Chapter Fifteen

Back to Myrkinbrek

The aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon, and anice rose so persistently from the kitchen that Jennifer and Carol soon found they had visitors. Severus had emerged from the basement and took up residence at the kitchen bar. Corey crept out of his room to sort out frog cards on the living room floor with Alexandria scooting across the floor beside him, gnawing on a Dumbledore card. (The card didn't seem to mind too much, although it did pull out an umbrella to protect himself from the raining drool.) The flour-dusted bar had wiped itself clean just a moment before Severus put the papers down, spreading them out and piecing them together like a jigsaw puzzle.

"I certainly hope you don't have the gingerbread in with the springerle again," Severus said. "There wasn't one that survived it without being broken last year."

"Well if you're going to be so picky, why don't you put on an apron and lend a hand?" Jennifer said.

"Yes, I'm sure you would find that amusing. But I'm quite busy studying the star charts that Aurora Sinistra put together for the Constellation," Severus said. "If you want, I'll write all the significant events down for you."

"Centaurs are always fussing about the stars," Carol tsked, peering in the oven. "I imagine the heavens were there long before centaurs and will continue long after, nae doubt."

"I can't help but agree with you," Jennifer chuckled, lining a two-story gingerbread house with gumdrops. "We did have a star reading done for Alexandria the night she was born when Sagittari offered to do one though, centaur tradition and all that. Besides, I do believe in Fate, and who's to say the influences of the heavens don't pull us one way or the other at times? Just as good of an explanation as any," she said, earning a skeptical smile from Severus. "Oh, nonsense, Severus. There is nothing naïve about it. Tell me truthfully that you don't think there was any fate involved in us being together."

"Actually, I blame it on impeccable taste. Oh look, here's my horoscope for the Solstice. It appears that I'm about to leave you and fall in love with another woman. Strange, that." Severus said expressionlessly, tapping the chart.

"Surely it wouldn't be sayin' that!" Carol said in surprise.

"Ignore him, Carol, he's just trying to be funny," Jennifer said, glaring at him. "All right, Severus, I get it, you win. That still doesn't change the fact we have to know all of this stuff before the Constellation, because there's no telling what they might bring up."

"Which is why I'm doing this," Severus said simply, snatching up a biscuit off the tray Carol brought out before she could stop him.

"Now, then, wait 'til they cool like everyone else!" Carol said, shaking a mitt at him.

"Biscuits done?" Corey asked from the living room, peeking around the corner.

"Oh, all right, you can check the ice box to see if the gingerbread men have cooled off and get Alex a shortbread," Jennifer relented, opening the door to the house carefully. Corey got his and Jennifer took out the rest, setting them each by the door of the house as they walked inside one by one. Finally she shut the door and hung a "Do not open until Xmas" sign on the front.

"I really don't know why you're making all this fuss considering we'll be in the States for most of it," Severus said, writing down another notation. "By the time we get out of the reception Christmas eve, even if we return straight home, Christmas day will be nearly half over."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Jennifer grinned. "McGonagall pulled some strings and gave us all Christmas for a Christmas present," she said, pulling out a chain from around her neck with the Time-Turner on it. "I'm not going to let Alexandria lose her first Christmas because of Portkey lag."

"Well, now that we've all but caught up on the bakin', would you mind terribly if I went tae Myrkinbrek for a spell? I've a bit of shoppin' t' do and haven't had the time," Carol said.

"Come to think of it, I haven't picked up Anna and Sirius' wedding present that we ordered. It's sitting at the shop, more than likely. Mind some company, Carol?" Jennifer asked.

"Not at all, ma'am. Just a moment while I smarten up a bit," Carol said, going upstairs. Severus looked up, slightly puzzled.

"You're both leaving? At the same time?" Severus asked flatly.

"Well, you never want me to travel alone these days, and I do have to go pick that up," Jennifer said, taking off her apron. "I'm sure you can handle things here. There's a bottle already made up. Just ask Mercy if you don't know where anything is." Severus gave her such a blank look she sighed at him with exasperation. "Severus Snape, you handle nearly a thousand students every week, so how is it that the thought of a couple of hours sitting for your daughter terrifies you?"

