Chapter Five

Twists and Turns

Jennifer put a stopper on the last of her phials with a triumphant look on her face. She gazed over her syllabi and paperwork, neat as a pin, and called her familiar Ratfly the fruit bat to her to deliver the paperwork to Minerva. Grinning victoriously, she tipped her wand at the labels that dutifully wrapped around each bottle and then floated into the cabinets, shutting and locking them. Taking one last look at her spotless office, she strode through her immaculate classroom and up the stairs until she reached the Defense rooms, walking unceremoniously into Severus' office.

"Ha! All done, down to every last prescription and lesson plan with two hours to spare, and no help from you, no, not one finger of help from anyone," she declared, beaming at him. Severus didn't look up from the preliminary test he was composing, dipping his quill in his inkwell.

"Finished and delivered Poppy's order?"

"Yep."

"Restocked the ingredients and marked inventory discrepancies?"

"All done and ready to go."

"Finished maintenance on the equipment and reported any broken pieces?"

"Yes, and I even had time for a full cleaning and polish," Jennifer said, gazing at her nails.

"Did you remember there was a full moon tonight?"

Not hearing an answer, Severus looked up to see Jennifer disappearing down the hallway. He smirked softly, then went back to his chore of getting another week ahead in his work before the students arrived.

She barely had time to slip the potion to Remus before she had to dash upstairs to the Great Hall, taking her place at the high table just as the last of the students were seated. Severus gave her a quick, subtle look of amusement, and she felt her cheeks grow warm, turning to see Dumbledore walk in with Minerva. Minerva then made her way down the aisle towards the door as the students whispered to each other excitedly. Corey watched the door with anticipation from where he sat next to Doug. Corey was looking a bit nervous, and his fingers were crossed in every direction the could think of.

A moment later the first years came in, shuffling up in their robes, some of them waving to brothers and sisters as they passed them. Essie hung towards the back with an expression of awe on her face, but she managed to smile at Corey when she passed by. She soon found herself getting a glimpse at the odd hat on the stool in front of them, biting her lip. How she hoped she'd be a Gryffindor like her brother! Then they could be together more than ever. Dumbledore stood, and Essie couldn't help but smile, remembering when she'd known him as Mr. Door. He was grander now, and much more himself, although she never would have known that something had been missing had she not known the truth beforehand.

"Before we begin, I would like to speak to you about one of the school rules that most of you already know about. The Dark Forest is, without question, restricted to all students. And although you should know that by now, I also know that some of you are inclined to bend or break the rules on occasion. But this rule will not be broken this year," Dumbledore said in a voice that breached no argument. "Any student, for any reason, found disobeying this rule will risk immediate expulsion," he said, his eyes gazing directly at Corey, who shifted uncomfortably. "The evil influences within the Dark Forest have grown more powerful, and I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is at this time." As if in answer, the howl of a lone wolf echoed outside. "Very well, let's begin."

Minerva nodded to the Headmaster and took the Sorting Hat from the table near Dumbledore, placing it on the stool. It was then that the Hat began to speak, making half of the first years jump back in surprise.

"Four houses there are, four houses there will be,

After I have determined your destinies.

But long ago it was not always this way,

For the founders had apprentices so they say.

O'Laren, kind and courageous to the core,

Was loyal to the honorable Gryffindor.

Dusthorn, dedicated and honest enough,

Guided many on the counsel of Hufflepuff.

Ravenclaw the prophet who many admired,

The wisdom of his mother was all he desired.

And last was Craw, both cold and reasoning,

His ambitious mind drawn to Slytherin's seasoning.

Down different paths you now must divide,

But what you do after is for you to decide.

So mind your step and take a turn on the stool,

Your thoughts will determine where you go in this school."

