Chapter Six

Confessions

After a grueling double session with the first year Gryffindor-Ravenclaw class, Jennifer was quite glad to see the third year Gryffindor-Hufflepuffs. Of course, being the first class of the year, it was merely review and component testing, but Jennifer knew she could always count on Corey to get everything right the first time. But as the class filed in, Jennifer couldn't help but notice that Doug came in alone, and there was no sign of Corey. Frowning slightly, she looked over at him with a questioning look on her face.

"Corey wasn't feeling well, so he went to the hospital wing," Doug explained as he took his place. Jennifer blinked. Corey? Sick? Corey never got sick. She stood rocking on her feet a moment before nodding to him, resisting the urge to go up and check on him. She was sure he wouldn't appreciate his mother bursting in there in front of who knows who, and they would surely let her know if it was something major. Of course, she did promise herself to check up on him later.

In the ward, Corey curled up on his side despite Madam Pomfrey's Kwikfix Stomach Solution, not looking any better. Pomfrey, who was now quite sure there was nothing truly wrong with him, was about to give him a dose of De-Stress when Professor McGonagall came in.

"Madame Pomfrey, once you are done with Mr. Willowby, Professor Dumbledore needs to see him in his study," she said. Corey groaned loudly and doubled over again. Pomfrey made an 'mmmhmmm' sound and clucked her tongue softly.

"You can go ahead and take him, Minerva. I'm afraid I'm not good at curing guilty consciences anyhow," she said.

"Well, I'm not sure what this is all about, but I suspect you're quite right in any case, knowing Mr. Willowby," Professor McGonagall said, reaching out to take his arm and help him up. "Come, come, Willowby. Don't keep the headmaster waiting."

Feeling a sense of impending doom, Corey followed behind the Transfiguration teacher, wondering what his parents were going to do when they found out. It had been bad enough how they reacted when he got caught in the Dark Forest sparring last year, but this was worse than that. It might even mean not only sending him home, but sending his sister home as well.

McGonagall stepped up to the gargoyle and said, "treacle on toast," and it opened to reveal the spiral staircase. Corey had been in the office several times before. The one time he remembered all too well, when Dumbledore had told him his brother and parents had been killed. He gulped as McGonagall nudged him forward and up the stairs, letting him in then closing the door behind him. Reluctantly Corey peered up at the desk where Dumbledore sat and motioned Corey over to take a seat. Then Minerva slipped out again, closing the doors behind herself.

Dumbledore had paused to clean his glasses; an odd occurrence, Corey mused as he sat down. Surely Dumbledore knew the spell to do that. He took his time about it, polishing them to a shine, and Corey watched him nervously as he finally put them on his nose, and then looked over the rim at Corey from where he was sitting.

"Well, Mr. Willowby," Dumbledore said, finally folding his hands. "I just wanted to know if there was anything, anything at all, that you wanted to tell me?"

Corey stared at his steady blue gaze nervously for a very long time. Could he let this go on any longer, really? It was going to be bad, he was sure, if Dumbledore found out the truth. He would be disappointed, and so would his Mom and Dad. And what about Essie? It was all his fault. But if he never told, even if she did get through school, even if she did graduate, would he ever stop wondering if he did the right thing?

"S..sir," Corey stammered, "yes, actually, there is something."

Dumbledore's expression changed, almost as if seeing the boy for the first time and was rather surprised to find that he was sitting there in his office. The Headmaster got up and came around to the other side of the desk and sat in the chair next to him, a thin smile on his face.

"Very well, Mr. Willowby, I'm listening," he said, noticing him hesitate. "It's all right, I'm here to help you, not to punish you," Dumbledore reassured him with such conviction that Corey couldn't help but believe him.

"It's about Essie. You see I… I taught her magic over the summer, and last summer too," Corey admitted. "I didn't know it was wrong, I was just told that today. I mean…it wasn't like she wasn't allowed in the magic world like I was, so I thought, I thought it would be all right." Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving them.

"And did your parents know of this?"

"Oh, no sir!" Corey said insistently. "Honest, they weren't involved in this. We just kept it in her room because I was afraid… uh… okay, I suppose I did know I would get in trouble," he said, thinking about it. "But with them, not with, like the Ministry or school or anything!"

"Might I ask then, why you did it, despite the fact you might get in trouble for it?" Dumbledore asked intently.

"Sir, I… I was afraid that Essie might not be magic like me," Corey said, looking positively miserable. "I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her behind, when she sees all the marvelous things I'm doing. I knew she wanted to go to school with me, and I remember how I felt when I was hoping to get accepted to Hogwarts and I thought I got passed over. It was like having every dream I ever had crushed all at once and tossed away," he said, blinking a bit from the burning sensation coming to his eyes. "But that wasn't the worst thing I did, and I know it.

