Chapter Twenty-Two

Tight Spaces

On the first of February, ice-cold rain washed over the snowy grounds and enveloped the windows in a coat of haze, filtering dim grey light into the Great Hall. It matched the moods of the three boys sitting there, disinterested in their books, games, and even their hot spiced drinks of apple and cinammon. They propped their heads in their hands and stared out the windows with lost expressions.

"I got my first high mark ever in Muggle Studies, and I can't even gloat," Corey sighed. "What's the point in studying? No one is there to come in second to."

"I shouldn't even be in the tournament. By all rights, I'd have been out of losses right now," Doug said. "I think I'll cancel my study time with Gail. I can't concentrate enough to put on charms with a girl."

"Stop it, both of you," Taylor said, putting down his book angrily. "All you're thinking about are yourselves, when one of our best friends is in real danger."

"Calm down, Taylor. The Professors are doing what they can. My aunt said she's worked with abuse cases before, so she'll get her out of there. Besides, from what I hear, they've been corresponding with Vallid about it too," Corey said.

"But it's been a week," Taylor said. "Something awful might happen to her before they ever get around to doing anything. You know how the government is. If only she'd speak up. But she's too afraid."

"Sounds to me as if she's been talking more to you than either of us then," Corey said.

"Maybe it's because I'm the only one who's actually listening," Taylor said. "I'm going up to the Owlery to feed Redwing."

Doug shook his head at their friend as Taylor left and turned back to watching the cinnamon stick in his drink stir itself around in circles.

"I wonder why she left her familiar here, anyhow?" Doug wondered.

"She left everything here," Corey answered. "Liam said they had Lisa pack up her things and had them sent back. I dunno why Redwing wasn't sent. Maybe her father doesn't like owls either."

"Is there anything he does like besides money?" Doug asked. "My Dad really hates him. When I mentioned this summer I studied with Danny sometimes, he recommended I steer clear from him. He went to school with him, and I guess he was already pretty bad then."

"Well, I think the whole school knows what my Dad thinks of him," Corey said, getting a grin as a response from Doug.

"You should have been there, Corey, I wish Taylor had been near his camera at the time."

"I just wish we could do something to help Danny," Corey said with a sigh, propping his head up.

Suddenly he was aware of a shadow behind him and Doug was looking above his head, slightly on edge. Severus frowned at Corey with a distinct look of disapproval before glancing across at Doug and back again.

"Isn't there anything more productive you could be doing, Mr. Willowby? Homework, or your term paper perhaps?" he asked in a warning tone. "And you, Mr. Brim. Considering how much time you've been spending 'studying' in the library lately, it's amazing that you're managing to pass my class at all. I suggest that the two of you had better work on your marks and mind your own business for a change, before you find yourselves in over your heads even more than you already are for waking up Professor Dusthorn," he said, leaning over to look straight at Corey. "And let's try to be a bit more discriminating about our wording in the future, shall we?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry," Corey said and made a show of gathering up his books. Giving them both one last cursory look, Severus walked over to speak to the Starling twins at the Slytherin table.

"I swear that every time I look around, he's hovering over you," Doug said in a low voice. "What did he mean by that last bit, anyhow?"

"Oh, that. He meant that if we were at home instead of Hogwarts, I'd have just got in a lot more trouble for a word I just used," Corey said. Doug was a bit puzzled, not seeing anything wrong with what was said. "We should head out before he comes back. I'm really not in the mood to talk if he decides to ask me in his office."

It was as they were leaving that they met Taylor, who looked worried.

"Redwing's gone. She wasn't in the Owlery, and she didn't even come when I called," Taylor said.

"She's just probably off somewhere, it's not like those owls ever stay in one place, even when they're not running letters," Doug shrugged.

"You don't know her like I do. Redwing is extremely picky about being on time, she even eats at certain times," Taylor said.

"Then she's probably out hunting," Corey said. "Don't worry so much, Taylor. She can take care of herself, you know. Familiars are anything but stupid."

"What about Gail's cat?" Doug chortled.

