Chapter Thirty-Two
Many Joyous Recoveries
It wasn't until several days later, after Severus was sitting up, eating, and starting to sound like his regular old self again that they finally found the opportunity to talk at length about what had happened.
Severus listened intently to the events at Stonehenge, his face darkening noticeably when he heard of Fudge's idea to put Jennifer and Anna into an endless sleep, expecting Severus and Sirius to be killed by the Dreadbiter.
"To think of both of you having to go through the same endless thoughts as I went through during Cosmic Sleep… that is a fate I wouldn't want to happen to anyone. Well, except maybe to Fudge for thinking of it," Severus snarled.
"I have a feeling that Fudge doesn't understand just how bad of a side-effect it is, Severus. I went through the same experience myself when you put me under Cosmic Sleep all those years ago," Jennifer told him gently. "But you know, if he hadn't had that silly Spindle with him, I might not have been able to save you, Severus, and I never want to have to face another future without you in it again."
"I felt that way after the first time you went down in the Tomb," Severus admitted somberly. "And I am still amazed that you went back down there after me."
"Severus, you mean more to me than my own life. If that means getting buried alive, falling from a broom, or walking to hell and back, I'm still going after you," Jennifer said, putting his hand on her stomach. "Besides, this baby needs a father. And I wasn't about to let you get out of things that easily. So, knowing how fast the Cosmic Curse works and how quickly it slows your metabolism, I used it. Of course, Dumbledore asked me to have the thing destroyed afterwards so that it didn't get misused, and I agreed… it's gone now," Jennifer said. "A small price to pay when I have you back. And I do need you," she said defiantly, daring him to argue the point
"Perhaps, at least, to keep you out of trouble," Severus acknowledged with a nod. Jennifer couldn't help but chuckle at him.
Much to the students' dismay, Severus Snape returned to class with a grueling list of things to study for finals. Despite the anxiety of upcoming tests, the morale in the school had never been better. Danny, although studying quite responsibly for her tests, still took time off to be with her friends, as well as give Anna and Jennifer some secret last-minute flying lessons to secure the points needed for another Slytherin house cup win.
Corey actually finished his homework, and even more impressively got a passing mark on his Muggle Studies term paper. And Sagittari, after having a very long talk with Caprica and an even longer talk with Dumbledore, decided to stay on as Groundskeeper and Creatures instructor, as well as personal doctor to several professors and students.
It was rather late in the year, about the time when Jennifer's walk had turned into a waddle, that she and Sagittari came into Dumbledore's study, Jennifer with a box in her hand. And it was that same day when the three of them joined Harry, Ginny, Anna, Sirius, Lupin, Hermione, Rosmerta, Severus, and the centaurs as they walked to the remains of the Tomb.
The damaged earth had been filled in by the centaurs, and trees had been planted over the entire area; tiny sprigs of green could be seen through the tiny blades of grass that bravely pushing up through the dark soil. Without a word, Jennifer uncovered the Unicorn Horn and stepped over the field where an older tree, moved there from the heart of the Dark Forest, stood. Jennifer dropped it in the soft soil in front of the tree and covered it with dirt, stepping back over to the others as Sagittari stepped forward.
"The horn of Keki, Herdleader and Sentinel, has been freely given to the land which she loved with all her being, and fought to preserve. It is whole save two small shards…the first for a wand so that she may continue to do good deeds in the restless world; may it guide its owner's path well. The other was used to help save one of the wizards who chose to risk his own life beneath this land, to preserve our safety. May the rest of her blessing heal the evil that was done to this land and restore the balance to the Dark Forest, and to our lives," Sagittari said raising his wand.
"Horn of power, hear our plea, heal this earth, and set the darkness free!" Sagittari chanted. White light beamed out of his wand, striking the ground where the horn was.
A phantom wind rose; whipping back Sagittari's hair, curling around him and blowing against Harry, Jennifer, and Severus. Suddenly the light fractured into prisms floating out from beneath the tree, spreading out over the entire area and twinkling like the stars. "May the heavens watch over this land and protect it from evil forever more," Sagittari added, unusually solemn. Jennifer leaned on Severus' arm, watching as one by one the lights went out, filling her with a sense of peace.
Severus slipped down into the basement of the Broom Closet, pausing a moment when he heard the baby cry. Hearing Carol's voice and Jennifer's a moment later, the cry quieted again, and he descended the rest of the stairs and to the corner where his desk was, tiredly sitting down with a hot cup of anise tea. He looked on his desk at his journal, flipping through the pages. Grimacing at the last time he made an entry, he picked up his quill, dipping it in ink and turning the page.
June 9th. I suppose I should first start by announcing that just short of a week ago on June the 3rd and on a practically perfect schedule, our second child and first son, Aurelius Craw Snape was born, accompanied by a pair of lungs that could wake the living dead. McGonagall and Dumbledore were the first to know, having had watched the book quite carefully since Jennifer went into labor, and fortunately it seems that all went well. Jennifer is tired but happy, and I am grateful to our Nanny, Carol Finn, for without her there would be little doubt we would already have been collapsing with exhaustion by now. Of course, Corey and Essie both help from time to time, but with Alexandria getting more mobile by the day, she by herself is getting to be a handful. She is very intelligent and always into trouble, and always trying to take off on her own, just like her mother.
The Dark Forest is doing well. Sagittari has been working with Ronan on security, but I am happy to report there have been no major problems since Keki's Grove was dedicated. In fact, it appears to be recovering from the damage done even before the Tomb was open, when Voldemort had lurked there. Now that Sagittari has begin to come to terms with himself and the task at hand, he is proving to be a good leader and counselor, not to mention the only centaur I'd trust to deliver my children.
As for Fudge, he is being held on several theft charges and use of illegal items, thanks in part to Harry, and also to Fudge himself, for forgetting that Craw heirlooms never work on Craws… he always was a bungler, and there is still a part of me that believes that he was not working alone.
Titiana has been spending the summer visiting her relatives in America, hoping to discover more about her family bloodline. I have not even begun to sort out in my head the implications of all we have found out so far; perhaps because I know there is more to come as far as bloodlines are concerned. I also have no doubt there is more is store for Jennifer, and perhaps even me, in the years to come. However, I can also say that the more time passes with Jennifer in my life, the more I look forward to the future ahead.
Severus looked up as he heard a knock on the door, yelling back a short answer as he drank down his tea, picking up his quill.
In any case, I do not know when I will write again; the Broom Closet is hectic once more, although I doubt I would have it any other way. It is rather like Hogwarts in that something's always going on…someone's always in trouble, and someone almost always seems to need me. Until next entry, ~S. Snape.
Getting up, Severus waved out the candle with a gesture and went upstairs to find out what sort of disaster was in store for him this time.
End of Book 5
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it, and please review! The next book in the Series is Jennifer Craw and the Isle of Legends...lots lots more information about the Sentinels and what the items are all about...and of course, more trouble for Jennifer (and Corey...and anyone associated with them) so I hope you stick around to see what happens next! ~ Doublequill (July-2022 rev.)