Chapter Eleven

Longbottom Gets His Due

Corey began to hear someone outside his aching head. It was a soft woman's voice; her tone very gentle but firm. It made him strain to hear her, knowing that he shouldn't ignore it.

Corey, Corey, come on boy! Time to wake up, now.

He opened his eyes to a white plaster ceiling with a few lanterns lighting up the room. Tall windows were covered with long drapes embroidered with the house crests, and several other beds, all empty, were next to him. He smelled the aroma of food, and guessed that it must be close to dinnertime. But it wasn't until Corey noticed Madame Pomfrey asleep in a chair beside him that he realized he was in the hospital wing. As he tried to figure out exactly how he got there, he heard the voice again and looked around to see a frame above his head.

The painting was of a rolling field of wildflowers in the countryside. All of the flowers and blades of grass were swaying gently with the passing breezes that drifted out of the picture and into the air around him. Curiously enough, the portrait Caprica Dusthorn was in the field, gazing down at him with a warm but concerned smile.

"There now, keep still, Corey, just lie back. You've had a nasty knock from a Bludger, and you've been knocked out for nearly twenty-four hours. There are a lot of people who are worried about you, so I thought I'd return the favor," she said mischievously.

"Favor?" he asked.

"You woke me up, so I woke you up," she said amusedly. "You know, I used to be a healer myself in my day," she added. "Of course, that was a long time ago."

"How did you find out I was hurt?" Corey asked.

"Oh, that was the easy part. Walls have ears, you know," Dusthorn winked. "At least, they do when there are paintings on them. But don't you worry. Everything will be all right now. Don't forget to come see me when you get better. And bring your friends," she added with a smile. "I've been listening to them while you were asleep, and I'd rather like to meet them."

"I will," Corey promised.

"Good, then do be a good boy and wake Madame Pomfrey up so she might fuss over you, and I'll see you later. And don't forget…" she added, putting her finger to her lips. Corey nodded to her. She walked out of the frame, and Corey sat up enough that he could nudge Pomfrey awake.

"Excuse me, Madame Pomfrey? Did we win the game?" Corey asked when he finally got her awake.

It wasn't long after that his parents arrived, a beaming smile of relief on his Jennifer's face when she saw him. Madame Pomfrey, who never did answer him about the game, was busy trying to convince him to get down some broth, which Corey didn't want to have anything to do with.

"Come, now, Corey. I know you're hungry but your stomach won't be ready for real food yet, so open up," Poppy coaxed.

"You'd better just do it and get it over with," Jennifer advised, still grinning at him as she sat down. "It doesn't do to argue with Madame Pomfrey, even Dumbledore knows better than that."

"Oh, all right, but I can feed myself, really!" Corey protested, finally convincing her to put down the tray. "A little bump on the head and everyone acts like I'm dying."

"Since you're feeling that much better, I suppose we should send up your homework tomorrow," Jennifer said.

"On second thought, I'm not sure I can even get this broth down," he said, coughing experimentally.

"Yes, well, you're getting homework anyway," Severus warned with a mocking smile.

"So isn't anyone going to tell me who won?" Corey coaxed. "At least tell me that Longbottom got in trouble for what he did to my bat!"

"Now, Corey, Madame Pomfrey doesn't want you worked up," Jennifer began, glancing over at Severus who leaned over.

"I don't suppose you have any proof that he was the one who cursed your bat?" he asked seriously.

"No," Corey admitted, "But he did it."

"I need a bit more evidence than gut instinct," Severus said dryly.

"What about Mom? She can tell, can't she?"

"Corey, don't worry, we're taking care of it, and that's all you need to know," Jennifer said firmly. "All you should be concerned with right now is getting better, and if you have any desire to go to Hogsmeade next week, I'd listen to Madame Pomfrey if I were you, because you can't go unless she releases you first." Corey looked glum, stirring his broth with his spoon unhappily. Madame Pomfrey came back with Sagittari, and Jennifer got up. "We're going to go eat. I'll let Essie know you're awake, so I expect she'll be up after dinner."

"Can I see my friends too?" Corey asked, looking up at Pomfrey and Sagittari.

"Oh, I suppose, but only if they promise not to get you excited. You need to relax. And if I have to, I'll give you Snape's improved Subtle Slumber potion to do it," Pomfrey threatened.

"That reminds me, when are you going to give me that recipe, anyhow?" Jennifer asked Severus on their way out.

