Chapter Seven

Agendas

Jennifer smiled warmly as the last of her second year Gryffindor-Slytherin students filed into the Potion Lab, got their kits out and gazed expectantly at her. A cool wind flickered candles around the lab, and bright sunbeams shone through the open windows, adding extra light into the drearily utilitarian room.

"Good morning! For those of you who have joined us from afar," Jennifer began, smiling at Danyelle on the Slytherin side, "or those who have forgotten after summer break, my name is Professor Craw, and this year I am going to be your Potions instructor. Oh, and by the way if you have forgotten me, never fear, I have a potion for that," she grinned, getting a light chuckle from the class. "In fact, potions are one of the most versatile and dependable forms of physical magic, and in many ways, more dependable than practical magic when made properly and with good ingredients. Unlike a cast spell where things such as duration, effectiveness, and magnitude can be uncertainties, in potion making, it all boils down to precise measurement, formulas, and component quality. They also have the advantage of being able to affect some types of creatures that have developed immunity against cast magic, which I'm quite sure you'll be covering later on in your Defense class," she said, eyes twinkling merrily.

"For the next two class periods, we're going to review what you covered last year, go over basic balm formulas, then from there we're going to learn some new ways to test your potions for potency, quality, and effectiveness. In other words, you'll learn some of the things I have to do to grade their efficiency. Today, I'd like to start you with some hands on review. Take out your kits if you haven't already, for you're going to be showing me that you know how to mark them visually and by your other senses, and then I'm going to show you a potency test for herbs by testing vapor off of a simple test solution. Let's start with something easy. Everyone get out five decigrams of Sleepsand. There are folders on your tables. Fill those out, make sure you list where you got each if you know…anyone who doesn't have any in their kits for whatever reason feel free to get it off the shelf, just make sure you note that on your sheet," Jennifer said.

It wasn't long before she recognized an interesting pattern. The majority of Slytherin had gone to Draco's, while many of the Gryffindors had gotten theirs by catalog. Two students even admitted they had gotten them from Sludgebat's. The only student besides Corey who had Witolf's was Danny Nelson.

The best part of the class for Jennifer was watching Corey. As much of a terror as he was in a regular class, the hands-on methods of potion-making made him come alive and he listened intently to her instruction and executed everything with perfect precision. Jennifer quickly realized why Severus had insisted on putting him in Dabbler's class in his first year, even though it was geared for the latter year students. Corey definitely had a natural knack for the physical arts.

All too soon the two hours was over, and Jennifer had them clean up and turn in their papers, assigning them to read the first chapter and reminding them sternly that she was a Truth Seeker and would know if they didn't do it.

After her shorter third year Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw class it was time for lunch, and Jennifer left the classroom feeling completely at ease with her new agenda, scooping up the lab papers into a folder and reading them casually as she walked to the staff room. But the moment she walked in the door, Jennifer scrambled to try and leave before she was seen… alas, it was too late.

"Jennifer! There you are, just the person I've been looking for. I have something terribly important to tell you about," Sibyl Trelawney said so insistently that Jennifer knew she was in trouble. "I had a dream about you last night," the Divination Professor said in a low, foreboding tone.

Jennifer, who would have preferred to run and lock herself in her office rather than hear about it, turned and smiled wanly at her, slowly walking over to the table. Where was the rest of the staff? She could have used a diversion right now. Reluctantly she sat down by the woman as Sibyl patted her hand, suddenly turning Jennifer's hand over.

"Ugh! It's worse than I thought! I am so glad I came down from the tower today! You're in more danger than I had even imagined."

"Oh really," Jennifer said, glancing at the door. Severus, who had nearly stepped into the room, suddenly backed up and went the other way.

"I see terrible times ahead for you and Severus," Trelawney said, looking in her hand.

"Yes, I can see terrible times ahead for Severus too," Jennifer agreed, plotting to get even for him not rescuing her.

"Let me tell you about my dream. Perhaps you can help me interpret it," Sibyl insisted.

