Chapter Four

Getting Back to Business

Jennifer had always enjoyed her birthday for the simple fact that it was often the day she was due back at Hogwarts. There was always a wonderful anticipation about the new year, new students, heading back to her beloved sitting room with the large windows and comfortable couch, putting her office in order… she was returning to the place she considered, even more than the Broom Closet, her home. But trying to leave this year was different. For the first time, she found herself not wanting to go, and before she knew it, the dreaded day had come when she had to leave part of herself behind.

Jennifer paced the living room, holding Alexandria close to her as the baby burbled obliviously in her mother's arms. Severus, who had just come up the basement stairs, grimaced at them and shook his head. He leaned against one of the bookcases, folding his arms.

"You know you're just making this worse on yourself by acting like this," Severus said. Jennifer shot him a dirty look. He sighed. "Fine. Well, I'll go send Corey down. You know, you've never had a trouble with leaving him."

"It's only for a few weeks before he comes to join us," Jennifer snapped.

"Yes, well, it's not as if she's going to be any farther than a pop away," Severus reminded Jennifer, his tone even sterner than usual. "She and this house have every protection that Harry and Dumbledore and we could think of. And you're the one that hired Carol. I'd hope that means you trust her…"

"Oh, come on, Severus. This isn't about that and you know it. It's all perfectly well to stand there and say just let her go, but it's a lot harder actually doing it. Well, I'm damned happy it's so easy for you, but it certainly isn't for me," she said angrily.

Severus' face changed into a pained expression before falling into its normal, expressionless gaze. He turned and went up the stairs, but not before Jennifer had read the thoughts and immediately regretted losing her temper. This wasn't any easier on him than it was on her.

Sighing, she took out her wand and her trunk and her Cloak Chest appeared on the floor, joining the lab trunk and Severus's own trunk and chest. She heard the loud echo of feet on the hollow wood stairs and Severus, Carol, and Corey appeared, closing the bookcase behind them.

"Well, I'm off to my Aunt's," Corey said cheerfully.

"I had better not hear of you using one ounce of magic while you're there," Severus warned him.

"Make that double from me," Jennifer agreed. "Don't forget you'll be in the Muggle world until you get on the train. Not that you're allowed to use your magic outside of Hogwarts anyhow," she reminded him, causing him to draw back his hand before he miniaturized his trunk.

"Don't worry so much. I'm not likely to run into any trouble on a sheep farm, am I?" Corey asked. Severus and Jennifer looked at each other dubiously.

"Perhaps I might drop by now and again to check up on you before I see you to the train," Carol suggested with a smile. "I can't say as I'm not a tad curious about how Muggles live."

"Essie and I will be by to visit Alex at any rate," Corey assured Carol quickly. The last thing he wanted was to have a nanny check up on him during his two weeks from home.

"Well, of course you will," Carol nodded. "But I should drop by and meet your aunt and uncle at least. Now, then, there's nothing for the two of you t' be worryin' about today," she said turning to Jennifer and Severus. "Such sour expressions! When all I've heard abou' from either of you since I stepped foot in the cottage was Hogwarts this and Hogwarts that. You're worse than the children, both of you," she chided, trying to coax Jennifer to give up the baby. "We'll be all right, now, don't you be worry none, Mrs. Snape. I'll write every day if you like, and you'll be here every weekend right enough, I'm sure," Carol said. Reluctantly Jennifer gave in, handing Alex gently over to the nanny.

"Send an owl or an Elf if you need anything," Severus said.

"I'm sure I'll have everything under control, 'tis only one babe after all," Carol clucked softly. "You'd best be off. Professor Dumbledore's expectin' you. Off with you now, see you in a week."

"After you," Severus said quietly to his wife.

"See you at the Sorting," Corey said cheerfully. Jennifer couldn't help but notice that everyone's eyes were on her, so with a heavy sigh and a wave, she Disapparated.

As usual, Minerva McGonagall was there to greet them at the gates, smiling warmly at them and leading them up towards Dumbledore's office. She chatted cheerfully to them as she walked, informing them on various events over the summer they might not have heard about.

"All members of the staff returned this year, I'm happy to say," Minerva smiled,"so there won't be any major schedule shuffling, except for adding in a few more Muggle classes, which shouldn't affect either of you any. Speaking of schedules, are you both planning to stick with yours still?" she inquired, smiling slightly at Jennifer.

Jennifer, who was hardly in the mood to even think of adding another after just leaving one behind, peered quizzically at Severus, who met her gaze evenly so she could read his thoughts on the matter.

"With any luck," she said at last.