"She does not terrify me," Severus declared indignantly. Corey grinned at Jennifer and picked Alex up, holding out the crumble-covered baby towards her father. Alex looked at him balefully. "She just doesn't like me," he said, gazing at her warily.

"Nonsense. Of course she likes you. You just need to get to know her better is all," Jennifer said, shaking her head.

"Oh, very well, if you insist, but right now I need to get this done Take her back to wherever she was a moment ago, Corey," Severus said, shooing them away. Jennifer sighed softly.

"Very well, I'll stay. I'm sure there's more baking or something…"

"No, go if you must, I'll manage," Severus said, waving her away grumpily. "I'm sure Corey will be more than enough help, thank you. And take your cloak in case of emergencies."

"I'll be watching the ring, so if you get in too much trouble, I'll head back," Jennifer promised, grabbing the cloak. "And don't you dare eat all the springerle, that's for Christmas!" she scolded him as she went to the living room to join Carol at the chimney. "See you later, Alex, Corey! And Corey, if he makes you do all the work, you be sure to tell me when I get home," she said, making certain that Severus heard her. Severus glanced over his shoulder just as a puff from the fire signified they had left, immediately reaching for another springerle. He had barely bit into it when Alexandria started to cry.

Jennifer and Carol brushed off the soot and entered the grand entrance plaza that lead into the merchant district of Myrkinbrek. It was chilly, but there was no wind or snow on the ground, and Jennifer couldn't help but wonder just where Myrkinbrek was. Well, let the goblins have their privacy, she shrugged to herself. She had more important things to think about, like how to get in and out of the town with the least bit of hassle and the least temptation of buying anything frivolous. Carol had brightened up immediately upon entering the crowd, a smile appearing on her rosy cheeks as she noticed the holly and ivy vines strewn across the busy walkways.

"Isn't this splendid? Just the thing to get one in the Christmas spirit, if they weren't already," Carol declared, glancing over at Jennifer. "Now, then, don't you be gazing at that ring already! I'm sure she's perfectly fine."

"It's not her I'm worried about," Jennifer admitted as they turned towards the bookshop.

"Don't you be worryin' now, Mrs. Snape. This will be good for them. It's high time they got to know one another better, and this little jaunt will give 'em a chance for it," Carol said.

Webstring's Bound and Rare Books was by far one of the most prestigious bookstores around; it was known for its guarantee of finding nearly any book written after the time of the Library of Alexandria. A rich tan carpet with a design that changed every day covered the floor, and expensive walnut and mahogany cases lines the walls, filled with ancient tomes and new works alike. Several finely robed wizards and witches sat in chairs or perused the shelves, and Jennifer thought she recognized several of their faces from the Council. As Carol stopped to point out a new potion book to Jennifer, a very familiar-looking clerk stood up from where he was crouched stacking books on the other side of the table, nearly dropping the books from his hand as he spotted them. He was a fairly handsome wizard although apparently a tad disorganized, and his blue eyes glittered as he stared at Jennifer with astonishment.

"Good heavens! You're Jennifer Craw! It really is you, isn't it?" he said excitedly. "I say, I don't suppose you'd sign my card? I really am an admirer of yours!"

"Well I…"

"I have it right here, just a moment," he said going over to the counter. Jennifer sighed and looked over at Carol, who was doing her best to hide her chuckle. "Here we are," he said cheerfully, handing it and a pen to her. "If you could just sign it to 'my dear friend Roy,' I'd be most appreciative." Rather embarrassed and also very aware that they appeared to be drawing attention, Jennifer quickly acquiesced, signing it and handing it back to him.

"Mr. Lockhart! What are you doing?" A female goblin in a horrid (but very expensive) print dress and silver globe earrings appeared from behind the counter, giving him a stern look.

"Why, don't you see? It's Professor Jennifer Craw of Hogwarts!"

"Yes, of course it is, she has a book on order. Why aren't you fetching it?" she asked sternly.