"Alright, most familiars aren't," Corey said. "Especially Cheshire, he's ten times smarter than that old Bixby of hers. Her stupid cat would get lost chasing its tail," he said. "I suppose we won't get into any trouble for running up to the Owlery before it gets late. I happen to know Redwing's mother from sending letters to Essie last year. Perhaps she can give us some clue to where she's gone."

It was a long way to the tower following a narrow hallway and a winding stair, and the farther up they went, the colder it became. Soft winds howled outside from the miserable weather, and the air was full of icy rain that occasionally dripped in from the open windows. Still, the owls seemed comfortable enough in their nests and perches, especially those on the higher perches.

"Hello Hethren, Hermes, Greywinder! Zephyra, do you have a moment?" Corey asked, stepping over to the head owls. A large brown tawny owl lighted on Corey's arm in response, looking at him expectantly. "Would you happen to know where Redwing is? Taylor's worried about her. Is she hunting? No? Carrying a letter maybe?" Corey asked. The owl turned its head around and back. "No to that as well."

"I'm not surprised about the last answer. I can't even Redwing o take a note to Danny. Typically Redwing leaves with it, but then she keeps returning it," Taylor said.

"Maybe she just can't get to Danny," Doug said. Zephyra suddenly hopped over to the other boy's shoulder, bobbing her head.

"So, Redwing probably has been trying to get to Danny but can't, and she can't even get any letters to her," Corey said, earning another enthusiastic nod from the owl. "Is where Danny's located at Secret-kept?" The owl turned its head again. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to take a look and see if you can't get a letter to Danny?" The owl didn't respond for a moment before raising a talon. Corey looked at the others. "I think she's willing to give it a go. If any owl here can manage to get a letter to Danny, Zephyra can, she's one of Dumbledore's favorite owls. All we need now is a note."

"Hang on a minute, I think I got some paper here somewhere," Doug said, shuffling through his pockets and pulling out a folded sheet, opening it to make sure it was blank. Taylor sniffed at it.

"It stinks like cologne. Don't tell me it's your love note paper."

"Well, girls like that kind of stuff. Unless either of you want to climb all the way down the tower and get more," Doug pointed out, taking out a Never-dry quill.

"Just ask her how she is, tell her about the owls and ask what the situation is," Corey said, Doug nodding as he leaned against the top of the stair rail and wrote that down.

"And tell her I've been trying to write her every day but I couldn't get through," Taylor added, earning a thoughtful look from Doug.

"Is there something about you and Danny we oughtta know about?" Doug asked. Taylor's face pinkened slightly.

"No! No, don't be silly, we're just friends, same as you guys. All for one and all that, remember?" Taylor said.

"Actually, that's a gives me an idea… don't sign it by our normal names, Doug, just in case her father finds it," Corey said. "Sign it by the code names we worked out for passing notes."

"Check," Doug said, finishing the letter and folding it up, handing it to Corey who handed it to Zephyra.

"All right girl, you know what to do. Just make sure nobody else in that house sees you," Corey said, giving the owl the message.

"You sure you're not going to get in trouble for using one of the head owls?" Taylor said worriedly, as Zephyra headed out.

"Don't worry, I think Dumbledore will understand," Corey reassured him, going over the window to watch her go.

The rain had finally stopped, but it was still quite cold and breezy, the stars covered by thick grey clouds with only wan streaks of moonlight sifting through from time to time as they moved past. A warm flash of light appeared down below near the border of the forest, and Corey gazed at it thoughtfully for a moment, realizing it was some sort of spell. Professors going into the forest for patrol, Corey guessed, wondering how it had gotten so late. "We'd best be getting back to our rooms," he said, turning around. "Don't worry, Taylor. I'm sure we'll hear news soon. Leave your windows open just in case we hear something tonight."

"And if not?" Taylor asked.

"Then we wait," Corey sighed. "What else can we do, after all?"

