Chapter Twenty-Three
Choices
Jennifer woke the next morning still feeling exhausted from the long hours following the Harpy attack. She had been too tired to even dream, which was somewhat of a blessing, and even though she still felt weak on her feet, she couldn't stand looking at the closed windows a second longer. She opened every one, stopping to take a breath out of each before pausing at the last one to look out upon the wispy black smoke still rising from deep within the Dark Forest. She thought back on the strange events, trying to sort them out of her mind when the depression set in. How could she have allowed herself to once again be overcome by being in that cave? Had she just sat tight only a few moments longer, the other professors would have been there, and it would have been over without further incident. It was bad enough when it was just her making a fool out of herself, but now it was starting to take over her life and she knew it.
The embers in the fireplace behind her burst into flames, and Jennifer saw movement from the corner of her eye.
"Do you mind if we at least close one or two of the windows?" Severus murmured, his voice sounding strained. Jennifer glanced over at him but already knew the reason behind it, turning back to the window.
"You know, Severus, I think maybe you are right," Jennifer said, brushing snow off the windowsill so that she could lean on it. "Maybe I have gone completely mad."
"I didn't really mean that," Severus said somberly, getting up and throwing on his robes.
"You may not mean it now, but you did at the time. You've never said anything to me you didn't mean," Jennifer said. "Over the last two years, this fear has done nothing but become more and more out of control. I'm so tired of the nightmares. I'm so tired of the memories that haunt me anytime I go in my own office, or into any dark space. I tried to put it in the Pensieve, but it didn't work… the fear kept gnawing on me until I had to take it back again." Severus put his hands on her shoulders thoughtfully, his solemn expression mirrored in the open windows.
"Jennifer, you are the one of the bravest people I know, and someone never willing to give up without a fight."
"And I have been fighting it, Severus, I'm just losing every battle," Jennifer said with frustration. Severus gazed thoughtfully at her a moment.
"Just what are you fighting, Jennifer? Are you actually battling the fear itself? Or are you only fighting your reaction to it?" Severus asked. Jennifer turned around and met his gaze, wondering if he wasn't close to the mark. Before she could think too long about it there was a knock on the door, and Severus excused himself to answer it.
"Professor Dumbledore's called a meeting to go over yesterday's events," Jennifer heard Minerva's voice say. "We'll be joining him in his study in half an hour."
"We'll be there," Severus said, closing the door and turning his attention back to Jennifer. But Jennifer had already turned over the tea tray and went into the other room to get ready, her mind already focusing back on her work. Frowning, Severus went over and closed the windows, getting his own things together.
Dumbledore smiled warmly as the two of them arrived and took their seats next to Minerva. Sagittari stood nearby, the Spear carefully wrapped with leathers and strapped to his back. Jennifer couldn't remember the centaur ever looking quite so solemn, and Jennifer's curiosity on the matter was increasing by the instant as she noticed Caprica Dusthorn sneaking into one of the sleeping Headmaster's frames, watching quietly.
"Now that we're all here and settled, we should start with an update on Remus' condition," Dumbledore said, looking over at the centaur.
"It actually looked worse than it was, Professor. Werewolves do have some healing ability while they're in their form. Most of the wounds were broken bones, and the head injury was from the fall. He does some very serious talon wounds on his shoulders that are infected, and I'm monitoring those, but right now he's much too exhausted from his transformation to be in any pain from it. I suspect he'll be staying with me for a few more days," Sagittari said.
"I'll bring over the rest of his potions and any others you might need," Jennifer offered.
"How many centaurs were lost?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"Three of Ronan's younger guards fell pray to the charms and were killed," Sagittari sighed. "But most were saved and brought in before any more harm could be done to them. It is lucky that Jennifer and Severus carry so many potions with them, or we might have lost some of the worst injured."
"Yes, they do seem to make a point of being prepared for about anything, don't they?' Dumbledore said, noticing the private exchange of glances between the couple. "How did you discover the nest, Severus?"
"Actually, it was Lupin who discovered it, although at the time he was only tracking a scent and we didn't realize what it was until it was too late. The spiders themselves I think have been dead for some time, but I doubt the Harpies had been there long or we probably would have noticed them sooner," Severus replied.