"Actually, I should probably get back to the lab. I think I left the burners on," Jennifer replied, getting up.

"Don't walk away from your future! If you walk away now, it will have dire consequences! I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Please don't do anything rash!" Sibyl pleaded emphatically.

"All right, Sibyl. I am sitting down again. I'll listen to your dream, but then I have to go, okay?" Jennifer said with exasperation.

"I see you walking in a storm… no, no… not walking, flying, yes, and you are not well, not well at all, I dare say, but your mission is dire, to save someone you love from the forces of evil! And in the water under you, something lurks, as if waiting… waiting to strike! And just as the creature begins to emerge from the water, lightning strikes you and you fall, fall deep into the ocean! That was when I awoke and was left…with a sense of death," she said darkly.

Jennifer stared at her a moment before nodding slowly.

"So, what is it supposed to mean?" Jennifer asked cautiously.

"What do you mean what is that supposed to mean? Didn't they teach you anything in that American school?" Sibyl asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yes, actually, there was a Divination course…sort of," Jennifer admitted reluctantly. She wasn't about to tell Sibyl it was lumped in with an elective class called a Muggle's view of Magic Folklore. "But I couldn't fit it into my schedule," she explained.

"Well, we're going to have to work on that, especially if you're going to invade my dreams with such powerful images! Beware of showing your weaknesses, Jennifer, for something right now is lurking to take advantage of them! And if you do, you will surely leave this world forever," she said remorsefully, getting up.

"I must meditate more on this event. I am weary now. I must go back to the tower! You will come to see me soon, I predict. Then I will give you a tarot reading of events to come, I have foreseen it! It will happen!" she said fervently then swept out of the room.

The moment she left, Jennifer's head hit the table and she groaned. She heard someone enter and Jennifer turned to see Minerva, who was giving her a sympathetic smile.

"Some of the staff were wondering who Sibyl would find interesting when Harry graduated. It looks as if I won the bet," Minerva said.

"Congratulations. How long until she gets tired of me?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm not really sure, actually. She didn't ever did get tired of Harry," Minerva said innocently. "But don't worry, I'm sure she'll dream of someone else… eventually."

"Great stars save us all," Jennifer said, chuckling softly to herself. Well, Sibyl didn't come out of the North Tower often, and with any luck, her work would keep her out of the way until she found someone else to foretell warnings to.

Reviews continued through the first week, and by the end of them, Jennifer had something else on her mind as well. Her friend and Counselor, Lunette Vallid, had sent her a note asking to see her, and Jennifer had little doubt what it was about.

The Saturday of Quidditch tryouts, Jennifer put on a conservative dress and went down to breakfast to see Corey. He was sitting with Doug as usual, but turned to the side to talk with Taylor, sitting across from them on the Ravenclaw table. Jennifer couldn't help but get the odd feeling that they were up to something, but what it was she didn't have the time to investigate.

"Good luck at tryouts," she told Corey, straightening her gloves.

"You're not going?" Corey asked, clearly disappointed.

"No, I have some urgent business in London. Professor Snape will be helping Madame Hooch today," she explained. She heard several groans from around her but ignored them. "I'll be back as soon as I can, though, so maybe I'll get there before it's all said and done. Try not to show off too much, hm? You can't play Quidditch if you break your neck, you know."

"I'll try not to, Professor, thanks," Corey said. He watched as Jennifer turned and spoke to Ginny before she left. Then he turned back to Doug. "I wonder what she's up to now? A bit early in the year for her to be in trouble already."

"You think it has to do with whatever knocked your Aunt out a few weeks ago?" Doug asked.

"No, I think she'd have mentioned something about that. I did see Aunt Anna combing over books with Madame Granger in the library, though. I'm quite sure they're trying to look for what sort of item that can be carried that might have a spell like that cursed on it," Corey said.

"You sure it wasn't just a pair of spells, and not an item at all?" Doug asked.