"Well, do try to wait a bit so that it's more likely to happen after finals? Losing one teacher at finals is bad enough, but when I lose one of you, I also end up losing the other as well. I certainly don't want to spend my entire last week marking both of your classes' tests again," she scolded, her tone stern despite a teasing glint in her eyes. "But enough of that, we can talk about it later. Dumbledore is waiting for you in his office."

It was when she stepped up the spiral stairs that Jennifer truly began to feel at home, waiting as Minerva pushed open the door and let them in. Dumbledore, who had been sitting behind his desk, stood up with a smile and greeted the two Professors.

"Welcome back," he said, "No delays getting here, I trust," he inquired with a slight twinkle in his eyes. Severus glanced at Jennifer, who looked uncomfortable.

"It wasn't as easy leaving the Broom Closet this year, if that's what you mean," Jennifer said.

"That's as it should be, I would worry if it were otherwise," Dumbledore reassured her. "I'm sure you'll find time to get away now and again to check on things at home. However, there are some special assignments I would like to ask the both of you to do this year." Severus squinted suspiciously at him, but Jennifer just looked at him intently.

"Jennifer, what I would like for you to do is spend some extra time with Anna. As I'm sure you're both aware, I've been helping her get used to her magic, but she is at the point where what she needs most is focus and discipline. So, now that we have some idea of what her magic is capable of, I want you to teach her how to use it."

"Me?" Jennifer blinked. "But how? I mean, I don't know much about Aethermages…"

"I'm sure you'll manage," Dumbledore said. "You've taught a Focus Caster, and I have a feeling you'll soon see similarities. I'd like for her learn some of the standard ways of using magic as well." He glanced over at Severus.

"As for the other matter, I'm afraid that the situation in the Dark Forest has grown worse over the summer. The centaurs have done their best to stay on top of the situation, but unfortunately, I don't think they will be able to keep up much longer. If something isn't done soon, we may even find that the spells protecting this school will not be strong enough to hold out what lies beyond it. I am also beginning to sense a strain between the centaurs and the school," he added. Severus looked mildly surprised at that. "Some of them blame the school for what happened at the Tomb and with the Banshee, and others are not particularly happy with me for allowing Sagittari back at Hogwarts," he explained his tone somehow serious and yet slightly amused at the same time.

"Sir, they usually listen to me. Perhaps I can attempt to alleviate that some," Severus volunteered.

"Yes, Severus, they do; your logic has always served you well there, for it is something they have always understood over Human irrationalities," he said. "While you're at it, I would like for you to also to see if you can talk them into accepting Sagittari back into the constellation," Dumbledore went on, noting Severus' doubtful look. "Well, no one said it would be easy. Remus will be here working with you on Dark Forest concerns…he will be staying in the cabin to help ensure that nothing gets through our forest border and onto the grounds." Severus looked even less pleased about that. Didn't Lupin have anything better to do than hang about the school all the time?

"I cannot stress enough to either of you how dangerous things have gotten in there. We have had everything from wraiths to trolls in the forest, and I don't want any professor going in there alone, not even you," he said, eyeing Severus knowingly. Severus grimaced and nodded. Dumbledore then smiled warmly at both of them.

"Well, I'm sure I've kept you long enough. I trust this is the beginning of another exciting year at Hogwarts," he said.

Jennifer forced a grin on her face and nodded, then followed Severus towards the spiral staircase.

"Do you think for once we can do without the exciting part?" Jennifer whispered to Severus on their way out.

"My sentiments exactly," Severus murmured back, closing the door behind them. Dumbledore chuckled softly, shaking his head before returning to his paperwork.

The next morning, Jennifer opened all of the windows and rolled up her sleeves, heating up every burner in the lab. Jennifer rolled out the pre-term potion lists and got straight to work on the dozens of prescriptions and the hospital wing order, casting a spell over the lists so that they would read off the ingredients as she needed them. Her shipment of components from Witolf had arrived the day before, and she had borrowed a school House Elf to check off her supply lists to make sure everything was there. It was just as she had reached into a barrel of slime to pull out some Slugmucks that a shadow appeared in the open doorway, making her look up with surprise.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. Harry grinned broadly at her as she quickly tried to shake some of the slime off, walking over and giving her a cautious hug. "What are you doing here? Stars, I must be a sight at the moment!"

"Nonsense, you wear slime much more becomingly than your husband does," Harry said mischievously. "It even matches your eyes."

"Oh, you're very funny. Seriously, I thought you were off to America with Ginny and Vallid," Jennifer prompted, wiping her arms off with a towel.

"We're leaving tonight. Vallid had to shore things up with Anna first so we dropped her off at the school. Anna is talking to Severus now. And I came speak to Dumbledore," he said, stirring one of the cauldrons. "You'll never guess who paid me a visit the other day."