Jennifer felt her chill leave her as Severus' warmth spell took effect, smiling gratefully as Severus then called up a wisp light. He had originally hoped that he could have convinced Jennifer to stay closer to home, but he knew from experience that arguing the point would do little to dissuade her. At least she had become a lot more cautious than she when she had first come to Hogwarts, and better prepared to deal with any situation. Still, that offered little comfort when he knew just how questionable her magic was right now, only having her arsenal of potions to protect her from the evils that now clung to every dark crack and shadow in the forest. If Jennifer noticed his concern she didn't show it; she was too busy attempting to keep her mind off the school and onto the path in front of them.

"We should probably stop off at the cabin first and drop off the draughts for Lupin, considering how late it's getting," Severus said, glancing at his watch. "Then Dumbledore wants us to find a suitable site to lay the trap for the Wraith. It must be somewhere far enough from the mound that it won't be able to pull energy from it, but close enough it may be drawn to us if it's near."

"What about that open area just past the mound where Anna and I were attacked last year?" Jennifer suggested. "It may be far from the castle, but it is close enough to Hogsmeade that if something goes wrong, we won't be too far from help."

"That reminds me, I'd like you to take Ruby and act as point. From the air, you'll be able to keep track of its movements, and you will be in a position and seek help if there's an emergency."

"And conveniently get me out of the line of fire," Jennifer said knowingly.

"Jennifer, we'll need a point regardless, and you're the most logical choice for the position," Severus said testily. "Your magic is too weak to do any good on the ground, potions can just be easily thrown from above, and you know how to handle a flying mount under pressure. Not to mention that it'll be the easiest way for you to get in and out since you cannot Disapparate." Jennifer looked at him thoughtfully.

"You're angry with me," she accused him.

"Frustrated would be more accurate. You have nothing to prove to anyone, Jennifer, especially not to me," Severus said sternly. "There's no reason to take unnecessary risks just to convince everyone that you're not a coward when the only one who actually thinks you are is yourself." Jennifer stared at him before finally turning away, not saying anything. "Alright, perhaps that was a bit harsh, but I spent too many years doing the same thing myself not to recognize it."

"I don't take unnecessary risks. Anymore," Jennifer amended.

"Good, let's keep it that way. You'll take point."

"Fine," Jennifer said. "As long as you're not just doing it because you don't think I can take care of myself."

"I wondered when you would pull out that line again," Severus scowled at her. "If I thought you'd be a liability, I'd put you to sleep in the castle until it was over."

"You would not. I can't take regular sleeping potions while I'm pregnant, you know that," Jennifer said.

"I wasn't talking about potions," Severus said evenly. Jennifer blinked in surprise.

"You wouldn't dare!" Jennifer said, folding her arms. Severus stopped and turned to look at her, folding his arms as well.

"Is that a challenge?" he asked.

"Jennifer? Severus?" The two of them looked up to see Remus shaking his head at them. "You know, I heard you coming almost before I even smelled you. You really need to be more careful out here. I was starting to worry that you were going to be late..."

"Nonsense, moonrise isn't for another hour; the sun has just begun to set," Severus said. "But let's get moving, shall we?" Remus turned towards the cabin, while Jennifer met Severus' gaze defiantly for a moment. Finally she turned and walked ahead of Severus, earning a swat to her backside that caused her to let out a short 'ow' in surprise. Remus turned to look at them, but they both gazed at him expressionlessly.

Shrugging, Remus turned back around just as Jennifer stuck her tongue out at Severus, hustling to get out of range. Shaking his head at his wife, Severus followed them into the cabin.

Tape, glue, and lots of magic had been used to patch up the broken furniture. In fact, it had been patched up so many times that one could hardly tell the true wood from the patches. Locating a stable surface, Jennifer unloaded the draughts, finding one still steaming to hand to him.

"No signs of the Wraith yet?" Severus asked.

"No, but then, being winter, the signs of a wraith in the area isn't quite as easy to see, since the land is bare and there aren't as many plants that can give them away. They don't even have a smell that I can detect," Remus admitted.

"Something I'm sure we're all grateful of," Severus said.

"Unlike whatever that horrid stench is wafting in from the north. I swear it's getting stronger by the hour," Remus added, shutting the door to bar out the wind.

"Stench? I don't smell anything," Jennifer said.

"To the north? You haven't looked into it yet?" Severus asked with concern.