"Yes, I also doubt they had been there long, but it is just as well you found them before we had a bigger brood on our hands," Dumbledore said. "Of course, it's possible the Wraith might have disposed of the Harpies as well, but the last thing we want is to see it get any bigger."
"Sir, if the Wraith is after easy prey, perhaps we should check with the Muggles and see if there are any farms in the area are suffering from any odd losses of livestock," Jennifer suggested.
"Yes, we should. See if you can't get with the Ministry about that," Dumbledore agreed. "The centaurs will be working to restore the area of the Forest that was damaged, and Professor Sprout will need an escort out there so that she can help, Severus. I'm sure between Sagittari and yourself, the two of you see to it that she gets back and forth safely. Now, lets see, what else do we need to discuss?" Dumbledore asked.
"I, for one, would like an explanation about who or what stepped in and saved Jennifer yesterday. Why did it give Sagittari a Spear, and why, exactly, did all of the centaurs feel that the event was so significant?" Severus asked, giving Sagittari an almost accusing look. Dumbledore sat back and folded his hands, glancing at Sagittari thoughtfully. Sagittari sighed, gazing at everyone in turn.
"Very well, I suppose there are some things I should tell you, things that are connected to what just happened in many ways, although I admit there are parts of it that I myself don't understand," Sagittari admitted, and then began.
"A long time ago, in the days when faerie folk were common, the centaurs did as they always had upon the Winter Solstice and looked to the stars. But the stars had changed in a way that no one of that time had foreseen, for the constellations that once housed the secrets of the greatest of the Fae races had disappeared from the sky. It was on that day that we knew they were leaving our lands forever. The seal that had once released them in this world was complete again, and with it, many of the pure Faeries left to escape the lands of man, which had become destructive in its endless wars.
"But there was with some consideration as to what would happen when they left, for many creatures which still possessed in whole or in part their wild magic and would need counsel when they were gone. So, it was decided that the next Sentinel of Wild Magic would be one of the handful of Fae born that were left behind. It was her job look after those few that stayed to help preserve the old ways and help to sustain the balance of magic in this world. The woman that they had chosen was a Half-Pooka, who they say had often walked among the centaurs as one of us. It was from her that we first became allies with the wizard folk, for everyone respected Caprica Dusthorn." Jennifer blinked in surprise, looking back at the painting in amazement. The painting winked and put her finger to her lips, turning back to watch the centaur.
"For many long centuries, we have lived under the guidance of the Sentinel of Wild Magic, each choosing a worthy descendant, and so it continued until several decades ago, when the current Sentinel grew ill with a sickness none of our kind or wizard kind could cure. In his final words, he promised that his position would not be left empty for long; that a centaur would be born that would possess the powers necessary to take over this position and restore the balance that Merlin had set out so carefully to preserve. It is of the opinion of most of my people," Sagittari said with a sigh, "that the centaur he spoke of was me, for I was born the night he died, and the stars under which I was born foretold of greatness."
"And what about you, Sagittari? What do you believe?" Dumbledore asked.
"I believe if there is any greatness destined for me that I would like to acquire in my own way and in my own time. They expected me to become like my father and head the constellation. I have only wanted to be a wizard from the time I was old enough to travel to the forest border. It is my chosen destiny, and I will not let them take it away from me," Sagittari said firmly.
"Wait a minute, there's something I'm not sure I understand," Jennifer said. "I thought the Sentinels of Magic are all wizards, including the Wild Magic Sentinel. So why can't you be both?"
"Not all Sentinels are wizards," Sagittari said.
"But they'd have to be to do their job well, wouldn't they? If Merlin established them to keep the balance, wouldn't they all then have to have a working knowledge of the other three magics to be able to perform their job correctly?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, Jennifer," Dumbledore said before Sagittari could respond. "If all was as it should be, each Sentinel would, or should, be capable of just that. Each guardian must share the full responsibility of their position with the others, as well as be able to perform whatever duties happen to come with their particular branch of magic. But sometimes things get turned around over time. It may take years, even generations, to put things back to the way they should be." Sagittari gave Dumbledore a hard look in the silence that followed.
"You would have me take this destiny placed on me, if it were up to you," Sagittari said to him.