"Well, I'm quite sure that sort of spell wouldn't work on Anna normally with her being an Aethermage. Spells don't work on her the same as they do other people. In fact, I heard from a reliable source that Sirius once actually tried to cast that spell on Anna during an argument and it bounced off her and got him instead," Corey smirked. "Took my source and her boyfriend forever to convince her to wake him up."

"Corey Willowby, you had better not be repeating anything I've said down there, or I swear I'll never speak to you again!" Ginny said from where she leaned over the table and glared at him.

"Calm down, Ginny, I wasn't mentioning any names," Corey said to her. He shook his head and turned back to the other two. "Women."

Her name was Lunette Vallid of the order of Merlin and Libris, and she had never lost a case… until now. Perhaps over the years she had gotten a bit cocky…yes even she, Lunette Vallid, deserved to make a mistake now and then. But there was nothing that got her goat more than watching people she knew were guilty get out on a technicality as she believed Malfoy was about to do. Her long time associate and friend, Madame Audacious Belle, sat humbly beside the desk in Vallid's posh London suite, looking uncharacteristically glum.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Audi. You did what you thought you had to do at the time," Vallid said as she thumbed through a law book. "And you know I'll be happy to speak up for you at the ethics inquiry when we get back to the States."

"I could care less of the inquiry, Judge. Let them take my license if they see fit, lord knows I've deserved it often enough before this. I'm more worried of what this is going to mean for Jen-girl."

"It's not going to mean anything to Jennifer. I think Dumbledore's testimony at your hearing was proof of that, and from the sentiment of the committee, I'm quite certain none of them bought any of that rubbish in the paper last year, either. Besides, the Magistrate isn't planning to give the review until Halloween. That gives me over a month to find a miracle," Vallid said. Audacious looked over at her skeptically. "And, of course, it'll give me another reason to go to the ethics inquiry, since I have to go back to the States anyhow. There's something I need to do for Dumbledore while I'm there, and there's a disturbing report that has come out about a Muggle case I had worked on," she said, sighing and rubbing her forehead slightly. "Well, I'm sure we can take a few birds out with one stone during the trip." There was a brisk knock and the concierge opened the door, letting Jennifer in.

"Good Afternoon, Jennifer, come have a seat," Vallid smiled.

"Audi!" Jennifer said with such relief that Vallid forgave her for not acknowledging her. "I'm so sorry I got you mixed up in this," she said with such fervency that Audi couldn't help but laugh at her.

"Jen-girl, I will take the blame for my own messes, if you don't mind. I expect you have enough of your own to keep you busy without taking anyone else's. I had my reasons for staying with the Malfoy team, and no one can say I didn't have… well, maybe not the best of reasons legally speaking, but reasons nonetheless. It is I who should apologize to you. First for letting you think that I was your enemy when I took your wand, and now for giving them so much fuel for their appeal."

"And what about me?" Vallid spoke up in an exaggeratedly haughty tone. "After all, I was the attorney in this case, so if anyone should take the blame, it's me."

Suddenly the three of them looked at each other and burst out laughing, not being able to stop for quite some time until finally tears came to their eyes, Jennifer holding her stitching side as it settled into a rolling chuckle.

"Listen to us, a coven of Truth Seeking guilt complexes," Vallid declared, shaking her head. "Well, now we've gotten that off our chests, how about we start thinking about damage control, shall we? Because if I'm not mistaken, this is far from over."

"He's going to get out, isn't he? You're not going to be able to stop this," Jennifer asked Vallid, looking straight at her.

"You're right," Vallid said, meeting her gaze so that Jennifer could see her face. "I was able to buy some time to research the appeal, but I can't hide it from you. I don't think anything I find out there is going to work. Fudge's return damaged the credibility of the evidence against him being a Death Eater, and Audi being found guilty of misconduct poses questions on whether or not he had fair representation. Not that I don't understand her reasoning for that, but let's not start that again. All of us did what we thought best for them to do at the time, you, you, and I.