"Cornelius Fudge?" Jennifer inquired.

"You know, you're really no fun at this game," Harry scolded, putting down the mixing stick. "Dumbledore at least acts surprised."

"I didn't use my talent this time, Harry, honest. I guessed it because I spoke with him myself the other day," she said, carefully adding a bit of powdered frog to the cauldron in front of her. Harry looked up at her in complete interest.

"Really? Did you find out anything? What did he say?" Harry asked.

"He was sitting at the Leaky Cauldron of all places, hooded. When I noticed him and tried to talk to him, he said he wanted to speak with me and that said he'd get back to me," Jennifer explained. "I demanded to know why he tried to kill me, and all he said was, he wasn't trying to kill me, he was trying to see if he could kill me." Harry blinked at her then sat down.

"I see."

"That's all you have to say? I see?" Jennifer asked, looking over at him.

"Did he seem truthful?" Harry asked.

"Yes, he meant what he said, although I don't see any distinction. Trying to kill me is trying to kill me."

"Anna was with you that day, wasn't she? Anna and Sirius?" he asked.

"Of course, Harry. I wouldn't have even been in Merchant Square if Anna hadn't been there," Jennifer chuckled. "You know how I am with Muggles."

"If that's the case, I'm not sure he did mean to kill you," Harry said. "I think that somehow Fudge must know exactly what she is."

It had been almost two years since Anna Hughes Snape had arrived at the school, following a train ride that she or none of the other passengers would ever forget. Her life had been turned upside-down nearly overnight when she went looking for her brother, who she hadn't seen since she was a child. She could never have expected that he could have led such a troubled life, let alone a professor in a magic school, something that Anna had thought reserved for fairy tales. But as hard as that had been to adjust to, it couldn't possibly compare to finding out that she herself had been magicborn as well, and not the squib that everyone had thought her to be.

An Aethermage, Dumbledore had called her; one who actually was magic instead of someone just capable of using it, very much like a Unicorn or a faerie or even a House Elf, magic at a thought or whim. They had once thought she had been immune to dark magic, but the events of last year had proved what a deadly assumption that had been. A Muggle, who had gotten hold of an extraordinary cloak, nearly killed her and himself by trapping her in a capture globe, using her in an attempt to rid the world of magic forever.

Anna shuddered at the thought. As much as she disliked trying to deal with her new abilities, the idea of seeing it gone forever was just as troubling. Yes, perhaps there would be a lot of evil things that would be gone as well, but the memory of running with a herd of Unicorns convinced her that it was not something she wished to see.

Lunette Vallid cleared her throat, bringing Anna back into Anna's office from where she gazed out the dusty window.

"Sorry, you were saying something about your Jersey case?" Anna said.

"That was five minutes ago," the judge said, a lopsided smile creeping across her face. "I thought you said you wanted a briefing before I left?" she asked, drumming her fingers.

"Sorry," Anna said sheepishly.

It had been Anna's decision to keep up a steady Muggle job despite taking on a position as Muggle Studies instructor. Working as a legal assistant for Vallid had helped Anna keep in touch with her Muggle side, giving her an excuse to take trips abroad to visit her friends and family, and making it so all of her years in sociology and profiling didn't go completely to waste. At home, she could allow herself to completely forget about this side of her life, with only the occasional Owl Post to remind her that she had another life elsewhere. Of course, now that she was engaged to a wizard, running home to the U.S. was getting more difficult to do. Not that she would have given up Sirius now for anything...

"Thinking about your fiancé again," Vallid said matter-of-factly, sitting down. "You know, you're not going to be much use to me until after the wedding if you keep this up. Are you sure you don't want to take a few months off?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Anna said, slightly annoyed that the Truth Seeker picked her up so easily. "It's just that things are moving a lot quicker than I thought they would. I know the two of us wanted to be married the following Christmas after we got engaged, but now it's only four months away, and I still don't know how Severus is going to react to my wedding plans yet." As if on cue, there was a quiet knock on the door.

Vallid smiled in resignation, opening the door to Severus, who looked between them quizzically.

"Why are my ears burning?" Severus inquired.

"Guilty conscience?" Vallid grinned. "Paranoia? Or maybe someone was talking about you?"

"Probably all of the above," Anna put in, grinning at her brother, who didn't look amused.

"I just came to make sure you were settled, but I'll gladly wait until you're alone," Severus said.

"Actually, I think I'm on my way out anyhow," Vallid reassured him with a smile, picking up her folders. "As for you, call my office when you get to your flat this weekend and I'll fax you the updates."