Jennifer turned and glanced questioningly at Severus, who returned it with the same puzzled expression on his face. She knew the Hat always did a different rhyme every year, but she'd never heard anything quite like that before. Severus was thinking the same thing, as well as wishing it had said something about the apprentices the year they had to search for their names. Jennifer then glanced over at Minerva and Dumbledore, who were also surprised. Recovering, Minerva unrolled the list and began calling them out. One by one, from Angela Ames to Tony Scott they were Sorted, and Jennifer began to see a pattern to the Hat's choices, often able to pick which student was going where before they even put a Hat on. Of course, there were surprises, like when Tyrone Ire ended up being a Ravenclaw (she had him pegged for a Slytherin for sure,) but all and all, Jennifer could tell from one glance before they turned around where they were headed.

At last, Minerva called out the name of Willowby, Essie, and the young girl stepped up. Hoping, wishing with all her heart she was going to go to Gryffindor. Essie really didn't seem to be the type, but maybe, if she wished hard enough, maybe it'd put her in. She sat down, and Minerva put the Hat on her head.

"Ah, another young Willowby, I see,

And hoping to join her brother's party.

But just being related isn't enough,

Not when you're obviously a HUFFLEPUFF!"

Jennifer clapped and smiled at her with a nod, knowing it was probably the right choice. But Jennifer couldn't also help but notice Corey's disappointed face when Essie walked over to join the other table. He had so hoped she'd be in his house. Still, the Hat was hardly ever wrong, and Jennifer herself could see that the hardworking girl fit right in with the dutiful Hufflepuffs. With a wave and a few nonsensical words, Dumbledore started the feast. The moment he sat down, all the teachers in the Headmaster's range asked him a version of the same question at once.

"I don't know yet, I'll ask the Hat after we eat," he said, smiling at them. "You know how the Hat is. It was probably bored this year and decided to give them a history lesson."

"I hope it doesn't decide to go and replace me while it's at it," Alvin Archibald, the History professor joked.

Corey was glum the rest of the evening, and quite disappointed. He had been so looking forward to spending all that extra time with his sister. He had promised to help her study too, and although that meant spending extra time in the library, he really wanted Essie to do well. As he got to the common room, a crowd of Gryffindors had already gathered, greeting the first years and talking about the strange rhyme the Hat told.

"Every year the Hat tells another rhyme, usually about the Houses or the founders," Juniper said. "But I've never heard of it telling of any others."

"My father is the Chairman on the board, and I heard him say once that if it hadn't been for some items left to the school by the apprentices, you-know-who might not be dead now. Maybe it's the Hat's way of showing them some respect?" Perry Dalance suggested.

"It still seemed rather odd," Doug said, sitting beside her companionably. "It was almost as if it meant something more than just the rhyme."

"Well, I think that Hat has just been used a few times too many," Corey grumbled. "Maybe it needs replaced."

"You're just sore because your sister is in Hufflepuff," Gail said, earning a glare from Corey. "Well, I am sorry. She seemed rather nice. But I'm sure the Hat is all right."

"Even so, how come all the professors were so surprised?" Corey asked. "Even Dumbledore seemed puzzled by it, didn't you notice?"

"Come to think of it, I do remember seeing all the professors jump Dumbledore with questions the moment after it happened," Perry mused. "But regardless of what is going on, we have more important things to think about, like how are we going to get the cup back from Slytherin this year."

"Well, if a certain two people wouldn't keep losing so many points that the rest of us have to make up for, we might have a better chance," Katie pointed out, looking directly at Corey and Doug. Doug mimicked her facial movements in annoyance.

"Katie's right. Can't you both put a cap on it this year? You're only going to lose your Hogsmeade privileges if you keep it up, and you heard what Dumbledore said about the Dark Forest thing,"said Dennis Creevy. The seventh-year Prefect folded his arms and looked at them both sternly. "And Corey, stop taking a back seat to that Nelson girl. I know she's pretty, but that's no reason to let her take top marks when we all know you should be acing everything. Bad enough she runs circles around everyone on the Quidditch Pitch."

"She's just a friend!" Corey protested.

"Good, then as a friend, she'll understand when you get top marks in the classes you deserve them in," he scolded. "Come on, Corey, we're not as thick as all that. I know your adopted father is the head of Slytherin House, but we'd appreciate it if you wouldn't help them win this year." Corey looked uncomfortable.