"I wasn't about to go exploring without a draught," Remus said, downing the rest of his potion. "There, now I'll look into it."

"Wait, not alone. We'll go as well," Severus said, earning an inquisitive look from Jennifer.

"Severus, I know Dumbledore's orders, but I don't think under the circumstances teamwork is really necessary. I am not going to be much company tonight," Remus reminded him. "Whatever is out there, I'm sure I can handle it."

"No," Severus replied. "Something doesn't feel right. I'd rather that we stay together," he said darkly, stepping out the door. "Lead on, Lupin."

It was so unusual for Severus to have such an impulse without being able to explain it that neither Jennifer nor Remus was inclined to argue. Jennifer raised the hood of her cloak as the rain began to fall once more, her eyes on Remus' back as he walked through the shadows of the trees.

"I've never been in this part of the forest before," Jennifer said thoughtfully.

"No, I daresay you haven't, we tend to avoid it whenever possible. It used to be home to a nest of Arachtrop spiders," Severus explained.

"What in the world was a species like that doing so far up north?" Jennifer asked.

"Hagrid," Severus said simply.

"Ah," Jennifer replied.

"But the centaurs informed me that they stopped seeing signs of them about. Apparently they're not too fond of Wraiths," Severus conjectured. Ahead of them, Remus climbed onto a large rock to scan the area.

"From the looks of things, it was the Wraith that didn't care for them," Remus said in a strange tone.

As the other two worked their way onto the rock, they fell into silence as they gazed out onto a desolate area filled with the remains of thousands of giant spider carcasses, their legs curled up and their bodies a curious shade of grey, as if all the color had been drained out of them as surely as their life forces were.

"Now we know what it's been feeding on," Severus said grimly.

"There are many of them," Jennifer murmured. "How can we possibly defeat this thing now? If this happened after Hogsmeade, do you realize how big that Wraith may have gotten?"

"The spiders had no defenses that would have been capable of hurting a Wraith," Remus said, "They became easy prey. However, I doubt it'll find us or the centaurs quite as easy to feast on," Remus said, climbing down.

"Wait, where are you going now?" Severus asked. "This was the source of the smell you were speaking of, isn't it?" Remus shook his head.

"No, it's further in. It's a fowl smell…"

"The entire area smells foul," Severus muttered.

"I meant more like a bird coup, nesting on rotten eggs," Remus said thoughtfully. "I wonder if something took over the nest when the spiders were destroyed?"

Jennifer grimaced at the thought, trying to contain her nausea at the scent that surrounded her. What sort of revolting creature would possibly do such a thing? But as she thought about what Remus had just said, the answer became incredibly clear and she was instantly on guard.

"Harpies," Jennifer concluded, glancing at Severus. He grimaced and took out a potion, drinking it down.

"Remus, get back over here and take an anti-charm potion," Severus ordered.

"No reason, Severus, I'll be changing soon now. Just let me try and get a better look to see how many of them there are," Remus said.

"Why do I have a feeling that we don't want to know the answer to that?" Jennifer asked, taking out a misty yellow phial in case she needed something to throw. Severus got out his wand; his eyes steady on Remus.

Remus carefully picked his way quietly across the field, moving like a cat to try and get a better look while stepping carefully over each skeletal body. A shadow flickered against one of the trees as if something moved through them and the light was beginning to dim dramatically. He knew he would have to hurry, picking up the pace to locate the nest before turning back around. But perhaps he went just a bit too fast, for as he turned he lost his footing, his leg coming down hard on one of the spider remains, which broke under his weight with a very loud snap.

A horrible, ear-piercing squawk sounded an alarm, followed by several other cries. Remus made a run for it as dozens of vulture-bodied creatures with grotesque women's heads suddenly took flight. Scrambling for his coat, Remus took out a long curved horn and blew it, the noise rippling in the air. But the sound seemed to make the Harpies even angrier, for one of them dove towards him and snatched Remus up in her claws.