"Sagittari, it is not for anybody but you to decide that," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "But I will say that the one who holds the knowledge and the title now is not someone who ever should have had the burden placed upon her, be she willing to take it or not. She is wise, it is true, and quite powerful for one of her kind, but it is not her nature to make decisions based on the needs of the world; her purity prevents her from ever being able to touch that which she has been forced to rule."
"Wait a moment," Jennifer said, looking between their faces to confirm her suspicious. "It's Keki, isn't it? Keki was given the knowledge of the Sentinel of Wild Magic. And it was she... that glint off her horn… she was the one who called the snake apparition to protect me!"
"Yes, although she does not have the power of the wizard within her, she has the knowledge to call great sources of wild magic to her aid should she need it. But the one she had chosen to call last night passed from the borders of this world hundreds of years ago, and if it hadn't been St. Bride's Day, I doubt Keki could have summoned her at all," Dumbledore said.
"Of course," Severus whispered amazement, continuing in a low voice. "It was a manifestation of Brigid that came to Jennifer's aid."
"In this, Jennifer's pregnancy and her past relationship with Keki probably saved her life," Dumbledore explained with a slight smile. "Amazing how the choices that we make seem to come back over and over again when we least expect it. But if I do say so myself, you seem to be doing a good job of making the right decisions, Jennifer," he said with a wink at Jennifer.
"And I have not," Sagittari challenged him.
"I believe that's something only you can decide, Sagittari," Dumbledore replied.
After spending the rest of the day at the Broom Closet with Alex and Severus, Jennifer hurried over to Sagittari's hut to help with the Saturday dinner. Both were unusually quiet, for neither really wanted to talk about what had happened, concentrating only on the baking lesson and the promise of company. Hermione and Ron were the first to arrive, their laughter announcing their presence before they even knocked. Jennifer let them in with a smile.
"Mmm, something smells wonderful," Hermione said as she often did as Ron hung up their coats.
"Well, hopefully it tastes like it smells this time. It was my turn to make desert again," Jennifer chuckled at herself. "I don't think I'm cut out for pastry."
"Oh, go on, the last baklava you made wasn't bad. At least, it wasn't as heavy as Hagrid's old rock cakes," Ron teased.
"Well, we're ready to celebrate tonight, because Ron just got a promotion," Hermione said proudly.
"Congratulations! What did you get promoted to? Obituaries?" Jennifer asked with a straight face.
"Touché, Jennifer. No, I'm on the second page, government column," Ron said.
"I thought you were already doing that column?" Sagittari inquired.
"I was, just not officially assigned to it," Ron admitted. "I guess they got tired of calling me out of those silly sentimental stories to poke about in the Ministry, so they went ahead and moved me. Percy wasn't so keen on it, but he realizes he won't be able to get rid of me in any case, considering we're related."
There was another knock, and this time Ron made it to the door first, opening it wide to let Sirius and Anna in. Jennifer couldn't help but give Sirius a long look; he was so different than when they had first met. The haunted expression in his eyes had nearly been swept away, and there was somehow a new sincerity in the complements he had always thrown out so easily before. His arm rested comfortably on Anna's shoulder as they came in. After whispering something to his tired wife, he helped her settle her into her chair, taking the one beside her.
"Hello, again, Anna. Finally able to pull yourself away from the Ministry, were you?" Ron inquired. Anna gratefully accepted the tea that Sagittari handed her then nodded to Ron, taking a sip.
"It's been a long, frustrating two weeks," Anna admitted. Jennifer looked over at her with concern.
"Danny?" Jennifer asked. Anna nodded.
"Oh, the signs are all there. I've no more doubt about it, but the signs are all based on second hand accounts by teachers who've had only token educations in psychology if any at all…"
"I think experience with students should count for something, Truth Seeking aside," Jennifer said. "Most of the faculty who gave statements have been here over a decade or more."
"Surely you have enough evidence to at least have someone talk to her," Hermione said.
"Hermione, if she's living with him, she's not about to risk saying something and have to face the consequences when she returns home with him again," Anna said, "and knowing Nelson, he'll insist on being present at any interview."