"I think right now it's better if we take the defensive. Malfoy is sure to have lined up a series of lawsuits aimed at everyone involved in this and will most likely also try to pursue some sort of grievance with the school itself," Vallid continued, leaning back in her chair with her fingers pressed thoughtfully together. "In the meantime, Arthur…who's about as thrilled of the idea of him getting out as we are, is trying to pick up on some side investigations he's had on Malfoy for years, including one on the use of illegal items. It's really his best shot, because it's hard to refute evidence like that if you can prove who the last person to use an item was. In any case, I do suggest that there should be some restraining orders be put in place, since there is no question that having you and Lucius Malfoy in the same vicinity might be a bit…volatile."

"If I were Malfoy, I'd be more worried about Severus," Jennifer said.

"And vice versa, I think, Jennifer," Vallid mused. "Don't worry, I'm sure we can somehow manage to have all those in place before he gets out." Jennifer sighed and shook her head. Audi glanced over at Jennifer then back to Vallid, resignation dulling Audi and Jennifer's eyes. Vallid nodded at them.

"I know, I don't want him out either. But rest assured, my friends, this isn't the last of this matter, not even by a long shot," Vallid said. "I guarantee that Lucius Malfoy is definitely going to regret the day he heard… oh, any of our names, before this is all said and done." Audi and Jennifer looked up at Vallid, a glimmer of determination once again appearing in their faces.

Jennifer got back to the school in plenty of time to see the end of the tryouts, walking over to the Quidditch Pitch and taking a spot on one of the lower stands. She waved at Corey and Doug when they came flying past. Severus, who had been standing on the side of the Pitch, walked over to her.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"About like we expected," Jennifer said somberly. "Audi and Vallid are now going back to the States for Audi's ethics inquiry. She might lose her counselor and Truth Seeker's licenses over this one."

"Well, try not to blame yourself. You had no control over what your father and she were doing at the time of the trial. I spoke with Anna earlier, and she is going to join them as well," Severus said.

"Is that wise?" Jennifer asked. "I mean, after what happened, and in a Muggle area too. Who knows what might go wrong?"

"I am certain that anything that might come up Audi and Vallid can handle. And as an added bonus, Sirius will be staying to help Harry on something he's working on in Paris."

"Well, I hope he's careful," Jennifer said. Severus decided not to say anything.

"I should get back to the other side of the pitch to see if Rolanda needs me," he said at last and got up. Jennifer shook her head slightly at him as he walked away. Wasn't Severus ever going to forgive Sirius? At least for his sister's sake? Jennifer couldn't help but thinking this feud had gone on far too long.

A few minutes later, Taylor Brittle wandered onto the stands and Jennifer waved him over.

"You didn't try out?" she asked curiously.

"No, sports just aren't my bag, you know," Taylor said, sitting down beside her. Jennifer knew only too well what he meant. Although Taylor loved the sport, he knew he was terrible at it. He had always tired out quickly, and his coordination was lacking to be a good Keeper, but he had learned to come to grips with his shortcomings, playing to his intellectual strengths. "I'm going to cover the games for the paper again this year, I've already talked to Madame Granger about it, so I thought I'd come down and support Corey and Doug and get the new team members names for the Veritable Wizard Biweekly."

"I have an idea," Jennifer said suddenly. "We don't have an announcer yet for this year. Why don't you ask Madame Hooch if you can do it, since you'll have to be at all the games anyhow," she suggested. "You can even tell her I suggested it if you like."

"You think she'd let me?" Taylor asked, his face brightening.

"Well, I don't know if she has anyone lined up yet, but it can't hurt to ask, can it?" Jennifer said. "Why don't you run over there right now, since it looks like they're finishing up." Indeed, all of the present members of the teams were already huddled together, discussing the candidates.

"All right, I will," Taylor said, mustering up his nerve and getting up.

"Come back over and tell me how it goes," Jennifer smiled, watching the huddled teams. Ravenclaw's broke up first… that hadn't been surprising, for they only had a Beater to replace on regular team this year. Hufflepuff, needing a Chaser and a Keeper, took some time longer. But the longest two teams were Slytherin and Gryffindor, as she expected, because they were both replacing Seekers this year. At last Slytherin finished, and all that remained was Gryffindor. Finally they too broke up, and someone, (Jennifer was fairly sure it was Ginny) went over to speak with Madame Hooch before turning to announce their decision.

