Chapter Thirteen

Harry Returns

As Jennifer was finishing her classes on Friday, an owl flew in the open window of her classroom bearing an envelope with lovely calligraphy on it. She couldn't help to smile softly when she opened it, realizing it was from Doctor Sagittari.

I am having a few guests over for an informal dinner on Saturday evening and would be delighted if you, and Severus if he wishes, would join us after practice.

It would almost be like old times, she thought. She had so missed her Saturday evenings with Hagrid with Harry and his friends, and she couldn't help but wonder who else was going. Well, she wouldn't have long to wait at least, she thought, as she put the invitation away.

The next afternoon, Jennifer wandered to the Pitch to see a surprisingly familiar face, and even with wearing contacts now and out of Hogwarts robes, there was no mistaking him as he sat on the stands watching Gryffindor practice.

"Harry!" Jennifer called up, hopping into the stands. "What are you doing here? How are you?" she laughed, hugging him.

"Oh, I came back a few days ago to have a few words with Dumbledore. He said I could come watch practice," Harry Potter explained with a grin.

"It is good to see you! Stars, but you've changed! How's the traveling life?" Jennifer asked, sitting down beside him.

"Exhausting," Harry admitted. "But I'm staying in the country for a bit. So how have things been around here?"

Jennifer happily filled him in with some of the things that had been going on (Harry actually seemed very well informed but was interested in hearing her point of view on the Craw 'kidnapping'). He in turn talked a little about what he had been doing in Paris.

"Sirius and I went there to dig up facts for Vallid on Malfoy's foreign business ventures during the year that you and your mother were there. She wanted us to see if we could find some hard links on his employees and friends at the time to try and get a connection as to who was involved in the murder. She'd done some digging before the trial a few years ago, but since she couldn't prove Malfoy was down there at the time, she had to let it go. A lot of the trouble we ran into during the investigation was because it was treated like a missing person's case at first and not a murder, and there were even some comments in the investigation notes that said that it looked as if she had packed and left in a hurry."

"Yes, her bureau was emptied and her oak chest was missing. They tried tracking the chest, but it wasn't ever found," Jennifer said.

"So the chest was magic," Harry prompted.

"Sure, she got it not long after we moved to Paris. She told me that a friend shipped it over for her from England. It was pretty; it had an ornate protection ward carved in the top of the chest," Jennifer said as they stepped into the stands and sat down.

"Any idea what was in it?" Harry asked. Jennifer shook her head, thinking back.

"I never saw her open it. But I have a good memory of it, if you think it's important," Jennifer offered.

"I'm not sure yet," Harry said thoughtfully. "I'll let you know if I find out anything."

"Thank you, Harry, for looking into this… especially when I know you're supposed to be taking a year off. This means a lot to me." Jennifer replied. Harry smiled at her.

"Well, the sooner I find some closure on this Death Eater business, the happier I'll be," Harry said.

Even with Voldemort gone, the fact that many who followed him were slipping away from justice kept gnawing at him, and he wondered how long it would be before he finally felt it was over. Jennifer nodded at the look on his face in understanding, for in some ways she felt the same.

"Good afternoon, Harry." Harry looked over to see Severus standing at the bottom of the stands. Harry stood up to greet him, shaking his hand. "What brings you back this way?"

"Business mostly, and paying some visits," Harry explained. "Some of that business you might be interested in."

"Oh?" Severus asked, gazing at him thoughtfully. Just what she needed right now, Jennifer thought with a frown, disliking the idea of Severus getting more involved in the Death Eater investigations. He had already provided a list of names and given dozens of statements. What more could they want? "We'll have to talk about it sometime soon," he nodded. "Perhaps I'll drop by Sagittari's when I'm free."

"If I'm not still over there when you check, I'll be at Anna's. Dumbledore wanted me to talk to her about what's been going on at her end," Harry said.

"Sirius isn't going to be there, is he?" Severus asked. Jennifer gazed at him thoughtfully. She still hadn't gotten a full account about the dragon incident, but she had already seen from his thoughts that he and Sirius had some sort of fight.

"I'll make sure he behaves if he does," Harry promised.

"And when you get to Sagittari's, make sure Jennifer eats something," Severus added. Jennifer scowled at him. Harry grinned as Severus walked away.

"Is it just me, or is he a lot calmer than he used to be?" he asked.

"Well, that, and you're not a student anymore, Harry," Jennifer explained with a chuckle. "From what I'm hearing, his Defense classes have gotten rather dramatic. I almost feel sorry for those first years when he starts on fear spells next week."

Harry glanced over towards the Gryffindor team, waving as several of them flew overhead. Ginny, practicing a twisting dive, pulled up as she spotted them and then veered over, hopping off the broom as she came over and greeted Harry with a hug.