"Last year, I happened to be alone for a few minutes in McGonagall's office when I noticed a book and realized it was the school register. It wrote a name in the book, so I was curious and took a peek," he said, feeling his throat clench. "When I figured out what it was doing, I went to Essie's year, to make sure her name was there, and… and it wasn't. So I added it, sir. I wrote her name in myself! She wouldn't have been accepted at Hogwarts at all if it hadn't been for me, she wouldn't have made it! I know what I did was wrong, but I'm not sorry I did it. Please don't send Essie away, Professor, please! Expel me, I deserve it, but don't send her home. She'll be a good witch, really!" Corey pleaded, brushing angrily at his wet cheeks.

"Now, now, calm down, Corey," Dumbledore said, and Corey realized with surprise he was smiling warmly at him. "Of course I'm not going to send Essie anywhere, or you either, for that matter. No, I think I had better keep you both close at hand where I can keep an eye on you." The boy stared at the Headmaster. "And while we're on the subject, I suppose I should thank you for adding that name, for it obviously did belong there. You see, if you had added her name and for whatever reason she was not capable of going to school here, the book itself would have rejected it, and the ink would have faded on the page as if it nothing had been written in it. The fact that it stayed was a sign that it should have been there. There are many wondrous items of great magic in this world; but none of them are completely perfect, not even that book. There have been times when I myself have had to add a name. In fact, I added a name of a boy not three years ago that one of my professors discovered, and I must confess that if I had not, the school would have lost a very talented… if not a bit troublesome… student, one that quite a few of the staff and students have become very fond of."

"Sir? You mean, you were the one that put my name in the book?" Corey asked in disbelief. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled amusedly. "But… but that means if you hadn't, or my name hadn't stuck, Professor Craw…"

"Yes, well, I would appreciate it if you didn't mention this conversation to her or anyone else for that matter. I'll make sure she doesn't find out from your thoughts, so don't worry about that. But I think it would be better if the circumstances concerning those two names were kept solely between you and I, if you don't mind," Dumbledore said seriously.

"No, sir, I definitely don't mind!" Corey said fervently.

"As for teaching Essie beforehand, we will not speak of it again, so long as you promise me that from now on, you do not do so outside of this school. Helping her with her homework is one thing; taking it outside of these walls is another matter," he said sternly.

"I promise, Professor." Corey said emphatically.

"Now, is there anything else I can do for you? Are you feeling better?" Dumbledore asked mischievously. Corey blushed.

"Yes, sir, I'm fine now. Thank you," Corey said, getting up.

"You are quite welcome. Just remember, this is between us. Except for one thing," Dumbledore said as he got up to go back to his desk. "I think twenty points to Gryffindor is in order," he said. Corey's jaw dropped.

"Twenty points, sir? What did I do to deserve that?" he asked in complete surprise.

"If you only knew how rare it was that I get a 'yes' answer when I ask a student if they wished to tell me anything," Dumbledore said. "I'd say the bravery and honesty it took for your admission deserves some recognition. Now, as long as there isn't anything else, I suggest you start getting ready for your next class."

"Well, I do have one other question," Corey grinned. "How exactly do you keep a Truth Seeker from finding something out? Because I sure would like to learn that."

Dumbledore smiled cryptically.

"Honestly, of course," was all that he would say.

Severus tapped his fingers as he stood in the hall, scowling at the students who quickened their pace as they went past him. Finally, he saw the one he was searching for and moved in like a panther, coming up behind Corey with a quick hand on his shoulder turning him directly into his office, shutting the door.

"And just why exactly did you cut your Potions class this afternoon, Mr. Willowby?" he asked, standing over him expectantly.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I went to the hospital wing," Corey said honestly.

"I went to the hospital wing to make certain you were actually there, and you weren't," Severus said, his eyes flashing.

"I was there! Ask Madame Pomfrey, she gave me a potion!" Corey protested.

"Then why didn't you return to class after you were feeling better, since you obviously are," he said suspiciously.

"Professor Dumbledore wanted to see me," Corey said. "Really, Dad. Why in the world would I skip my favorite class on purpose? Don't you trust me at all?"

"No, as a matter of fact," Severus said curtly. "Not after that stunt you pulled last year…" a knock interrupted his sentence.

He growled softly in annoyance and answered the door. Minerva was standing there, holding a rolled slip of paper out to him.