Jennifer got up to meet Doug, Taylor, and Corey as they walked across the Pitch, and the look on Corey's face quickly told Jennifer that he didn't do as well as he had hoped.

"Guess what, Professor Craw, Madame Hooch says she thinks I may be a good announcer for this year!" Taylor said excitedly. "She's going to tell me for sure in a few days."

"Great, that's wonderful news," Jennifer smiled, looking at the other two. "How did you both do?"

"We're on the team…well, sort of," Doug said.

"First and Second Beater alternates," Corey said glumly.

"Well, what's wrong with that, Corey, that's amazing!" Jennifer said with a smile. "Second years and being an alternate isn't all that bad. And this year both of your current Beaters are graduating. I think that bodes well for the future, don't you?"

"My sister got Seeker her second year," Doug said, "and Danny Nelson just got Seeker for the Slytherin team, and she wasn't even a student here her first year!" Jennifer was not too surprised at that. From what she remembered watching them at the park, the girl seemed to be a natural on a broom.

"Might I ask who got the Gryffindor Seeker position?"

"There's the real rub…the Gryffindor team didn't think anyone this year had much promise yet," Taylor explained. "So they decided to switch positions inside the regular team. Ginny Weasley is going to be the Seeker this year. Perry Dalance got the Keeper's position, and Juniper Lydian got the other Chaser position."

"Oh, and get this, Hufflepuff named a first year as a Chaser alternate," Corey said. "Aelfred Finch-Fletchley, do you believe that?"

"Oh come on now, Corey, you heard what my sister said. He's cracking good, they just thought he needed a bit more experience. They replaced a Keeper…in fact, I think every team replaced a Keeper this year," Doug said.

"Well, that should make it an exciting year," Jennifer grinned. She waved to Ginny, who was walking towards them from the other side of the field. "Congratulations, Seeker," she said when Ginny got close enough.

"Oh, please, don't congratulate me. I'm sure there are plenty of people angry with me right now, but we had to do what was best for the team," Ginny said, looking apologetically at the three boys.

"I'm sure everyone knows that, Ginny," Jennifer reassured her.

"What about these two?" the team captain asked, noticing Corey's glum face.

"I think these two should be considered lucky to be alternates in their second year. You never know, you may get to play, games can go on for ages," Jennifer said.

"We won't," Corey said glumly, "not with someone as good as Ginny as a Seeker." Ginny smiled slightly, thanking him.

"Come on, I'll walk you back," Jennifer said, getting up. Jennifer soon became interested in hearing the details of the tryouts, who made it and who didn't, and was greatly surprised to hear that a fourth year actually made team captain. "That's highly unusual, but then, there's nothing usual about Amadeus Longbottom."

"Well, he can definitely be a pain in the Longbottom."

"Corey!"

"You know, I think we're really going to have to watch out for Danny this year. We happened to play a few games with her at the park this summer, and she's wickedly smooth on a broom," Doug warned Ginny. "And what's worse is, she knows she's good." Jennifer chuckled softly and then looked up, suddenly bopping herself on the head. She had unconsciously walked them to the groundskeeper's hut, as if to be expecting Hagrid there ready with 'quiche' and rock cakes for his Saturday night visitors.

"Oh, guys, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," Jennifer said. Ginny, who had been one of the other weekly guests, sighed loudly.

"I miss him too," Ginny said. "More than that, I miss all of us together…Harry, Ron, Hermione…I'm sorry, Madame Granger now. Everything has to go and change." Corey looked at Ginny's wistful face.

"You can always hang with us, Ginny, we'd love to have you," Corey said emphatically.

"Thanks guys, but I'm sure you guys will have a lot more fun without a seventh year pre-med hanging about. I think perhaps I'll go back to the rooms and write to them," Ginny said.

Dr. Sagittari, coming back from the pens, looked over at them curiously as they walked back towards the school.