"This is ridiculous. If he were using a silly cursed item or something, the Ministry would be on him in a moment, and yet here we wonder whether or not he's a fit parent, and they can't even look into it," Jennifer said. Sirius looked at her thoughtfully.
"You know, Jennifer has a point," he said, looking over at Anna. "The Nelson's probably have quite a few heirloom items in the house. If someone suspected that there could be illegal devices in the house, the Ministry might consider a raid… and that might uncover something."
"At the very least, it'll let Danny know she's not forgotten, since we've had little luck getting any word to her," Jennifer said excitedly. "I think it's worth a shot. What do you think, Anna?"
"I think you might be onto something. I'll talk to Ederick about it first thing tomorrow," Anna agreed. Jennifer grimaced, but Anna ignored it. "If we're really lucky, we might find some illegal items to boot. Since Nelson seems so fond of money, it would be nice to see him lose it for a change."
"Fond of it? The man doesn't value anything that has no profit in it," Sirius grunted. "I wonder what price tag he puts on his daughter when he adds her into the books?" Anna stared at Sirius for a long time before an enigmatic smile crept across her face.
"I think I might have an idea," Anna said. "Mind going to London with me tomorrow?"
"Sure," Sirius shrugged. Jennifer looked over at Anna carefully for a long time before nodding approvingly. It was time to try and strike Nelson where his heart was.
The Ministry was already bustling the next day when Jennifer arrived in the Muggle Affairs' office, going over the newspapers with one of the clerks. A loud commotion erupted across the hall in the Muggle Protection office, and suddenly several operatives came in as well as Minister Peasegood, who grinned broadly at her.
"Well, Sirius and your tip paid off, Jennifer. We were able to confiscate quite a number of illegal artifacts from the Nelson manor, most of them designed for charming or manipulating people against their will," he told her.
"Why am I not surprised?" Jennifer replied, putting down her paper. "What about Danny? Did you see her at all?"
"She has a room in the basement with no fireplace and no windows," he said grimly. "I couldn't really talk to her because he kept her under thumb when we insisted going down there. In fact, we pulled several items from that room, hidden in a cache in the wall. Unfortunately, I also found something that I don't think Nelson was meant to see," he added. "A letter that somehow managed to get through from Hogwarts."
"A letter? Just one?" Jennifer frowned. She herself had sent quite a few, and she was quite sure others had as well.
"Yes, and he was quite angry about it being there. But I think I've seen more than enough to convince myself things aren't right. I'm going to ask Arthur for a Ministry order to allow her to be brought in for questioning," he said.
"Oh, Arnie, that's the best news I've heard all week," Jennifer said, hugging him with relief. "How did she look? Is she alright?"
"She looked overly pale but otherwise seemed all right," Arnie said, patting her reassuringly. "Don't worry, Professor, we'll get her out."
"Minister Peasegood!" Jennifer and Arnie looked up to see Penelope in the doorway, slightly out of breath. "Minister, I just let Mr. Nelson in upstairs. He's quite furious and demanding to see Minister Weasley."
"Well, that didn't take him long, did it?" Arnie grinned. "Come on, let's see what the old bugger has to say." Jennifer put down her work and followed, slipping into the back of the Ministry office beside him.
"Mr. Nelson, surely you can't deny that these items were found in your house…"
"I am not here to deny. I am here to find out just exactly who accused me and what evidence you had to confirm it!" Byron snarled.
"Mr. Nelson, I'm sure you're quite aware that these raids go on from time to time, and with all the incidents that occurred last year involving illegal artifacts…"
"Minister, I hope you're not trying to imply that you think me guilty on the mere coincidence that these incidents of yours started the year that I arrived. I returned for practical business reasons, and if you will look at my records, you will find that the devices in question are actually licensed in Germany."
"And yet you did not choose to try and license here… perhaps because you knew that you would be asked to hand them over," Arthur said. "I used to be the one in charge of conducting these raids, Mr. Nelson, and something about someone who deals with Muggles every day possessing so many devices designed to control them makes me wonder."
"Wonder all you like, Minister Weasley. But unless you have the evidence to prove that I have done anything wrong except for collecting a few trinkets over the years that you don't approve of, I suggest you drop it and return to the subject at hand. I want a list of your informers," Nelson snarled.