"Let's not start that again," he smirked at her as they went out the door.

It was Dumbledore who made it to the hospital wing first that evening, staying only a few minutes to tell him how glad he was to see Corey awake, and advising him to listen to Pomfrey so he could be back to his old 'mischief' again. As he was about to leave, a sudden movement in the painting above caught his eye and he looked at it thoughtfully. Then he smiled at the boy and said good night, arriving to his office with unusual haste. He stopped in the center of the study and gazed at each painting on the wall with intense scrutiny before finally walking over to his desk.

Not long after he left, Doug and Taylor arrived, followed close behind by Essie. After reminding each one individually not to get him excited, Madame Pomfrey went to eat her own dinner, leaving the five of them alone to talk.

"When I asked how you were, Professor Craw said, 'hungry,' so I smuggled you out some rolls," Doug grinned, peeking at the door before bringing them out.

"Thanks, everyone seems to think my stomach can't take more than broth," Corey said, taking a big chomp out of the bread.

"I just hope they aren't right," Taylor teased.

"Never mind about that. I want to hear about the game. I take it from the fact nobody wants to talk about it to me Slytherin won," Corey prompted.

"Danny didn't know about Longbottom beaming you with the Bludger," Taylor said. "She caught the Snitch only a second after it happened. She feels pretty bad about it."

"Is that why she's not here? She should know me better than that," Corey sighed, gnawing on the roll some more. "I think we all know who's responsible for what happened. And I'm not sure the professors are going to get solid evidence for it. Well, solid evidence or not, I'm not letting him get away with it."

"What are you going to do, Corey?" Essie asked, frowning. She had already heard about how much trouble he'd gotten into in the past, and had a feeling that he was heading for it again.

"I'm not sure yet," Corey said. He set the roll aside, not feeling so well. "Whatever it is, it has to be enough to convince him not to try anything like that on me again, and hopefully not set us up for retaliation."

"Might I offer a suggestion?" a voice said from above them. The other three students looked up in surprise at the painting above Corey's head, while Corey grinned widely.

"Everyone, meet my friend, the painting of Professor Dusthorn. Professor, my sister Essie, and my two best friends, Doug and Taylor."

"Professor Dusthorn? Weren't you a headmistress or something?" Taylor asked, looking pale.

"Yes, dear, although I prefer headmaster. In any case, it is good to meet all of you," she smiled, winking at Taylor mischievously. "Now, perhaps we ought to get down to business! We can't have students going about trying to kill other students, can we?" she said, getting their immediate attention.

Amadeus Longbottom headed to the common room shortly after dinner, challenging Wyatt to a chess match while Baylor was busy writing Amadeus' essay for Muggle Studies. Marle DuBois, a girl from Amadeus' year was sitting nearby, reading the Daily Prophet while trying to think up something interesting to talk about in the Slytherin column of the school newspaper, the Veritable Wizard. Suddenly she smirked, flashing Amadeus a grin.

"Seems your cousin has made the paper," she said. "'Local Herbologist Neville Longbottom has announced that attempts to develop a new strain of dragonroot has been successful. The hybrid version of the root is being praised by several famous alchemists, including Glen Witolf of Carmarthen and Professor Jennifer Craw Snape, for its improved potency and its added resistance to harsh temperature changes.'"

"Incredible. That fool pulls weeds out of the ground, gets his hands dirty, and they find it worth reporting. I swear he should have been a Hufflepuff," Amadeus snorted, moving his knight. "And everyone knows Craw would praise a Gryffindor for crossing their eyes. I notice nobody mentioned Draco Malfoy."

"Ron Weasley wrote it," Marle added.

"Well, that explains everything, doesn't it," Amadeus smirked, drumming his fingers impatiently, waiting for the other boy to move. "Ever since he joined the paper, they've printed nothing but rubbish. I liked it better the way it was before Craw's counselor stuck her nose in. Isn't there anything newsworthy in there at all?"

"Not really… except maybe this bit about the Order of Merlin reorganizing. They are looking into going back to stricter standards than they have in the last hundred years. They want to 'restore the order to the same standards that Merlin himself set when he started it twelve hundred years ago,'" Marle said. "'The movement, lead by Dalance, Dumbledore, and Vallid, will eliminate class status and all membership will be based on the inductee's merits and accomplishments. New members will be voted in by all members of the Order's council.' I say, that's going to make it rather difficult to buy one's way in now, isn't it? If the council has to approve it, that means at least four bribes for a majority."