"Professor Dumbledore suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to give Mr. Willowby a note to explain his absence from Potions. He thought I might find him here," Minerva said with a growing smile when she saw that once again he was right. "And also, I'm to tell you that if you have any questions about it, Professor Snape, that you should speak to Dumbledore directly, because the matter was strictly something between the student and the Headmaster," she said firmly. Severus squinted at her, then at Corey, and then back at Minerva again. "Now, Severus, you know as well as I do that we don't tell parents everything that goes on at this school. We probably would have been closed down years ago," she added with amusement, peering behind him at Corey. "I hear you started the year off on the right foot and earned twenty points for Gryffindor, Mr. Willowby. I hope this creates a continuing trend for you, especially considering the last two years."

"Yes, Professor, thank you. I'll do my best," Corey replied with a grin.

"Good, we don't want Slytherin to get cocky just because they had a lucky year," Minerva said, smiling at Severus mischievously. "Don't get too attached to that cup, Professor Snape. It'll be back where it belongs this year, I think."

"Don't get your hopes up," Severus said to Minerva before frowning at Corey and ordering him to get back to class.

The week sped by swiftly, and Jennifer was glad to see the Broom Closet again as she spent most of Saturday at home with Alex, giving Carol the morning off. Saturday evening was as always spent at her veterinarian's hut, Doctor Sagittari. Ron, Remus, Hermione, Anna, and Sirius had all come along with Corey's friends. But even with so many there, it seemed rather odd for Harry and Ginny to not be there.

She had every intention of taking it easy the next day, perhaps relaxing in her room while going over the formulas for next week and getting caught up with the post. She slipped quietly out of bed the next morning, attempting not to wake Severus and went into her sitting room, getting comfortable on the couch and lighting a small fire in the fireplace with a flick of her wand. Every day she had sorted the post into three piles: one to be opened immediately (usually notes from family, staff, or the Ministry,) one to be opened eventually, (invitations and other such annoyances) and the burnables. But it was the 'eventually' stack that kept getting worse as every day went by, and it had been steadily getting worse for years now. The more renowned Jennifer got, the more the pile grew, until she was beginning to have to tackle it every couple of days else she would not be able to see her table at all.

The first one proved to be a set of free passes to this year's national Pegusi race, in appreciation for her help in destroying the Cloak of Icarus. Jennifer shook her head. It wasn't as if she had done anything. In the end, the Cloak and its owner destroyed themselves, and she wondered who might have dropped her name for this one. Dumbledore probably, she mused. Still, she wouldn't mind going, even if it probably would end up being a media circus.

The next was a reminder from the chocolate company to sign her bio for her new series card. Jennifer sighed. Well, if she didn't answer it, they'd put in what they like, and she had little intention of letting them put in 'likes to look in mirrors,' again. Hastily, she scribbled in answers and sealed it, setting it in the Owl Post pile.

That was when she came to a curiously plain envelope with her name and nothing else, nor was there a name written on it as to who wrote it. She had intended to open it when she had gotten it on Friday, but after the lab that filled the room with smoke and an entire class that had broken out with warts, it had entirely slipped her mind. Carefully she lifted up the seal and a small note emerged.

Meet me at the train station at half past eight on Sunday morning. Come alone. –C. Fudge.

Glancing at the time, Jennifer went into the bedroom to try and nudge Severus awake. But as she came near and reached over, he pounced. Jennifer yelped in surprise as she found herself being pinned down. A look of both suspicion and mischief played across his face.

"What are you doing up this early? Don't tell me you'll already sneaking off to find more work for us to do?" he asked.

"I got up to do the post, and it's a good thing I did. One of them was for a meeting in half an hour…"

"You never said anything about any meeting last night," Severus frowned.

"I didn't know last night," Jennifer said, somehow managing to grab the note and hand it to him. Severus glanced at it, his face turning serious as he sat up.

"Well, don't expect me to allow you to actually go alone. I expect Chameleon Powder will do," Severus said, reaching for his robe.

"You could just take an Invisibility Potion and go as you are," Jennifer teased.

"Yes, I'm sure you'd enjoy that, but I need my cloak in case anything goes wrong," he said, shaking his head at her. "We'd better get going if we're to be there on time. It's a long stretch around the lake, and I'd rather not show him that we can get out any other way," Severus said. Jennifer nodded and got up, taking the note and going out to check her Chest Cloak to make sure the phials were full before putting it on.

"You know, I never did get all of my labs set up for next week," Jennifer said as she waited beside the door.

"Then we'll just have to work on it again tonight, I suppose," Severus said, giving her a sideways glance as he donned his cloak and opened the door. Jennifer chuckled slightly, wondering whether or not she was going to get it all done before Monday rolled around.