"Oh, of course! I'll be right back!" he winked at her, before scurrying back to the back room. The goblin shook her head, muttering something about human 'help.'

"Excuse me," Jennifer said, stepping up to her, her eyes following the figure that just left. "But…Roy Lockhart? As in Gilderoy Lockhart?"

"Yes, yes, but he doesn't write anymore if that's what you're asking. Not that he doesn't want to; he just doesn't seem to write anything worth reading now that he doesn't know anything. You'll have to excuse him for his behavior. He's not been himself at all since an unfortunate accident with the memory spell. I wouldn't even have taken him in if Dumbledore hadn't asked for a favor," she grunted, heading back over towards the counter.

"Here we are!" Roy said cheerfully, coming back from the back a few moments later. "The Shakespearean Guide to Potions and Poisons. Including several actual recipes, I believe," he said, bowing and handing it out. "Will there be anything else for you?"

"Could you wrap it? It's part of someone's Christmas gift…"

"Oh, of course!" he said cheerfully. "For your husband Professor Snape, I'd imagine. I say, he still dabbles in potions then?" he chatted, going over to the counter to fetch some paper. "You know, I believe I knew him once, although I don't remember much about it. A touch of amnesia, you know, I'm still recovering," he explained, barely giving either witch a chance to reply. "I've read some of my books, and I think I must have been something, although I must admit I find talking about myself rather boring these days. I mean, it does get old after awhile listening to someone go on and on about themselves, don't you think?" he rambled, getting out the ribbon and barely noticing they had both nodded. "What interests me really are other people. Other people do such fascinating things. Well, like you for instance!" he said to Jennifer, leaning on the half-wrapped book. "You know, I'd like to hear more about your adventures. In fact, I bet everyone would! Leading the Unicorns against the Dementors, facing unbeatable odds against Pettigrew and you-know-who. I've an idea! Why don't you let me write down your story? You could just tell me about things and I'd ghostwrite it for you. I bet you it would be a best seller!" he smiled, looking between both women.

"Thanks… but… I don't really think I'd make for good book material," Jennifer said carefully, not really wanting to hurt his feelings. "I know, why don't you ask Harry? Maybe he'd be interested." Roy looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Odd, he's the one that suggested I should ask you when I saw you," he said. "Well, if you change your mind, I'll be more than happy to help…"

"Mr. Lockhart! Are you not done yet?" Webstring said in a raised voice from where she stood trying to help several customers at once. Apologizing to both his boss and Jennifer, he finished the parcel, and nearly rushed off before Jennifer stopped and reminded him she needed to pay for it. Finally Jennifer and Carol stepped back out of the shop again. Jennifer exhaled loudly while Carol began to laugh.

"Remind me to send Corey in the next time I need to pick up something," Jennifer said.

"Now then, was it really all that bad? So you have a fan or two, you're the famous Professor Craw, after all!" Carol said amusedly.

"And writing a book about me, good heavens! And to think someone would want to write about me! Who would want to read about me?" Jennifer laughed as they walked down the street.

As they wandered through the shops, it didn't seem long before the time began to tick away, and Jennifer realized she was going to have to move if she were going to pick up the gift today. That was when they made the rather fateful decision to split up, so that Jennifer could head to the jewelry shop and Carol could finish her Christmas shopping.

The magical jewelry shop, Tassels and Panning, was on the far end of the merchant district where the oldest businesses were just across from Grendelbane's Wand Shop. Warm greetings rose up from the clerks as she entered, and even those busy with customers stopped to wave at her as she went up to the main display counter. A pair of identical goblins wearing matching vests, chain watches, and even rings, walked up to the counter with toothy grins as she approached. There was little wonder as to why they were both interested in Jennifer, and for once it certainly wasn't about her deeds at Hogwarts. Rather, it was about the fact she was Mrs. Snape, for Severus had come to frequent the place for every birthday and holiday, and had also made a habit of spending more money than Jennifer would have liked on many of the things he had custom crafted there.