"Difficult? Impossible, you mean! The fourth seat is Archimedes Muse. Then you have Shea and Shea, and who knows who they'll put in the empty seat. Why is Dumbledore concerning himself with it, anyhow? I thought he had his own order these days," Amadeus growled, taking Casper's queen.

"So does Vallid, but you know how these elitists are," Marle said, putting down the paper.

"Oh, who wants to be in their Mud-loving order anyway? I'm going into Equinox," Amadeus decided. "Checkmate," he said with a frown. "Wyatt, were you even trying? Good lord, I swear I beat you quicker every game." Casper was still staring at the board, trying to figure out how he got trapped. "Isn't anyone here capable of giving me some real competition at this game? Hey Nelson, put those books down and come over here and see if you can entertain me for awhile."

Danny, who had been studying quietly at a small table near the fireplace, gazed coldly at him.

"I'm not one of your paid servants, Longbottom. I'm busy. If you want a challenge, why don't you do your own homework for a change? That is, if you know how," she said, turning back to her book.

"Oh, I know how, Nelson," Amadeus said getting up and walking over to her. "But some people know how to delegate responsibility, while others think they're too good to trust anyone else with anything. What's the matter, Nelson? Is your father's 'Perfect Princess' slipping in the marks again? You know, you should be thanking me right now. If it hadn't been for me taking out Willowby, you'd still be in second place in Potions." Danny stood up and several wands were pulled on both sides. Only Casper hesitated, not wanting to pick sides.

"Look, we have better things to do than fight among ourselves, don't we? If there's a row in here, we'll lose points for sure. Why give Gryffindor any more lead than they already have?" Casper pointed out.

"Shut up, Wyatt," Longbottom said, rolling his eyes. "Nelson, you had better think twice about using that wand, because I assure you, your father will hear about it if you do."

Danny stared at him in pure hatred for a long time before finally putting away her wand and gathering her books up. As she went towards her dorm, she purposefully knocked off the chessboard on the way, exposing a House Elf that apparently been perched under the table.

"I wouldn't play chess with Longbottom again if I were you, Wyatt," she advised calmly before heading down the stairs. "He was just touching the pieces… his House Elf was moving them to make sure he won."

"I play to win," Longbottom said, looking around as if daring anyone to say something. "Tell me one person in this room who doesn't?" he challenged. The rest of the students suddenly became busy with what they had been doing a moment ago.

Deciding he had more than enough company for one night, Amadeus went to his dorm to settle down for the evening. It was getting very cold now with snow expected any day, and there was a fire burning in the stone fireplace in the center of the room. He watched it comfortably for a while, finding himself mesmerized by the flames. Suddenly he heard a hiss.

Blinking, he sat up. If he hadn't known better, he would have sworn the sound might have come from the Slytherin crest that hung above the mantle. Studying it suspiciously for a moment, he sighed. Perhaps he was just tired, he mused. He put his wand under his pillow and leaned back, and it wasn't long before he began to doze off. Just before he was completely asleep, he heard voices outside the door. A fine time for everyone else to decide to go to bed. Now he would have to wait until everyone was settled before things would finally quiet down enough for him to try to sleep again. But instead of coming in, the voices lingered by the door. He was just about to get up and yell at them when he realized that they weren't student voices at all.

"Poor dear, I doubt he even felt the Bludger that hit him in the end," a woman's voice said. Amadeus couldn't make up his mind if it sounded like Pomfrey or Sprout more, but then he couldn't imagine Sprout having any reason to be in there.

"Has the boy been told about his death yet?" a male voice said... Professor Archibald, perhaps.

"No, Professor Snape says he'll do it in the morning. Snape is not taking it well, and that's a fact. But he did say if the student doesn't come forward about that cursed bat soon, they're going to hand it over to the Ministry. If they find out it was a planned murder and not an accident, the person responsible will find themselves in Azkaban for sure," the woman said. Amadeus' eyes went wide, backing over to his bed.

Corey… dead? And they're investigating for murder? Amadeus choked, pulling his blankets over his head. The entire stadium saw him smack that ball. Granted, he had every intention of hurting him... maiming him and taking him out of the game, maybe, but kill him? Amadeus fidgeted uncomfortably. Danny must not have heard yet, he thought, else she probably would have followed through downstairs. What if someone told on him? How much would he have to pay to cover this up? Amadeus suddenly didn't feel too well, turning on his side, his mind going over the event again and again. Would they believe him if he told them it was an accident? But then, Snape was in charge of the investigation, and Amadeus had little doubt that Snape would not be to kind to the person responsible for his adopted son's death.

