Chapter Twenty-Eight
Legacies
With only the red-wisp light to guide her way, Jennifer went deeper into the dungeons, slipping down a narrow corridor to a stone door and passing through it down a long, limestone stair into the cavern below. Pipes of all sizes worked their way across the cistern cavern, a roughly hewn, damp area just below the lake level. Jennifer's head was already pounding but she refused to acknowledge it, sitting down on the cold stone floor with her back to the wall, staring out into the darkness. Dripping water echoed in the background, breaking the silence every now and then while Jennifer, trying to keep her breathing even, pulled her cloak around her. She wasn't sure how long she had been there, sorting out her memories and continuously reasoning with herself how perfectly safe she was, when she heard soft footsteps approach.
Tapping her necklace, the light brightened to reveal where Dumbledore was standing a few feet away, still in his dress robes from the evening and looking at her with a gentle smile as if it was a completely natural place for either of them to be.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, Jennifer. I just was just taking a little walk and thought I heard someone nearby," he said casually.
"A little walk? In the cistern?" Jennifer questioned skeptically.
"Well, I might have perhaps been a bit persuaded which direction to take after a short chat with Severus," he admitted, looking around at a large rock which suddenly took the form of a great stone chair. "Mind if I keep you company for a bit? I could use a rest after all of those stairs," he said. Jennifer nodded and he sat down. "I didn't have a chance to tell you tonight you looked quite radiant in that dress. That's the one you and Minerva had been working on lately, is it not?" he inquired, getting another nod. "And Anna's dress as well, I believe. Ah, yes, Anna. She's really come a long way this year, understanding modern magic and learning to focus her abilities. You have really done a very good job at training her."
"Professor, to be perfectly honest, I've hardly done anything at all with Anna," Jennifer said slowly. "I had Sagittari help her with her casting, since he understood from what he knew how to train how not to use that sort of magic. Minerva helped with Transfiguration, since honestly it's never been my best subject, and I asked Severus to help her with her Defense, because he'd already been working with Corey privately since he didn't need a wand," Jennifer admitted. "I even had a student helping her with riding a broom since I certainly wasn't capable of teaching it."
"Yes, I know," Dumbledore smiled. "But tell me, what was it that made you choose to go to them?" Jennifer shrugged.
"Just paying attention to what she needed and who could help her with it."
"Exactly," Dumbledore smiled. "Teaching isn't always about standing up in front of a classroom and expecting them to learn it, you know. Sometimes the best teaching that you can give to someone is through other people. However, I have always been of the opinion that the most effective teaching of all comes from finding ways to get the students to teach themselves. Of course, that can be risky at times… the world is a perilous place. Experience can be a very harsh teacher indeed."
"So I'm learning," Jennifer sighed, leaning her head back. "It's been two years since the Tomb and I still can't get over it. I don't dare close my eyes for a second down here because I know my lungs will clench and I'll remember what happened all over again. I know there's little chance that Hogwarts will fall on my head, and it definitely won't fall on your head," she added, getting a chuckle from Dumbledore, "But for some reason…reasoning itself isn't enough. It's taken control of my life, Professor. I hate it, and I'm beginning to hate myself for not being able to get a handle on it."
"Tell, me, Jennifer," Dumbledore said, gazing at her steadily. "Why have you never brought this up to me before?"
"Sir?"
"You've been feeling this way for quite some time, ever since it happened in fact, but you've never once asked for your office or classroom to be moved," he noted.
"Sir, I'm well aware what sort of protections are placed specifically on that room to make sure things don't get out of control in the lab. I certainly wouldn't want to risk any accidents on my account," Jennifer said. "And moving the office just wasn't practical, or I'd have taken Severus up on exchanging them last year. Instead, I just leave the windows open and grit my teeth and bare it because I must."
"And last year, when Rolanda was in danger, you helped go after her in the old caverns under the cottage, even knowing that parts of them were unstable," Dumbledore said.
"Don't think for a moment I wasn't suffering," Jennifer chuckled bitterly. "But I wasn't about to abandon a friend when she needed us."