"I'm here to pick up the enchanted silver tea set that Professor Snape and I ordered," Jennifer said.

"Ah, yes, with the custom engraving," the goblin brothers replied together. "We believe it's ready. Please feel free to look around while we get it from the back for you." One of the brothers (Tassel, Jennifer thought) left, while the other folded his hands upon the glass counter and continued to grin at her as she peered into the cases and flipped through a small catalog listing some of the customized enchantments that could be added to items in the shop.

As she was waiting, there was a sudden flurry at the door and a tension in the air as clerks excused themselves from what they were doing to greet the customer that had just come in the door. Who else could it have been but Lucius Malfoy, with Draco not two steps behind.

This was the last thing she needed right now, Jennifer thought to herself, wondering which phial she should pull first should it come to that. The two men spotted her at once as they removed their cloaks as if planning to stay for a while, both regarding her with the same wary gaze that she was giving them.

"Well," Lucius finally said as they walked into the shop. "If it isn't the sow and her piglet. Busy spending your pathetic little fortune, I see. And all alone? I didn't think he let you out of the barn by yourself these days," Lucius sneered.

"If by he you mean by husband, he's well aware that I can take care of myself, thank you. It's not as if there are any real threats anymore," Jennifer said calmly, aware of the dark look creeping in Lucius' eyes. "Hello, Draco, how is your apothecary doing? I hear you are opening in a different location."

Draco nodded and was about to answer when his father waved a hand of protest.

"Please, spare us the trivialities, Craw," Lucius said in a condescending tone. "We are not friends here, nor do I intend to stomach pretending it were otherwise. If you do not think you are in danger this very moment, you are fooling yourself. And such foolishness can often prove to be…fatal."

"Excuse us, Mrs. Snape," said one of the goblin brothers.

"Our pardon for keeping you waiting, Mr. Malfoy," said the other.

"Here is your order Mrs. Snape, if you'd just sign?" They both said together. Jennifer quickly turned around and signed for the box.

"Could you miniaturize it for me?" Jennifer asked them quietly.

"Magic trouble all ready?" Lucius said, tsking. "My, my, my. The great Jennifer Craw without magic again, and all over a child that she will hardly ever see. Left behind with his forgotten sister while their parents abandon him for months on end to their nanny. I almost pity them."

Jennifer turned back around, barely able to contain her anger and furious to see her own reaction causing a smile to curl on his lips.

"Draco, did you have a nanny?" Jennifer asked, looking at him unquestionably in the eye.

"Yes, of course, but he wasn't gone all the time…" Draco admitted.

"I spend eight hours a week with my daughter, can you truthfully tell me he spent more than that with you every week while you were growing up?" Jennifer asked bluntly. Draco looked at her for a moment, then at his father.

"No, I can't," Draco replied, his father staring at him in surprise. "But I'm quite sure you couldn't possibly have as many servants looking after them as were looking after me."

"More is not always better," Jennifer said, picking up her miniaturized parcel and smiling triumphantly as she headed towards the front. "Happy Christmas, Draco," she added, ignoring Lucius completely as she passed by him.

"Oh, by the way, Craw," Lucius said as she got to the door, his voice filled with venom. "I just wanted to commend you for how well you are learning to cope with being underground after being buried alive, suffocating in that Tomb for so long," he said. "It must be hard for you down here, a quarter of a mile underground with all that rock above our heads. Of course, it's perfectly safe, although I wouldn't want to be here in a sudden tremor."

Jennifer blinked, turning to look Lucius in the eyes again. What did he mean underground? They weren't underground! But something in his nasty expression chilled her to the bone… he was telling the truth, and somehow he had guessed that she had not known. Barely able to nod, Jennifer stepped outside, her eyes turning upwards at the blue sky and fluffy white clouds that were above her. She stared at it for a long time before gathering enough energy to cast a disillusion spell on herself. Then she saw it for herself; above the now faded enchantment of the sky was roughly chiseled rock. Her head started to pound and her heart tried to escape her chest, but she couldn't tear her eyes away until a wave of dizziness hit her and she felt like she couldn't breathe. Desperately trying to get out of the crowd and into a fireplace, she ran across the street towards Grendelbane's, gasping for air. It was just as she reached the door and pushed it open that she fainted, hearing a wave of exclamations before she hit the ground.

