Chapter Six

Dumbledore Sorts Things Out

"Aunt Anna!" Corey came barreling down the stairs as Jennifer, Anna, Sirius, and a centaur walked through the gates. Severus and Minerva walked outside behind him. "You're all right!"

"I'm standing now, if that's what you mean," Anna said, but accepted the hug.

"What happened out there? One minute you were fine…"

"If you don't mind, Corey, I'm sure we're all just as curious as you are about this," Minerva cut in as they joined the group, "but we should include Dumbledore in the discussion. He and Arthur are waiting in his study. Dr. Sagittari, would you care to join us?"

"Certainly," the centaur said.

"Sagittari?" Severus said squinting thoughtfully. "I thought you were banished."

"From my people, yes," Sagittari nodded. "I chose to leave the Dark Forest on my own for my father's sake, but I've returned for other reasons."

"Yes, yes, we can talk about that too. Come along, now. You too, Corey," Minerva said. Severus fell into step next to Jennifer.

"I kept expecting you to burst in to rescue us today. What kept you?" Jennifer asked tauntingly.

"Dumbledore convinced me that you had everything under control, and obviously, it looks as if you had," Severus said softly. "However, I might have looked at the watch and the ring once or twice," he admitted. Jennifer smiled at him knowingly.

Anna was greeted to a warm reception when they arrived, especially by Arthur Weasley, who had been speaking to Dumbledore when they came in. The centaur suddenly appeared, making Arthur jump back in surprise.

"Your pardon, Dumbledore, but spiral staircases were not designed with centaurs in mind," Dr. Sagittari said solemnly. "Thank you for allowing me up."

"Sagittari? Is that you, old friend?" Arthur said with amazement immediately going over to shake his hand. "Goodness, after you disappeared, I thought we'd never see you again! I can't wait to tell Molly, she'll be wanting to see you of course, you must come over and visit. I have so much to tell you. Where have you been?"

"Why am I beginning to think that this particular centaur is far from being a stranger here?" Anna asked.

"You would be correct. Sagittari was in the same class I was. A fellow Gryffindor, weren't you, Sagittari?" Arthur said.

"Indeed, Arthur. And it is an honor to be back," he said.

"A wizard centaur?" Jennifer said in total surprise. "I didn't think that was possible."

"Possible, but extremely frowned upon. In fact, I am an outcast of my own people. When I graduated, I was forced to leave and seek sanctuary among the sages of my kind on Crete. But there were also many learned wizards who came there often to study astrology, and among them was Master Hippocrus, who taught me veterinary science. Since then, I've been working as a veterinarian for magical creatures on mainland Europe. But I have returned now... more accomplished, and I think much wiser than I left… in hopes of perhaps redeeming myself in the eyes of my family and my constellation. I am quite grateful to you, Professor Dumbledore, for offering me this position." Sagittari said.

"Dr. Sagittari shall be taking over as our Magical Creatures instructor as well as act as our groundskeeper," Dumbledore told them. "Not only will he be a great asset with his extensive expertise in medicine and creatures, but with the increased danger in the forest, I can think of no one better to watch the grounds and keep an eye on things." Jennifer had almost forgotten about all of the problems that had been developing last year in the Dark Forest since the beansidhe that protected the eastern side had been destroyed. Many unwholesome creatures that had not been seen in decades were starting to make reappearances. "Now that we've all met, Anna and Corey, would you please tell us what happened to you?"

"We were in London, not far from the library. I had just finished making some copies for Vallid and we were getting ready to return to the Ministry with the things you requested, Arthur, when we started feeling like we were being watched. No, actually, Corey started feeling it before we even went in the library, but I thought it was just his imagination. I didn't feel anything until we were leaving, but then when I did, there was a strong presence there, almost familiar… I'm not sure," Anna admitted with a sigh.

"We were going to find a place to safely travel the non-Muggle way when we got separated. I felt something like a bee sting on my arm, and then the next thing I know, I was on the ground and there were people around me. Everything was sort of blurry after that, I remember something about a doctor wheeling me into some tests, then wheeling me out, then next thing I know I'm at Severus' house, then on a bus, then at home, that's where I woke up," she explained. Sagittari had taken a couple steps forward and asked for her arm and was quickly joined by Severus. Dumbledore looked at Corey.

"Corey, what did you do when Anna fell?" he asked.

"Well, there were too many Muggles around to do all that much. I grabbed onto her purse, and then went with them to the hospital and filled out forms with Muggle information. Then I tried calling the Ministry phone number, but Mr. Weasley and Ms. Vallid wasn't around, so I left for the nearest safe house and went to Hogwarts to get Mom and Dad, because that's what Dad had told me to do if anything like this came up," he explained.