It was hours later before Amadeus drifted off to sleep, tossing and turning as he heard voices from all around him as he fell in and out of his slumber.

"He was such a good boy, everyone loved him," said Pomfrey.

"Everyone, it seems, except Longbottom," said Archibald.

"How could he do such a thing? Where did we go wrong?" asked another woman's voice.

"If only he would have come to me about the bat, perhaps I would have believed it was an accident. But we all know now it wasn't an accident," the voice of Severus said. "Drag him out and we'll take him to Azkaban now."

"NO!" Amadeus yelled sitting up in his bed, sweat pouring off of his face. He flung away the covers and grabbed his robe, struggling to get the door open as he ran up the stairs into the common room. One of his dorm mates sat up from where he was asleep on the couch, rubbing his eyes.

"I say, about time! Why did you lock the door? And where are you going?" he asked.

"None of your business! Leave me alone!" Amadeus yelled at him, running out the door.

If his dorm mates been surprised at his actions, they were not half as surprised as Severus and Jennifer when he came banging on Severus' office door just a minute later. Severus was just about to go into his spiel about wandering the hallways at night when the panic in Longbottom's eyes caught him off guard.

"It was an accident! I didn't mean it to happen! Really! I admit it, I cursed the bat, but I only did it to slow him down, not to try to make him defenseless or anything! Sure, I wanted him out of the game, but I wasn't trying to kill him! You have to believe me, it wasn't murder, it was an accident!" Amadeus pleaded.

"Mr. Longbottom, what are you talking about?" Severus demanded, trying to make sense of that. But Jennifer, who had been studying his face carefully, went over to Amadeus and gave him a hug, puzzling Severus all the more.

"It's all right, Amadeus, calm down! You didn't kill anybody. Corey is fine!" Jennifer told him, putting her hands on his shoulder gently and looking him straight in the eyes. "In fact, he woke up just after dinner. You must have been dreaming."

Amadeus stared at her for a long moment.

"No, it wasn't just a dream. I heard voices…" he said, thinking back with a frown. "It didn't sound like students…"

"Well, whatever you heard, Corey is fine and there's no need for you to get worked up about it," Jennifer said.

"Oh," Amadeus said, backing up and trying to regain his composure. "Well, then. Sorry to have disturbed you," he said, turning around.

"Just a moment, Mr. Longbottom," Severus said sharply, and leaned a hand against the door to keep Amadeus from opening it. "What exactly were you saying about you being the one that cursed the bat?"

Jennifer quickly excused herself, taking her paperwork up to her sitting room while she waited. She had learned a long time ago that it was better to get out of the way when Severus was disciplining a Slytherin. It was nearly an hour later before Severus arrived, shaking his head as he sat down and drummed his fingers on the chair rest.

"So you suspended him from Quidditch, did you?" Jennifer asked. Severus grimaced at her.

"Yes, if you must know, for the remaining two games this year. Who has the next detention shift, anyhow?" he asked, kicking off his shoes.

"Sagittari," Jennifer said brightly. "Do you think the doctor would let me come watch when he cleans up the pens?"

"Don't enjoy your work too much," Severus said expressionlessly, earning another mischievous grin from his wife. "What I want to know is about those voices he heard. Surely it wasn't just a guilty conscience. He's a Slytherin, after all."

"No, I don't think it was," Jennifer frowned thoughtfully. "There was something there. You know, it could be as simple as some students playing a joke, but it wouldn't be like them to pull that on one of their own. And I know it couldn't be Danny, because she's been walking on pins and needles since the game."

"If you saw how her father behaved after the game, you would understand why," Severus said.

"I didn't have to see it. I see it in her face every day she's in my class. Won't you talk to McGonagall about it?" Jennifer asked.

"That may seem like the sensible thing to do, but these situations are always a bit more complicated than that," Severus said. "If the school attempts to step in, it is more than likely that her father's response will be to pull her from the school. We had better be sure from the outset that we have enough indisputable evidence of abuse for the Ministry before we get to that point."

"If only she would talk to someone," Jennifer sighed.

"Jennifer, there's something else about Danny you should probably know before we attempt to do this, and that's who her next of kin is," Severus said grimly, gazing over at her. Jennifer took one look in his eyes then slumped back in her chair.