"All right. Have a safe trip, Lunette! Harry too," Anna said, showing her out and closing the door behind her.

"Don't you have enough to do now that you're teaching?" Severus asked.

"Not you too," Anna glared at him. "I can handle it. It's not like I have a full schedule here. I have plenty of time to do research on top of teaching and the school paper."

"So, what was it you were talking about that involved me?" he asked, folding his arms.

"It didn't precisely involve you. Actually, it has to do with my wedding. I've decided to have it at home, as in, back in the States." Severus blinked at her. "I want a Muggle wedding so I can invite my old friends."

"You cannot possibly be serious," he said. Anna waited patiently for the shock to wear off, knowing what was going to follow. "Are you trying to tell me that my own sister would rather go off thousands of miles away and pretend as if we don't even exist during her own wedding?"

"No, not exactly. You can come if you want," Anna said in a calm, almost defensive voice. "Any of you can easily deal with going to a Muggle wedding. Well, maybe not Jennifer, but I'm sure someone can help her through it. The point is, my normal friends can't possibly deal with all of this, and I'm not about to exclude them. It's expensive for them to get here, where it's just an inconvenience for any of you to get over there. I grew up with them, Severus. Not you, and not this world. They have as much right to go as you do and if you think I'm backing down for one moment, think again," she said, feeling her temper start to rise. "This is my life and my wedding and I'll have it as I see fit. Advice is always welcome, of course, but don't expect me to take it. I'm not going to let you ruin this, brother, so don't try."

The two of them glared at each other defiantly for a long time before Severus finally turned around and left, storming down the hall. Normal friends? As if not having magic wasn't normal! How could Sirius agree to this? Of course, he was half Muggle himself, Severus thought with annoyance.

He pushed his way to his office, still fuming as he sat in his chair and looked sightlessly over his notes from last year. Tossing them angrily out of his way and scattering them across the floor, he propped his head in his hand, brooding.

"Severus?" Jennifer's voice called from the classroom, sounding concerned.

"In here," Severus said, not moving. Jennifer entered, followed by Harry, who looked around at the rejected paperwork thoughtfully.

"Is this a bad time?" Harry asked carefully.

"Did you know they were planning a Muggle wedding?" Severus asked Harry. Jennifer blinked at that but then sighed, gathering up the class notes.

"Oh that," Harry said, earning a scowl from Severus. "Yes, Anna's been talking about it for a bit now. I wondered when she'd get around to talking to you about it."

"How come I'm always the last one to know these things?" Severus demanded.

"Maybe because everyone's afraid how you're going to react?" Harry suggested. Severus glared at him. "Anyhow, I came up to warn you about a potential problem. Fudge knows that Anna is an Aethermage," he said, immediately getting Severus' attention. "In fact, I think he might have also been behind the attack on Anna before school last year when she went into Cosmic Sleep. I think Fudge might have been testing her to prove to himself that she and Black were connected, just as he tried to kill Jennifer to see if Anna would protect her." Severus held up his hand.

"Even assuming this is correct, I highly doubt Fudge was doing this to prove it just to himself. He's not the type to work alone. And why would he have done both attacks in a crowd of Muggles? Bumbler or not, he was a Minister of Magic, and he knows the impact spells can have on their world," Severus said.

"Some of us are more vulnerable in their world," Jennifer admitted quietly.

"Not Titiana. She knows the Muggle world better than most of us," Severus said.

"Perhaps he was trying to avoid a situation where he was surrounded by wizards, rather than purposefully attacking them in a Muggle area," Harry suggested. "Jennifer and Anna nearly always have people around them who could have stopped an attack from someone like Fudge. In non-magic areas, those protecting them might hesitate. Apparently protecting his own skin was more important to him than the impact it would have on the Muggles."

"That at least would be like Fudge," Severus agreed, glancing at Jennifer. "And what if he had been wrong with either of these "tests?" What makes him think that what he was doing was so important that he had to risk both my wife and my sister's lives for?"

"We need to find out what he's up to, and the sooner the better," Harry agreed. "I happened to run into him the other day when I went to visit Thomas in Azkaban. He was hanging about in front of the prison as if waiting for someone, looking quite uncomfortable. When I approached, he seemed almost relieved to see me, and said he was going to have to talk to me soon. I didn't want to tell him I was heading out of the country, so I asked him to leave a message with Dumbledore."

"I would think that would be the last thing he would be willing to do," Severus said.

"He still wants to talk to me as well," Jennifer pointed out. "And I've every intention of meeting him." Harry nodded.

"Try and keep me informed if you can," Harry said. "I have the feeling there's a lot more to this than any of us realize yet."