"Well prepared as usual I see," Dumbledore smiled slightly at Severus and then back at Corey. "Actually, Mr. Weasley and I found out that you had called when we came out of the courtroom. Penelope said she had tried to get you to talk to Mr. Thurspire, but you did not?"

"He's not on the list of people I'm allowed to talk to, sir," Corey explained. Dumbledore glanced up at Severus and Jennifer again, who looked back at him expressionlessly. It was no secret they didn't like the man.

"I see. Thank you, Corey. Jennifer, I assume this is where you came in, Jennifer?"

"Yes, Professor. I had a little trouble at first convincing them to let me in to see her," Jennifer admitted, "but I had an acid-tempered Polyjuice Potion on me…something Severus and I developed for quick use… and I subdued one of the head doctor's there, assuming his identity for a bit. From there, I was able to get to Anna and saw that she was under a magic induced sleep, so I had no choice but to get her out of there. So, I arranged for it to look like she was getting moved to another hospital, and the moment I was able to get her in an isolated location, I keyed her to my house. Then, the Knight Bus took us back to the cabin. I thought she would be safer there, and it would be easier to get a hold of folks from there as well."

"And the doctor, did you have to Obliterate him at all?" Weasley asked.

"Yes, sir, I did it as a precaution before I left the office. I gave him the idea that he had been working during that time and that the young woman that got "transferred" was actually misdiagnosed and was actually just asleep. Oh, and that they were having trouble with faulty equipment. I hope I didn't overdo the explanations," Jennifer chuckled nervously.

"No, that sounds like the sort of explanation they might buy," Mr. Weasley said, but was eyeing her steadily. "There were also some odd reports that several of the other patients in emergency had some rather startling recoveries this afternoon. I don't suppose you noticed anything unusual while you were there?"

"Did they?" Jennifer said expressionlessly. "Who's to say with Muggles, their medicine practices were altogether confusing if you ask me. It could have been anything. Maybe it was something in the water?" she suggested with a noncommittal shrug. Jennifer was very aware that Dumbledore was looking steadily at her.

"Well, that's good enough for me, I suppose," Arthur said, looking back over at Sagittari. "Anything there, Sagittari?"

"A pin prick, nearly imperceptible," Sagittari mused.

"A needle, perhaps?" Severus asked.

"No, at least, I don't believe it was a potion or poison if that's what you're thinking," Jennifer said. "It's more likely to have been an item, considering the curse that had been placed on her." Severus spun around with suspicion, glaring at Jennifer. "It was Cosmic Sleep," she said.

Severus looked at Anna, who was attempting to ignore him, and then at Sirius, who was looking incredibly smug.

"No. No, no, no, NO! You are mistaken! No matter how it appeared or what happened, that is absolutely impossible! I'm sure there's another explanation!" Severus said, looking positively furious. Sirius moved quickly around Anna so that she was between him and her brother.

"Excuse me for a moment," Jennifer said to Dumbledore, grabbing onto Severus' arm and leading him outside.

"Corey, stay here, please," Dumbledore said warningly.

"Aw, I want to see Mom win again. She's brilliant at it, and she always wins," Corey said. Arthur coughed into his hand.

"Yes, I'm depending on that," Dumbledore said, glancing at Sirius. "Please do not instigate anything over this, Sirius…"

"I won't start anything if he doesn't," Sirius said, holding up his hands. "It's not my fault that he's chosen to be blind to the fact that Anna and I are destined for each other. Boy, I bet this was a wake up call," he chuckled, secretly pleased that Severus was getting so burned over their relationship. He wouldn't have been with anyone else but Anna no matter what, but Severus' reaction was icing on the cake. He glanced over at Anna, who was frowning at him with such intensity that he stopped laughing and tried to look serious. "I'll do my best to keep things as civil as I always have," he promised her.

"How unusual to have two such couples find each other in the same generation, and even in the same family. The odds of that must be astronomical," Arthur murmured, glancing at Dumbledore.

"Such things do not occur by accident, Arthur," Sagittari told him. "The stars show great periods of change ahead, for good or ill I know not yet, but I do know that it must be interconnected." Jennifer reentered, looking slightly flustered, followed by Severus, who looked only slightly calmer than before he had left but had his mouth firmly clamped shut.

"Well, in any case, we have more immediate problems," Dumbledore said. "I am very worried about the fact that anyone would attack Anna. Until now her identity has been kept a secret, as well as the truth behind her abilities. If someone has attacked her in such a way, I wonder if others are learning more about her."

"What about the items she took from the Ministry's bank vault? Was there anything in there someone might want?" Corey asked.

"Good heavens, I almost forgot! Do you still have them?" Arthur asked.

"They're in my purse along with Vallid's papers," Anna said.

"I have it right here, Aunt Anna," Corey said, handing her the purse. She fished out the bag and looked in it.

"Only two of the items are here," Anna said, handing Arthur the bag. "The ladle is gone."