Lucius and Draco, watching from the other side of the street walked towards her, a delighted look on Lucius' face while Draco was expressionless.

"Well, well, well. It seems as if the famous Professor Craw has an Achilles Heal after all," Lucius said, pushing through the concerned crowd and moving to kneel down beside her.

Suddenly a rumbling noise erupted from the other side of the door and a willow wand appeared floating in air, its tip down and unmistakably aimed at Lucius. Well aware of what the Beard Wand was capable of, Lucius began to back away, watching as the Wand seemed to tremble with anger. Just as Lucius turned to slip into the crowd, a thunderclap sounded from the Wand as a bolt of lightning exploded out of it and hit Lucius in the rear. Smoke poured off of his cape and sparks flew as it got ready to strike again. Rather then face another volley, Lucius then decided to Disapparate, soon followed by Draco, who thought perhaps it would be a bad idea to stick around. Several chuckles from the crowd were quickly hushed as the Wand began pointing at the rest of them, backing them away with each threatening wave. With a quick flick upwards, a flare shot out of the Wand, bursting into a fiery crest of Hogwarts that lingered in the air as the amazed crowd gazed at it in awe.

"Anyone here from Hogwarts? Maybe that's a sign that it'll let them through to help the professor," an elderly wizard asked, looking about. Just then, a haggard blonde-haired man pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring the Wand completely as he rushed to Jennifer's side. A moment later, a red-haired woman arrived as well, dropping her packages in surprise as she hurried to help the man sit Jennifer up.

"Good heavens, it's the Mrs.!" Carol said, patting her hand, "What befell her?" she demanded of the man she didn't recognize.

"I don't know. I just got here myself after I saw the flare," Remus said. "Perhaps we'd best get her inside," he suggested, struggling to pick her up. "It's alright everyone, she's expecting and just fainted," he improvised, getting an excited reaction from the crowd.

"You don't look too well yourself, sir," Carol said. "Are you alright? Perhaps I…"

"I'll manage," Remus said gruffly, picking Jennifer up at last. "Thank you," he added before stepping in.

Carol wasn't about to leave Jennifer to a stranger, especially such an odd one as this, and followed close behind. The Wand, waving as if it giving a satisfied nod, floated up to the door and began marching across the doorway like a sentry, not allowing anyone else inside. Grendelbane came out of the back room and looked out into the shop in annoyance to see what the fuss was about. His demeanor immediately changed, rushing back to fetch a cloth and some water.

Jennifer opened her eyes, wondering if all of this were a bad dream and hoping to wake up in her comfortable bed at the Broom Closet, or perhaps even at Hogwarts. Instead, she found herself sitting up and in the Wand shop, her throat immediately clamping with the realization she was still in Myrkinbrek. She closed her eyes again, trying to convince herself otherwise.

"I need to get out of here," Jennifer said. "Can't breathe… too dark… need fireplace."

"Oh, I should have guessed! She's terribly claustrophobic!" Carol said to Remus, who nodded in return.

"Yes, I know. Hang on, Jennifer, let me get you to the cabin, it'll be all right," Remus said, holding out a Portkey.

Within moments they were sitting on the doorstep of the cabin, and Jennifer wrestled free and took several steps out from the structure, falling again to the ground.

"She'll be needin' somethin' to steady her nerves surely. Might this be your home, then?" Carol asked.

"For now," Remus said.

"I'll just step in and fetch some tea while you keep an eye her. I'll be but a moment," she said, slipping inside before Remus could stop her. He groaned softly because of what he knew she would find inside, but it was too late now. Instead, he went over to Jennifer, crouching beside her concernedly.

"Feeling any better?" he asked gently as she stared into the forest.

"I feel like a proper idiot," Jennifer said after a moment, angry at herself.