"Speaking of Quidditch, I hope we have early tryouts this year," Perry said. "We've lost a Beater and our Seeker."

Doug couldn't help but grin to himself. Wouldn't it be something if he got Seeker? Maybe then Danny Nelson wouldn't constantly ignore him.

The next morning, Doug and Corey got ready for their first class of the day, Muggle Studies. They had talked Taylor into taking the class that semester as well, so along with Danny Nelson they stepped in the classroom together, sitting in a group with Doug and Taylor to either side of Corey and Danny sitting right behind them.

"This class is going to be cake," Corey said, trying to get comfortable.

He hadn't even cracked open his book yet. After all, he was a Muggleborn. Why on Earth didn't they just require the class for Magicborn students? Well, Corey grinned, at least he finally had a chance to be in a class with all of his friends at the same time. Just then, Corey felt someone slap his leg, and he quickly put his feet down as his aunt walked by, frowning at him. He really hadn't seen her frown that way before, and he suddenly saw a clear relationship between his aunt and her brother, even though she was dressed like a Muggle in business slacks and a casual suit.

Anna got out a piece of chalk and began writing her name manually on the chalkboard. Most of the class looked at each other, even whispering slightly until she looked back around, squinting at them. The class quieted down.

"My name is Anna Hughes-Snape, but you can refer to me as Madame Hughes," Anna said, a smile finally appearing. "In this class, we will be covering world history, sociology, economics, and of course, practical knowledge, as well as some comparative looks at the sciences; in other words, how things work in the non-magic world as compared to this one.

"Every week, we will look at a specific aspect of each subject, and your homework will be to turn in a one page essay on each topic on 3/8ths scored paper. At the end of the term, you will be required to write a ten page paper on one subject I will assign to you." Corey's jaw dropped. An essay a week? She had to be joking! "Now, I have a few field trips planned to for this semester as well, and your parents have been notified and have signed permission slips so that you can go. However, I have a set of class rules that you must follow. If you don't follow them, you don't get to go on any field trips," she said.

"First rule; no magic is allowed in this class, on field trips, or for any assignment you are given in this class. Second rule, all essays will be turned in on time and complete or it'll be counted as an incomplete. Also, half of your test scores will be derived from how well you do your homework, so not turning one in will undoubtedly effect your marks. And third rule; there are no Muggles, no Muggleborns, no squibs, no wizards, witches, pure-bloods or half-bloods in this class. You are all students, and I am your teacher, and we will refer to each other as such or by name. If I hear any use of any of those terms on your papers or from your mouths, expect point deductions. We are here to study how the majority of Humans live and how to adapt to different cultures, and that is that," Anna said. The classroom had fallen into complete silence.

Corey walked out an hour later, looking at his notes in disbelief.

"Do you believe this? An essay a week? Is she insane? I might as well have taken journalism!" Corey exclaimed.

"Whoever heard of a Muggle Studies class where you can't even say the word 'Muggle' in it?" Doug asked, rolling his eyes. "Corey, I thought you said your aunt was nothing like your dad. They're two peas in a pod if you ask me."

"I wonder how some of the other Slytherin will react to that," Danny wondered.

"Those snake-year students are going to give her a hard time, I bet," Taylor agreed.

"I can't believe I have to take this," Corey muttered. "Why am I starting to think this is going to be a long year?"

"Cheer up, Corey," Danny said with a slight smile. "At least you can look forward to me trouncing you in sparring and Quidditch again this year," she winked. But that made Corey look even glummer.

"I can't be in sparring this year," he said. The rest of the group stopped short in surprise, so he turned to look at him. "Craw and Snape didn't want me to because I could never keep myself from Focus Casting, and because of us going into the forest last year. In fact, I didn't even bring my wand to school."

"No wand?" Taylor said in surprise. "None at all? Won't Flitwick have a cow about it?"

"No, he already knows about it. All of the teachers do," Corey explained. "They only wanted me to use a wand the first two years to learn some casting discipline. Now I am allowed to go without."