A blast of light shot from Severus' wand, but the Harpy who had Remus soared upward, the spell barely missing Remus as it shot underneath them. Jennifer had a Harpy of her own to contend with. It soared down with its talons ready for a grab and shrieking in rage. Jennifer waited until the Harpy was nearly on top of her before tossing the phial in the creature's mouth. She fell to her knees as the drowsy beast crashed into a sturdy oak behind her.

"Head into the brush! We can't take them all," Severus told them, rolling out of reach. He cast an ice spell at it and froze its wings, causing it to come crashing to the ground.

"We can't leave Remus!" Jennifer shouted as she charged forward, intent on following the Harpy who had latched onto him. The Harpy, however, was finding it had more than it had bargained for; Remus was attempting to ignite its feathers to make it drop him. But the creature's filthy plumage was not easy to catch on fire, and the angry Harpy dug its talon's deeper into Remus' side.

Crying out in pain, Remus dropped his wand, feeling his blood rushing in his head and heart beating rapidly as he tried to pry the claws away. Suddenly the world began to spin, and Remus quickly realized it wasn't his injury that had made his body react. Looking down at his hand, he found proof enough from the fur starting to appear that the full moon had risen.

"Jennifer, come back here before you get yourself killed!" Severus snapped, cursing beneath his breath. Jennifer, who had been running towards the struggling Harpy, stopped short as the werewolf let out heart-rending howl and his great claws began tearing at his captor's talons. The sudden weight he had gained after changing forms had taken the Harpy by surprise, within seconds they were tumbling to the ground.

A chorus of horns could be heard out of the trees behind them, and before Jennifer could move, a volley of arrows and silver circlets whizzed above her, aimed at the flying scourge. Just behind her, one of the Harpies fell victim to the volley while the rest of them rose up to regroup. Sagittari thundered out of the forest, galloping straight over to Jennifer.

"Get on my back!" Sagittari ordered when he reached Jennifer's side. "Hurry!" Jennifer moved quickly to do as she was told. Sagittari slung another circlet at a Harpy that had gotten too close, slicing through its wings and sending it spiraling to the ground.

"We have to get to Remus!" Jennifer shouted.

"Heed your own skin and your child's at the moment, Jennifer, this isn't over yet," Sagittari warned, hurrying back towards the cover of the Forest. At the edge of the brush where the archers stood, Jennifer slid off, turning her attention back to the field.

"Watch for my signal," Ronan warned them as he paced the line. "If it turns ill, we will head towards the caverns. Even if they do not fear the trees, they will not risk fighting us on our own terms."

"Look over there!" One of the centaurs pointed where Firenze stood with Severus on his back, the flash of a magic wand and the circlets of the centaurs streaking by as they tried to fend off numerous targets, backing up slowly as the onslaught continued, unable to keep up the pace. Centaurs broke through the brush to help, charging like a stampede, and Jennifer desperately looked around until she saw what she was searching for.

"Here, let me use that…" she said, pointing to the leather sling at one of the archers' sides.

"The circlets are a sacred symbol of our people. I'm sorry, but you cannot…"

"Not those, just that," Jennifer insisted, coaxing the archer into handing it over. Getting into her cloak she grabbed hold of a phial and settled it back in the sling, hurling it at one of the Harpies still hovering around Remus. The phial exploded and the Harpy took on a stone-like appearance, falling to the ground with a thud.

"Brilliant device," Jennifer said cheerfully, taking aim and launching another phial. "Can I have one?"

"Halt! Hold fire!" Ronan warned. "Beware! Get back!"

For many centaurs, Ronan's warning came too late. The Harpies had stopped their attacks and had begun to sing; an eerie, alluring song that had already begun to work on the centaurs on the front line. Their arms went limp at their sides and they began calling out different names, as if seeing loved ones they had lost. Firenze had been affected as well, and Severus had gone over to help his friend while the Harpies began pick off their helpless victims one by one.

"To the caverns! To the caverns at once!" Ronan ordered, firing circlets into the fray. "Pull as many as you can with you, but heed your own lives first!"

Severus, who had managed to give Firenze a potion, pulled him away from the diving creatures. The two of them then hurried back to the Forest, and Severus was relieved to see that Jennifer was already there.