"You made it! I was hoping you would," she said happily.

"Of course I made it. The team looks real good. I bet you'll have a good year this year," Harry smiled.

"Well, we'll find out next week, I suppose. That's when we're playing Slytherin," Ginny said. "You're coming to that too, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Harry said, smiling lovingly at Ginny. Jennifer got up quickly.

"Well, I think I'm going to head on to Dr. Sagittari's," she said, jumping down off the stands.

"We'll be right along, Jennifer," Harry assured her. As she left the Pitch, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Corey, Doug, and Taylor running up.

"Professor, we were invited to Dr. Sagittari's for dinner, is it all right? We might be late," Corey asked excitedly.

"Sure it's all right, I was invited too. Come on," Jennifer said with a smile, and the four of them walked towards the hut. The aromas coming from inside were incredibly inviting as Jennifer stepped up and knocked on the door. The centaur opened it and greeted her warmly. Jennifer stepped in and looked around in amazement, for the hut had changed considerably since Hagrid had been there.

It was still warm and cozy and yet brighter and more spacious, with clean white paint on the walls and filmy curtained windows open to take advantage of the mountain breezes. The main room had no furniture except for a very tall table that was just the right height for Sagittari to stand at, accompanied by plenty of tall cushioned stools that fit underneath of it when not in use. An office had been added to the side with a door leading out towards the pens, where Sagittari could examine patients and practice veterinary medicine. Corey couldn't help but be curious about the sleeping quarters, trying to figure out exactly how the doctor slept. Heavy rugs covered the otherwise empty floor, and a wooden stand built into one side of the room that came up to Corey's waist, blanketed and filled with cushions. Amused by the boy's curiosity, Sagittari demonstrated how he laid on the rug while laying his head over his crossed arms on the pillow.

In the meantime, Jennifer was sneaking glimpses into the pots on the rack near the fire and into the oven that had been built just inside the hearth below the mantle. A knock sounded on the door and she quickly tried to look innocent when Sagittari and the boys came back out again. The door opened to Harry and Ginny, and were followed closely behind by Hermione and Ron. They entered and greeted everyone warmly.

"I think I'll put the tea on. I've two more on the way still, but we're almost all here," Sagittari said, heading towards the fireplace.

"Sirius and Anna?" Jennifer asked. Sagittari nodded with a smile. "But how did you know? I mean… that's Hagrid's Saturday night crowd plus Corey's gang," Jennifer said.

"It was difficult not to know," Sagittari told her with a smile. "Every Saturday since school started, I have had people wandering by my hut, and considering there really isn't anywhere to go from here but the pens, I felt as if I were missing out on something. So when our librarian happened to wander by last week, I cornered her and invited her in. And I must say, I'm glad that I did. It is quite nice to have company for a change. Ever since I returned I've been the local novelty, but no one seems to know quite what to talk to me about except animals. I am hoping to correct that while also restarting an old tradition."

"You're off to a splendid start," Jennifer said.

It was then that Sirius and Anna had arrived, receiving greetings all around as they sat down. Anna and Hermione tried to help at first, but soon learned that trying to assist a centaur in such a small cottage was close to impossible, finally giving in to his insistence that they sit down and relax.

Before long, Harry, Hermione and Ron broke into a conversation about other visits to the cabin and the trouble they had got into through the seven years, The stories amazed the three students and caused Sagittari, Anna, and Sirius to chuckle. Jennifer, in the meantime, was quite engrossed with the dinner itself. From the moment she started the warm mozzarella salad to the filo crème pastry at the end, she did not speak at all and barely even looked up. Hermione then offered her account of Hagrid's cooking and Jennifer's attempts to change it, so they Jennifer's attention long enough for her to chuckle.

"What do you think, Professor Craw, any advice for me too?" Sagittari asked, eyes twinkling.

"Oh, no," Jennifer said in a slow appreciative voice, "don't change a thing."

"Wow, that's a first. She ate everything! Mom's a real picky eater," Corey pointed out.

"Yes, so I've noticed during the times I've dined at the table. She does tend to nibble, doesn't she?" Sagittari teased lightly. "Well, no more of that, you need to take care of yourself."

"It was one of the best meals I've had in awhile also. Where did you learn to cook like that?" Sirius said emphatically.

"Ah, mostly from traveling abroad… amazing what you pick up when you drift around a bit. Cooking is a passion of mine, although I haven't really had a chance to try it out on anyone since I moved back here," Sagittari replied.

"You can try your cooking out on me anytime," Jennifer said with such a lilt that everyone laughed.

"Well, since you seem to enjoy giving advice as well as eating, why don't you stop by early on Saturdays? I can teach you a few tricks, and then we can both try them out on whoever decides to 'drop by' that evening," Sagittari suggested.