"Yes, it seems that in any circumstance where you have to deal with things that make you uncomfortable, you still manage to do them anyway. That doesn't sound to me like something that is actually controlling your life," Dumbledore said.
"Well, what about this year when I fainted in the middle of Myrkinbrek just because I found out I was underground? Or several weeks ago when I ran out of that centaur cave because I would have rather faced Harpies than stayed in there a moment longer?" Jennifer asked.
"And what about now, where you came down here all alone to sit to find the answers to those questions?" Dumbledore said. "We all have fears to live with, Jennifer. How we deal with them is part of what makes us who we are. Although really, it doesn't surprise me that you're willing to put your fears on hold for others but not for yourself. You've always put others above yourself. But, sometimes, you have to learn to put yourself above others. And I really think that's what your being down here is truly all about, don't you?" Jennifer looked over at him for a long time.
"Perhaps you're right," Jennifer sighed softly.
"It's one thing to carry burden, but it's quite another to take it all on unnecessarily when there are so many here willing to lighten the load, not the least of which being Severus, who has been at odds with everyone and everything lately worrying about you," he said.
"I know, it's just…I almost feel guilty talking about it with him. When I was with Keki that first time, it was just us, and I so completely forgot him, and then he got injured…I felt so horrible," Jennifer murmured.
"Somehow I doubt that you truly forgot him. In fact, I don't think you could have," Dumbledore said. "When you had fallen into Cosmic Sleep and the Unicorns drove off Voldemort and the Death Eaters, not one of them ever attempted to fight Severus. How did they know the difference? How were they so sure he was with us? I don't think it was mere instinct, Jennifer. I believe Keki knew without a doubt that you loved him, and that is why he was left untouched." Blinking thoughtfully at his words, Jennifer reached into her cloak and took out a box lined in purple velvet, opening it to look upon the horn, brushing it gently with her finger. "Keki will never be forgotten, Jennifer. She was not only a great Unicorn, but a Sentinel as well. Although, if you don't mind my suggesting it, whatever you decide to do with that horn, might I suggest sending a small sliver to Ollivander's? I am sure a wand imbued with her healing magic and desire to do good might inspire others as well someday."
"What's going to happen now? I mean, now that there's no Sentinel of Wild Magic?" Jennifer asked, carefully covering the horn again.
"That responsibility will be passed onto another, of course, should he finally be willing to take it," Dumbledore sighed. "But I have a plan to help convince him that it is time that he did just that."
Jennifer got herself dressed and stepped out of the back room and over to where Sagittari stood by the desk with Madame Pomfrey.
"All done?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, of course, you're doing quite well. In fact, you're a bit healthier this time than the first," Sagittari commented with a smile.
"She's definitely been eating better," Pomfrey said approvingly. "Although she needs to stay off her feet more."
"Have you ever tried to stay off of your feet in this school?" Jennifer asked her.
"Well, that's definitely a point, but do try," Pomfrey insisted.
"The swelling creams don't do you any good in the jar," Sagittari added with a knowing smile.
"Well, thanks for letting me having my appointment here today, I've had a tight schedule with everything going around lately," Jennifer said. "By the way, Doctor, do you have a moment to come up to the Trophy Room with me? There's someone I think you should meet," Jennifer said enigmatically.
"Certainly," Sagittari said, finishing up his notes, following behind her.
It was then that Sagittari first met the painting of Caprica Dusthorn. He recognized her instantly as he turned around towards the door, bowing his head reverently as he smiled warmly at him.
"Professor Dusthorn, this is Doctor Sagittari, the centaur wizard."
"It is an honor indeed to meet the semblance of the woman my people remember so well," Sagittari said.
"Well met, Doctor. You may not realize it, but I've had my eye on you for quite some time now," she said with a twinkle of amusement. "I see you're still wearing the Spear."
"It means nothing, except for the fact I do not feel it safe in other hands so choose to keep it on me," Sagittari answered evenly.
"I beg your pardon? It means nothing?" Caprica said with open surprise. "You can not possibly believe that, Sagittari. Such a relic as the Spear of Lugh is not something any one should take lightly, especially when your people had been chosen to guard it."