"Come, wizards, we will fight from within where we can tend our wounded and protect ourselves from their charms," Ronan bade them.

"A few dozen less, and I think we'd have had the situation under control," Severus commented sarcastically as he used his wand to send a flare high into the sky. "This is the last time I go exploring just because Remus says he smells something."

"Hurry, wizards! Come inside!" Franz said insistently as he passed near them. They followed behind him as quickly as they could, but Jennifer began to slow when she saw the rough cavern entrance, barely wide enough to allow the greater centaurs to pass through.

"Come on, Jennifer, it's a wide cavern on the other side, we'll be safe there," Sagittari insisted.

"Safe?" Jennifer repeated in disbelief.

"Jennifer, we can't stay out here," Severus hissed. As if in response, several brave Harpies had plunged down passed the trees to get to them, clawing at the centaurs with their talons and trying to sing again.

"Quietus mute!" Severus cast. The noise suddenly stopped, and the Harpy looked furiously to find the culprit. As it turned to lash at them, Severus and Jennifer dove into the cavern, barely escaping the talons that had tried to reach in after them.

Several of the centaur guards stood at the opening, now able to take them on one by one. It didn't take long for the Harpies to realize that they were at a disadvantage. After several more minutes of angry screeching, they suddenly pulled back.

It was at that point that Jennifer had a chance to look around at the cavern. It was almost circular in nature although slightly slanted, with a small natural passage leading into darkness, perhaps to other caverns. Torches had been lit, and the floor had been covered with overlapping rugs. Pegs lined the walls, and Jennifer came to the conclusion that they were meant for weapons. So this was a centaur guard post of some kind, Jennifer realized. Perhaps it had been set up to keep an eye on the spiders at one point… the spiders, Jennifer shivered, drained of all energy, just empty shells for the Harpies to consume. It was little wonder that the Harpies couldn't resist such an effortless feast of carrion. Or perhaps not so effortless, Jennifer thought. They certainly hadn't expected to meet any centaurs or wizards here.

"Jennifer, Severus? I could use a hand," Sagittari said from across the room. Jennifer looked up to see Severus watching her very carefully. Ignoring the stare as well as the throbbing sensation returning to her head, Jennifer shuffled over to where Sagittari stood with several centaur doctors who were tending the charmed and wounded. It was not long before Jennifer found herself digging through her cloak for potions and handing them out. She was just starting to wonder when she was going to get out of the cavern when there was a noise and a jolt as if something had crashed against the hill and a rain of dust fell off the ceiling above them. Paralyzed with fear, Jennifer felt as if her lungs were collapsing, her head swimming dizzily when she finally remembered to breathe. Just as she began to get up, another jolt occurred, causing another rain of dust to fall down. Not wasting another second, Jennifer went back over to the guards at the opening, who were speaking to Ronan.

"…just large rocks, Stargazer, they are simply dropping them from a higher altitude to make more of an impact. I do not think they could do any real damage to the cave structure. They are hoping to collapse the entrance so they don't have to worry about us."

"How long should the entrance hold?" Ronan asked calmly as another jolt hit.

But Jennifer had made up her mind not to wait around to find out, pushing past the surprised guards without another thought and dashing through the entrance before anyone could stop her. Severus, still helping with the patients, heard her name called and immediately guessed what had happened. He dove towards the cavern opening in an attempt to bring her back in.

Jennifer had come out with the intention of fighting with whatever magic she could muster. But when she ran outside, she saw that the Harpies had attracted other enemies, for Unicorns were charging through the area, unaffected by the Harpies' cries.

Even so, it was not long before the Harpies spotted Jennifer. Loud squawks of alarm went up and several of the Harpies came towards her at once, their talons out and ready to shred her to pieces. Jennifer had little intention of going down without a fight. Her heartbeat was calm now, and her head was clear as she brought her wand up, ready to make a last stand.

That was when she heard a loud, defiant neigh. Jennifer saw Keki, rearing back with her head high on top of the hill, her horn glistening with a bright light. Then, in a burst of colored light, a giant apparition manifested, coiling protectively around Jennifer.