"Does that mean all of us get a standing invitation?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Of course, as does that husband of yours, Professor, if he ever actually accepts an invitation," Sagittari chuckled.

"He's not much into socializing, Doctor, he doesn't really go to gatherings," Jennifer explained, opening her watch and glancing at it. "In fact, he's already waiting at the cabin."

"I had better get going then. I need to talk to him about a few things," Harry said, getting up.

"Let him wait," Sirius shrugged. "He's the one who's too good to join the rest of us." Anna glared at Sirius. And Jennifer's face expression suddenly turned stony.

"Ginny, would you walk the boys back to the castle?" Jennifer said, her voice betraying her anger. Harry quickly volunteered to walk with them, and the five of them went out, Jennifer closing the door behind them. "Sirius, you damn well know it's against Severus' teaching ethics to socialize with the students. There was no call for you to say something like that."

"Sorry, Jennifer, but I don't see anything ethical about the way he treats his students, or anyone else for that matter," Sirius said.

"Look, I may not have much control over the two of you trying to kill each other, but let me make one thing clear. When you're on these grounds, you are a guest of the school and I insist that you speak of all professors with respect when there are students present, regardless of how you feel. You want to have words with him or someone else, fine, but don't you dare let me catch you doing it in front of students again." Jennifer said, picking up her cloak. "Thank you for having us, Sagittari, it was positively lovely, but I think I'll be running along."

"I think I'll join you," Anna said, completely ignoring Sirius when she passed him and the two women left.

"She's right, you know," Hermione said after the door shut. Ron and Sirius gave her a dirty look.

When Jennifer and Anna got to the cottage, Severus and Harry were out front talking about the dragon incident.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Harry said, shaking his head. "Dragons don't randomly attack humans. If they did, they'd be extinct already. From what Charlie has told me, there hasn't been any known incidents of that in years…well, short of someone getting too close to a female nesting. And you didn't cast any spells?"

"Sirius bit my hand before I got anything off," Severus replied.

"Sirius bit your hand?" Anna repeated.

"You pulled a wand on Sirius?" Jennifer asked, hands on her hips. Severus felt as if his collar had tightened slightly.

"I admit it might have gotten a tad out of hand had it not been interrupted, but the point is that we were attacked by a dragon that nearly took both of our lives. The Protection Society has not offered any explanation of the matter. In fact, they do not believe the dragon in question even recalls the incident," Severus said.

"That definitely makes me think that some outside force or person manipulated the dragon," Harry said. "Somebody who wanted either you, Sirius, or both of you dead in a way that would look like an accident."

"Malfoy maybe?" Jennifer suggested. Severus squinted.

"Perhaps, although I'm not sure he'd do something like this so soon after he getting out of prison. He is more likely to wait awhile and take a subtler approach," Severus replied. Anna opened the door and the four of them went inside, the fireplace crackling to life as Jennifer sat in the chair beside it.

"What I want to know is, how did the person who did this know where you even were?" Harry asked. "Sirius really hadn't expected to meet you there. He was just following the instructions he got from Vallid on the safest way across the ocean. Whoever did it must have been following one of you."

"It couldn't have been me. If anyone got close enough to keep an eye on me, my necklace would have gone off," Severus pointed out. "And I believe the researchers there would have noticed another stranger around."

"Well, someone had to have been there. You can't hold that sort of charm spell from a distance," Harry said.

"That's only if it's a cast charm," Jennifer chimed in. "Items can be used to conduct certain kinds of energy, and magic can often jump from item to item if they're made to work together." Severus stared at her a moment then brought something out of his cloak. Jennifer instantly recognized it as her Puzzlebox.

"The day before Anna began to fade, a ring had been delivered with strange curse characteristics," Severus said, deftly opening the various combinations. Jennifer decided that she was going to have to change the lock before Christmas. Her thoughts turned back to the matter at hand as he put on some gloves and pulled out the ring, holding it carefully in the palm of his hand.

"Here, let me see it," Jennifer said, putting on her own gloves. Reluctantly Severus handed it over to her, and Jennifer ran the first series of identifying spells over the ring. It was quite pretty, Jennifer thought, and the symbol on it was curious, but the workmanship and quality was nearly perfect. "This wasn't originally crafted as a cursed item," Jennifer said. "And there are definitely some powerful charms on the metal itself. In fact, the physical ring doesn't seem to be cursed at all," Jennifer said thoughtfully. "Either the ring is somehow repelling the curse placed on it, or the curse wasn't put on the ring, it was put around the ring."

"Around the ring?" Severus repeated, but then nodded. "That would definitely explain why Audi and I were having trouble with the spells telling us both that it was cursed and it wasn't."