"The Spear of Lugh?" Jennifer repeated in awe. "But that is incredible! That something like that would just be handed out by a phantom…why would anything so powerful be showing up now?" Caprica paused for a moment as if thinking how to reply, nodding to herself.
"I suppose it's best by starting at the beginning," Caprica decided, looking between Sagittari and Jennifer. "It's something that started a very, very, long time ago, before even I was born when a very wise man was forced to make a very hard decision.
"You see, he was one of those born from human and Fae; specifically the Danaan, who fought the ancient magics of the Fomorians long ago. He had come from the faerie lands though the Western Isle, and by the time had left, he had helped to help the natives of these islands become purveyors of justice and higher thinking, led by a king he trained himself and that he thought capable of uniting the island kingdoms under a central rule and a central council.
"But time flows differently in the faerie world, and when he returned after an extended visit, he found that his faith was misplaced. The kingdom had failed, and the humans had once again turned into warring neighbors. It was then that he decided that this world was too busy warring with itself to accept those they saw as outsiders, such as the Fae, the Fae born, and the humans born of magic. So, he undid the actions of the elven kings who had attempted to settle here by reforming the seal that kept Tir Na Nog hidden. Then he bade those who chose to stay in this world to keep their identity a secret, else face persecution."
"You speak of Merlin," Jennifer said, and Caprica nodded.
"Yes, I do. But Merlin still had hope that someday the non-magic folk and magic folk would be able to live together and help one another, playing on each other's strengths to make a better world. So, he took steps to encourage this, as well as to insure that the magic left behind here would not fall out of balance. He established the Order of Merlin, made up of a group of wizards, sworn to protect both wizards and non-wizards alike, who would monitor the progress of our world in hopes that one day everyone might live together peacefully. And, of course, he established the Sentinels of the four primary magics; the first Sentinels being his four children."
"I didn't know he had children," Jennifer admitted.
"Yes, two from one woman and two from another," Caprica nodded, "and each child was particularly powerful in one type of magic, although all of them could use all four. The only daughter inherited the Wild Magic of the Fae, while her twin was adept at Light. The other two, of course, were adept at Ancient and Dark. All four children went on to establish their own families and own lines. In fact, there really very few old wizard families today that don't have some of that blood mingled in their past somewhere. Every now and then, a child is born with all four bloodlines, and it is said they exhibit powers all of their own. Legend has it that one day one of them will open the gate and Merlin will return to see if the world is ready for him to return."
"I have read other wizard literature that predicted that opening the gate would end all magic in this world, if it were to happen," Sagittari said.
"If opened by the wrong person and in the wrong way, perhaps, and without the four items there that protect the Seal," Caprica said, glancing over at Jennifer. "From what I understand from Albus, that prophecy was tested last year, but as Fate would have it, the evil that attempted to ruin magic destroyed itself." Jennifer nodded soberly at that. "After the first generation, the four items came to represent more than just the gate to Tir Na Nog; they also came to represent the four Sentinels that were sworn to protect them. The Sword of Nuatha represented the Sentinel of Light; The Stone of Destiny stood for the Ancient, The Cauldron of Dagda stood for the Dark, and last but not least, The Spear of Lugh, which represented Wild Magic. It was mine to wield once, very many years ago. And now it is yours, Sagittari. Just be careful with it and keep it polished with poppy oil, it can have a mind of its own at times."
"I do not wish this thing, nor do I wish to take this responsibility. You, who first made this pact with my people, surely you are wise enough to pick someone else to guard the Wild magic. I have spent my life spurning it, fighting my family over it, and cursing the stars over it. I am a wizard, and I will not be a Sentinel," Sagittari said. Caprica's eyes lit up with sheer amusement, shaking her head with a lopsided smile.
"Dear, Sagittari. I have a very good friend, whom the real me owed my life and allegiance to... he was the most powerful Diviner and Visionary that has ever walked these halls or will likely to again. His name was Icarus Ravenclaw," Caprica said. Jennifer looked up in surprise. "And one of the things he always used to say was that the more someone runs away from their destiny, the greater chance there is that they meet it. And so you have, dear Doctor. Sagittari, I cannot ask you to be something that you already are, whether you accept the title or not is of little consequence. You are the Sentinel of Wild Magic."
