined, Corey feared nothing, and actually got a glimpse at the hideous little creature behind the images before the disgruntled Boggart slinked back into the cave. Jennifer and Severus exhaled and relaxed a bit, as Minerva gave sideways glances at each of them, smiling slightly to herself. As Dumbledore had suspected, the contest had been forgotten in concern for the student, and Minerva knew no matter what happened, everyone was ready to support him.

Corey had walked into a new section, no longer feeling as if he were in the forest. Instead he appeared to be walking in a brick maze with bare floors and nothing above but the open sky. Suddenly an intense cramping sensation came into his limbs as a strange light enveloped him, and he found himself on the ground in pain, wincing and gritting his teeth. He relaxed as best he could hoping the muscles would stop tightening, and at last they did and the pain subsided as if it hadn't occurred. Finally he tried pushing himself up, but the moment he put any pressure on his arms and legs they cramped again, and he laid down on his back and let it go away, looking thoughtfully up at the sky and wondering how he was going to get past this.

Up in the tower, Jennifer leaned back, wondering if he was finally going to have to signal. Severus glanced at his watch and sighed as the hour drew nearer.

"What spell is on him again? I don't recognize the signature," Minerva asked.

"It's called the Reflex Curse. It's a Dark spell that used to be used in the Middle Ages to subdue wizard prisoners. Uncomfortable but harmless… any one of the pain counters taught in fifth year would stop it. Of course, he hasn't had any of those," Jennifer said, watching him thoughtfully. Corey turned his head towards a brick arch, wondering how he was going to get there. Then he raised his hand slightly, pointing to his shoes. Suddenly they lifted up in the air and Corey upside down along with them, wincing slightly as his hand began to cramp as he guided the levitation spell towards the arch. Getting passed it he dropped the spell and fell to the ground, scrambling at once to his feet, looking incredibly relieved. Slowly, walking with even more caution than before, Corey headed around the corner, his hand protectively in front of him.

It was not long before a large face appeared in the brick wall, staring at him ominously. Corey took a step back, staring at it warily, watching as the face turned to look at him, its eyes seemingly taking on a presence of their own as it gazed at him menacingly.

"Go back! You must go back!" the face whispered. "You have no choice, you must obey my will. Go back the way you came!" Corey stared at it a moment as he caught himself taking a step back. He really wanted to go back, but he wasn't sure why. Jennifer had warned them about command curses, and he was sure this was one of them. But why shouldn't he listen? It sounded like such a reasonable request! But then, again, he thought, mustering up the strength to speak while trying to keep his feet from going back any further.

"Why must I go back?" Corey asked.

"Your will is my will, you must go back. You will only find death ahead. Go back!" Another surge of compulsiveness hit him, and Corey took another step back, finding himself at the arch. Suddenly remembering what he had just gone through a moment before with the last curse, he told himself he was not about to go through that again. Putting his hands in the pocket of his coat he took out a several threads and muttered a transfiguration spell, turning it into its original state of fluffy wool and stuffing it into his ears tightly. Taking a deep breath he headed back past it, watching the face form he covered his ears as it shouted louder and more insistently before to go back. "GO BACK, STEP BACK NOW!" It yelled, causing Corey to pause. But he didn't move back. Instead he somehow forced himself in a run, launching himself down the corridor quickly picking a path, anything to get away from the voice. Panting to get his breath, he slowly took the wool out of his ears, as he looked down the next turn to see what was beyond it.

It was a door. Glancing up, Corey could clearly see that he was standing at the edge of the maze, and even could make out the shadow of the tower on the brick wall. So the illusions were over, and all he had to do was go out the door? Corey was skeptical. He didn't believe he'd get out so easy. Surely there was a catch. And knowing Craw… raising his hand he cast the basic identify spell. The spell hit the door, making it have a strange black aura. No doubt about it. The door was cursed.

Corey frowned in annoyance. He wasn't going to learn unhexing items until fourth year. Craw had only taught them how to detect them so they could stay away from them. How could he possibly get past a curse that he didn't know how to find, let alone to dismantle? Corey paced with irritation. He couldn't believe he'd gotten this far just to hit a wall…or in this case, a door. A soft bell sounded, and Corey suspected that meant he was nearly out of time. He chewed on his lip thoughtfully a moment, then remembered something he learned in his Book of Impractical Spells, and grinned wickedly.