Jennifer suddenly found herself surrounded by the largest snake she had ever seen, white and ghostly. The giant serpent raised her head towards the sky, and with lightning speed, her mighty jaws attacked the hideous creatures that came towards Jennifer, snapping the Harpies' wings and brutally tossing them aside. Not one of the beasts who tried getting close to Jennifer succeeded; the snake was too fast and accurate, executing them with a strange calm that so strong that Jennifer could feel the spirit's power.

But before Jennifer had time to try and make sense of what was happening, the light of several spells being cast at once flickered across the sky. The Harpies' cries turned to shrieks of panic and terror, for Dumbledore had come.

And not only Dumbledore, but Archibald, Flitwick, Hooch, and Granger were there, picking off the Harpies that dared to linger as the pack turned wing and fled. The ghostly snake watched the exchange vigilantly and peacefully until the last of the creatures were driven away.

Without giving Jennifer so much as a glance, the snake uncoiled itself and turned into the semblance of a young woman. She walked over to the Unicorn Keki, putting a hand on her forehead. Her eyes were focused on Sagittari, who had burst out of the entrance just a second after Severus, both of them quite dumbfounded by what had just occurred.

The woman dropped her hand, and with it dropped a long Spear, appearing from thin air and thudding loudly on the ground at her feet. Her eyes did not leave Sagittari's for a long time, a gentle smile upon her face. With a wave of her hand, the Spear rolled to the feet of the centaur. When everyone looked up again, the apparition was gone.

At the woman's abrupt disappearance, everyone looked around to get their bearings. But Severus wasted no time hurrying to Jennifer's side, his face lined with worry and his eyes flashing with anger.

"What in the blazes were you thinking, going out here on your own? Have you gone completely mad? So much for your not taking foolhardy risks anymore! Do you realize if that ghost hadn't shown up, you'd probably be dead right now?" Severus snapped furiously.

"Better dead out here than in there," Jennifer said back in a low, cold voice.

"We were in no danger in there! The cavern -"

"Severus," Dumbledore warned. His voice was barely above normal level, but had such a firm tone that everyone had turned to listen to him. "We can discuss this when we get back, can we not? There are other matters to attend to. Stargazer Ronan, we will help you clean up this area so that no other carrion driven creatures show up on your doorstep," he said.

"A controlled burning would be the most effective solution, Professor," Filius suggested. Dumbledore nodded and then turned his attention to the centaurs. Ronan nodded in agreement as well, but his eyes were quickly directed back at his son.

Sagittari had stepped over to pick up the Spear, staring at it with a mixed expression of reverence and despair. Neighing loudly, Keki dipped her head towards Sagittari, and the centaurs quickly followed her example, their great knees bent as they each knelt in turn to the veterinarian.

"If there were ever a doubt that you were the one the Fae had spoken of so many years ago, that doubt has now ended," Ronan said, standing proudly before his son. "It is high time that you cast away these wizard notions and take the responsibility destined to you."

Sagittari looked at the Spear and then towards Keki before returning his gaze to Ronan.

"A wizard I am, and a wizard I'll stay," Sagittari replied, loud enough for all to hear. "I accept this Spear because I must, but I will not take back what I have long given away."

"The one who had been guarding the Spear does not deserve to carry the burden," Ronan said sternly.

"Neither do I," Sagittari said. "I deserve it less than anyone. I follow the ways of wizards, and it is their magic I seek to understand, not the magic of the Wild." Keki's tail whipped to the side as if swatting an invisible fly. Then Keki reared up and charged into the forest.

"Stargazer Ronan, Wizard Dumbledore, I have found the Werewolf," Franz announced, carrying the hulking unconscious form over his back. Jennifer and Severus quickly rushed to his side, followed closely behind by Dumbledore.

"He's taken some bad injuries, and I'm out of healing potions," Jennifer said, using cloth from her pocket to bandage Remus' bleeding head.

"We need to get him back to my office," Sagittari advised as he trotted forward. "Follow me, Franz."

"The rest of you get to work," Ronan said, and the rest of the centaurs and wizards turned their attention on clean up.