"Well, that's splendid, isn't it? That's what you wanted," Danny reminded him, "although I am sorry you won't be in sparring club."

"What are you going to do with all of that spare time?" Doug asked. "You've got fewer classes than us."

"How about joining the school paper with me?" Taylor suggested.

"No thanks! I've already got enough writing to do thanks to Snape the second," Corey said. "Professor Craw wants me to take more courses, so I'm thinking of taking Magical Creatures. I bet I won't have any essays in there," he grinned. "Between that and taking Items this year, I think that'll be enough to keep her placated and I can still have more free Quidditch time."

"I got to hand it to you, Corey Willowby," Danny said, sounding sarcastic, "you always have your priorities straight."

It was lunchtime before Corey had a chance to catch up with his sister to find out how her first day was going. As everyone began to leave the tables, Essie had stayed behind, her head propped up in her hand looking as if the world had ended. Another first year Hufflepuff, Angela Ames, Corey remembered, was sitting beside her, trying to cheer her up. She looked up with surprise as Corey came over, blushing slightly and looking away. How come nobody his own age ever looked at him like that?

"Essie! What's wrong?" Corey asked, sitting across from her and looking concerned.

"I don't think I'm cut out to be a witch," she sniffled, picking at her full plate. "Maybe Aunt Rebecca was right and I should have just stayed home."

"Rubbish! Of course you're cut out to be a witch," Corey said. "Who says you aren't?"

"When I came out of class, Victor Greisley told me that I probably wouldn't have been able to go to Hogwarts at all if you hadn't been adopted by the Snapes." Corey felt a tingle down his spine, shaking it off.

"Essie, Greisley is a Slytherin, and one thing you need to understand straight off, and that's you never can trust a Slytherin," Corey told her.

"Corey Willowby!"

"Except for Nelson, that is," Corey corrected quickly. The dark haired girl stepped up from behind him, eyeing him a moment before nodding.

"That's better," she said. "Why aren't we trusting Slytherin this time?"

"Badmouthing my sister," he explained.

"They ought to know better than that," Danny snorted. "If Snape got wind of it, they'd probably have him breathing down their necks right enough." Essie started to sob again. Corey grimaced at Danny, who wasn't quite sure what she did wrong.

"Don't worry, Essie. Tell you what, I have a bit of free time this year, so I'll help you study. You'll be spelling circles around them in no time," Corey reassured her.

"You will?" Essie brightened slightly. "I'm sure that would help. It was always easy to do magic with you teaching me last summer." Danny's eyes suddenly grew wide, staring at Corey.

"Essie, I wouldn't repeat that again if I were you," Danny said, looking pale. "It's better to keep that between you and your brother."

"Danny, what's wrong?" Corey asked, and she pulled him away from the others.

"Did you teach her before she got accepted?" Danny whispered.

"Well, yeah, I've been trying for the last couple years now, why?" Corey asked.

"Don't you know it's illegal to teach someone magic until they've been accepted into a school?" Danny hissed. "And even then only by someone licensed to teach. Do you realize how much trouble you can get into for that? Did your parents know?"

"No, of course not, I knew they wouldn't approve, but other than that, what's the big deal? I mean, Craw taught me before I got accepted, and it worked out all right," Corey said.

"Corey! She nearly lost her job over you, and she's got a black mark on her record because of it! If it'd been any other Headmaster, my father says she and Snape both would have been long gone by now. Not to mention she was fined more than she makes a year for it." Danny whispered. "If they had caught you, they might have kicked you out for good, and if you'd used magic after that, Obliviated into Muggledom!"

"You're just trying to scare me." Corey said, but his stomach felt sick.

"I am not saying this to scare you, Corey," Danny assured him quietly. "Just make sure your sister doesn't say anything again, okay? I don't want to see the two of you getting into trouble for it." Corey nodded slowly, watching Danny walk away.

If she had only known the extent of what he had done, he sighed. His stomach churned again, remembering what his next class was. He couldn't go in there now, Corey thought. His mother would see what he had done in a heartbeat.