"Hm," he said, a soft smile on his face. "I know the feeling well. If you only knew how many times people have picked me off the ground at one time or another."

"Yours wasn't caused from fear," Jennifer said.

"True enough," Remus said quietly. "But we all have our weaknesses, don't we?" Jennifer turned and looked at him thoughtfully, then nodded solemnly.

"Thank you for getting me out of there," Jennifer said. Remus held up a hand in protest.

"Just returning the favor," he smiled. "Besides, I wasn't the only one there. That Wand from Grendelbane's shop was guarding you when I arrived, and I had some help from an Irish woman," he said, biting his lip and looking at the cabin uncomfortably, "who happens to be in there, right now."

"What happened to Malfoy?" Jennifer murmured.

"Malfoy was there?" Remus asked, turning to her with a frown.

"Who do you think told me I was underground," Jennifer said miserably. "Why didn't anyone tell me? I wouldn't have ever gone down there if I'd known that."

"Perhaps that's why," Remus suggested, getting up as Carol came over. "But I saw no sign of him when I got there."

"I managed to find a cup that wasn't broken," Carol said with a smile that indicated that that had been a major achievement. "It is a wee bit chipped, but I expect it won't hurt the tea. There, it's all better now, isn't it?" she asked reassuringly handing Jennifer the cup.

"I'm sorry about the condition of the house I… something broke in and I hadn't the time to clean it up," he explained, glancing over at Jennifer who was eyeing him steadily.

"Ah, what a terrible spot of luck before the holidays and all!" Carol said sympathetically. "From the look of the furniture, I'd suspect it was wild dogs or the like. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have such troubles in these woods."

"Or wolves?" Jennifer said mischievously, ignoring the alarmed look Remus was giving her.

"Nonsense!" Carol said indignantly. "Wolves are very intelligent animals, they wouldn't go about getting that close to man if they could help it."

"If you're feeling better, Jennifer, perhaps I should be seeing you and your friend home," Remus suggested quickly, helping Jennifer up and taking her cup. "Come along, you can use my fireplace, just ignore the mess."

"What happened? Did one of my potions not work?" Jennifer asked concernedly as they stepped in. Broken furniture littered the carpet, along with broken dishes and shredded cloth, but Remus cleared a quick path for them.

"I'll tell you about it later," he said, offering some floo powder. "And I'll see you at the wedding, if not before. It was nice meeting you…?"

"Carol Finn," Carol smiled at him, taking some powder.

"She's our Nanny," Jennifer explained, stepping up and taking some herself. "And this is Remus Lupin, friend of the family, as well as Dumbledore's."

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Lupin, I'll be seein' you again at the weddin' too, I imagine," she smiled.

"Take care, Remus, let us know if you need anything," Jennifer said, stepping into the hearth. As the two disappeared in the smoke, he looked around the room again with a sigh at the bad timing. He sat down in a three-legged chair, sipping at the tea in his hand thoughtfully.

Back at the Broom Closet, Jennifer exhaled in sheer relief at being home, dusting herself off and wondering about the quiet house, peering in the kitchen. Severus was still sitting at the bar as if he had never moved, a plate of crumbs at his side where the springerle once was. Shaking her head, she went over to him and nearly fell over with surprise when she noticed the sleeping infant curled in his left arm while he wrote with the other. Carol smiled at her with a wink but then tapped the empty tray beside him accusingly.

"Sorry," Severus said in a low voice. "But it was the only thing nearby and I didn't think it was wise to get up. Corey went to Essie's."

"So you didn't have any problems?" Jennifer asked quietly with a smile. Severus nodded at her with a scowl.

"Yes, I had one problem," he said, putting down the quill and getting up. Carefully he tried to lay Alex in the pen in the living room, and immediately she awoke and began to scream. Severus tapped his fingers in pure annoyance and watched her for a moment before picking her back up. In seconds, the little girl had settled back down again, and before he made it back to the bar, she was fast asleep.

"By the way, Jennifer, do you happen to know where I put that book that had the potion in it that grew extra limbs?" Severus asked grumpily.