"Well, it would have been more fun trying this on Amadeus, but it just might work," Corey said to himself. "And if it doesn't, well, I won't be able to get past this one trying to dispel it anyhow." Glancing at the door for a moment he moved over to the wall beside it and took out a piece of chalk, marking off a space on the wall the same size as the door. Pointing at the marked wall with his hand, he then intoned, "Wall slide and Portal hide!" With a loud rumbling, grinding sound, the door slid over in front of him and the wall he had marked out suddenly shifted into the door's place. Corey exhaled and stepped over to where the marked wall moved, drawing a knob on the door. "Alohomora!" The chalk-drawing door suddenly opened, and Corey waltzed through, grinning with triumphant relief. He immediately found himself being hugged by Professor Craw who didn't seem a bit mad that he had just foiled her gauntlet. Minerva and Severus followed behind, both of them smiling slightly although attempting to keep a straight face.

"I've never seen such unorthodox, highly irregular solutions in my entire life, Corey Willowby, but I must admit I'm surprised and, well honestly," Jennifer said, darting a look to Severus before reluctantly continuing, "quite humbled to see you come out of there more or less in one piece."

"Why? I learned most of it by watching you," Corey said with a grin, leaving Jennifer speechless. "You're the one that told me just to think things out, and everyone knows you never go by the book, so how can you expect us to?"

"I didn't teach you how to move cursed doors, and where exactly did you learn that spell, by the way?" Jennifer asked, hands on her hips.

"From a spell book I got for Christmas, but I wouldn't have even thought of it if you hadn't told us no matter what not to touch cursed items if we didn't know what it did. So I had to find a way to get out without doing that," he explained.

"Well! I'd say it sounds to me as if this little contest came out a tie, don't you?" Minerva said, looking at the other three.

"A tie? What do you mean a tie? Corey made it out, so I won. There were no contingencies here," Severus snapped suspiciously.

"Don't forget, Severus, I've been watching right with the two of you through the whole test. And I can safely say that this test is well above normal first year level. However, I think this also proves, especially with Corey's own admission, that Corey as well as Jennifer's other students have been taught, and successfully so, well above a first year defense level," Minerva said calmly.

"There was never any question of that," Severus said irritably. Jennifer squinted at him.

"From the way you talk…" Jennifer started but got cut off by Minerva who stood between them and stared at her.

"That's enough, Jennifer, not in front of a student. He's not adopted yet so he doesn't have to listen to it just yet. What I was trying to convey before I was interrupted was that you have done splendidly these past three years, and no matter what happens I want you to believe that. But the question is whether the test should be given at a text book seventh year level, or if it should be made to be an evaluation of their true aptitude, now I think you know the answer to that on your own," Minerva smiled. Jennifer sighed and nodded slowly, glancing back at Severus.

"You're right, of course, Professor. I am sure we will have it up to a more applicable level by the end of next month," Jennifer said, glancing up at Severus who nodded to her, gazing at her gently.

"And in the meantime, I think Mr. Willowby deserves some points for his volunteerism and ingenuity, if there are no objections, I think twenty points sounds about right," Minerva said with a smile as Corey whooped with joy.

"But that means I actually earned more than I lost this week!" Corey said excitedly. "May I be excused? I want to tell Doug about my points!"

"And about the Gauntlet, I imagine," Jennifer grunted. "Oh, go ahead and brag you little rascal, the whole thing is going to be redone anyhow," she said nudging him slightly.

"Thank you, Professor Craw! Oh, would it be all right if I checked out a few of the higher-level Defense books from the library? I kind of want to see what I should have done and all, some of those were really tricky," Corey added. Jennifer's jaw dropped, momentarily speechless.

"Er…we can talk about it after your next class, if your homework's done," she added quickly, watching the boy nod.

"You can count on it, Professor!" Corey said with a salute before heading back in the door.

"Well, miracles do still happen, I see," Minerva smirked slightly. "Time to call it a day; Dumbledore will want to see me in the morning, I should think."

"Minerva," Jennifer said suddenly as they slowly began to make their way to the door. "What did you mean by no matter what happens? You didn't just say that, something in your face said you were worried about something."

"Oh, Jennifer, I worry about a lot of things," Minerva said, quickly turning to open the door. "But don't fret about it, you have quite enough to do without trying to figure out everyone else's troubles. And that goes for you too, Severus," she added, before waving and heading towards the main stairwell. Jennifer and Severus exchanged glances.

"You know, I do believe Dumbledore is beginning to rub off on her. She's beginning to get as vague as he is," Severus commented. Jennifer couldn't help but to grin, but even still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than what she had been willing to say.