"The curse seems to be some sort of area spell. Cover me, Severus, I'm going to try and determine if putting the curse around it instead of on it like this was intentional," Jennifer said.

"Perhaps I should do that," Severus suggested quickly, but Jennifer pretended not to hear him.

She took off her glove, cautiously rubbing her thumb against the outer surface. A sound like the ringing of a champagne glass suddenly resonated through the room, growing louder and louder as Severus entrapped the ring in Jennifer's hand in a magical barrier. The sound did not stop, however, instead they were aware that it was centering on the stone around Anna's neck, which had started glowing a brilliant light. As Severus turned to encase it, the light became blinding and there was a loud * CRACK*. Jennifer blinked to regain her sight, finally focusing to see that Anna still standing where she had been in total bewilderment, her hands holding two pieces of crystal.

"Well, that was rather unusual," Jennifer said once she found her voice. Severus went over to Anna and snatched the pieces of broken gemstone and took off the chain from her neck before gently but firmly getting her to sit down.

"Where did you get this?"

"I bought it in Hogsmeade last year," Anna said. "From the divination shop."

"The divination shop? Didn't whoever was accompanying you bother to run a few basic checks on it before you took it home?" Severus asked irritably, thinking that Sirius had done it. Jennifer sunk down in the chair.

"Well, Jennifer was kind of busy trying to keep Pettigrew from trying to impersonate you right after that," Anna said, glancing over at Jennifer. Jennifer grimaced sheepishly. Severus stared at Jennifer with surprise.

"I thought it was a rock, Severus. They sold it as an aura stone, for heaven's sake. By the way, can I see it?" Jennifer asked.

"Absolutely not! I don't want you touching anything right now. It's too dangerous. If that had backfired, it might have hurt you and the baby," Severus scolded. Anna and Harry stared at him. "I think we ought to have Dumbledore look at these."

"And you were planning to tell me about this, when?" Anna demanded. Severus gazed at her a moment before realizing what she was talking about.

"Sorry, but we've been a bit too preoccupied with other things to become a public spectacle. I hadn't learned about it myself until after I came back with you. The point is that Jennifer shouldn't be messing with any cursed items, let alone pulling a stunt like that." Harry quietly asked to see it before Severus put it away, and Severus handed it to him.

"Well, we did learn a few things from that at least," Jennifer said, ignoring his scolding tone. "First off, either the curse or the ring was made to work with other items, probably a specific type of item, for some unknown purpose. And, the curse doesn't appear to be faulty; it was intentionally set around the ring instead of on it. That means whoever put the curse around it knew what they were doing."

"Odd," Harry said thoughtfully as he held the ring. He took off one of his gloves, and before anyone could stop him, he slipped the ring around his finger. Severus and Jennifer screamed his name in dismay and scrambled for their wands, but Harry just looked back at them calmly. "It's all right now. I think I just dispelled it."

"What do you think you're doing?" Severus snapped in surprise.

"Harry Potter! What the blazes is the matter with you, didn't you learn anything at all from us about hexed items? You know better than to put on a cursed ring like that!" Jennifer said, jumping out of her seat and going over to grab his hand, muttering a spell under her breath.

"Hang on a moment, don't bother. Look… it comes right off," Harry reassured her, handing it back to Severus. "Actually, the reason I figured it out was because none of us would have put it on," Jennifer and Severus stared at him in confusion. Anna looked confused as well. "Whoever put the curse on this ring didn't want the original magic properties damaged; they simply wanted to protect the ring. So what they did was put a curse around the ring instead of on it, knowing that any wizard getting a hold of the ring would see it was cursed and would probably leave it alone. The last thing any wizard do would be to try putting it on. But since the ring is still fully functioning to its original purpose, it only made sense to me that putting it on would dispel whatever had been put around it."

"But we haven't even figured out its original purpose yet! Just because it wasn't made with a dark curse in mind doesn't mean an item isn't dangerous. Really, Harry, you do know better than to try something like that. Not to mention that now we can't get specifics on the curse itself. Now I'll have to study the effects of what happened to the aura stone to figure out what happened to it," Jennifer said.

"Overruled, they're going straight to Dumbledore," Severus told her firmly.

"Excuse me, but you know those things are mine, and I'd like to have some say-so in all of this."

Severus, Jennifer and Harry looked over at Anna in surprise.

"Titiana, these items are obviously affecting you in odd ways. I think it would be best if Dumbledore had a look at them," Severus insisted again.

"Severus is probably right," Harry agreed, glancing at Jennifer. "After all, even if we are able to determine what effect it would have had on us, it might easily have different effects on an Aethermage, and he knows more about that than any of us." Jennifer sighed, and nodded.

"Fine, but I want them back," Anna said. The other three glanced at each other thoughtfully but didn't say anything.