"That can not be so. I served no apprenticeship," Sagittari said, whipping his tail defiantly.
"Sentinel apprentices aren't always told when they're serving the apprenticeship, nor do they always know who entrusted them with an apprenticeship in the first place," Caprica explained with a smile. "But you, Sagittari, have been told all of your life, from the stars, from your own people, from your teachers, and your friends. All that is left now is for you to decide is if you want to use that power for good, for evil, for balance, or not to use it at all," Caprica told him seriously. "But whatever you choose, it is still yours alone to decide."
"I am not sure what to decide," Sagittari said after a moment.
"Good, that's a start," Caprica said. "I think I'll let you ponder that for awhile. But I'm always here if you need me. And you can always ask the other Sentinels, once you figure out who they are. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go pester Dumbledore for a moment," she said, stepping out of her picture. "Good luck."
"I should probably be going too," Jennifer said, awkwardly pushing herself back on her feet from where she sat on a bench.
"What would you do, Jennifer, if you were made a Sentinel?" The centaur asked her.
"Me?" Jennifer said in surprise, shrugging, "I suppose it depends on which magic I ended up serving, I would guess. If I were the Sentinel of Light, I suppose I'd be the one to try and encourage everyone to come together, and help fulfill Merlin's dream to see the world reunited, although I really don't know much about Muggles. I also don't know much about Ancient to really guess what I might do or have to do for that either. Of course, my strength is Dark Magic, so if I were Sentinel, I doubt I'd do all that much at all, at least not directly…" Jennifer suddenly gasped, her eyes widening. "I gotta go. Excuse me."
"Wait, Jennifer!" Sagittari said, peering out the door after her. "You never said anything about Wild Magic!"
Jennifer wasted no time, hurrying down to her office without a second thought and grabbing a handful of floo powder.
"Coven Suites," she said, disappearing into the ash.
Within a moment she was in the lobby. She walked straight up to the Doorlift without even bothering to check at the desk, and the doorman respectfully showed her up. She knocked on the door insistently until it opened and she stepped into Lunette Vallid's hotel suite, striding over to the desk where Vallid sat writing a memo.
"Hello, Jennifer, what brings you here?" Vallid asked calmly.
"There's something I have to ask you," Jennifer said, "and I hope you're willing to give me a straight answer."
"Sure, Jennifer, what is it?" Vallid asked, glancing up a moment.
"Are you the Sentinel of Dark Magic?" Jennifer asked.
"What makes you think that?" Vallid asked with a smile, signing the memo and setting it aside.
"All of the time I have known you, everyone has always said you were a great witch, but just it occurred to me that I had never noticed you doing any magic at all except for transforming into your other form," Jennifer said. "Except the other night, when you cast a Dark spell that even I probably wouldn't have dared to cast, especially the way you used it... by overloading the Wraith with Dumbledore's energy, which was much more power than it could drain at once, which is why it destroyed it. Only a dark witch of extreme power could do that. And yet, the fact that you never use your magic makes me wonder if you feel the way I do in that the greatest power you can have over magic is not to use it."
"You know, when you put that as the answer to 'what is the greatest magic power' on your written Truth Seeker test, a lot of people took notice of it," Vallid said with a smile. "Including me, which was one of the reasons I was so interested in testing your Truth Seeking ability myself. It was a very good answer, and quite understandable from someone such as yourself who was trained solely in dark magic as a child only to then be forced to restrain it in favor of the more subtle magical arts at Whitebridge."
"I wasn't meaning for this conversation to be about me. I just want to know the truth," Jennifer insisted firmly, earning a very amused look from Vallid. "You are the Sentinel, aren't you?"
"Besides other things," Vallid said with a nod and a smile. "Yes, Jennifer, you're right. I wondered how long it would take you to put that together."
"And what about… I mean, with all this talk of Sentinels taking on apprentices, I was wondering if you had an apprentice yet?" Jennifer asked.
"Of course, Jennifer," Vallid replied, pulling over the next sheet of paper.
"Who?" Jennifer asked when Vallid finally met her gaze.
"I think you already know the answer to that question," Vallid replied.