"The ladle? And that being the most dangerous of the three, of course," Arthur grumbled.

"What was its significance?" Sagittari asked.

"I had Anna get in our storage vault for confiscated goods. There were three things we had taken out of the Malfoy house on a cursed items raid…I had actually gotten them out in hopes of having Jennifer look at them. Ederick is building a separate case against Malfoy for using cursed items in relation to his business practices. A cursed vase, a cursed quill set, and a cursed ladle. I wanted to you to look at the ladle especially, Jennifer, because it has your family markings on it."

"My family markings?" Jennifer said with surprise. "What was Malfoy doing with a Craw cursed item?"

"All I know is that Artie found it and the other items in a hidden cache behind one of the fireplaces, and from what we've learned, it has a powerful death spell on it. Any liquid or food that comes into contact with the inside of that ladle turns to a deadly poison, although the appearance and taste doesn't change."

"That's the Queen's Ladle!" Jennifer said, looking alarmed. "I've heard stories from Father about that Ladle; it's an assassination tool. The story was that ages ago one of my ancestors married into royalty for monetary reasons…the Ladle was made so that she could kill her husband, take over, then siphon off the funds. Worked like a charm, too. In fact, legend has it that she stayed long enough to finish the soup after he was carried off, since the curse didn't effect her."

"Lovely family," Anna said dryly.

"I'm quite sure that my father would never have willingly given something like that to Malfoy, even when they were partners. My father is that not trusting or stupid," Jennifer said.

"No, he is not," Dumbledore agreed. "And I can see how having that item would be quite detrimental to Malfoy were it brought into the court as something in his possession. Especially now, when he feels that he has won a major victory over us."

"I take it the hearing didn't go well?" Sirius asked, glancing at the solemn faces.

"No, Sirius, I'm afraid not. The evidence against Audi was quite insurmountable, and in light of it, she changed her plea and was found guilty of trial misconduct. That means, of course, that Lucius Malfoy will be granted an appeal, which is currently in litigation to see if there is still enough evidence for a retrial or if they will dismiss the case."

"Dismiss it?" Jennifer said in a panic. "You mean after all we went through, he's going to walk away?"

"Jennifer, believe me, we're going to do everything we can to see that doesn't happen," Arthur said. "But as quickly as this is unraveling, I don't think we'll be able to hold him much longer, even if it results in a retrial." Jennifer slumped down in a chair, feeling Severus' hand on her shoulder.

"Well, it's getting late, and we need to start working to try and find out who attacked Anna and what the item was that he used on her," Dumbledore said. "Anna, I think it'd be better if you stayed at the cabin for now. Corey may stay here, provided he doesn't interfere with preparations for the school year."

"Speaking of which, I left the lab in a state. I had better go see to that as well," Jennifer said, getting up.

"Come, Corey, let me get you settled. I need to talk to you about some things about the new school year anyway," Minerva said, moving over to the boy.

Jennifer and Severus walked towards the back stair on their way down to the dungeons. Just as they entered the stairwell, Severus turned and gazed at her with such scrutiny that she looked back at him with curiosity.

"What?"

"So what really happened to those other mysterious cases in the hospital?" he asked, following her closely down the stairs.

"Oh, that. What makes you think anything happened?" Jennifer asked.

Severus stopped her and gently turned her to face him, flipping over the edge of her cloak. The cloak, specially designed to hold dozens of potion vials, were missing several key healing elixirs, and Jennifer knew there was little use denying what she had done. She sighed softly, looking slightly sheepish.

"I couldn't help myself, Severus. You don't know what it's like in there. I couldn't just stand by while those people asked for my help and not do anything. And there was this boy there; he was hardly more than a baby… I just couldn't let it go. Can you tell me you would have done any different?"

"Yes, I would have. I would have left it alone. It's not our place to interfere with the way they do things, Jennifer. You went in there because you didn't want them touching one of our own. For the same reason, I'm sure they wouldn't want us mucking about with theirs. Besides that, I'm sure you realize just how much trouble you'd be in if you had been caught."

"Severus, I understand why you wouldn't have, and I respect that, but I just couldn't stand by and do nothing about it, not when I could help them." Jennifer said. Severus sighed softly.

"Come on, let's go see how much needs to be put away before we can turn in," he said, continuing down the stairs.

"So this is our little secret, right?" Jennifer asked.

"And Dumbledore's…and Arthur's," Severus said with such certainty that Jennifer frowned. "Trust me, they were no more fooled than I was. Just be glad we're on your side."

Somehow (and with a little help from both Corey and Severus) Jennifer managed to get the lab completely reorganized within a few days, the potions for the medical ward made, and the prescriptions shelved in her office. It was then that she finally settled down to her paperwork, finishing her syllabi not long before Minerva came to hound her for them.