Heavy dew coated the grass that crept around the path heading towards the station as they set a quick pace through the morning fog. Jennifer stepped up to the platform, barely hearing Severus' footsteps behind her. Standing below a lamppost pacing was the cloaked figure, looking up like a startled deer when she approached.

"It's just me," Jennifer said, taking a few more steps toward him.

"Thank you for coming," he said, removing his hood. "I am glad that you came, and alone. I wasn't sure you would."

"One is never truly alone at Hogwarts," Jennifer said carefully, but Fudge only nodded.

"Yes, yes, I suppose that's true," he said, glancing up at the castle.

"Actually, I'm not quite sure why you want to see me instead of Dumbledore, or someone else. If you need me to arrange a private meeting…"

"No, no. It is you I want to speak with," he said insistently. "You see, I have a confession to make. I did something wrong, albeit for the right reasons, and since you are directly involved, I wanted you to be the one to hear it," Cornelius said, sitting on the station bench. "You see, I… I am partially responsible for what happened last year with Lorcan Dougal. I was the one who let him out."

"You what?" Jennifer said, staring at him in disbelief as the man held up his hands.

"Please, wait. Hear me out," he said, his eyes looking at her both pleading and sincere. "I didn't do it to allow him to cause harm again, let alone to follow Anna back here. I did it because I was hoping to follow him to the place he had hidden the Chest that belonged to your mother. Unfortunately, he had a ring that protected him from being tracked directly, and I lost him before I had a chance to recover it."

"What in the world were you thinking?" Jennifer said, her anger finally finding its footing. "Surely if you knew what he had there were other ways of finding it than letting out a deranged murderer!"

"There wasn't enough time. I had to get there before someone else discovered where it was!" Fudge explained. "Someone had been hounding me about it for years! Someone who would have done anything to get his hands on it." Jennifer stared into his face, unsurprised at what she saw there.

"Lucius Malfoy," she said.

"Exactly," Fudged nodded. "Malfoy has been breathing down my neck forever. Threatening me, and threatening my family," he said, pacing again. "That is why I left, you know. With V…with the Dark Wizard at large again, I knew it was only a matter of time before I ended up on a headstone, and I just couldn't take it any more. I had to leave," he said, stopping. "Your mother worked for me for several years. When we thought Thomas died, she turned to me, and entrusted me to send this Chest to her. So I did. But in so doing so, I think I tipped Malfoy off to her exact whereabouts, not realizing what would happen." Jennifer's face turned stony, staring at him, trying to keep eye contact with him to make sure he was telling the truth.

"Why didn't you step up and report all this?" Jennifer asked. "You could have helped us keep Malfoy in jail."

"I dared not," Fudge said. "I'm sorry, but I just couldn't, and I still can't." Jennifer frowned as if seeing him for the first time. She never thought she'd meet someone with less backbone than Francis Pyther, but she quickly realized that this man was anything from courageous. She also understood now why her husband disliked him. "But I am willing to offer you information, information you don't have. Many things happened while I was Minister, you know, many dark things that no one knows about," he said with a nod.

"And what do you want in return?" Jennifer asked cautiously.

"Your forgiveness, for a start," Fudge said. "Later, we will see. But you must understand that what I am doing is for everyone's own good, not just our own." There was something odd in his face, and Jennifer knew there was more to it than that but wasn't sure what question would bring out the truth behind it. "First, I want you to understand that we have common enemies, you and I, and not just Malfoy," he said. He glanced around before turning back with a serious expression. "Many of them would like nothing better to get rid of you, but they can't because you are normally too well guarded. They fear Dumbledore, and they fear your husband. They cannot even fathom attacking the headmaster of course, but Severus is another story. Warn him that his enemies are upon him, and they may show themselves at any time. Someone might even try to kill him before the end of the school year." Jennifer studied his expression carefully before he spun around as if startled by a noise. He exhaled in relief when there was nothing there. "I must go, it's too dangerous to stay here."

"Wait a moment, what about you trying to kill me? What does that have to do with Anna?" Jennifer demanded, grabbing onto his sleeve. Fudge turned back to her hesitantly.

"We suspected. The Ministry and I, and her parents… we suspected what she was, from the time she was three," he whispered. "I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry to have had to risk one woman's daughter over another, but you do not yet understand how important it was that I knew for certain. She doesn't belong here, you know," he added, putting the hood back over his head. "She's a time bomb that could go off at any moment. Mark my words, Professor Craw, Dumbledore knows it well!"

As Fudge stepped away from the station and Disapperated, Jennifer slowly turned and stepped off the platform, trying to digest what she heard. Severus' face appeared beside her as he began to dust off the powder, his stony expression no mask for his concern for his sister.