"Good morning, Minister, I hope we're not interrupting," Arnie said almost cheerfully as both men glanced back at them. "I just got back and was going over some things with Professor Craw when I heard that you arrived. What's wrong, Nelson, did I miss something that you would like to go ahead and turn in so I don't have to do another raid at your house?"
"I want a copy of the warrant! And I want that woman out of here, what is she doing here?" Nelson said, his eyes flashing at her. "You had something to do with this, didn't you?"
"I happen to be here on school business concerning an adjacent property and its recent effects on local Muggles, not that it's of any interest to you," Jennifer said calmly. "Minister Peasegood asked me along, and I have to admit I couldn't help but be a bit curious as to why you were here."
"Here's a copy of the warrant," Arnie said calmly, handing over a folded paper to him. "As you can see, it was signed by Deputy Minister Thurspire and the Head Magistrate Archimedes Muse himself."
"Thurspire? That insult to the Department of Investigations? I'll have his job for this…"
"For what? It can't be false accusations," Arnie pointed out. "In point of fact, it was the most profitable raid I had all month. Oh, and while we're on the subject, Minister Weasley, I had a great deal of trouble getting past Mr. Nelson to ask his daughter anything about her knowledge of the cursed items, and from the looks of things in that household, it appears that there is sufficient enough evidence to suspect a cover up of some kind. I also find it particularly odd that her accommodations at home are but one unheated basement, sparsely furnished, and filled only with what appears to be accounting ledgers. She might be doctoring the books, Minister."
"How dare you! The girl is barely thirteen years old and you accuse her of such illegal activity? Outrageous!"
"Oh, I'm not accusing her of illegal activity, Mr. Nelson. If there is any going on in that house, I am quite sure, regardless of whose handwriting it is, the blame lies strictly on you," Arnie said.
"She may help me with the books, but there is no crime in a daughter helping with the family business, and you will find that the numbers will all match up," Byron said coldly, gritting his teeth to control his temper. "As for her room being in the basement, she was moved there to protect her from unsolicited letters from her former school," he snapped, turning on Jennifer. "And I was appalled to find out after I had turned back countless posts that someone was able to sneak one in despite my wishes, and it even urged her to write them to see if they couldn't try and find a way to get her back to the school," Byron said, holding up the note. "I am outraged that the someone would go to such lengths as to try and brainwash my daughter into thinking that the school is better for her than her own father! And I may not know this Athos, Aramis, and Porthos by name, but I have little doubt who influenced them to do something like this, and she happens to be standing right in front of me!"
"Mr. Nelson, at Hogwarts we encourage our students to think for themselves," Jennifer said. "We don't restrict them from post or try to control every moment of their lives, and we certainly don't try and stick them in the dungeon just in case they might try to run away," she said, looking in his eyes with a steady gaze. "Who are you more afraid of, Nelson? The school, or the truth behind the child you took from it?"
"I fear nothing," Byron said coldly, "But then, coming from a coward who can't even stand in the middle of Myrkinbrek without fainting dead away from fear certainly can't be taken too seriously when speaking about it." He turned around to Arthur, who was eyeing him with unmasked dislike. "I'll be back, Weasley, to talk of this again, and with my counselor," he said, turning back to Jennifer. "I will find out the source of the inquiry, and I assure you that whoever is responsible will regret setting me up."
"Yes, well, we'll see about that, Nelson. You can always bring it up to the judge when you pay your fees," Arthur said.
"And you might want to think about tidying up the house, if I were you," Arnie said evenly. "For the next time I decide to call," he added. Nelson glared at him icily before finally leaving, Arnie quickly closing the door behind them.
"By the way, under the circumstances, I'd like to officially request permission to question Danny Nelson about the items, at least." Arnie said.
"Of course, go ahead and see about getting a warrant. And make sure you bring her here, don't try to question her anywhere near that man," Arthur advised.
"You can count on that, Arthur," Arnie agreed.
"Jennifer, what about these students who got the letter to her? I don't recognize the names, but I'm curious to find out how they got a letter through," Arthur said.
"Oh, I recognize the names," Arnie chuckled. "And I can guarantee that those aren't their true names."
"That's alright," Jennifer sighed. "I already have a pretty good idea who they are."