In the evenings, she had spared some time to visit her black-winged pegusus Ruby, recently returned with Severus' horse Babe from their summer home in the country. They had been gifted to them as a wedding present by the former grounds keeper, Hagrid, and Jennifer for one loved having them back. As much as she hated flying a broom, she loved riding with Ruby, having learned to trust the large black Pegasus more than she trusted her own instincts in the air. Having to provide Ruby some exercise also gave her an excuse for going on patrol with Severus on occasion, for her own security schedule had changed.

Dumbledore had told them at the staff meeting that he had decided to keep up the security measures that had been put in place while Voldemort was alive, still convinced that threats against the school were real ones. Not only because of the recent incident with Anna, but also because many known Death Eaters were still out on the loose, and some suspected but not proven were also around. The forest had become darker than it had been for many years past, and Dumbledore knew he was going to have to keep a closer eye on it than ever before.

Most of the staff who had done security in the past were quickly assigned to the same schedules as last year, but Jennifer's had changed dramatically. Instead of an occasional flight patrol and Quidditch security, she had been assigned to internal castle security only, along with her normal duty of escorting guests visiting the castle. Rolanda, who had quite often heard Jennifer argue that she was just as capable of doing the grounds and forest patrols as anyone, was completely surprised when Jennifer did not protest this change at all. But although Jennifer had no objections to the change, she saw no reason why she could not accompany Severus if she wanted to, and so far Severus had not objected.

In the Gryffindor houserooms, Corey was desperately ready for school to start and for his friends to arrive. At first it was rather fun to be able to sit and eat in the staff room every day and help his parents by mixing potions and running errands, but as time wore on it became rather old, and he spent many long hours looking out the window of his dorm towards the train station.

At long last the day finally came, and he watched with excitement as the new Hogwarts Express pulled into the station and students filed out. Down on the lake, a row of lantern lights glinted where the boats were taking first years into the castle, and he sighed softly remembering when it had been him. If only his sister were magic as well, he thought, then next year she would be doing this too. It was as the boats got close enough for him to see a centaur's shape in the lead boat that he heard a voice in the common room, Turning around and throwing his robe on, he went down to see Minerva McGonagall standing there looking impatient.

"Come along, Mr. Willowby, they're on their way over, you know. You had better go ahead and get to your seat. Everyone will be here at any moment."

"Yes, Professor," Corey said, walking out in front of her. He went down the stairs to the Great Hall just as the seventh years stepped up from the entry hall, deciding to wait for several of them to take their places before going in himself.

"Corey!" Corey looked up to see a beautiful red haired seventh-year student, smiling warmly at him.

"There you are! Your friends were worried that you missed the train! Are you all right, Corey?" Ginny asked. "I heard what happened. I expect you must have stayed at the school then."

"Yes I did, and I'm doing fine, thanks. Good to see you, Ginny," Corey grinned at her. "You're looking lovely as always. How's Harry?"

"Doing well, but we'd better be getting in. Come on, you can sit by me. I'd love to hear your side of things. Dad didn't say much," Ginny said, and the two walked in together.

Jennifer was standing at the high table talking to Filius Flitwick when they came in.

"There he is. It took him long enough to get down here," Jennifer said, shaking her head. "You'd think he'd been excited to see his friends again."

"I'm sure he is, but I bet you that he didn't want to be the first student in here," Filius said. "In any case, I really want to congratulate you on your new agenda this year, although I'm surprised you found the time to add another advanced class to your schedule. Just let me know if you want any other spells corroborated between my seventh years and your items creation class."

"Just what I've already mentioned so far. I do hope it goes over well. I did get quite a few sign ups," Jennifer said.

"I have a few Charms majors that I still might be able to talk into taking it," Filius winked at her. "I'm sure it'll go splendidly, everyone loves your classes."

"They loved my classes," Jennifer corrected as she stood by her seat and Severus walked over to her side. "But now I'm teaching Potions, and you know how bored students get of that subject."

"My classes were never boring," Severus interrupted almost indignantly. "And I'm sure if you hop around in your Potion books as much as you did in Defense, you'll be keeping them on their toes as well."

"Oh, dear, you two aren't at it again, are you?" Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling mischievously as he walked to his seat. "Enough of that. It's a brand new term, let's all get off on the right foot, shall we?" He gestured towards Minerva, who was standing near the door. She slipped out, coming back in a moment later with more students than Jennifer remembered seeing in years past. At first it somewhat confused her, but then she noticed that several of them were actually much older students…students who had recently returned from abroad from other schools, and had been reaccepted back into the fold of Hogwarts. Minerva had told her about that, Jennifer remembered, but Minerva had reassured them that those accepted lived up to Hogwarts standards. It would be interesting to see how they do in comparison to the students who had been in Hogwarts from the beginning.